Box Basics
& Resources

What is
corrugated?

Made economically from a renewable, recyclable resource, Corrugated Board is comprised of two main components – Linerboard and Medium.  Linerboard is the flat piece that make up both sides of the corrugated.  Medium is the wavy, fluted paper in between the liners.  The wavy flutes create arches when horizontal and columns when vertical.  The arches and columns then provide cushioning and stacking strength to the finished product. The two primary types of Corrugated Board that we use are Singlewall and Doublewall.  Both options are available in Natural Kraft (brown) or White.  

Most items at your favorite supermarket or shopping mall were safely delivered in boxes made of corrugated cardboard and many are displayed in the same boxes, which were manufactured so they could be opened and used for this purpose. Because corrugated cardboard is such a versatile packaging material, millions of tons are used each year to protect and display products. More than 80 billion corrugated boxes are used in the United States each year and it is the most recycled product on the planet.

Corrugated comes in
These common types:

Single wall

one fluted sheet sandwiched between two facings (total three sheets); also called double face or single ply.

Double Wall

one single-face glued to one single wall so that two fluted sheets are alternatively sandwiched between three flat sheets(total five sheets): also called double cushion or double ply.

Kraft

the standard color for corrugated packaging is kraft (brown).

White

corrugated packaging also comes in a standard color of white.

Flute Sizes

Flutes come in a variety of sizes: E, B, C, and combined flutes such as EB, EC, BC and CC.

corrugated cardboard sizes

Box Styles

There is an endless variety of box styles to choose from depending on what you are using it for. There are gift boxes, retail boxes, shipping boxes and more. We know them all. Corrugated boxes are primarily used when a product requires protection, in either it’s shipping process or in it’s storage location. Here are just a few styles we offer and some of the features and benefits:

RSC — Regular Slotted Container

This is the most commonly produced container style, usually known for shipping. All flaps have the same length, with the outer (usually the length flaps) meeting at the center of the box when folded.

Key Features

• Shipped flat

• Multiple applications

• Economical and highly sustainable

• Easily customized with printed logos

FOL — Full Overlap Container

This style has flaps that are equal to the width of the box and fully overlap the top and bottom. This style is especially resistant to rough handling and is an excellent option for an end-loaded carton.

Key Features

• Sturdy construction, great for stacking

• Shipped flat

• Economical and highly sustainable

HSC — Half Slotted Container

Half the flaps of Regular Slotted Container, with the outer flaps meeting at the center of the box when folded.

Key Features

• Shipped flat

• Multiple applications

• Economical and highly sustainable

• Easily customized with printed logos

FPF — Five Panel Folder

A single piece that features a fifth panel that is used as a closing flap. The packaged box features several layers of corrugated on each end providing additional protection. This style is ideal for long items with a small diameter.

Key Features

• Shipped flat

• Great for long objects

• Economical and highly sustainable

• Easily customized with printed logos

OPF — One Piece Folder

This is a single piece of board that creates a wrap for the product. It’s ideal for books and other flat products, which is why it is primarily used as unit shippers. The sides and ends are formed with flaps with the side flaps meeting in the middle.

Key Features

• Shipped flat

• Easily customized with printed logos

VDF – Vari Depth Folder

This style differs from the OPF in that it has additional depth scores which provide the flexibility to decrease the depth of the Folder as needed.

Key Features

• Shipped flat

• Great for stacking and retail applications

• Easily customized with printed logos

D/S Tray — Design Style Trays

Two telescoping corrugated pieces that fit over each other to form a box. This provides additional compression strength and is ideal for heavier items.

Key Features

• Shipped flat

• Sturdy construction, great for stacking and  for large or heavy items

• Easily customized with printed logos

• Economic and Highly Sustainable

Die Cut Tray

This style utilizes self-locking roll ends and are designed for ease of assembly. The top panel features two ears that easily tuck into the bottom of the die cut. These are often used as mailing cartons for smaller sized items and may feature perforated rolls, vent holes, or similar custom options.

Key Features

• Shipped flat

• Great for stacking and retail applications

• Easily customized with printed logos

Partitions

Used as inner packaging pieces to separate spaces within a container.

Key Features

• Shipped assembled or unassembled

• Great for organizing and shipping

• Economical and highly sustainable

RETT Die Cut Mailer – Roll End Tuck Top

This style utilizes self-locking roll ends and are designed for ease of assembly. The top panel features two ears that easily tuck into the bottom of the die cut. These are often used as mailing cartons for smaller sized items and may feature perforated rolls, vent holes, or similar custom options.

Key Features

• Shipped flat

• Great for stacking and retail applications

• Easily customized with printed logos

RETF Die Cut Mailer – Roll End Tuck Front

This style utilizes self-locking roll ends. They may feature perforated rolls, vent holes, or similar custom options. These are ideal for distribution pack quantities in which you want to load multiple units of product into one viewable pack.

Key Features

• Shipped flat

• Great for stacking and retail applications

• Easily customized with printed logos

And More!

For more information about a custom packaging solution contact our responsive service team. We are pleased to offer other custom solutions in addition to what is listed above. Please contact us with your request!

Key Features

How to Measure a Box

Box makers prefer the dimensions of a box to be expressed and measured as inside dimensions. Accurately measuring the inside of the box is very important to ensure that the proper fit is created.

The dimensions are listed as Length x Width x Depth. The length is defined as the longer side of the opening. The width is the shorter side of the opening. The depth runs perpendicular to the length and width and is also the height of the carton.

how to measure a box image

Determining the Best Edge
Crush Test (ECT)
for your application

Determining the appropriate material grade is an important part of the design process. Our team of Sales people and structural engineers can assist in developing the most effective and efficient material grade for your application.

The following chart provides us with the requirements of the National Motor Freight regulations:

box drop testing chart
Box Type
Standard
Heavy Duty
Heavy Duty Double Wall
bursting test
200#
275#
275#
ect
32 ECT
44 ECT
48 ECT
Maximum load
40 LBS
65 LBS
80 LBS

Resource Library

Educational resources, tips and advice. Everything you need to know to build your perfect box.

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Contact us

Our responsive service team is standing by to discuss your needs, offer guidance and provide a quote upon request

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