Hercule Industrial logoHercule Industrial
Interactive 3D
1 / 3

ECMA D20.21.02.00

Tapered Pop-Up Tray

  • Available in a wide range of custom configurations & material selection.
  • Order 1 sample. Or order 100K+ units. Or anything in between.
  • Affordable delivery across North America.
  • Design support, warehousing, testing, assembly available.
  • Widest machinery capability in America via 30+ specialist partner plants.
Get pricing

Best Price Guarantee

Already have a packaging quote? Let us beat it.

Send us the quote you have. We will beat it for the same specifications, quantity, and delivery requirements.

Upload a competing quote

Free quote review. No obligation.

30+specialist partner plants

We supply through the plant best suited to your price, material, production, and delivery requirements.

Why we can beat a lower quote

30+ plants give us more ways to lower the price.

Each plant has different machinery, material costs, order minimums, and freight rates. Our buying volume helps us secure better pricing. We then quote through the plant that gives you the lowest total price for your requirements.

Send us your current quote. Watch us beat it.

Attach it to the quote form or email it to us. We'll review it free and send you our price.

Upload a competing quoteinfo@herculeindustrial.com
Best Price Guarantee terms

To qualify, send a written supplier quote dated within the past 30 days and addressed to your company. It must cover the same dimensions, construction, material, print, finish, quantity, tooling, freight, delivery date, and delivery location. The guarantee does not cover taxes, expired quotes, liquidation or clearance sales, or obvious pricing errors.

Free white-glove consultations. Blazing-fast response time. Fast quotes.

Product details

Top highlights

  • Pre-glued webbed corners for instant pop-up assembly
  • Double-thick long walls hide raw board edges
  • Tapered profile frames products for retail display

About this product

This tapered tray combines a premium retail presentation with a fast-erecting pop-up base. The converter pre-glues the corners, allowing the long walls to rise automatically when the short walls are pulled upright on the packing line.

Because the long walls are double-thick and the raw edges are hidden, it provides a clean, high-end look for bakery, confectionery, and cosmetic products. The outward-leaning walls usually mean the tray is paired with an outer shipper for transit, as the angled sides are not designed for heavy vertical stacking.

Common uses

  • Bakery bases
  • Cosmetic sets
  • Confectionery
  • Premium gift kitting

Get a quote

Share what you know. We'll take it from there. Or email us at info@herculeindustrial.com

Best Price Guarantee

Already have a packaging quote? Let us beat it.

Send us the quote you have. We will beat it for the same specifications, quantity, and delivery requirements.

Upload a competing quote

Free quote review. No obligation.

30+specialist partner plants

We supply through the plant best suited to your price, material, production, and delivery requirements.

Why we can beat a lower quote

30+ plants give us more ways to lower the price.

Each plant has different machinery, material costs, order minimums, and freight rates. Our buying volume helps us secure better pricing. We then quote through the plant that gives you the lowest total price for your requirements.

Send us your current quote. Watch us beat it.

Attach it to the quote form or email it to us. We'll review it free and send you our price.

Upload a competing quoteinfo@herculeindustrial.com
Best Price Guarantee terms

To qualify, send a written supplier quote dated within the past 30 days and addressed to your company. It must cover the same dimensions, construction, material, print, finish, quantity, tooling, freight, delivery date, and delivery location. The guarantee does not cover taxes, expired quotes, liquidation or clearance sales, or obvious pricing errors.

Files or competing quote (optional)
Optional

More details

You can skip this whole part, or open a section and answer only what you know.

Size and quantity
Units
Materials and print
Add details for paperboard preference
Add details for print and artwork
Current box or specs
Add details for do you have a current box, spec, or target sample?

Retail and Presentation Packing

Retail display bases

The clean, double-thick edges and angled walls frame products well on a shelf. It is typically paired with a clear sleeve, a separate lid, or shrink wrap to secure the contents.

Repeat manual packing

Because the tray ships flat and rises into its 3D shape in a single motion, it reduces hand-assembly time compared to unglued folding trays.

Gift set kitting

The hidden raw edges on the long walls support premium print finishes without exposing the grey or white board interior, making it a practical choice for gift collections.

Bakery and confectionery presentation

The tapered walls allow delicate items to be lifted out easily, while the double-thick rim prevents the tray from feeling flimsy when handled by the consumer.

