Printed Honeycomb Display Trays and Shelf Risers for Packaged Goods
A tiered riser that turns a flat shelf into a branded display, a tray that holds its shape under a full load of jars, and a campaign that ends in paper recycling.
Printed honeycomb display trays and shelf risers are used for packaged goods because the board is rigid enough to carry a full tray of jars, bottles or boxed products without bowing, takes print on every visible face, and recycles as paper when the promotion ends. Print shops and display makers build them for chocolate and confectionery, beauty and personal care, specialty food, gift sets and small electronics accessories in supermarkets, pharmacies and specialty shops.
This article covers what trays and risers can be made from honeycomb, how they are printed and constructed, what they change for a brand and a print shop, and where corrugated or another material is the better choice. It applies to standard kraft honeycomb board of the kind phb manufactures in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia.
What printed honeycomb trays and shelf risers are
A shelf riser is a step or block that lifts products above the shelf so a second or third row is visible: single blocks, two- and three-tier steps, and stepped plinths for a counter or shelf end. A display tray is an open-fronted base with low sides that holds a block of product and carries the brand on its front lip and sides. Both are built from flat honeycomb panels, slotted, glued or taped into shape.
Thin board, 10–16mm, suits tray sides and printed headers; thicker board, 20–50mm, suits risers and tray bases that carry the product weight across a shelf span.
How printed honeycomb display trays are made
Three print routes work. Direct UV printing onto the kraft face suits one- or two-colour branding with a natural look. A printed paper sheet laminated to the face gives full colour on a white base, including fine type and product photography. Vinyl applied over the kraft is common for short runs and quick changes. Print before cutting, then die-cut, CNC-route or knife-cut the panels and assemble with slots or glue.
As an illustrative example, a confectionery brand running a festive promotion might order three-tier risers laminated with full-colour graphics for its shelf in each outlet, sized to the shelf depth, and replace only the printed sheet for the next season.
What it changes for brands and print shops
Shelf impact: products sit at a better height and the brand appears on surfaces that a plain shelf leaves blank. Stability: a honeycomb riser does not bow under a full row of glass jars the way thin foam board or single-wall corrugated can. Logistics: panels ship flat and light, and one person carries a box of them into a shop. End of life: the whole unit goes into ordinary paper recycling as mono-material kraft paper, which retailers with ESG reporting increasingly ask for.
Per unit it costs more than a simple corrugated tray and less than acrylic or MDF risers. For multi-week promotions with heavier products, it is usually the better value of the paper-based options.
Where corrugated or another material is the better choice
For very high volumes of light products that ship in the tray from the factory, corrugated shelf-ready packaging is cheaper and designed for that line. Standard honeycomb is not waterproof, so chiller cabinets, frozen aisles, produce areas with misting and fixtures that are wet-cleaned need a laminated, sealed build or a plastic or acrylic unit. Permanent fixtures that stay in store for years are better in acrylic, metal or MDF.
Frequently asked questions
What is a shelf riser display made of?
Shelf risers are made from acrylic, MDF, metal, corrugated board or honeycomb board. Printed honeycomb risers are rigid under heavy rows of jars and bottles, carry full-colour graphics on every face, ship flat and recycle as paper. They suit promotions lasting weeks to months in dry, indoor retail areas, not chillers or wet-cleaned fixtures.
Can honeycomb board be used for shelf-ready display trays?
Yes, for trays and bases that carry heavier packaged goods or need to stay rigid for a multi-week promotion. Honeycomb takes direct UV print, a laminated full-colour sheet or vinyl, and is cut and slotted into shape. For very high volumes of light products packed at the factory, corrugated shelf-ready packaging is usually cheaper.
Where can print shops in Malaysia buy honeycomb board for displays?
phb manufactures honeycomb board in Balakong, Selangor, in thicknesses from 10mm to 50mm and sheet sizes up to 2.4m x 1.2m, and supplies print shops, display makers and brand owners. Ask for a sample kit to run a test print on your press, or send your drawings by WhatsApp on +6016-891 6381 for a quote.
Test your next shelf display on honeycomb
Tell us the product, the shelf depth and the print route you plan to use. We will suggest board thicknesses and send a sample kit to test print and assembly before the run.