Glossary for the Food & Beverage Packaging Industry

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Paper Containers

  • Food Paper Bag:A general term for paper bags used to contain food products.
  • Greaseproof / Waxed Paper Bag: Paper bags coated or treated to resist oil penetration; commonly used for fried foods and bakery items.
  • Aluminum Foil Lined Paper Bag:Paper bags lined with aluminum foil for excellent heat retention, aroma preservation, and moisture barrier; ideal for grilled or hot foods.。
  • Kraft Paper Bag:Made from kraft pulp, available in brown or white, known for strength; widely used for takeout packaging.。
  • Coated Paper Bag:Paper coated with PE or PLA film for water and grease resistance.
  • SOS Bag / Square Bottom Bag:Square-bottom design allows the bag to stand upright; ideal for bakery or takeout packaging.
  • Flat Bag:Flat envelope-style bag without gusset or base, used for snacks or small items.。
  1. General Food Box:
    • Paper Food Box:General term for paper-based food containers.
    • Curled Rim Paper Box:Rolled-edge design adds rigidity and better sealing for saucy or liquid-based foods.
    • Octagonal Paper Box:Octagon-shaped box with premium presentation; often used for salads or light meals.
    • Plant Fiber Clamshell / Box:Made from renewable fibers such as bamboo pulp or sugarcane bagasse; biodegradable and eco-friendly.

  2. Application-Specific Box:
    • Pizza Box:Corrugated paper box designed specifically for pizza.
    • Burger Box / Clamshell:Clamshell-style container for burgers and fast food items.
    • Fries Box / Scoop: Open-top box or scoop-style paper bag for fries or snacks.
    • Hot Dog Tray / Paper Food Tray:Boat-shaped tray ideal for hot dogs, subs, or small servings.
    • Toast Box:Designed for toast or sandwiches.

  3. Bento Box:
    • Compartment Box:Box with compartments separating food items to maintain taste and presentation.
    • 4/5 Compartment Bento Box with Lid:Common model names in Taiwan, where numbers (e.g., 502S, 402G) denote the number of compartments.
    • One-Piece Containers – Large / Extra-Medium: Refers to hinged "clamshell" meal boxes with an attached lid, where "Large" and "Extra-Medium" denote specific standard size specifications.
  1. Paper Cup:
    • Standard sizes: 8 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz, 22 oz (1 oz ≈ 30 ml).
    • Single Wall Cup: Single-layer cup for cold or room-temperature beverages.。
    • Double Wall / Insulated Cup:Dual-layer cup with air insulation for hot beverages.

  2. Paper Bowl:
    • Available in 260–1000 ml; suitable for soups, salads, and rice bowls.

 Accessories & Consumables

  1. Cup Lid:Matches the cup’s diameter (e.g., 8 oz lid).
    • Sip Lid / Coffee Lid:Lid with a sipping hole for direct drinking.
    • Flat Lid:Flat lid, often with a straw slot.
    • Dome Lid:Dome-shaped lid for whipped cream or smoothies.

  2. Bowl Lid:Lid for bowls, typically made of PP, PET, or paper.
  • Wooden Cutlery:Wooden knives, forks, and spoons—eco-friendly options.
  • Bamboo Cutlery:Harder and stronger than wooden cutlery.
  • Paper Cutlery:Compressed multilayer paper utensils for light meals.
  • PLA Cutlery:Made from corn starch-based PLA; compostable in industrial facilities.

Equipment & Peripherals

Heats and seals plastic film over cups or bowls.

Roll film used with sealing machines, printable and material-matched to PP/PET containers.

 Customization & Printing

Brand-specific logo or artwork printing on packaging.

Custom mold or print version made for one brand.

Generic non-branded packaging.

The minimum number of units required for production.

  • Flexography (Flexo Printing): Most widely used for high-volume printing on paper cups and meal boxes, offering superior cost efficiency.
  • Gravure Printing: Designed for high-quality, large-run printing on sealing films and poly bags.

Printing methods include flexo printing (efficient, large runs), gravure printing (premium quality), and registration control (precise artwork alignment).

 Materials & Properties

Polyethylene coating for waterproofing; traditional plastic layer.

Plant-based, biodegradable PLA coating for sustainable applications.

Meets safety standards for direct food contact.

Maximum temperature the material can safely withstand.

Safe for microwave heating, typically PP or heat-resistant paper containers.