Custom Half Slotted Containers, Open Top with Optional Lids

What is a half slotted container?

Picture a standard shipping carton, then remove the top flaps. What remains is a deep tray with straight walls and a foldable base. The trade code for this style is FEFCO 0200.

Nothing blocks the opening, so people can drop items in and lift them out in seconds. That is why HSCs turn up in so many stockrooms and back offices.

You can run one open, cover it with a lid, or stack it on a shelf as a bin. Our corrugated and shipping box range shows the other carton styles we make.

Can I get a lid for my HSC?

Yes. The lid is a separate shallow tray that slips over the open top. We cut it from the same board as the base so the pair match.

You choose the lid depth. A lid about 2 to 3 in deep keeps dust out and lifts off easily. A full depth lid covers the whole base and doubles the wall on every side.

If you want other closures, browse cardboard boxes with lids too.

Can I add hand holes or dividers?

Yes to both. Hand holes are die-cut in the short ends, which helps when staff carry a loaded case across a room.

Dividers turn the carton into a cell case. A corrugated grid drops in from above, and each bottle, jar or glass gets its own pocket.

Holes slightly weaken the end panels, so we place them a safe distance below the rim. Heavy loads do better in double wall board, which keeps the ends from tearing.

Grids can run the full height or stop short, leaving room for a sheet of paper on top. See corrugated box dividers cut to fit for layouts.

Which board works best for an open-top carton?

With no top flaps, the rim has no extra layer, so board choice matters more. C flute single wall, about 5/32 in (4 mm), handles most light goods.

Heavy or stacked cases suit BC double wall, about 1/4 in (7 mm). B flute, about 1/8 in (3 mm), fits small bins and trays.

A lid stiffens the rim, so a lidded case can often use lighter board than an open tray of the same size. Our single wall versus double wall comparison explains the trade-off.

Can half slotted containers be printed?

Yes. Typical print includes this-side-up arrows, content labels, bin numbers and logos. Choose one color, two color or full color CMYK, inside and outside, on kraft or white board.

Printing only the lid keeps cost down and leaves the base plain. For the finish, pick from matte or gloss lamination, embossing, foil stamping and spot UV.

Place your logo in Design Your Box, and our designers fix the layout for free. You get a free proof before anything is printed.

What mistakes should I avoid with HSCs?

Do not send an HSC out alone with loose goods. An open top lets items fall out and lets dust in.

Avoid a base much taller than the goods if you plan to stack. The empty band near the rim has no support, so a lid resting there can buckle.

Test dividers against real items, not a drawing. A glass with a wide rim may need a bigger cell than its base suggests.

Tell us if a snug lid matters. A loose lid can slide off when someone carries the case by one end.

HSC or RSC: which one do I need?

They share the same base. The top is the only difference. An RSC has four flaps that meet in the middle and close with tape, while an HSC stays open or takes a lid.

Choose an RSC for one-way shipping to a customer. Choose an HSC for storage, picking and anything opened often. For the closed version, see regular slotted containers made to size.