How to measure for custom food boxes

The right size keeps food looking the way it left the kitchen. Too big and food slides and cools; too small and toppings get crushed. Here's how to measure for boxes, cones, sleeves and wraps.

Boxes and trays

1. Pack a real portion the way customers receive it, with toppings, garnish and any liner.
2. Measure length (the longest side), width and height at the tallest point.
3. Add 1/8 to 1/4 in clearance on each side, and extra headroom for icing, soft toppings or steam.
4. Add space for sauce cups, napkins or utensils if they travel in the box.

We quote by inside dimensions. Board thickness adds a little to the outside, which matters if the box must fit a bag, shelf or insulated carrier.

Cones and sleeves

Measure the height you want the cone to cover and the diameter of the opening. For ice cream sleeves, measure the cone itself at the top and at the point where the sleeve should end. For fry cones, measure a typical portion's height and how wide the opening needs to be for easy eating.

Wraps and papers

Lay the food on a sheet and fold it as your team normally would. Measure the sheet size that covers the food with enough overlap to tuck the ends. For baking papers, measure the inside of your sheet pans.

Pouches and bags

Measure by volume and weight. Fill a sample with your product, note the net weight, and choose a width, height and gusset that leaves room to seal.

Common mistakes

• Measuring food without toppings or garnish.
• Forgetting liners, inserts and sauce cups.
• Ignoring delivery bag sizes.
• Mixing inches and millimeters.
• Skipping a sample for critical fits.

Need help?

Send your measurements and a photo of the food with your quote request, and we'll recommend dimensions for free. Each product page also includes a size chart.