The cardboard box is the container that is layered up with heavy-duty paper that is more than 0.01 inch (0.25 millimeters) thick. The term “cardboard” is used as a generic description for different kinds of solid firm papers that are used to make boxes. The term “cardboard” comprises a range of different kinds of cardboard boxes, including chipboard boxes as well as corrugated ones.
The many designs made of boxes made from cardboard are made by cutting, folding, and making sheets of heavy-duty layered paper.
Chipboard boxes belong to the recycling industry. They comprise recycled paper, cardboard, paper scraps, and sawdust which have been cut up and pressed into solid sheets. They have a similar structure similar to cardboard as it is made of the same materials, but they were compressed and then joined to form sturdy sheets.
Cardboard boxes are made and designed to protect items and materials. They are lightweight and have strong sides that absorb impacts and hold items such as toys and clothing.
The cardboard sheets are used as dividers for larger and more robust boxes and padding. One of the main reasons for the widespread use of cardboard containers and the ability to recycle, which makes them more affordable than other containers. The paper layers used to create cardboard boxes can be cut or chemically treated before being transformed into rolls that can be used to make recycled chipboard or recycled paper.
Ninety percent (90%) of all products are purchased and shipped in cardboard containers, and more than eighty percent of them are made from recyclable raw materials. The creation of a cardboard box from scratch takes lots of energy, as well as a lot of trees. The recycled cardboard boxes that are made from raw materials consume significantly less energy and prevent the possibility of them being thrown into landfill, where they could release toxic poisons.
Why is Cardboard Used for Packaging
For businesses of any size, you need to be sure that your products are well-protected. Not only do you need to make sure that items have great packaging to prevent damage, but there are also a wealth of other considerations to think about. Aspects of packaging that you may consider could include its environmentally-friendly credentials, aesthetic qualities, practicality, and ease of transportation.
Here we look at some of the many reasons that cardboard consistently comes through as an excellent material for packaging.
Reasons Why Cardboard is the Best Packaging Material
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Versatility
Cardboard can be creatively adapted to suit a range of products in varying shapes and sizes. Utilizing advanced designs, cardboard packaging can have multi-uses or create forms never thought possible.
In some cases, brands have created their cardboard packaging to offer further use after packaging. This extends the life of the product and shows the brand’s commitment to less waste. For example, clothes brands can use cardboard packaging, which can be transformed into clothes hangers, giving consumers a further use of their packaging.
With its versatility, you have to option to package many products using the same material. For example, Packaging Ever offers on-demand box-making technology, Right Size, so you can have the right box for your product and save on wastage.
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Ideal branding
While plain cardboard can be an effective packaging design in itself, cardboard can easily be transformed through color, shape, and branding. Cardboard is easy to print on or emboss to create genuinely personal packaging.
Using colors and logos, cardboard can quickly be transformed from dull packaging into vibrant and exciting protection that makes your brand easy to identify. Consider cardboard as a blank canvas, upon which you can convert your wording and imagery to make your products fly off the shelves.
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Recyclable
Another considerable advantage of cardboard packaging is the fact that it is recyclable. For consumers, this brings many benefits as it is easy to dispose of and does not need special treatment to get rid of it.
What’s more, cardboard can be made of recycled material too. At Packaging Ever, all of our boxes are made from 100% fully recycled material as well as being recyclable at the end of life also.
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Cost-effective
Compared to many other packaging products, cardboard is an extremely viable option for businesses of any size. Cardboard is considered particularly cheap compared to more expensive packaging solutions such as plastic. If assessing solutions such as corrugated cardboard, then these are highly affordable as they require less material than normal cardboard, yet still, give robust protection and are lightweight too.
By ordering cardboard in bulk, you can often save considerably on your packaging costs. Also, as cardboard packaging is usually delivered flatpack, you can order in bulk but still have the room to store it, so it is there when you need it but does not take up an excessive amount of space.
Is Cardboard Packaging Better than Plastic?
It all depends on what you are shipping and how heavy the content is. Cardboard boxes can be a great cost-effective solution as they can be re-used. They are also generally better for the environment than the plastic alternative.
What are the different types of Cardboard Boxes?
Cardboard boxes are the most popular option for storage, packaging, and display of products. Their versatility makes them perfect for ensuring the safety and security of items while also providing an attractive appearance.
For every packaging application, there’s a container that easily and effortlessly fits into the process. This is the feature of cardboard boxes that has resulted in advancements in shipping and packaging operations.
1. Slotted Container (RSC)
RSCs are typically shipping containers that have flaps of the same size that meet when they are closed so that they are able to be secured and taped. The flaps at the end of the box fold to the side and do not touch, and the flaps that run all the way are folded outward in a manner that their edges touch to be secured and taped.
2. Full Overlap Slotted Container (FOL)
FOL cardboard boxes have the same design, similar to RSC boxes, but with a small adjustment. In contrast to RSCs which are long, the outer flaps of FOL boxes are longer, and the flaps of a FOL cardboard box will overlap when bent inwards. This gives the box extra durability when boxes are stacked and also provides edge protection, making the box more able to endure rough handling.
3. Full Telescope Box (FTD)
A box designed by FTD has distinct sections, where one of them fits within the other. The covers of FTD is fully covered by the box’s body. The flaps of FTD boxes are taped or stapled. The design of the flaps provides strength when stacking large and heavy objects.
4. Snap Bottom Box
The top structure of the snap bottom box is like RSC boxes. The flaps on the bottom part of the box have been cut and designed to fold inwards over one another. Once the flaps have folded and snapped into slots, they slide into the box and then lock. The design of snap bottom boxes makes them easy to assemble quickly.
5. Self-Locking Cardboard Box
The self-locking box is made of cardboard, called RELF (Roll End Lock Front) die-cut cardboard box that is similar to the one-piece folder. It’s a single piece composed of cardboard that has been scored to fold into boxes. The sides of the box have flaps attached at their long ends, while the ends of the box are double-width of equally scored sections.
For a self-locking container, the edges of boxes are folded upward with their flaps placed along the scoring of the ends of the box. The double-wide ends are brought upward such that one portion of the end folds over the extended flaps and is locked in place by a slot in the bottom of the box and tabs on the extended end piece.
The lids for self-locking containers are made in the same way and are shaped like boxes that telescoping, where the lid fits over the box folded. The distinctive nature of self-locking boxes removes the requirement of taping or gluing the sides. Tape is used only to make sure the box is sealed.
Is Cardboard Eco-friendly Packaging?
Cardboard is one of the most sustainable packaging materials because it is made from the renewable raw material wood. This makes it particularly eco-friendly with respect to extraction and production, as well as use and disposal. No other packaging solution is recycled quite as intensely as cardboard, paperboard, or paper packaging. The recycling rate for cardboard, paperboard, and paper in Europe is around 81%. Cardboard is also considered to be top of the class with respect to sustainability in the advertising industry and for shipping packaging. More and more companies are switching to cardboard for office supplies and promotional products.
Where to get Premium Quality Cardboard Boxes for Packing?
Looking for cardboard packaging solutions to meet all your custom box packaging and printing needs. We at Packaging ever are dedicated to providing you with the best quality custom-printed cardboard boxes for packaging so that you can impress your customers with the first-class presentation of your products. You only provide us with a design, and our professional team will do their magic to bring creative cardboard packaging right to your doorstep.