Most people outside of shipping industries have likely not taken the time to contemplate the intricacies of cardboard. By delving into the ultimate guide to product storage boxes, you will better understand how they are used in all applications, from shipping items to storing delicate produce.
Why Are Cardboard Boxes Used for Storage?
There are many advantages to using cardboard boxes for storage. Many companies choose them since they are cost-effective and durable. Different types work better for light and heavy objects.
When you choose the right box type, you can feel confident that you’re safely storing your products. They will have protection when packed properly in the right kind of environment.
Boxes lend themselves well to storage when they’re not in use. They’re flat when cut down and don’t take up much space. Cardboard is also recyclable when it’s no longer needed, making it more eco-friendly than other forms of storage.
Types of Cardboard
Boxes come in different forms, so it makes sense that there are various types of cardboard. In general, paperboard and corrugated cardboard are the most popular for product storage.
The main difference between the two is thickness and durability. Paperboard is on the thin side, ranging from 0.010 inches or less. These small boxes are often wrapped in bubble wrap to stay safe during shipping. Without this protection, they risk getting damaged.
In comparison, corrugated cardboard is more durable and comes in a range of sizes and thicknesses. They are commonly used for shipping items. You can put small paperboard boxes into a larger corrugated box.
What Products Go in Paperboard Boxes?
Most retail outlets take advantage of paperboard boxes, from grocery to department stores. We see them on shelves everywhere and likely don’t give them much thought since they’ve always been present in our lives.
In general, you want to store lightweight products in paperboard. Some examples include:
- Baked goods
- Medicine
- Cosmetics
- Cereal
They’re also used as gift or shirt boxes. Outside of boxes, you’ll also find paperboard in the form of a tube. Can you guess where? It’s found in the following products:
- Paper towel tubes
- Toilet paper rolls
- Wrapping paper tube
While paperboard is a type of cardboard, it is a bit of a misnomer. You now know the specific name for this material, which can be a fun trivia fact for you to remember.
Corrugated Cardboard
When people look at corrugated cardboard, they likely see it as an ordinary box. Storage industry professionals often refer to it as corrugated fiberboard, but it’s more commonly known as corrugated cardboard. Some also call it combined board since it contains several components.
While this material has a humble appearance, many intricacies make it strong and sustainable. This contributes to its popularity for storage and shipping purposes. People also appreciate corrugated cardboard’s versatility.
In addition to boxes, coffee cup sleeves and retail displays are also made of corrugated cardboard.
Corrugated Box Features
Something you might notice about corrugated cardboard is the box flaps. When you take a closer look at these parts, you’ll see a squiggly, arched material sandwiched between the two smooth pieces of linerboard, which is held together with glue. This is referred to as a flute, though some refer to it as the medium.
Without this handy innovation, corrugated boxes would not have the amazing capabilities they possess, such as supporting hefty loads and providing cushioning. This feature also helps with keeping products insulated, which is why coffee cup sleeves are made from it!
In our ultimate guide to cardboard product storage boxes, we will take a deep dive into the features that help make corrugated fiberboard a leader in storing and shipping.
Types of Flutes
There are several types of flutes that vary in size. Each one serves different functions, from storing retail products to shipping. From newest to oldest, they include:
- F Flute: Tiny, with around 125 flutes per foot. F flutes are a more eco-friendly alternative to folding cartons. You can find them as a stronger version of paperboard in stores because they hold products.
- E Flute: A little bigger than the F style, with about 90 flutes per foot. It’s often used for stronger retail packaging and is visually striking. It’s great for companies that want to print graphics on a box.
- C Flute: Highly versatile. Companies often use them for shipping. We see this variety most often. There are around 40 flutes per foot, which provides excellent cushioning.
- B Flute: A variety that has been around for quite some time to effectively ship canned goods. There are approximately 48 flutes per foot.
- A Flute: The largest kind of flute and the first one developed. It contains about 34 flutes per foot and provides extra protection.
Combined Board Varieties
In addition to these different types of flutes, there are also various combined boards that serve many purposes. They utilize different flutes depending on how the box will be used.
The combined board varieties that you see most often are the following:
- Single Face: The least durable type of corrugated box wall. It only contains one fluted medium glued to a piece of linerboard. It works best to protect products for shipping.
- Single Wall: Two pieces of linerboard hold onto one fluted layer. You can think of this as the box flap example we talked about earlier. It is typically used for shipping items.
- Double Wall: A tough kind of corrugated box reinforced with three sheets of linerboard with two fluted mediums. This works best for storing and shipping heavy products.
- Triple Wall: The strongest kind of combined board on the market. It has three fluted layers surrounded by four sheets of linerboard. These can ship machinery parts and other heavy items.
Globe Bag Produce Boxes
As you can see, paperboard and corrugated cardboard benefit all kinds of industries. They are also used to store various types of produce. Family farms and grocery stores would be in a pinch if it weren’t for cardboard vegetable boxes.
These containers help protect our harvests, and the different fluting allows for accurate printing, enabling you to know what’s contained in each box.
We can create a large variety of packing with the customizable nature of corrugated cardboard and paperboard. Some popular examples include:
- Corrugated baskets
- Bushel boxes with handles
- Self-locking hampers
- Vented boxes to allow produce to breathe
- Partitions to protect delicate fruits from bruising
The perfect packaging is out there for all kinds of fruits and vegetables. If you have any questions about what may work best for you, contact our team of professionals today.
