How to Keep Your Parcels Safe Using Cardboard Packaging Materials

Are you in the business of shipping sensitive goods? Are you searching for packaging materials that will keep your valuable items safe?

There are several options for packaging materials. Depending on key factors, these items vary in terms of use, elements, and durability.  The most popular option is corrugated packaging materials.

Apart from the shipping industry, several other businesses benefit from corrugated packaging. These include retail, medical, e-commerce, and warehousing industries, among others.

Moreover, the global corrugated boxes market reached the $176.1 billion-mark in 2018. Analysts project that the market will grow 3.9% by the end of 2019.

What makes these packaging materials stand out? How can you benefit from choosing corrugated packaging over other options?

Continue reading below as we zoom in on this timeless packaging wonder.

A Brief History

Before we go to the composition of corrugated packaging materials, let us first look back to its roots. Corrugated packaging started over a century ago. In 1817, Sir Malcolm Thornhill came up with an idea to create boxes.

He thought of boxes featuring single sheets of cardboard. His idea eventually resulted in the cardboard box. However, the box was not yet corrugated at that time.

Fast-forward to 1856, Englishmen Edward Healy and Edward Allen secured a patent for corrugated paper. But they didn’t intend it for packaging. Instead, they used the paper as a hat lining.

Come 1871, Albert Jones of New York patented the single-sided corrugated board. Moreover, packaging companies started using it to wrap their glass lanterns and bottles.

In 1890, Robert Gair met a fortunate accident. While printing some paper bags, his metal ruler shifted positions. This, in turn, cut his paper bags. The result led to the idea of pre-cutting boxes. 

Gair cut and creased the paperboard and combined the two pieces together. By 1895, he incorporated his idea to corrugated cardboard. This led to the world’s very first corrugated box. 

The Anatomy of Corrugated Packaging Materials

Let’s take a look at the elements that make up these corrugated boxes. Let’s find out their functions and how they work together to complete the final product.

Flute Profiles

The first thing you need to understand about corrugated boxes are the flute profiles. The flute size determines the thickness of the walls of the box. It also affects the box’s stacking strength. 

The A-flute is thickest among the profiles. It measures around 5mm thick. It works best for shipping items that require extra cushioning and stacking.

B-flute is the best choice for self-supporting products like canned goods. It measures 3.2mm thick and is the most flexible option for boxes with die-cut designs.

Meanwhile, C-flute is the most common flute you can find today. Some consider it the all-purpose flute. It comes with a board that measures 38 flutes per foot.

This is a little bit thicker than the B-flute. 

For packaging that requires some printing, the E-flute and F-flute are the best options. They carry a thickness of 1.6mm and 0.8mm, respectively. This measurement allows printing over the packaging with remarkable clarity.

The Board Types

After the flute profiles come the board types. First is the single-face, which features a combination of a sheet of liner board and corrugated medium. Manufacturers glue the two together.

Companies use single-face boards to wrap products that require extra cushioning.

Next is the single-wall. This features a sheet of corrugated medium and two sheets of liners. The liners press the corrugated medium tightly in the middle. 

With the three layers glued together, the single-wall is a common choice for shipping boxes. You can also use them for retail displays.

There is also the double-wall that features three sheets of liners sandwiching two sheets of corrugated medium. This is your best bet for securing heavier products.

Lastly, there is the triple-wall. It comes with three sheets of corrugated medium. Four sheets of liners sandwich the medium. 

The triple-wall is the most common choice for industrial parts. Because of its durability, you can use it as a substitute for wooden crates.

The Benefits of Using Corrugated Packaging

Now that you know the different types of boards, let’s take a look at the benefits of using corrugated packaging.

Dependable Protection

Compared to your regular cardboard boxes, they offer a higher level of protection. They provide ample cushioning while keeping moisture and bacteria at bay.

Room to Customize

If you need to put prints and other details over the boxes, you can do so. You can customize them and incorporate different designs for your business requirements. This is excellent for businesses who wish to extend their branding on their boxes. 

Environment-Friendly

Corrugated boxes offer several eco-friendly advantages. They are renewable, reusable, and recyclable.

Cost-Effective

They are also one of the most economical packaging options available. Manufacturing corrugated boxes is mostly automated and does not require expensive tools or expensive labor.

Industries that Use Corrugated Packaging Materials

As for the different industries that use corrugated packaging, here are some of them:

Food Industry

Businesses that deliver fresh fruits and vegetables use corrugated boxes to ship their products. As we mentioned earlier, corrugated packaging keeps moisture and bacteria away. This is crucial for perishable products.

Manufacturers of processed foods and beverages also use corrugated packaging for the very same reason. Additionally, they use these boxes for the ample protection they provide during transit.

Electronics and Glassware

Companies selling electronics and glassware also use corrugated boxes. Their products require enough cushioning to protect sensitive parts that may break during transit.

Household Appliances and Durables

Private individuals can also use corrugated boxes when moving their household appliances. 

Let Us Handle Your Shipping Needs

Now that you know the history, benefits, and uses of corrugated packaging, you can move your items more safely and economically than ever by using this type of packaging.

If you are looking for some of the best corrugated packaging materials, we can point you in the right direction.

We offer an extensive lineup of corrugated boxes, sheets, pads, and trays. They come in different measurements to match your requirements.

Simply get in touch and tell us what you need. Let’s get you the best packaging materials, today!