If you are an entrepreneur, then chances are good that you have learned just how critical choosing the right type of product packaging is. Choose poorly, and your products will arrive damaged, and your customers will be unhappy.

Companies that ship their wares to clients likely use cardboard or corrugated boxes. In fact, it's not too unusual to hear people using the terms "cardboard" and "corrugated" as if they refer to the same material. The truth is that there are demonstrable differences between these types of packaging.

If you want to know more about the differences between cardboard and corrugated boxes, keep reading. We'll break it down so that you can make a better-informed decision for your business. When you're ready, get in touch with Mid-Atlantic Packaging. We can help your brand choose the perfect packaging for your products whether that is cardboard, corrugated, or something entirely different.

Getting the Basics

Although you may hear people interchangeably referring to "cardboard" and "corrugated," these are two distinct packaging materials.

Cardboard is the thinner and somewhat less sturdy of the two. Some of its common applications include:

• Packaging for cereals
• Boxes for toys
• Cosmetics packaging
• Folding takeout containers

Corrugated is cardboard's more heavy-duty cousin. Where cardboard is made from paper pulp or thick paper stock and consists of a single layer, corrugated usually consists of multiple layers. Typically, this involves one or more layers of fluted material sandwiched between layers of flat liners. Given its stronger qualities, corrugated is more likely to be used for shipping, though it can be used as packaging as well.

Differences Between Cardboard and Corrugated

Once you begin investigating these two packaging materials, you start noticing that each one has plenty of distinctive characteristics from the other.

In general, most cardboard boxes are constructed from a single layer of material. The paper stock out of which cardboard is made is hot pressed to make thicker, sturdier sheets. Before it is customized, the cardboard is a nondescript pale brown.

During the manufacturing process, the pieces of cardboard that are needed to construct the finished box are cut to the precise shapes and sizes that are required. Next, the pieces are joined together using glue, tape, staples, or another adhesive or fastening method.

The finished box is perfect for packaging a wide variety of products, but it likely is not quite strong enough to withstand the stresses of shipping. This means that if you choose to package your products in cardboard, you will probably also need to use corrugated boxes to ship them.

There actually are several different kinds of cardboard. The ingredients that go into the materials are what determine what kind of cardboard the finished product is. These ingredients include the type of pulp and cellulose fiber used, how thick the pulp is, the pulp's quality, and how much fresh pulp is included. Accordingly, the various types of cardboard may have different properties. It may be necessary to investigate the different cardboard types when you are selecting packaging for your products.

By contrast, corrugated boxes are made of more than one layer of material. Between thin layers, manufacturers place one or more layers of fluted material. A sturdy glue is used to adhere the liners and the fluted layers. This sandwich-type construction results in a super-strong packaging material that can withstand just about anything, including shipping overseas. Like cardboard boxes, the pieces that make up corrugated boxes can be cut into any desired size and shape. Once again, tape, glue, staples, and other fasteners may be used to secure the box in its final form.

When to Use Corrugated Boxes

Did you know that corrugated box material frequently is the same basic material as that which is used to build cardboard boxes?

It's true! The difference really is in how the material is put together. In a single layer, that paper material is an ideal medium for packaging products. It's versatile, can be printed on and it's totally customizable.

The uses for corrugated boxes are quite different. Made of many layers, corrugated boxes offer superior strength and better protection for their contents. This is why so many brands choose corrugated boxes whenever they need to ship products.

Some of the reasons why brands love corrugated boxes are because they are:

• Durable
• Lightweight
• Effective from a cost standpoint
• More protective of the box's contents
• Easy on the environment

Corrugated boxes are so strong and functional that they easily can be used over and over again. Chances are good that your customers will appreciate receiving a sturdy box that they can use again for storage or taking household items to be donated. When they are done using the box, it's really easy to recycle it. This makes corrugated shipping boxes a clear advantage for several reasons.

Corrugated Sheets and Boards

Cardboard sheets and corrugated sheets have a great deal in common. Both are made from the same basic materials, but they are processed quite differently.

Yet another differentiation within this type of packaging is the corrugated sheet vs. the corrugated board.

