Custom Donut Trays: A Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Packaging

Donuts come in many shapes. A plain ring is flat and light. A filled donut is taller. A chocolate donut with sprinkles needs extra room. One standard tray rarely suits all of them. That is why bakeries often choose custom donut trays made around their own products.

This guide explains how to size, build and order custom donut trays for a UK bakery, café or donut shop. You will learn how to measure donuts, compare materials, check food safety and plan printing. You will also see how the order process works, from first quote to final proof.

What Are Custom Donut Trays?

Custom donut trays are made-to-order trays built around the size, quantity and decoration of your donuts. They are usually made from paperboard or cardboard. They can include set compartments, printed artwork, and a fit for outer boxes or lids, so each donut stays separate.

Bakeries, donut shops, cafés, caterers and food startups all use them. Some place donut packaging trays on the shop counter. Others slide them into takeaway boxes or use them for events. Many UK buyers write “doughnut” instead of “donut”, so you will also see custom doughnut trays in searches. Both terms describe the same product.

A tray is open at the top. A box is closed. Many bakeries use both. The tray holds each donut in place, and the box protects the tray on the move. If you need the outer layer, see our custom donut boxes.

Why Use Custom Donut Trays for Bakery Products?

A well-sized tray solves a few daily problems in a bakery.

•       Product separation: Each donut sits in its own space, so icing and toppings stay apart.
•       Neat presentation: A tray cut to size leaves no loose gaps. Donuts look tidy on the counter.
•       Faster handling: Staff can pack, stack and lift trays that always hold the same count.
•       Steadier transport: A snug cavity limits sliding on a short trip.
•       Brand visibility: Printed bakery trays carry your logo and colours from the counter to the customer’s door.
•       Custom capacity: You pick the number of donuts, such as two, four, six or twelve.

How to Choose the Right Donut Tray Size

Sizing is the most important step. A tray that is too tight can crush toppings. A tray that is too loose lets donuts slide. So always measure the finished donut, not only the plain base.

Follow these steps to measure for custom size donut trays:

1.   Measure the widest diameter of the donut.
2.   Measure the finished height, including any filling bulge.
3.   Add the height of toppings, such as sprinkles, nuts or biscuit pieces.
4.   Decide how many donuts each tray should hold.
5.   Allow clearance between donuts and at the tray walls.
6.   Check the inside size of any outer box or lid.

Then use this simple formula: cavity size = donut diameter + decoration width + side clearance. Heavy icing, chocolate pieces and piped decoration need more clearance than a plain glazed ring.

Hand-finished donuts vary a little. Measure several from the same batch. Use the largest one as your guide. Then send those measurements with your quote request, so the tray is built around your real product.

Different donut types affect tray design in different ways:

Donut Tray Layouts and Capacity

Capacity is not fixed. It depends on donut diameter, decoration and the spacing you choose. A tray that suits plain donuts may not suit decorated ones.

So how many donuts fit in a tray? There is no single standard number. A custom tray is built for the count you choose.

Common layout choices include:

•       A single-donut tray for gift sales or premium products
•       Two, four, six or twelve cavities, as examples
•       Grid layouts that make good use of the board
•       Divided compartments for mixed flavours
•       Smaller grids for mini donuts

Your own layout can differ from these examples. Share your count and donut sizes, and the tray can be planned around them.

Best Materials for Donut Trays

Most trays use paper-based board. Each option suits a different job:

•       Paperboard donut trays have a smooth face that prints well. They suit counter display and light use.
•       Kraft donut trays have a natural brown look. They suit bakeries with a simple, handmade style. For matching outer packaging, see our custom kraft boxes.
•       Cardboard donut trays have a sturdier build. They suit heavier donuts and longer trips.
•       Corrugated board adds a fluted layer for strength. It works where stacking or delivery needs extra support.

No single material is best for every bakery. A display tray has different needs from a delivery tray. Tell your supplier how the tray will be used, and choose the board to match.

Food-Safe and Grease-Resistant Donut Trays

Donuts are often oily or sticky. Grease can soak into plain board and leave marks. That is why grease resistant donut trays matter, especially for glazed and filled donuts.

Food safety matters just as much. GOV.UK guidance says food businesses that package food themselves must use packaging suitable for food use. So the board and coating must suit your product.

