Custom Burger Clamshell Boxes

Board, Grease and Food Contact

Burgers are greasy, saucy and hot, so clamshells are made from folding board with a grease-resistant coating on the inside. This stops oil from soaking into the board, keeps the outside print clean and helps the box stay rigid until the last bite. Food-contact grade board is available on request. Kraft-look board gives a natural, gourmet burger feel, while white board shows bold brand colours brightly.

Heavier boards are worth considering for big burgers, because the weight of a stacked double can make a thin box sag when lifted from one side. If you serve burgers with plenty of sauce, ask for a deeper base so sauce stays in the box rather than running onto the hinge.

If the burger goes out with a pot of sauce or a pickle on the side, decide where that will sit. A small fold-up wall in the base can create a corner for a sauce pot, keeping it upright and away from the bun. The grades we use are described in board grades explained for food boxes.

Locks, Vents and Practical Details

Clamshell locks come in a few forms. A simple tuck tab slots into the front of the base and is quick to close and open. A double lock with two tabs holds tighter for delivery bags that are thrown around on a bike. A tear-off lock shows the box has not been opened since it left the kitchen, which reassures delivery customers.

Vents are small cut-outs or perforations in the lid or sides. They let steam escape so buns do not go soggy, which matters most for delivery orders that might be in the bag for twenty minutes. If you mostly serve customers eating in, vents are less important, but they do no harm. Sides that do not need a lid go in open paper boats for sides.

Printing Custom Burger Clamshell Boxes

The lid of a clamshell is the main canvas. It is the first thing a customer sees when the bag is opened, and it faces up on the table while they eat. Put your logo and name there, large and clear. The sides and front can carry a pattern, your social media handle or a short line about your beef, your buns or your sauces.

Printing inside the lid is a nice touch, because it becomes visible when the box is opened and folded back. A short message, a pattern or a bit of humour adds personality. Full colour printing suits bold, modern burger brands, while one or two colours on kraft gives a classic look at lower cost.

Clamshells for Delivery Kitchens

Delivery-only kitchens and burger brands on delivery apps rely on packaging more than anyone. Their customers never see the restaurant, so the box carries the whole brand. A well printed, sturdy clamshell that arrives warm, intact and properly closed is the difference between a repeat order and a poor rating. Consider combining clamshells with a printed carrier bag, branded stickers and napkins so every order feels complete.

If you run several virtual brands from one kitchen, ask about printing several designs in one order, or using a plain clamshell with a brand-specific sticker. This keeps stock manageable while each brand still looks distinct. Kitchens that want a moulded fibre option can compare our bagasse clamshells for delivery.

Measure the Burger as It Leaves the Pass

Clamshell sizing goes wrong when the box is measured against the bun alone. Build your biggest burger as it is served, with toppings and sauce, and measure its height and width then; that number, plus 10 mm on each side, is the internal size you need. Choose the lock before the print, because a tear-off lock for delivery and a plain tab for eat-in use different dielines. Vents are decided by the journey: a 15-minute delivery in a bag needs more venting than a tray carried to a table. Artwork is a logo and a couple of flat colours on kraft or white board, and we show it on the open dieline so you can see where the fold crosses the lid. Expect a custom quote by email within one working day, a free proof, then 4 to 7 working days of production after you sign it off, with free tracked delivery to UK mainland addresses. Sides sold with the burger can match the box using our fries cups in matching print.