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Ice Cream Tub Design Tips That Make Your Product Stand Out

Posted: Jul 17, 2025

In: Catering disposables , Food packaging , Eco-Friendly

By:

Joe Sizeland

For ice cream shops, cafés and catering businesses, the challenge is always to find packaging that not only keeps frozen products in excellent condition but also helps your business to stand out in a crowded market.

Here, the team at iKrafts offers practical ideas for selecting ice cream packaging that looks good, feels sturdy and meets the demands of your customers and your business, while creating an experience that keeps people coming back.

Tropical fruit ice cream tub, kiwi and strawberry

Why ice cream tub design matters

Attractive packaging is one of the first things potential customers notice. It shapes their expectations about the flavour, freshness and quality of your ice cream products. In a competitive ice cream market, a tub that feels sturdy and catches the eye can help your business stand out from others offering similar frozen desserts.

Good ice cream packaging also reinforces your brand identity. The colours, textures and shapes you choose send a clear message about what your ice cream business values - be it premium quality, sustainability, playful indulgence or a mix of all these and more.

A sleek and modern factory conveyor belt producing tubs of creamy ice cream in various flavours

Key design elements to consider

You don’t need custom packaging to create a strong impression. Here are some design elements that will influence how your containers perform and how customers will perceive them:

Sizing and shape

Shallow tubs feel approachable and convenient for serving ice cream by the scoop, while taller containers are associated with larger sharing portions or take-home frozen treats. Consider how each size fits in display freezers and whether it stacks securely.

Colours and finishes

Minimal text and clean, neutral colours such as kraft brown, soft white or pale grey can help your tubs look fresh and modern.

Materials and texture

Packaging materials affect both the look and performance of your tubs. Paper tubs lined for freezing temperatures help maintain product quality, while clear PET plastic cups can showcase the texture and mix-ins of your ice cream or frozen desserts.

Lids and closures

Secure lids are essential for protecting your frozen products during transport and storage. Dome lids will work well for ice cream rolls or servings with toppings. Meanwhile, flat lids stack neatly in fridges and display cabinets - and look attractive to customers. Make sure your lids are easy to open but tight enough to prevent leaks.

Serving up style and convenience

The best ice cream packaging combines stylish design with practicality. Think about how your tubs or ice cream cups will be used in real situations - customers carrying them to a park, storing them in a home freezer or sharing them at events.

Consider:

Texture and feel: tubs that feel sturdy in the hand give customers confidence in the quality of your frozen products.
Ease of service: simple design details like stackable shapes and resealable lids make serving ice cream smoother for staff, particularly where floor space is limited and product turnover is high.
Portion sizes: offering a choice of tub sizes, from single servings to generous family options, gives customers the flexibility to pick a treat that suits their appetite.

Designing for your target audience

You should also think carefully about who will be buying your ice cream. Different age groups and customer preferences call for different approaches. For example:

Busy families might prefer tubs that are easy to stack and reseal.
Younger audiences may be drawn to modern tubs in bright colours and unique shapes.
Environmentally conscious consumers will look for sustainable packaging materials and clear recycling information.

Even simple design choices - like including space for a loyalty label or highlighting exclusive discounts - can make your products feel more engaging.

Variety of colorful and flavorful ice cream displayed in a confectionery store

Creating a cohesive experience across your range

If you offer a variety of frozen products - such as gelato, ice cream sandwiches or sorbet - think about how your packaging design will work across all categories. Consider how your tubs look when displayed next to one another. A cohesive design can make your brand feel established and dependable, particularly for customers comparing your products to others at events with many competing vendors.

Even without custom printing, you can create ice cream packaging that feels distinctive and high quality:

Use unique design elements like dome lids to highlight toppings or layers.
Choose tubs with clean finishes and minimal text to keep the focus on your product.
Pick materials that feel substantial and reflect the care you put into your frozen desserts.
Offer a few sizes to suit different customer needs, from single servings to larger containers for sharing.

If you’d like to explore practical and attractive options for your business, you can browse iKrafts' full range of ice cream tubs and containers for ideas and inspiration.