Open cardboard trays for optimal presentation at the point of sale – efficient, sustainable and sales-enhancing.
A tray packaging is an open cardboard packaging that is erected from a flat cardboard blank into a stable carrier. Your pre-packaged products are then precisely grouped and placed in the tray. The cardboard blank is gently folded around a folding head and bonded with hot-melt adhesive. The result is a stable, open packaging that protects your products while presenting them optimally on the shelf.
Typical tray variants:
- Standard tray: flat, open tray without a cover
- Trays with support rails: trays with support rails or stacking corners for increased stability and stackability
Pre-packaging
- Stand-up pouches – ground coffee, snacks, pet food
- Folding cartons – tea bag packaging, cereals, muesli
- Cans/tins – convenience foods, cocoa tins, coffee beans, beverage cans
- Bottles – sauces, beverages, cleaning agents
- Cups – yogurt, desserts, fresh products
- Blister packs – batteries, small parts
- Jars – preserves, baby food, spreads
The open design of tray packaging provides an unobstructed view of your primary packaging. Your brand, product design and messaging are immediately visible. This encourages impulse purchases and strengthens brand recognition directly on the shelf.
Shelf-ready trays significantly speed up shelf replenishment. Retail staff can leave products in their packaging; there is no need to remove lids or handle individual items during shelving. The entire tray is placed directly on the shelf. This saves time, reduces personnel costs and ensures a tidy, consistent presentation on the shelf.
Compared to fully closed cardboard packaging (e.g. wraparound or RSC), tray packaging requires significantly less material. Less cardboard means:
- Lower material costs per packaging unit
- Reduced logistics costs due to lower weight
- Optimized material usage through precise folding processes
- Sustainable packaging solutions and less waste at the retail
The packaging process
- Feeding and grouping: Pre-packaged products are fed individually, collected and grouped to the desired carton content.
- Positioning: The product grouping is positioned on the flat carton blank.
- Tray forming: The carton blank is folded around the folding head in a product-friendly manner and glued with hot melt adhesive.
- Output: The finished tray is discharged for further processing (e.g. palletizing)
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about tray packaging
Tray packaging is ideal when product visibility at the point of sale is the priority. It is particularly suitable for sturdy products intended for direct shelf presentation. By contrast, a wraparound provides maximum transport protection and is the better choice when stackability and protection from external influences are important.
SOMIC tray packers process corrugated board cartons in a wide range of material thicknesses – from solid board through compact E-flute at approx. 1.5 mm and the versatile B-flute at approx. 3 mm to the robust C-flute at approx. 4 mm. Other board types and material combinations available on request.
Yes, tray cartons can be produced on all three SOMIC machine series – the SOMIC 434, the SOMIC 323 and the SOMIC 202. The machines differ in performance, flexibility and expandability. We would be happy to determine together which solution best meets your requirements.
Together towards the perfect packaging concept
Not sure whether tray packaging, a wraparound or a tray/cover solution is the right choice for your product? Our experts analyze your requirements and recommend the optimal packaging solution.
Tel: +49 8075 916-0
E-mail: info(at)somic(dot)de