What Is A Corrugated Box? An Ultimate Guide

It is true that many businesses rely on corrugated packaging from simple retail boxes to transporting goods. Therefore, the global market of corrugated boxes is expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.0% by 2032. 

A corrugated box is an unsung hero in the packaging industry, let start this debate based on facts. This material can be recycled up to 25 times. Many businesses actively used corrugated boxes for shipping in the US. 80% of the shipments are generated from corrugator plants. 

The first thing you need to know is corrugated and cardboard boxes are not the same. While discovering the numerous things about corrugated boxes to run your small or large business with effective shipping needs. Mistakenly, they are misused together.

Read this article to learn more about corrugated boxes, how it is different from cardboard, and their types. Let’s get started!

What are Corrugated Boxes?

Corrugated refers to the fiberboard container made of paper pulp and combined with two layers of sheet and ruffle sheet inside. When we define corrugated, it implies a fiberboard made from packaging sheets with durability and flexibility. The term corrugated means a material composed of three sheets of board where the outer sheets are flat liner and sandwiched between known as rippled.

90% of all products shipped in corrugated boxes in North America indicate the dominant usage of this material. You can use these boxes for retail purposes, shipping, mailing, product display, and more. Having various applications this becomes a more reliable choice for shipping and transporting goods. You can adjust its thickness to increase product protection. With these thicknesses, they can absorb shock or vibration and use less cushioning which helps you reduce shipping costs. 

If you ship on a daily basis, then figure out the difference between cardboard and corrugated boxes for using the right type of material for your business. Let’s read the difference here!

Corrugated vs Cardboard Packaging

Cardboard is thin or pasteboard material used for packaging products. They are lightweight, sturdy, and used to protect products on the shelves. 

Whereas corrugated is thick and fiberboard which is used to protect products during shipping. 

Still not get the enough difference? Go through this table and learn the detailed difference between cardboard and corrugated boxes for your business packaging:

Corrugated Flute Types (Corrugated Thickness)

The flutes–typically known as the ruffled layer between the linerboard–are used to increase the corrugated thickness. These create a space between layers and act like cushioning to provide additional product protection from damage. 
The corrugated flute comes in different thicknesses and has unique categories: 

• A-Flute-¼ thick: used to protect fragile items during shipping as they are the largest size of flute. 
• B-Flute-? thick: and are less thicker than A or C but are great tear or puncture resistant. 
• C-Flute-3/16 thick: used to ship dairy products, glass products, or furniture. 
• E-Flute-1/16 thick: used in packaging normally for mailer boxes. 
• F-Flute-1/32 thick: used in packaging such as, shoe, cosmetics, perfumes, and jewelry boxes. 

Types of Corrugated Boxes

Liners (creased paperboard sheets) and fluting together with adhesive glue, create the structures of corrugated boxes with different thicknesses. Now with different layers of these liners and flying decide its thickness and define the different types of corrugated. Below are these types in detail: 

Linerboard – A flat sheet with two layers of paper and fiber. One layer consists of paper and recycled fiber.
Single Face – A flat sheet of linerboard combined with a single flute on one side.
Single Wall – Typically, two sheets of linerboards with one fluted fiberboard (ruffles sheets) glued in between.
Double Wall – Combine three sheets of linerboard and two flute fiberboard with glue simultaneously to create thickness. 
Triple Wall – Glued four-liner board sheets with three fluted fiberboards in between. 

Corrugated Box Styles

Regarding packaging, the corrugated flute-F is used for storing multiple products in various styles, from manufacturing to thickness and packing to shipping corrugated boxes covering all solutions. With the right dimensions and measuring, different corrugated box sizes can be created for product packaging and shipping. The corrugated shipping boxes are more sturdy and durable for protecting goods during transit.

The majority of the corrugated box style falls under the categories of the general custom boxes: 

• Tab Lock Roll End
• Roll End 3 Flaps Tuck
• Roll End Tuck Front
• One Piece Folder Box
• Tuck Top Auto Bottom
• Regular Slotted Box
• Full Slotted Box
• Half Slotted Container (HSC Box)
• Gusset Folder

To get your desired corrugated box style; contact us and let your vision come into reality. 

Conclusion

Corrugated packaging material is considered to be versatile due to its numerous benefits. Are you running a small or large business and looking for packaging or shipping needs? Read this article and get to know about corrugated boxes for your packaging solutions. These boxes are sturdy and durable and used for shipping or storing your goods. 

Whether you are looking for retail or transporting products, considering corrugated boxes with all customization benefits can save you a lot of costs. Pay attention to its features, structures, types, style, and sustainability in this article and get a better idea for your packaging. 

Still confused? Don't worry, we will help you find the best corrugated solution for your business needs.