Cardboard boxes are prefabricated cardboard boxes, mainly used for shipping goods and materials, and is also often reused. Cardboard boxes are made from layers of wood, recycled postcards and wrapping paper, wax, and other additives to achieve different colors and textures. Specialists in industries rarely use the word cardboard as it doesn’t denote a particular material. However, the term ‘cardboard box’ is often used interchangeably with ‘cardboard furniture’ or ‘box office furniture’. The two types are completely different and have different characteristics.
Corrugated boxes are boxes made from corrugated cardboard, which are most commonly used as packaging. Corrugated boxes are manufactured in a similar way as other manufactured items. The custom boxes process of manufacturing cardboards begins with the cardboard layers being rolled and extruded. After that, they are cut into consistent widths to achieve the required thickness. The box bottoms are then manufactured from corrugated cardboard pieces while the top layer of the box is a sheet of thin corrugated cardboard. All these materials are then combined and pressed together to form the desired product.
Cardboard has proved itself to be a highly advantageous packaging material, especially in comparison with other packaging options. Cardboard is highly affordable, particularly when compared to hard plastic boxes and more eco-friendly, as it requires only three layers to manufacture. Three layers of cardboard means less energy and resources are required for packaging, as well as saving on landfill space. As compared to other similar products, such as PVC and polythene packaging, which usually require four layers of packaging materials for manufacture, corrugated boxes only need one layer. This reduces the cost and effort in manufacturing the boxes.
Many large retailers in the UK have been using cardboard boxes for years, especially for the production of snack foods, as they offer an easy alternative to plastic packaging. Cardboard boxes can also accommodate a wide range of sizes, depending on the product size and retail requirements.
Corrugated cardboard boxes can be used for many different packaging applications. These include sandwich packaging, which saves space and allows for a better presentation. Corrugated paperboard can be used for corrugated sofas and tablecloths. For small products, like candles or CDs, corrugated paperboard is typically used for thin films. Some manufacturers of corrugated paperboard sheets also manufacture corrugated cardboard sheets that are used for roofing, which is especially beneficial where high levels of heat are found in the air.
The final type of packaging material is the wood composite box. Made from recycled wood, these boxes are perfect for food packaging requirements. The main benefit of these boxes is that they can withstand a high level of pressure and heat without splintering. The major disadvantage of this material is that they have a low dimensional profile, which means that they do not fit well into standard corrugated cardboard boxes. The low dimensional profile also means that these boxes cannot be used for all sizes of products, especially those with a flat bottom.