Build packaging sleeves that fit clean, print beautifully, and work hard in the real world. From food packaging sleeves and coffee cup sleeves to belly bands, paper mailer sleeves, and bowl wraps, we custom cut to your exact size, material, and artwork. Choose kraft or premium white boards, add windows or textures, and ship flat for easy storage. Fast UK turnaround.
Why sleeves work for modern brands
Sleeves cut waste, reduce unit cost, and let one printed part fit several SKUs. Slide a sleeve over a tray, tub, clamshell, cup, box, or padded mailer, and you have instant branding with nutritional space, barcodes, and tamper cues. They pack flat, store small, and load quickly on the line.
Sleeve types we make
- Food packaging sleeves
Wraps for trays, clamshells, tubs, and cartons. Great for ready meals, bakery goods, confectionery, and deli packs. - Coffee cup sleeves
Thermal grip sleeves for 8, 10, 12, 16, and 20 oz hot cups. Smooth print panels with insulating cores. - Belly bands
Minimal paper bands for soaps, candles, cosmetics, apparel folds, and gift sets. - Paper mailer sleeves
Printed wraps for kraft mailers, rigid mailers, and ship-ready presentation kits. - Bowl sleeves
Wide profile wraps for noodle, salad, and grain bowls, sized to the vessel taper.
Materials and when to use them
- SBS paperboard, 16–24 pt
Bright white surface for premium color, best for retail food sleeves, belly bands, and mailer sleeves. - Kraft paperboard, 18–24 pt
Natural look, strong tear resistance, easy recycling. Ideal for bakery, coffee, and earthy brand lines. - Corrugated E-flute, 1.2–1.8 mm
Extra cushion and rigidity, good for heavy bowls or hot containers. - Embossed or micro fluted cup stock
Designed for coffee sleeves that need heat protection without bulk. - Grease or moisture barrier options
Aqueous or light PE barrier for contact spots on food packaging sleeves to prevent staining.
Typical specifications
- Caliper
Food and belly bands: 16–24 pt.
Cup sleeves: 18–24 pt with insulating core or micro flute.
Bowl sleeves: 20–28 pt or E-flute when bowls are large or heavy. - Fit allowance
Add 1–2 mm clearance to the layflat circumference to slide smoothly, then choose friction or adhesive closure. - Closures
Glue seam, tab lock, peel and stick tape, or friction fit for belly bands. - Windows and cutouts
Film free windows for food visibility. Thumb notches for easy opening. - Compliance
Nutrition, UPC, lot code, and state deposit lines placed in clear safe zones.
Sizes and shapes
- Straight sleeve
Uniform height, square or rectangular panel, works for boxes and mailers. - Tapered sleeve
Conical geometry for cups and bowls. We match the angle to your vessel. - Die shaped panel
Custom curves, grips, and reveal windows for products that need more show and less wrap. - Wide belly band
Taller band that doubles as a mini billboard on gift sets and apparel folds.
Coffee cup sleeve quick guide
- Common sizes
8 oz small, 10–12 oz standard, 16 oz tall, 20 oz venti style. - Grip textures
Emboss, linen, or micro flute for heat control and hold. - Print approach
Brand color on the outer panel, interior left natural for friction. Flood coats that reach the seam should plan for glue compatibility.
Food and bowl sleeve quick guide
- Measure the vessel
Top OD, base OD, and height on your exact tray or bowl. We calculate the layflat with taper and seam. - Stability
Add anti roll shoulders or flat edges for round bowls that face on shelf. - Steam and heat
For hot holds, choose barrier SBS with matte aqueous to resist condensation marks.
Printing and finish options
- Color
CMYK or Pantone spot, crisp small type for ingredients and claims. - Coatings
Matte, gloss, or soft touch aqueous. Selective gloss for highlights. - Textures
Emboss, deboss, micro emboss patterns for grip on coffee sleeves. - Foil and raised features
Hot foil, cold foil, sculpted emboss on premium belly bands and gift packaging sleeves. - Specials
Tear-away perf for tamper cues, QR codes with quiet zones, variable data for limited drops.
Usage patterns that save money
- Multi SKU program
Keep the same tray or box, swap sleeves by flavor or season. - Pre banding
Use peel and stick tabs for fast assembly during rush periods. - E-commerce kits
A printed mailer sleeve turns a standard mailer into a branded unboxing with minimal cost. - Retail compliance
Put UPC and lot code on the sleeve, not the vessel, so changes are cheap.
Fit rules you can trust
- Plan 1–2 mm slip clearance on circumference.
- For cups and bowls, match taper angle from your exact sample.
- Keep minimum 3 mm bridges around windows to prevent tear.
- Reserve 6 mm quiet zone around UPCs and 3 mm around QR codes.
- For friction only belly bands, target 0.5–1.0 mm interference on heavy coated papers.
Real world examples
- Coffee chain
12 oz sleeve, micro embossed kraft, 2 color spot, glue seam, 5000 per drop with seasonal changeovers. - Ready meal sleeve
24 pt SBS with matte aqueous, film free window, UPC and nutrition on back, friction fit over CPET tray. - Gift set belly band
20 pt uncoated white with soft touch, gold foil logo, tab lock, sized to rigid two piece box. - Mailer sleeve
18 pt kraft, full bleed CMYK, peel and stick seam, fits standard 10 x 13 in mailer box for influencer kits.
Our Easy Order Process
- Quick consult to confirm vessel size, temperature, and retail channel.
- Material and finish recommendations with two price lanes.
- Dieline built to your exact tray, cup, bowl, box, or mailer.
- Artwork preflight for barcodes, claims, and glue seams.
- Proof and production with tuned die cutting and folding.
- Delivery flat packed, labeled, and ready for your line.
FAQs
Q1. Can you match our cup or bowl exactly?
Yes. Send a physical sample or precise OD and height at top and base. We calculate taper and build the dieline.
Q2. Will sleeves work on greasy or cold surfaces?
Choose barrier SBS and matte aqueous. For condensation, avoid heavy gloss on contact areas.
Q3. Do you offer low minimums?
Yes, we support pilots and seasonal runs. Ask for today’s MOQ by style.
Q4. Can sleeves be recyclable?
Our paper based sleeves are widely recyclable. We also offer FSC options.
Q5. How fast can you deliver?
Standard sleeves move quickly. Specialty textures or foils add time. Tell us your deadline and we will schedule accordingly.
