What is Corrugated Cardboard? Basic Introduction:
2021.02.01 – Corrugated Cardboard Boxes
What is Corrugated Cardboard?
The invention and application of corrugated paper date back to more than 100 years ago. The corrugated cardboard is of low costs, light-weighted but provides great strength at the same time. Moreover, its printability is excellent. What’s better, corrugated cardboard is mostly made from recycled pulp. As a result, it has been widely used in response to environmental protection in recent years.
Corrugated paper is made by laminating and attaching two paper materials, “liner” and “corrugated medium.”
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| Due to the unique structure of corrugated paper, it has great strength to protect products. Meanwhile, it is light to carry and to transport. Nowadays, it is one of the most important packaging materials used in various industries for transportation and packaging materials. |  |
The difference between cardboard and corrugated boxes
Cardboard is commonly used to describe thick paper stock or heavy paper-pulp. This type of material is commonly used in cereal boxes and greeting cards. Although corrugated cartons contain some cardboard, it is important to understand that these materials are not interchangeable.
Corrugated is made of three layers of paper: an inside liner, an outside liner, and fluting with a ruffled shape that runs between the two. For the following reasons, this type of material improves the packaging process:
- Durable
- Lightweight with a high strength-to-weight ratio
- Product protection
- Cost-effective
- Environmentally friendly
In conclusion, while the differences may appear minor at first, it should be clear that cardboard is best reserved for items such as cards and cereal boxes. Corrugated, on the other hand, is the preferred packaging material for shipping boxes. Corrugated sheets, when formed into boxes, are ideal for shipping because they are extremely strong and durable, and they can be easily recycled.
Different types of corrugated cardboard
After talking about what is corrugated cardboard, let’s learn about the types of corrugated cardboard. According to the different structures, there are three types of corrugated boards.
【Single face】
The single face cardboard has only two layers. One corrugated medium is glued to one flat sheet of linerboard, and the flutes are exposed. Single face corrugated board is mostly used as inner packaging to protect the individual product from damage.
For example, it is used as the inner packaging for light bulbs.
【Single wall】
The corrugated medium is glued between two outer liners. Also known as “double face”. It is the most common material for corrugated cartons and displays that provide stronger protection than single face corrugated cardboard.
【Double wall】
Double wall board has two layers of corrugated fluting and three liners. It is often used for packaging large goods as well as cushioning to prevent the impact.
Flute Profiles
Corrugated board can be created with several different flutes.
【A flute】
Around 5mm. A flute delivers greater vertical compression strength and cushioning. It is suitable for packaging fragile items, such as fruits and glass.
【B flute】
Around 3mm. It has flat pressure resistance and high strength, and it is suitable for packaging products that are resistant to backlog items, such as beverages, food cans, etc.
【C flute】
Around 4mm. Most corrugated boxes in the United States fall into this category.
【E flute】
Around 1.5mm. E flute structure provides an excellent printing surface. it is commonly used for consumer goods boxes, trays and countertop displays.
The uses of Corrugated Cardboard
In addition to being used as the outer packaging widely, corrugated cardboard is often used for displays. Displays made of corrugated board have the advantages of low costs and lightweight. Moreover, one of the characteristics of corrugated cardboard is that it can be assembled from small parts and can be disassembled into flat parts. As a result, corrugated cardboard displays can be shipped in flat, which can save client’s freight cost significantly. On the other hand, it also has a large advertising space, which allows to present the products in a perfect way and helps to draw every customer’s eye. Many large retail stores, such as Walmart, Walgreens, Costco, Target, etc., use the corrugated cardboard display as an important approach to POP displays in stores.
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