Advantages of Using Corrugated Cardboard For Packaging

When you’re shipping your products, every choice matters. It’s especially important to consider how to package your product. Your box should be durable and protective, keeping the items from any damage in transit. At the same time, your packaging should be high-quality and create a positive representation of your brand. After all, the packaging is the first thing customers will see when their delivery arrives.

For many decades, custom corrugated boxes have been a mainstay in the packaging industry. The corrugated board serves as an effective cushion, protecting products from any shocks or vibrations. Whether you’re planning to ship bulky furniture, delicate glassware or expensive electronics, corrugated boxes are a popular go-to option. Learn more about how corrugated cardboard is made and why it’s so effective.

What Is Corrugated Cardboard?

Corrugated cardboard is cardboard that has been reinforced with more cardboard. Specifically, there are two parts to a corrugated cardboard box: linerboard and medium. The linerboard is the flat paper on the side; the medium is a more three-dimensional layer of wavy paper. Sometimes, as on single-face corrugated cardboard, there is only one side of linerboard, with the medium exposed. In single-wall (or double-wall, or more) corrugated cardboard, the medium is hidden in between two layers of linerboard, creating flat surfaces on both sides.

The image above shows the linerboard and medium of a single-wall sheet of corrugated, the most common combination used for shipping boxes.

Why Is This Great?

1. Protection
The wavy, fluted three-dimensionality of the medium provides a compact and lightweight layer of protection. Single-layer chip board (like the kind used for cereal boxes) isn’t usually used for shipping because it’s barely any protection at all, and shipping can be hazardous. A corrugated cardboard packing box provides much stronger protection against the elements (and against the wear and tear of travel and shipping) with the cushioned paper padding inside. It’s also better than plastic or wood because it’s lighter, far less expensive, and easier to recycle. Corrugated cardboard is therefore better for the environment and better for the pocketbook.

2) Printing
The flat linerboard, also being made of paper cardboard, is also an easier and less expensive surface onto which to print custom graphics. Custom print jobs are common on cardboard boxes for products that are shipped, stocked, stacked, sold, reused, repurposed, and recycled all over the world. (We’ve mentioned the importance of custom print for customers before.) The dual functionality of wavy inner layer for protection and flat outer layer for structure and printing make corrugated cardboard shipping boxes the ideal bridge between marketing and logistics for getting your product into the hands of your customers.

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Corrugated Cardboard vs. Standard Box Materials

Corrugated cardboard is widely regarded as the most preferred packaging material. Corrugated cardboard boxes are known for their durability, strength and versatility. Plus, they are remarkably lightweight and cost-effective to ship.

Corrugated cardboard differs from standard cardboard boxes in a few key ways, including how it’s constructed. Regular cardboard boxes are built using paperboard. This is made from heavy paper pulp and may contain just a single layer. The result is a thinner packaging material that is often used for smaller operations.

Corrugated boxes require a more complex manufacturing process. They are designed using three separate layers of thick paperboard, including flat outer layers and a rippled inner layer. These layers are held together using a thick, strong glue. As a result, they’re highly durable and offer superior protection for the products inside.

Compared to other material options, custom corrugated packaging offers many benefits, including:

  • Lightweight and easy to move during packaging, transporting, shipping, loading and unloading
  • Diverse array of personalization options, including shape, size, color and design
  • Environmentally friendly materials so boxes can be recycled and reused

Why Choose Custom Boxes Now for Custom Cardboard Solutions?

For more than 50 years, Custom Boxes Now! has designed and manufactured custom printed corrugated boxes for businesses. With a team of expert designers and a 100% in-house manufacturing process, we provide high-quality corrugated packaging on a fast, reliable timeline. In fact, our on-time percentage is over 99%. When we give you a delivery timeline, you can hold us to it!

Our custom corrugated packaging process begins with your specifications. Just let us know the size and shape of the products you need to ship. If you have any questions along the way, our team is available to guide you toward the right solution. We never outsource any of our processes — everything happens in-house to ensure quality control. If you need custom corrugated cardboard boxes, we’ve got you covered.

Get Started With Custom Boxes Now!

Thinking about some cardboard boxes for your business? Let us help. Use our Custom Box Configurator to select the perfect shipping box sizes for your product, or please feel free to contact us directly at Custom Boxes Now to learn more.