Types of Cardboard for Shipping Your Products
The type of cardboard used is an often overlooked, yet important aspect in making sure that your products are delivered safely, presented beautifully, and is cost-effective.
JiaroPack offers a range of packaging solutions designed to meet various requirements, from tough corrugated shipping boxes and fancy cardboard gift boxes. Understanding how each material works helps you to select the best option for protection, branding, and overall customer experience.
What is Cardboard
Cardboard refers to durable paper-based materials used to make a variety of packaging products, from sturdy shipping boxes to presentable cardboard gift boxes.
They often come in two forms, one is the corrugated cardboard used in heavy-duty shipping, and the other is solid board used to make presentable packages.
They are lightweight and durable materials, usually shipped in a flatten form and are therefore not difficult to store and assemble when required. They are also highly sustainable thanks to their recyclable properties and by being biodegradable, meaning that if they end up in a landfill, they won’t be able to harm the environment in any way as living organisms will be able to decompose them.
What is Corrugated Cardboard
Corrugated cardboard is made to be tough and durable. It features a fluted structure between flat walls, providing strength and cushioning for shipping products safely.
It’s known for its ability to protect valuable items from various hazards including direct impact and environmental erosion, thanks to its heavy duty construction and insulation property.
Boxes like the 4×4×4 or 9×6×4 are lightweight, reusable, and ideal for eCommerce shipping.
What is Solid Board
Solid board is an interesting breed, it sometimes trades some traits with practical functionalities that would be critical for some projects. For example, it doesn’t have insulation property, which allows it and its content to be frozen effectively. Some designs can withstand moisture or just straight up water-resistant, blocking liquid from leaking out and coming inside.
Solid board boxes are rigid and smooth. They come flat-packed and fold easily, capable of many complicated packaging combinations through folding, these customization options offer stability for moderately heavy items while being great for branding, decoration and presenting products.
Types of Cardboard By Structure
What is cardboard? There is a variety of cardboard, owing to the variety of purposes. With different thickness and designs, types of cardboards can be given different properties to fulfill different roles, all while staying cost-effective.
Single-Wall Corrugated Cardboard
This type of cardboard has one layer of fluting between two flat sheets for lightweight packing. It’s usually used for small shipping boxes which can be set up in seconds from a flat storage form, it’s a perfect solution for everyday shipping of lightweight products.
Double-Wall Corrugated Cardboard
Featuring an extra fluted layer, this style adds additional strength and protection. Double wall boxes are great for a large range of items or goods that require great cushioning during transit so that they reach your customers unscathed.
Triple-Wall Corrugated Cardboard
Comes with three fluted layers, this is the heavy duty corrugated option. It’s used for industrial shipping, and to protect heavy items or fragile valuables. It provides maximum durability for long-distance transport.
Solid Paperboard (Non-Corrugated)
This rigid, smooth board is used for gift boxes and presentable packaging. It is strong enough to hold moderately heavy products, easy to fold, and perfect for retail, gifts, or premium product packaging.
Comparison Chart
|
Type
|
Construction
|
Commonly Used For
|
|
Single-Wall Corrugated
|
One fluted layer
|
Small boxes
|
|
Double-Wall Corrugated
|
Two fluted layers
|
Regular boxes
|
|
Triple-Wall Corrugated
|
Three fluted layers
|
Industrial, heavy shipping
|
|
Solid Paperboard
|
Rigid, smooth board
|
Retail packaging, special packaging, gift boxes
|
By Material
Cardboards come in different materials, each suited for different specific shipping or presentation needs.
Kraft Paperboard
Strong and natural-friendly, kraft paper is the most widely-used material for cardboards. It’s great for environmentally conscious packaging and is incredibly easy to print on.
Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) Paperboard
A premium-grade paperboard, Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) paperboard is a smooth, white boardstock. It’s great for packaging food and many high-end retail products as everything about it just renders it in an air of grandness.
Chipboard
Although made from recycled fibers, chipboard is by no means plebeian. The rigid and economical chipboard lacks the hollow internal spaces found in most cardboards, allowing it to be thick and durable while being space-saving.
Recycled/Unbleached Paperboard
Eco-conscious and sturdy, recycled or unbleached paperboard is used for sustainable cardboard containers. It offers strength and a natural aesthetic.
Comparison Chart
|
Material
|
Characteristics
|
Commonly Used For
|
|
Kraft Paperboard
|
Sturdy, easy to brand
|
Shipping boxes, retail items
|
|
SBS Paperboard
|
Smooth, white, premium
|
Premium, high-end packaging
|
|
Chipboard
|
Rigid, economical
|
Lightweight, food packaging
|
|
Recycled/Unbleached Paperboard
|
Eco-friendly, sturdy
|
Frozen food, beverage
|
By Flute Type (Only for Corrugated)
Corrugated boxes come in different flute types, which strength, cushioning, and thickness vary. The reason these different types exist is because of the differences in safety needs.
