carry tray
Carrying tray with control: roadmap with our wooden tray with sticker
Carrying a tray works best if you work with a sturdy, flat and reliable base. Our tray is made of lacquered oak and therefore feels solid, even when the tray is full of cups or plates. Moreover, because the tray can be fully printed with your own photo or image, or with a design from our collection, you have a tray that really matches your interior. The glossy finish of the print gives a luxurious look and is neatly tailored, just like our other products. Tray carrying also becomes easier when you know where to place your hand and how to distribute the weight on the tray.
In this explanation, you will read how to carry a tray without wobbling, how to hold the tray with your palm and fingertips, and how to walk safely. We keep it practical and concrete, like asking yourself: do you carry a tray with one hand or still with two? We also explain what you can do if you are right-handed and still want to carry the tray in your left hand, leaving your dominant hand free. Everything is tailored to this particular wooden tray for indoor use, in sizes 30x40x5, 35x50x5, 40x5 and 50x5 cm.
Do you carry a tray in your left or right hand?
Yes: in practice, you often carry a tray in your non-dominant hand, leaving your dominant hand as a free hand for serving, opening a door or taking something. If you are right-handed, it makes sense to take the tray in your left hand and serve drinks with your right. This may feel awkward at first, but in time it will give you more control over the tray. If you are left-handed, you can reverse this, but the principle remains the same: one hand carries, the other hand helps serve.
Our lacquered oak tray helps with this, as it is sturdy and does not twist easily when you move your wrist slightly. This gives stability, especially if you want to move and turn the tray more easily in a small space. Also, choose the size that suits your situation: small trays are fine for practice at home, while larger sizes are handy if you want to carry more. Make sure that the product is only suitable for indoor use, so that the wood stays beautiful and your grip is predictable.
Serving and serving with a wooden tray: here's how to place your hand
When serving, it works best if you start with a calm, steady base. Place your left hand just below the centre so that you catch the centre of gravity well. Rest it on your left hand with a flat palm and support with your fingertips at the edge; spread your fingers and make sure your fingers make good contact with the wood. The aim is for you to support the tray on the tips without pinching, so that holding the tray does not become tiring.
Keep your forearm steady and, if it feels comfortable, make an angle of about 90 degrees at your elbow. Lift the tray lightly to chest height; shoulder height can be done, but is often less comfortable and causes faster tension towards your right shoulder if you start compensating. When you start serving, move your items one by one and keep your hand under the centre of your tray. This keeps the weight distribution steady and prevents the tray from slipping out of your hands.
Layout of your tray and weight distribution: from two glasses to total order
A good layout of your tray prevents most of the balancing. Put heavy items down first and work your way out from the centre of the tray, keeping the weight evenly distributed. Think of a cup and saucer or a plate: preferably place these in the centre of your tray, and lighter items around them. If you're walking with two glasses, don't put them both all the way to one side, but keep the weight evenly distributed to provide the most stability.
Also pay attention to the weight on the tray when combining different shapes, such as wine glasses and mugs. Handle wine glasses safely: hold the bottom of the glass when you put it on the tray or take it off, so it doesn't tip over. When arranging, it helps to look in advance at the total order and the order in which you will be serving later. That way, you won't have to move as much along the way and the tray remains stable even if you have to take a few steps.
Popular trays
Tray walk without wobbling: tricks for stability and better balance
Tray walking is smoothest when your body cooperates with the load you are carrying. Sink slightly through your knees and make a small, controlled stride; this ensures better balance and less jerking of your arm. Look ahead to where you are going, instead of constantly staring at your tray, as this actually makes your movement more restless. Keep your upper body straight and slide the tray in your left hand to a position where you feel most stable, usually just in front of your torso.
If you notice it starting to wobble, stop for a moment instead of continuing walking. Put your feet down firmly, regain weight distribution and check that your hand is still under the centre. Do not use your thumb and index finger to clench hard, but to steer subtly, with your palm carrying most of it. With this skill, you avoid having to grab your tray at the last moment, which is exactly what often goes wrong.
Debrassing and catering training: working safely with empty glasses and plates
Debrassing means clearing out used items, such as empty glasses and plates, and taking them back with you. Do this slowly and don't pack too much at once, as heavy items on top of each other make the weight distribution unpredictable. Put the first heavy pile in the middle and build up from there, so you keep control of the tray. If you bring several glasses, make sure they are stable and don't tap against each other while walking.
In many hospitality training courses you learn this as a basic skill, and our hospitality training courses often mention the same do's and don'ts: move calmly, don't overload and always stability first. Practising at home works well too: practise with an empty tray, then add one cup and slowly build up. Practice makes perfect, and it helps if you work with a sturdy wooden tray that does not bend. Our lacquered oak provides a reliable base for this, and the tray is also resistant to hot cups and plates, which is nice for hot indoor use.
Our lacquered oak tray: printing, formats and maintenance
This wooden sticker tray is made of lacquered oak, giving it a durable feel and a luxurious feel. The tray can be fully printed with your own photo or image, or you can choose a design from our collection, for example a tray with photo that matches your mood exactly. The print has a glossy finish and is custom-made to fit the size. The product is intended for indoor use, which helps to keep the quality of wood and finish beautiful for a long time.
You can choose from sizes 30x40x5, 35x50x5, 40x5 and 50x5 cm, depending on how you want to use it and how much you want to carry at a time. For daily use, it is nice that the tray can withstand hot cups and plates, so you can put down coffee or tea without worrying. For maintenance: in case of light dirt, wipe the surface with a slightly damp cloth using only water, then dry immediately. Avoid excessive moisture and abrasives so that the wood stays clean and dry and you won't get scratches.
Order your printed tray and carry it with confidence
Do you want a tray that is not only beautiful, but also comfortable to carry thanks to its solid base of lacquered oak? Then choose your size, select a design from our collection, such as a decorative tray or upload your own image, and turn it into a unique item you will love to use. That way you'll bring home a tray that suits your style and remains practical with warm indoor use. Order your printed wooden tray and notice how nice it is when shape, grip and look match.
Yes, this tray can withstand hot cups and plates. This makes it suitable for everyday indoor use, for example with coffee, tea or hot snacks.
Wipe the surface with a slightly damp cloth and use only water. Then dry it immediately with a dry cloth and avoid abrasive agents.
For exercise, smaller sizes are often the most comfortable as they are lighter and more manoeuvrable. Choose a size that suits your space and what you usually want to carry at a time.
The tray is only suitable for indoor use and is mainly designed as a stylish, printed wooden tray for the home. If you're looking for inspiration, though, you can look at tray hospitality and determine what suits your use.