A cardboard box is a container used to package, distribute and store various products offered to customers or businesses in a retail store.
Cardboard boxes are an important part of generalized packaging, which refers to the materials used to protect items during transportation. This is important because corrugated boxes or other packaging are likely to be subjected to various stresses during transportation, including mechanical vibration, pressure and temperature cycling, etc.
Packaging designers study environmental factors and design packaging to reduce their impact on stored or transported goods.
Cardboard is a very durable material and comes in many forms and varieties to suit your requirements. Packaging is one of the most common uses for paperboard. Many types of cardboard packaging can be customized and modified to various weights, thicknesses and widths, so they can be used for virtually any purpose.
Things to consider when choosing cardboard as packaging material
When choosing among the various forms of cardboard packaging, there are a few characteristics to consider.
- What is your packing weight? The weight of items packed in cardboard is critical.
- Is it possible to get wet? If this is the case, you will need to consider lamination features or other methods to protect the cardboard from moisture.
- Need to print on the packaging? It’s important to remember that some boards are easier to stamp than others.
Standard Types of Cartons
Many people are confused by the various types of boxes in the packaging industry and the interchangeable terms used to describe them – rigid box , folding carton, assembled box, corrugated box, cardboard box, etc.
In the field of packaging, boxes are divided into three basic styles. All consist of different thicknesses of pulp.
Three Basic Types of Boxes
Folding carton
Folding cartons (also known as cardboard boxes or paper packaging boxes) are one of the most standard types of boxes offered by retailers. This is a folding carton, similar to a cereal or milk carton.
Hard box
Rigid boxes (also known as assembled boxes) are more durable than collapsible cartons because they won’t collapse or collapse. They are often (but not always) used in high-end products with high perceived quality. They are also used when the cargo inside is particularly heavy and requires extra support. The hard case is similar to iPhone packaging.
Corrugated box
Corrugated boxes (also known as corrugated cardboard, hybrid cardboard, or corrugated fiberboard) are brown cardboard boxes that are widely used for storing or packing items when moving to a new home.
Corrugated fiberboard usually has three layers. Sandwiched between the two outer smooth surfaces is a curved or grooved layer. The perforated layer is where the durability of this paper product lies.
Different Types of Cardboard Packaging
Depending on your requirements, you will need several forms of cardboard packaging. A few different types of cardboard packaging are listed below –
Single sided
The most common cardboard packaging you will come across is single-sided cardboard. This is just corrugated cardboard, there is no second continuous section on the other side of the corrugated layer. This type of packaging is often used to isolate items in a box so they don’t bump or break during shipping.
Single siding
This is the standard corrugated cardboard used in many different types of cardboard packaging and shipping boxes. It has two flat walls with a row of grooves in the middle. This is the type of cardboard often used in boxes because it is fairly strong even with just one layer of grooves.
Double siding
Of course, double-wall panels provide an additional layer of grooves between the two outermost layers. This not only strengthens the board, but also provides additional security for any cargo stored in it.
Three-layer board
As you might have guessed, a three-ply board contains 3 layers of grooves between the two outer walls. This unique corrugated packaging is only required for very heavy objects, such as automotive components or major appliances.
There are also four, five or even more layers of grooved cardboard sandwiched between the two outer walls. On the other hand, such cardboard packaging is extremely rare and is used only in rare cases.
Corrugated fiberboard
Corrugated fiberboard is a three-layer material with a flat exterior on each side and a curved surface in the center area called a flute. The material’s wavy center adds to its strength, allowing it to carry heavy loads without cracking or collapsing.
Corrugated fiberboard is available in a variety of widths to accommodate stronger or weaker boards depending on packaging requirements . Corrugated fiberboard dimensions are usually indicated by letters. The width and frequency of the waves at the surface of the intermediate groove determine the size.
Honeycomb cardboard
This is a less commonly used type of cardboard packaging but is widely used due to its sturdiness. The length of this board consists of countless layers of corrugated paper, each side is wrapped with a single ply paper to make up the width of the board. It can be used to eliminate pallets and other commercial requirements.
Cardboard
This is an extremely thin paperboard that can be used in a variety of applications, including toilet paper rolls and cereal boxes . Paperboard, commonly known as particleboard or carton, is far less durable than corrugated fibreboard and is therefore used for lightweight products or non-load bearing applications.
