Corrugated cardboard is one of the most widely used materials in packaging, offering the perfect blend of strength, adaptability, and sustainability. Whether you’re shipping fragile items or creating custom-branded retail boxes, corrugated cardboard delivers exceptional performance.
What Is Corrugated Cardboard?
Corrugated cardboard is made of three main components:
- Outer Liner: A smooth, durable surface for printing or branding.
- Inner Liner: Provides additional support and protection.
- Fluting (Middle Layer): A wavy, ridged layer between the liners that gives corrugated cardboard its strength and shock-absorbing properties.
The fluting can vary in size (A, B, C, E, or F flutes), with larger flutes offering more cushioning and smaller ones providing a smoother surface for printing.
Advantages of Corrugated Cardboard
- Strength and Durability: Ideal for protecting products during transport and storage.
- Lightweight: Reduces shipping costs without sacrificing reliability.
- Customizable: Easily cut, folded, and printed to suit a variety of packaging needs.
- Eco-Friendly: Made from renewable materials and is fully recyclable.
Applications in Packaging
Corrugated cardboard is used across industries for its adaptability and strength:
- E-Commerce: Durable mailer boxes and shipping cartons for online orders.
- Retail: Custom-branded display boxes or product packaging.
- Foodservice: Takeout cartons, pizza boxes, and protective inserts for fragile goods like wine bottles.
Corrugated Cardboard vs. Chipboard
While chipboard is smoother and thinner, corrugated cardboard is thicker and better suited for heavy-duty applications like shipping or stacking. Both are recyclable, but corrugated cardboard offers superior strength and protection.
Sustainability Benefits
Corrugated cardboard is an eco-friendly choice for businesses aiming to reduce their environmental footprint:
- Recyclable: Most corrugated cardboard is made from post-consumer recycled fibers and can be recycled again after use.
- Renewable: Often sourced from sustainably managed forests.
- Biodegradable: Breaks down naturally when disposed of properly.
Challenges and Considerations
- Bulkiness: May require significant storage space when not in use.
- Moisture Sensitivity: Standard corrugated cardboard isn’t waterproof, but coated or laminated options are available.
Pro Tip
For premium branding, consider custom printing or adding finishes like Spot UV or embossing to your corrugated packaging. If shipping fragile items, choose thicker fluting for extra protection.