Corrugated sheets are a lot like cardboard sheets. In fact, if you continue to process a cardboard sheet, you will eventually arrive at a corrugated sheet. Corrugated sheets consist of two or more layers of cardboard sheets that have been glued to each other. Thus, corrugated sheets are made up of liner and medium.

Liner is the flat board on the inner and outer surfaces of the corrugated box. The medium is the cardboard that is placed between the liners. Given an arched shape, the medium helps to give the corrugated sheet additional strength and rigidity. The shaped medium may be referred to as being fluted.

There also are corrugated boards to consider. Basically, corrugated sheets can be formed into corrugated boards, and these are defined by the number of liners and the type of flutes used.

A single-face corrugated board has just one liner sheet. It is glued to a single medium, and it can be purchased in rolls. You will commonly see these single-face corrugated boards being used as inserts in packaging to provide additional protection against jostling and breakage.

Another option is the single-wall corrugated board. This construction features two liners with a medium glued in between. You may hear single-wall corrugated boards being referred to as double-face boards. These are versatile products that may be used for shipping packages. Alternatively, these boards frequently are used to construct retail displays.

Double wall corrugated boards are even stronger and sturdier with their three-liner sheets. Between the three liners are two layers of medium. If you routinely ship large, heavy objects, then you may want to ensure that your shipping boxes are made with double-wall corrugated boards.

Of course, there also are triple wall corrugated boards. With four sheets of liners, these boards have three layers of medium for the ultimate strength and durability. You may hear these boxes being referred to as three-ply corrugated boxes. When these are used, you know that the items within are well protected. Triple-wall corrugated boxes excel at protecting even the heaviest, largest, and most awkwardly shaped items.

What About the Flutes?

The medium that is layered in between the liners in corrugated boards has a critical role to play. Typically fluted, the medium provides essential structure and strength to the box.

Flutes are categorized in terms of size. Accordingly, they are rated as A, B, C, D, E, and F. The F flute is the smallest at a measurement of 0.8 millimeters while the A flute is the thickest at five millimeters. The larger flutes are designed at steeper angles to help them provide greater strength and rigidity.

Perhaps you have heard about the Edge Crush Test and the Mullen Value in your quest to find the perfect packaging for your products and for shipping them around the world. If so, then it may be helpful to know that the size of the flutes in corrugated boards helps to determine how a box fares in these metrics. Basically, a box with larger flutes is better able to withstand the common pressures that are associated with shipping. This means that they are less likely to get crushed or burst while in transit.

What Are the Benefits of Cardboard Boxes?

Cardboard boxes are a popular packaging solution for brands in a wide variety of industries. This versatile material can be completely customized. Cut it into any shape or size that is required, and adorn it with all sorts of colors and graphics. The material is relatively strong and can be used however you please. It's even environmentally friendly as it can readily be recycled.

When you package your products in cardboard, you have an opportunity to make a display that has a great deal of visual appeal. Moreover, this packaging can be customized with your brand name, logo, and other critical information.

What Are the Benefits of Corrugated Boxes?

Corrugated boxes are incredibly strong and sturdy. They can even be dropped without damaging their contents if they are packed correctly.

This is because corrugated boxes are constructed out of materials that consist of many layers. Some of these layers are fluted, offering additional rigidity to the box. This makes the boxes incredibly hard to crush, so you can trust that your products are safe and protected no matter where they are in the world.

Although corrugated boxes are very strong, they are still lightweight. This means that they will not add a great deal to your shipping costs, even on your largest items.

Choosing Cardboard vs. Corrugated

In this contest, it's not really an either/or outcome. Instead, both cardboard and corrugated have their purposes in the world of commerce. Cardboard is an ideal material for packaging everything from food to shoes and beyond. It's strong enough to protect your wares from sustaining injury. Moreover, cardboard can be customized to reflect your brand and make a singularly attractive visual display.

At the same time, it is likely that you will need corrugated boxes to ship your products. Whether you need to ship one or 100 of your products, corrugated boxes are precisely what you need to protect those precious items. If you want to be confident that your wares will reach their destination intact, then corrugated boxes are the obvious way to go.

Get Custom Packaging at Mid-Atlantic Packaging

Are you ready to design brand-specific cardboard and corrugated boxes for your business? Contact Mid-Atlantic Packaging today to get a custom packaging quote.