If you want to store some goods or send them to another destination then you may find cardboard boxes to be the best way to do it. In case you are wondering which kind of cardboard box to use here is a brief introduction to the types of cardboard boxes that are most commonly used today.
Cardboard boxes are industrially prefabricated boxes and are primarily used for packaging goods and materials and for moving. Cardboard boxes can be specified uniquely by defining the size, style, cardboard grade, and any printing requirements. The sizes are measured by either the internal or external dimensions.
Styles in Europe are typically defined by a 4-digit code specified by FEFCO. FEFCO styles are normally the basis for more complicated special designs that incorporate, for example, locking tabs or internal fittings.
Cardboard boxes are made from corrugated fiberboard. They are sometimes called corrugated cardboard or just cardboard. They are also known as paperboard (essentially paper with a weight typically greater than 600g/m2, and also commonly referred to as cardboard, pasteboard, solidboard or poster board).
A cardboard box can be printed to promote its contents and this can be achieved with flexographic, lithographic or screen printing techniques. Cardboard boxes can be recycled to produce paper, or given a post-primary life as a cheap material in the construction of a range of projects. Among them being science experiments, children's toys, costumes and insulating lining.
What is the difference between single wall and double wall carton?
There is no straightforward answer to this question. A double wall carton as implied has thicker wall that can stand higher pressure without distortion. The quality of cardboard varies from different manufacturers. Some single wall cartons can stay intact even if you stand on it. Some double wall cartons can be crushed easily. Pick a box that suits your moving or packing needs.
What kind of packaging materials should I use to pack my products?
It depends on what product it is and how you want to store it and carry it. If it is a small, heavy item, it would be better to put it in a small box. Putting a lot of heavy items into one big box is simply not practical and often it becomes difficult to carry the box. There is no "one size fits all" solution to this.
Why use a new carton or box when a second hand one will do? A recycled box or recycled carton costs much less than a new carton.
And one last question: boxes or cartons?
Basically the two words are used to describe the same thing. Most people usually say boxes rather than cartons. However people working in the packaging or related industries, often use the More help term "cartons." So, should I use boxes or cartons for my needs? Whichever you prefer, we know what you are saying.
Have you ever thought how an unimportant and insignificant peace of material such as cardboard packaging boxes has such a wonderful and dynamic history. Most of us must have seen our grandfathers dragging those heavy and wooden boxes when moving places. There was not a lot of repacking done during those days. Packaging as we see today is the result of long developmental process. Most of the things related to packaging changed around 1st and 2nd world war, the packaging scene changed dramatically with the view of protecting soldiers food in battle zones.
Cardboard packaging boxes were discovered by Robert Gair who had the idea of pre-cut cardboard panels when folded form a box. This was the birth of modern packaging industry. Its cost effective price and ease of transportation made it the most widely used method of packaging in the start of the century. As times changed more sophisticated methods of packaging were discovered. Transparent cellophanes invention in 1920 were the next major step in packaging and then came Aluminum foils which made it possible to seal sensitive products. Large number of technical innovations followed. In the 1940s, packaging was developed for frozen food. In 1952 the aerosol came onto the market. Cans, available from the 1960s, heralded the explosion of the soft drinks market. Aseptic cartons, invented in 1961, have been used for preserving long-life milk ever since. (Source: The European Organization for Packaging and the Environment)
In modern times packaging boxes have become more of an art form. You need to find specific box for a specific task. You decision to choose a packaging boxes is usually governed by:
- will your items in the package need protection from heat, shock or vibration
- for perishables, what type of packaging can be provided to stop decay
- would you like optimal efficiency when you group your objects together in one package
- do you need communication to the end user on your packaging
- do you require your packaging to have particular security measures
- would you need to re-pack your products into smaller units
- is it vital that your packaging be easy to open, pack or store
Packaging boxes have played their small role in the evolution of modern human society. It has allowed us to conserve our resources and minimize loss of precious little we have. With the help of these boxes we have learned to manage our resources well and can now plan for long term instead of thinking about the very next day. Modern packaging has completely changed the logistics industry and affected the supply chain of all modern organizations. They have allowed us to transport precious works of art to long distances and make sure they reach in one piece.
So, next time when you have time just look around and see how many of these packaging boxes you have in your room, won't be surprising if you can't count them on your fingers. Well packaging boxes have become such an integral part of our life that we don't even notice them anymore.