Trays basically come in two sizes, five inch / midheight and seven inch / tall.
But what you do with these trays is very much up to you!

Midheight Traypaks (the 5 inch trays) are frequently used for audio releases. You can do anything from a 4-panel (4pp) traypak (1 or 2 disc set) on up to a 12pp or 14pp (up to a 6 - 7 disc set) with a roll up or book style folding spine. You can actually go higher in number of panels, but these get bulky and it might be best to do separate volumes in a slipcase set at that point. Some panels may be left without a tray, or have a pocket for a booklet or a slot for a business card...whatever you like!

Generally the trays are placed in a horizontal row, but if you want to make an alternate folding configuration, we can make "plus" or "cross" shapes quite easily, or "T" or "L" shapes as well...all kinds of options!

MegaTall Traypaks are another variation with 5 inch trays, only we place them 2-up per panel (one on top of another vertically) so you have a very tall package (about 10 inch)...fantastic for retail presence! If you have an odd number of discs, don't worry, we can make a special foam core panel for the odd disc out.

Tall Traypaks (the 7 inch trays) are frequently used for software, promos, and films. These are roughly the same height as the plastic amaray cases but much, much nicer! Again, 4-panel to 12pp configurations are possible with the same types of options for booklet, pockets, slots, etc. Slipcases are a very popular add-on with these!

Trays can be turned sideways for an elongated traypak. We can do this on the midheight (no, they actually are not square, did you know that?) or on the taller trays making them long trays. Booklets can go in the same elongated configuration.

We have yet to make a Mega Mega Tall traypak with two 7inch trays on one panel, but if you're interested, let us know....custom-r-us!

Our of our signature features on a traypak is the use of PIPS, or Printed Inside Pockets and Spines. Traypaks are made by printing one side of the paper stock and folding over the panels, therefore they are printed inside and out. But when you print the reverse side of the paper, as we do, you have full color inside and out, plus the behind the scene bits that would show like the inner spines and pocket backs.

PIPS gives you a full impact art coverage; art that reaches from one side to another and is not interrupted by glaring white spines or pockets. It's the most powerful feature we can include on a project to give it a quality /WOW look, and so we do. Free of charge on traypaks.

Slipcases are very popular add-ons with traypaks and are available in midheight, tall or megatall sizes, with our without thumbhole notches (and yes, even custom shape thumbholes in case you have custom thumbs?), side loading, top or bottom loading, pass through tubes style or double walled box sets. It's very common to put effects on the slipcase itself such as embossing, foil , or a peek-a-boo die cut window.

Booklets can be added to traypaks in many ways; pockets, gluing or companion style.
Standard pockets for us include a large variety of slot / slit, thumbhole, deep thumbhole, half moon, wide, hourglass, etc etc etc types of styles that generally do not affect the pricing. If we don't have the die, we can make it. Another type of pocket, called a diagonal literature pocket is created a bit differently (by folding over a whole 'nother panel) and does cost a bit more to make, but it's very popular.

One further option we can do is to glue paper pocket on. If you want to avoid the whole pocket thing, consider gluing the booklet directly to the traypak, or just slipping the booklet alongside the slipcase (a companion booklet). If you have a very thick booklet (or book) we can do a perfect binding for it (perfect bound books).

We also make Book Traypaks. We can use a special thick board (also called chipboard) and glue a printed sheet of paper to it, creating a book binding (just like old LPs). Booklets can be glued to the traypak.

Traypaks can be made with all kinds of Paper Stocks...yet another way you can stand out.

Our Standard Stock (contains 20% recycled content) is a nice sturdy stock, well suited for effects like embossing. We have this available coated or uncoated. If you haven't seen the result of an uncoated stock printed, you should request a sample. It's a beautiful soft, matte look and can be strikingly modern and fresh. The stock is slightly more absorbent and so does have some effect on color (but it's a good one!).

Our Truly Eco Stock (contains a whopping 70-80% recycled content, post consumer waste) is a bit softer, but oh so nice on the environment. Also available coated or uncoated. We can also order 100% recycled, but this does get very soft and we caution against it unless you are very sure!

Extra thick stocks are available as well!

Fiberboard stock, using end of chain material / unbleached pulp, is another very eco -friendly option. It's a nice fuzzy texture, and very organic in color scheme. We print this full color for you, and if you need white on this (best if we can see your art to help guide you) let us know and we can do 1 or 2 hits of spot white.

Booklet stocks are available in different thickness, stocks, and coatings. We'll help guide you on availability & suitability for your project.

Special finishes should be used in conjunction with the paper stocks. We can do aqueous varnishes (matte or glossy) or more pronounced laminations (matte or glossy).

More eco options? Well, yes actually. We have soy inks, recycled clear, plastic trays, and we are also making foam trays (new!), eco friendly finishes, and non toxic polywrap or tab seals.

Check out our range of special effects! If custom configurations and paper stocks and finishes and booklet options aren't enough, you can also play with various effects.

Diecuts (knock outs) are available for special shapes or designs. You might want a guitar thumbhole like one of our clients did, or a window or window pane, or perhaps a peek-a-boo hole or lettering cut outs...the possibilities are endless.

Foil stamp is one of this season's hottest trends, available in silver, gold, or any range of colors. Silver on fiberboard is very happening, and red dots are way-chic and eye-popping. Blue foil is very sophisticated and has no limits of impressibility-factor.

If you're not looking for shiny, metallic inks are what you want. These are matte, like Apple's silver / tin, or a flat copper or gold.

Embossing (raised relief) is very popular for the title or artist name. If you need a subtle indentation, we can do debossing. Oh, the textures you can make!

Spot UV Gloss combined with Matte Lamination is a fantastic contrast technique, also textured. Or we can make it so shiny you'll never get the fingerprints off.

If you'd like to send over your artwork or sketches, we'd be happy to make suggestions for you.