Before you order food safe donut trays, ask your supplier to:

•       Confirm that the board and coating suit direct food contact
•       Provide supporting documents for the chosen material
•       Confirm the grease resistance level for your donut type
•       Explain where any printed ink sits on the tray

A supplier offers the material. You still need to check that it suits your own product and use. The same questions apply when you order custom food boxes or other food packaging.

Custom Printed Donut Trays

Branding turns a plain tray into part of your shop’s identity. Custom printed donut trays can carry:

•       Your logo
•       Brand colours
•       Repeat patterns or illustrations
•       Inside and outside printing
•       Seasonal artwork for holidays and events

Finish options depend on the board and specification you choose. Confirm them when you request your quote. For a wider view of print options, see our custom printed paperboard packaging.

Keep your artwork simple. A clear logo and two or three brand colours often read better than a crowded pattern. Supply vector files where possible. Then check the proof for logo position, spelling, colours and fold lines before you approve production. Well-planned printed donut trays also help customers recognise your brand when they open the box.

Donut Trays for Display, Takeaway and Delivery

The same tray does not suit every use. Plan around where your donuts will go:

•       Display: Choose a tidy, open tray that makes donuts easy to see and reach.
•       Takeaway: Measure the inside of your outer box first. The tray must fit with a little room to spare. Takeaway donut trays often pair with custom donut boxes or custom bakery boxes.
•       Catering: Choose larger layouts and stable stacking for mixed selections.
•       Delivery: Choose stronger board, snug cavities, and a lid or outer box.

Do you also sell cupcakes, cakes or pastries? Matching custom cupcake boxes, custom cake boxes and custom pastry boxes keep your whole range consistent. For other sweet treats, browse our custom dessert boxes. If you need a simple open base for other products, see our custom food trays.

Donut Trays With Dividers, Lids and Windows

Extra features can improve protection and display. Availability depends on the tray design, so confirm each feature when you request a quote.

•       Dividers:Donut trays with dividers keep flavours apart and reduce contact between toppings.
•       Lids:Donut trays with lids protect the donuts and help with stacking. The lid must clear the tallest topping.
•       Windows: A window lets customers see the donuts without opening the pack.

Eco-Friendly Custom Donut Tray Options

Many buyers want eco friendly donut trays. Paperboard and kraft are paper-based, which is a good start. However, avoid blanket claims such as “all paper trays are recyclable”.

Recyclability depends on the board, coatings, construction and local recycling rules. Recycling guidance separates paper and board from fibre-based composite packaging, so the exact build matters.

To choose recyclable donut trays with care:

•       Ask how your supplier classes the board and any coating
•       Use the lightest coating that still handles grease
•       Size the tray close to the donuts to reduce wasted board
•       Avoid extra layers you do not need

UK packaging rules are also changing. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) shifts the cost of handling household packaging waste toward producers.Lists a business recycling target of 77% for paper, board and fibre-based composite packaging in 2026, rising to 79% in 2027. Check the current guidance to see how it applies to your business.

How Donut Trays Are Made

The process is simple when the details are clear from the start:

1.   Dimensions: You supply donut size, count and use.
2.   Dieline: A flat template shows every cut and fold line.
3.   Artwork: Your logo and colours are placed on the dieline.
4.   Proof: You check and approve the layout.
5.   Printing and cutting: The artwork is printed and the shape is die cut.
6.   Folding: The tray is formed.
7.   Quality check: The finished trays are checked before dispatch.

How Much Do Custom Donut Trays Cost?

Price depends on your specification, so we do not list one fixed figure. These factors have the biggest effect:

•       Size and cavity count: Larger trays use more board.
•       Quantity: Higher volumes often lower the cost per tray.
•       Material: Kraft, paperboard and corrugated board price differently.
•       Printing: More colours and more printed areas add cost.
•       Finishing: Coatings and special finishes add steps.
•       Structure: Dividers, lids and windows make the design more complex.
•       Sampling: A sample adds time and cost before bulk production.
•       Delivery: Volume, weight and location all matter.

If you need wholesale donut trays, share your expected volume. Also confirm the minimum order, turnaround time and delivery details when you request your quote.

How to Order Custom Donut Trays

1.   Choose your quantity.
2.   Send your donut measurements.
3.   Select the material.
4.   Choose printing and finish.
5.   Submit your artwork.
6.   Review the proof.
7.   Approve production.
8.   Receive your bespoke donut trays.

Accurate measurements save time and reduce changes later. Keep the details precise, and the quote will be easier to match to your needs.