Food Gable Box.

At the base first, and then at the root of the handle, because the whole load runs up through the folded lid panels. Everyone worries about the handle. The base gives way before it does, which is why we build meal boxes with an auto-bottom that spreads the load across the panel instead of relying on tuck flaps.

The handle root gets extra material as well, since that is the tear point when the base holds.

Yes, if it is specified to the loaded weight rather than to an empty box on a bench. A standard caliper carries a sandwich, a side and a drink. A full hot meal with a drink needs the heavier caliper board and a reinforced handle area, and very heavy loads on standard board are something we decline to quote.

Fill one with the real meal and walk it to the car in one hand before you sign off the caliper.

Yes, a clear film window goes into one of the side panels, and bakery and prepared-meal operators use it where the food is attractive. The window sits below the gable so it does not cut across the load path. For hot and oily contents a greaseproof liner protects the board and keeps the window clear.

The gable box is not a liquid container, so anything with sauce goes into a sealed tub inside it.

All six, and every one of them is visible while the box is carried. Kraft with flexo is the event catering standard. Full CMYK covers all six faces with photographic artwork. The peaked gable panels are the under-used ones: they sit at eye level when the box is in the hand, and most operators leave them blank.

Matte lamination is available for corporate and hospitality catering, and spot colours are matched across reprints.

6 x 3.5 x 7 inches suits a sandwich-and-side lunch, and 8 x 4 x 8 inches takes a full hot meal. Dimensions are length by width by height to the top of the handle, measured outside. Depth is the number to get right, because a box that is too tall lets the contents shift and a box that is too short will not close over the food.

Both sizes ship and stack flat.

The run starts at 500 boxes in one size and one design. Runs above 1,000 get tiered pricing, and we can go to 100,000 on the same dieline. Because the box flat-packs, 500 boxes arrive as a compact stack that fits under a counter.

Standard is 7 to 10 business days and rush is 5 to 7 business days, both counted from artwork approval. A sample comes in 5 to 7 business days. Order one in the caliper you intend to run and load it to the heaviest meal on your menu, since the base and handle only show their limits under weight.

The sample charge is credited when the full order is placed.

Clay-coated board with a greaseproof liner for hot, oily meals, and kraft for picnic, artisan and event catering where the natural look fits. Clay-coated gives a sealed surface, grease resistance and a clean print face. Kraft hides the marks that hot food leaves. Either goes up a caliper when the meal is heavy.

Both are fibre-based and recyclable as paper where the box comes back lightly soiled.