A Flute
A flute has the largest corrugation, providing excellent cushioning and stacking strength. Ideal for fragile items. Its durability also leads it to finding a market in packaging heavier items.
B Flute
B flute is a lot thinner than A flute, but it’s got great surface areas for graphic designs. Businesses that don’t require a lot of protection with the packaging and want to make a striking impression tend to choose this.
C Flute
C flute is standard for most shipping boxes. Balancing cushioning and strength, it’s great for most packaging needs.
E / F Flute
E and F flutes are very thin, providing a smooth surface for printing while being highly space-efficient. Best for retail packaging or small, lightweight boxes.
BC Flute
BC flute combines B and C layers for extra durability. Used for heavy items needing strong corrugated support.
Corrugated Cardboard Flute Chart
|
Flute Type
|
Thickness
|
Cushioning
|
Common Used For
|
|
A Flute
|
~4.8 mm
|
High
|
Fragile, heavy items
|
|
B Flute
|
~3.2 mm
|
Medium
|
Extra branding effort
|
|
C Flute
|
~3.6 mm
|
Medium-High
|
Standard shipping boxes
|
|
E Flute
|
~1.6 mm
|
Low
|
Lightweight retail boxes, cost-saving
|
|
F Flute
|
~0.8 mm
|
Minimal
|
Small retail packaging
|
|
BC Flute
|
~7 mm
|
Very High
|
Heavy shipping boxes
|
By Functional Treatment
Cardboards can be functionally treated for tailored packaging, giving them a barrier function to water, grease, gases, etc. This type of special treatment is made in consideration of certain products’ transportation or storage risks.
Water-Resistant or Wax-Coated Cardboard
Cardboard that receives this treatment is coated in an extra moisture-repelling layer, which is great when the package will have to endure moist conditions during transit.
Anti-Static Cardboard for Electronics
Given the high sensitivity of electronic equipment to static charges, on top of the fact that regular cardboard is susceptible to static build-up, this kind of treatment is sometimes especially warranted.
Insulated Cardboard for Temperature-Sensitive Products
Insulated cardboard, which is used to ship perishable or temperature-sensitive products, helps to keep items from being damaged while in transit.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Cardboard
When choosing what kind of packaging you need for your product, there are many factors to consider. The following is an easy cheat sheet for you to reference.
Product Weight and Fragility
Heavier or delicate items may need a double or triple-wall space, to protect it from impact while the cardboard absorbs the shock with its corrugated flutes.
Shipping Distance and Carrier Requirements
Longer distance logistics require more durable corrugated boxes to prevent any surprises. Who knows what could happen on the road? As Benjamin Franklin once said, by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
Printing & Branding Requirements
Branding and aesthetics are just as important as the safety of the product. Whiteness grade and surface finish can affect how your branding is going to be executed, and the style of the box is going to impact customer experience.
Sustainability and Recyclability
One of the key benefits of cardboard boxes is the high recyclability, you can balance the dimensional costs with material costs. Choosing recycled material lets you provide consistent high quality service to your customers, often without compromising logistic safety.
Cost vs. Protection Balance
Selecting the type of cardboard that is right for you boils down to a balance between protection and cost.
Single-wall is good for items that are not too heavy, and double or triple-wall provides added strength to larger and heavier shipments. Whereas paperboxes are all about the presentation, and not so much about sturdy protection.
Protect, Present and Impress with JiaroPack Packaging
Whether you’re in need of sturdy shipping boxes that take your business all around the globe, or make your product stand out among competitors, JiaroPack Packaging may just have you covered.
JiaroPack presents highly-recyclable, sustainable solutions to direct-from-factory procurement services, offering you with what you need for your business to flourish, all while being dedicated to protecting our environment.
Protect your product, present your product, and impress with your brand. JiaroPack has your back.
Conclusion
Whether you need secure protection for long-distance transport or polished packaging that elevates your brand, JiaroPack offers solutions tailored to your needs. Committed to quality, sustainability and customer satisfaction, JiaroPack ensures your products arrive safely and make a lasting impression.
FAQs:
What types of cardboard are available at JiaroPack?
JiaroPack offers corrugated cardboard for shipping and solid board for presentation, including cardboard gift boxes.
Is corrugated cardboard recyclable?
Yes, corrugated cardboard is recyclable if it’s clean and dry.
Can JiaroPack’s cardboard gift boxes be customized?
Yes, the solid board surface is perfect for printing, branding, or decorative designs.
What sizes of cardboard gift boxes does JiaroPack offer?
JiaroPack provides a range of sizes, from 3×3×3”, 4x4x4” boxes, to 6x5x1”, 6x6x4”, 6x6x6”, 8×8×4” gift boxes to fit various products.
Do JiaroPack cardboard present boxes come flat or pre-assembled?
They are shipped flat for easy storage and may be fast folded and assembled when needed.
Leave a comment