At BoldtSmith Packaging, we complete projects exploring all packaging materials. Since we do not manufacture or sell packaging, our goal is to provide our customers the best possible solution.
Corrugated packaging is currently one of the most used packaging materials globally. But is it the right material for your business needs? Let’s dive in.
What is corrugated packaging?
Whether you are passing through a grocery store or in a distribution center, corrugated boxes are everywhere. They are the standard material and packaging type used to distribute the majority of product throughout the world.
Corrugated is a paper-pulp based material and is comprised of two main components. The liner boards and medium which are manufactured on a machine often referred to as a corrugator. The medium creates the arched shape or “flutes” between the liner boards.
What are the different corrugated thicknesses?
Corrugated is offered in a variety of thicknesses and strengths to best match the customers supply chain and packaging requirements. The most common thicknesses are A, B, C, E and F. Some corrugated companies also offer custom flute sizes to separate themselves from competition. These different thicknesses are also offered in multiple types of board such as singe wall, double wall and triple wall. This combines corrugated layers together to create a more robust, stronger package.
What are the different corrugated strengths?
Corrugated strengths vary from light duty to heavy duty applications. An example of a light duty application would be the corrugated box used to transport potato chips to a grocery store on a pallet full truckload. An example of a heavy-duty application would be the corrugated box used to transport a glass shower door through an e-commerce supply chain.
There are two commonly used measurements for corrugated strength. The ECT (Edge Crush Test) and mullen burst test. Both are great tests to measure the strength of corrugated. Other applicable tests include basis weight, bending resistance, flat crush test, and box compression strength. The most commonly used box strength is 32 ECT.
What are the different box styles?
There are a variety of different corrugated box styles. The correct style depends on variables such as supply chain hazards, product size and weight, auto vs manual line and cost constraints. The RSC (Regular Slotted Container) is the most commonly used box style. Other styles include a FOL (Full Overlap), OPF (One Piece Folder), FTD (Full Telescopic Design).
What corrugated is right for me?
BoldtSmith Packaging is experts in all packaging materials including corrugated. Our onsite design team and CNC machine allows us to create designs and samples internally. This gives our customer the power to own their specifications so they can purchase corrugated from whomever they want. Reach out to BoldtSmith Packaging to learn if your corrugated packaging has opportunity for optimization.