Product Fit and Channel

Bakery and confectionery

The tapered walls allow delicate items to be lifted out easily, while the double-thick rim prevents the tray from looking flimsy.

Cosmetics and personal care

Often used as an inner base for gift sets. The hidden raw edges on the long walls support premium print finishes without exposing the grey or white board interior.

Specialty food and gourmet

The premium look of the double-thick walls elevates the perceived value of gourmet items, especially when paired with a clear sleeve or windowed outer box.

When to Consider Unglued or Straight-Walled Trays

Short production runs

If the order volume is too low to justify the preparation time for a multi-point folder-gluer, an unglued tray will be more practical, though it requires more labor to fold by hand.

Heavy vertical stacking

Tapered walls naturally splay outward under vertical pressure. If the trays must support the weight of pallets or heavy stacked goods without an outer box, a straight-walled 90-degree tray is a more practical choice.

Board Choice, Taper Angle, and Shipping

Board thickness limits

This design relies on 180-degree fold-over flaps to lock the short walls. If the chosen board is too thick, these flaps will bind and spring open. It performs best with standard folding carton grades rather than micro-flute corrugated.

Taper angle feasibility

The default outward lean is 75 degrees. Extreme angles can break the webbed corner geometry or cause the blank to jam during production. Any significant change to the taper should be validated with a physical prototype.

Outer shipping method

Because the tray has an open top and tapered walls, it offers little crush resistance on its own. Buyers should plan for a fitted outer shipper or master carton for courier or parcel networks.

Print surface and hidden edges

Because the long wall flaps fold inward and glue flat, the primary printed side of the board wraps over the top edge, ensuring no raw interior board is visible from the side.

Modifying the Tray Profile

Wall height and footprint

The base length, width, and wall height can be scaled to fit the product, but taller walls increase the overall footprint of the flat blank, which affects nesting efficiency and material yield.

Locking tab depth

The short walls lock into place using small tabs that tuck into the base corners. The depth of these tabs can be adjusted to increase friction and hold the tray more securely.

Taper angle adjustment

The outward lean of the walls can be modified slightly to accommodate specific product shapes, though extreme changes require careful checking against folding geometry limits.

Board and packing details

Locking tab friction

The short walls lock into place using small tabs that tuck into the base corners. While secure for display, twisting or torquing the tray during rough handling can cause these tabs to slip.

Additional notes

Print surface and hidden edges

Because the long wall flaps fold inward and glue flat, the primary printed side of the board wraps over the top edge, ensuring no raw grey or white interior board is visible from the side.

Related Tray Styles

D10.20.00.00: Unglued Tapered Tray

An unglued tapered alternative that avoids converter pre-gluing but still requires adhesive during erection or a tight outer sleeve to hold its shape.

D10.21.04.00.b: Straight-Walled Pop-Up Tray

A 90-degree walled alternative that offers better vertical stacking strength.

FAQs

Assembly and Packing

Does this tray require glue or tape on the packing line?

No. The converter pre-glues the webbed corners. Your packing team simply pulls the walls upright and folds the short end flaps over to lock the tray.

Can this tray be erected by automated machinery?

Yes, if the filling line is equipped for pop-up trays. The webbed corners allow for fast mechanical erection, though it is also highly efficient for manual packing.

Material and Route

Can this be made from corrugated board?

Generally, no. The complex webbed corners and 180-degree fold-over flaps will crush and bind if made from corrugated material. It is designed for solid bleached board or folding box board.

Is this tray safe for parcel shipping?

Not on its own. The open top and tapered walls offer little crush resistance. It is typically placed inside a fitted outer shipper for courier or parcel networks.

Design and Print

Why are the long walls double-thick?

The top flaps of the long walls are glued flat against the inside. This reinforces the rim, hides the raw cut edge of the board, and provides a cleaner look for retail presentation.

Comparison

When should I choose an unglued tray instead?

Unglued trays make sense for short runs or prototypes where the preparation time for a multi-point folder-gluer is not justified. For larger repeat orders, the labor saved by the pop-up mechanism usually outweighs the gluing preparation.

Design and Print

Can the taper angle be changed?

Yes, the default 75-degree angle can be adjusted slightly, but extreme angles can break the folding geometry or cause issues during production. Any changes should be tested with a physical sample.

Material and Route

Will this tray support heavy stacking?

No. The tapered walls naturally splay outward under vertical pressure. If you need to stack heavy items, a straight-walled tray or a sturdy outer master carton is a better choice.