Cardboard tray dividers are essential for protecting fragile shipments and boosting your e-commerce performance. With online sales of glass bottles, electronics and mechanical parts on the rise, you need packaging solutions that safeguard goods and cut costs. Good news, by adding tray dividers you can limit product movement, reduce breakage and align with your sustainability goals. These separators create compartments that immobilise items and optimise box fill, so you ship securely while cutting returns.
Protect fragile items
How tray dividers work
Tray dividers, also known as croisillons, slot into boxes to form individual cells around each product. They stop vibrations and collisions during transport. You can use them as suremballage alongside a plastic pouch for extra buffer when needed.
Key benefits
- Limits product movement and scratches under vibration
- Adapts to glass, perfume bottles, electronics and car parts
- Preserves labels and delicate finishes on cosmetics
- Shows customers you value the safe arrival of their orders
Optimize storage capacity
Layering within boxes
You can stack multiple layers of dividers separated by a flat sheet to pack more items in one box. This approach saves you on the number of cartons and shipping fees.
Space and cost savings
Compact tray dividers take up less room than bulky foam inserts, so you reduce storage costs. If you fit three layers instead of one, you triple your box utilisation without enlarging your footprint.
Choose proper material
Compact versus corrugated
| Material type | Best for | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Compact cardboard | Light items and cosmetics | Cost-effective, low dust, space-efficient |
| Corrugated cardboard | Heavy or stacked goods | High compression resistance, load-bearing |
Matching grammage to fragility
According to Estic-Maillot, a specialist since 1924, grammage can range from 300 grams for lighter products to 700 grams for heavy or extra fragile items. Pick a higher weight if you plan to stack boxes or ship sensitive electronics.
Customise tray dividers
Tailored sizing and fit
Dividers come precut to the exact dimensions of your box, so each compartment fits snugly around your items. You avoid wasted space and ensure a uniform presentation.
Pre-cut versus bespoke
- Pre-cut sets work well if you use standard box sizes
- Bespoke dividers can match odd shapes, no tooling fees required
- Most manufacturers offer sample runs so you can test fit before full production
For more separation options, check out our guide on cardboard box dividers.
Support eco-friendly packaging
Recycled and recyclable options
Many dividers use recycled brown or pure white wood cardboard. You meet consumer demand for green packaging since cardboard is both recycled and recyclable.
Reducing transport emissions
Compact dividers let you pack more items per shipment, which lowers your carbon footprint. Less volume in transit means fewer trucks on the road and lower fuel consumption.
Recap and next steps
- Choose dividers to protect each product cell by cell
- Stack layers to boost box utilisation and save on shipping
- Select the right cardboard type and grammage for your goods
- Customise sizes to avoid wasted space and improve presentation
- Opt for recycled materials to support your sustainability targets
Pick one box format and order sample dividers, you’ll see the impact on damage rates and costs right away. You’ve got this.
Frequently asked questions
What are cardboard tray dividers?
Cardboard tray dividers are compartmental inserts made from cardboard that keep items separate and immobile during shipping.
How do I choose the right grammage?
Match grammage to weight and fragility: 300–400 grams for light cosmetics, 500–700 grams for heavy or delicate goods.
Are these dividers recyclable?
Yes, dividers made from recycled cardboard can be recycled again, fitting into closed-loop packaging strategies.
Can tray dividers fit standard boxes?
Most dividers come in standard sizes, but bespoke cuts are available at no extra tooling cost for custom box dimensions.
How do I install tray dividers?
Slide the divider panels into the box slots until each cell forms, then place your products gently into each compartment.