Choosing the right display tray might seem straightforward, but the decision between a lidded and an open design can genuinely affect how your products are perceived, how secure they are, and how practical your setup is day to day. Whether you're fitting out a retail counter, organising a trade stand, or presenting products in a showroom, the configuration matters more than most people initially realise.
We manufacture acrylic trays in a range of colours and sizes, and the question we hear most often from customers is simple: do I need a lid or not? The honest answer depends entirely on what you're displaying and the environment you're working in.
What Open Acrylic Trays Do Well
Open trays are the workhorses of retail and commercial display. Without a lid, they offer immediate, unrestricted access to whatever is inside, which makes them ideal in settings where customers or staff need to pick up, examine, or interact with products frequently.
High-turnover retail environments benefit most from open designs. Think jewellery counters, confectionery displays, cosmetic testers, or accessory stands. When customers are expected to handle items, any barrier to access (even a lightweight lid) creates friction that can slow down sales or frustrate the browsing experience.
Open trays are also a practical choice for internal business use. Reception desks, office stationery stations, point-of-sale counters, and workshop benches all benefit from quick, easy access. Staff don't want to be lifting lids dozens of times a day, and in busy environments, that small inefficiency adds up.
From a visual standpoint, open trays offer clean sightlines. The product sits front and centre with nothing between it and the viewer. For items where colour, texture, or shape is the primary selling point, this unobstructed presentation is hard to beat.
Where Lidded Trays Earn Their Place
Lidded acrylic trays shift the equation considerably. The lid introduces protection and containment, which is valuable in a wide range of situations where an open design simply wouldn't be appropriate.
Dust is one of the most common reasons customers opt for lids. In retail spaces that aren't cleaned constantly, or in workshop and storage environments, open trays allow dust to settle directly onto the contents. For high-value items, cosmetic stock, or anything that needs to look pristine at the point of sale, a lid keeps things presentation-ready without constant maintenance.
Security is another major factor. A lidded tray doesn't function as a lock (for that, our lockable display boxes are the better solution), but it does add a layer of deterrence. Casual handling is reduced, items are less likely to be picked up and put back incorrectly, and the enclosed presentation signals that the contents shouldn't be touched without assistance. This works particularly well for premium goods, limited-edition stock, or items displayed at events and exhibitions where supervision isn't constant.
Lidded designs also come into their own for gifting and presentation purposes. A tray with a lid looks finished. It reads as intentional and considered rather than purely functional. If you're presenting products as part of a gift set, corporate package, or retail unboxing experience, the lid contributes to that impression significantly.
Our 40cm Square Black Acrylic Tray with Lid is a good example of how this works in practice. The black finish adds a premium feel, and the enclosed design makes it suitable for display, storage, and presentation in one unit.
Matching the Configuration to the Context
The choice isn't always binary. Some retailers use both configurations within the same space, with open trays for high-interaction products and lidded trays for anything that needs to look pristine or stay secure. This combination approach gives you the best of both formats without compromising on either accessibility or protection.
Here are a few practical pointers worth considering:
Choose open when: products need to be handled regularly, turnover is high, access speed matters, or visual impact without barriers is the priority.
Choose lidded when: dust protection is important, the display needs to look polished or gift-ready, you want to reduce casual handling, or the items are high-value and benefit from an enclosed presentation.
Think about your colour options too. Clear acrylic trays (with or without lids) keep the focus entirely on the product inside. Coloured or black trays create contrast that can make lighter products stand out more sharply. We offer trays in a selection of colours and sizes, so there's usually a combination that suits both the product and the space.
Bespoke Configurations and Branding
Standard sizes cover most use cases, but sometimes a specific dimension or colour is required. As a UK manufacturer, we can work with customers on bespoke requirements rather than pushing you towards a compromise that doesn't quite fit.
We also offer an in-house printing service that allows you to add logos or custom imagery directly onto acrylic products. For branded retail environments, this means your trays can carry your identity rather than just sitting as neutral holders. It's a small detail that contributes to a more cohesive presentation, particularly at trade shows, in-store displays, or corporate settings where brand consistency counts.
Practical Considerations Before You Order
A few things worth thinking through before committing to a configuration:
Tray depth affects how visible the contents are. Shallower trays keep products closer to the sightline; deeper trays can hold more but may obscure lower-profile items.
Lid fit on quality acrylic trays should be snug without requiring force. A lid that rattles or lifts too easily defeats part of the purpose. Our trays are manufactured to consistent tolerances, which keeps this a non-issue.
Cleaning is simpler than most people expect. Acrylic wipes clean easily with a soft cloth and appropriate cleaner. Both open and lidded configurations are low-maintenance in regular use.
Stacking is easier with certain lidded designs, which can help with storage when trays aren't in use. If space is a consideration in your environment, this is worth factoring in.
If you're working through a larger fitting project and need to order across multiple products, our free UK delivery applies to orders over £150, and express delivery is available when timing is tight.
For the full range of acrylic trays, lidded options, and related display products, browse everything we stock at Retail Acrylics. If you have a specific requirement or want to discuss a bespoke order, our team is available by phone on 02920360118 or by email at hello@retailacrylics.co.uk.