The Cardboard vs Corrugated Guide: Differences and Benefits

Cardboard and corrugated are often used interchangeably, but they're not exactly the same thing.

Corrugated cardboard is made by layering paper pulp with a wavy pattern, making it stronger and more durable than regular cardboard.

This wavy pattern provides excellent cushioning and support, making it ideal for shipping and packaging fragile items.

Corrugated material is made up of three layers: an inside liner, an outside liner, and a medium that goes between the two, which is fluted. This construction provides greater strength and durability, making it ideal for shipping and packaging.

Cardboard, on the other hand, is a single layer of thick paper stock used for items like cereal boxes. It's not very durable for shipping, and often requires extra material like bubble wrap to ensure products stay safe.

The main differences between cardboard and corrugated boxes focus on the materials used, the construction process, and the sturdiness of the finished product. Here are some key differences:

Corrugated board is naturally recyclable, with 88.8% of old corrugated containers being recycled in 2020. Most corrugated boxes also contain recycled material, making it an eco-friendly packaging solution.

Cardboard packaging is made of thick paper stock or heavy paper-pulp, which is used for products like small containers, product packaging, and structural support for less rigid items.

The material provides little protection and requires extra material like bubble wrap to ensure the products inside stay safe.

Corrugated cartons, on the other hand, are made up of three layers: an inside liner, an outside liner, and a medium that goes between the two, which is fluted.

This construction provides greater strength and durability, making it ideal for shipping and packaging.

The major differences between cardboard and corrugated boxes focus on the materials used to construct each type of box, the construction process required for assembly, and the sturdiness of the finished product for shipping and storage purposes.

Here's a summary of the key differences:

While cardboard is suitable for items like cereal boxes, corrugated is the material of choice for shipping boxes due to its strength and durability.

Corrugated board is an incredibly versatile material that can be used for a wide range of applications. It's strong, durable, and can be tailored to meet specific needs.

The different types of corrugated board are determined by the arrangement of the linerboard and fluting. Single Face corrugated board, for example, consists of one sheet of linerboard topped with one sheet of exposed fluting.

Single Wall corrugated board is made up of two sheets of linerboard sandwiching one sheet of fluting. This type of board is often used for shipping containers and other applications where extra strength is needed.

Double Wall corrugated board takes it to the next level with three sheets of linerboard and two layers of fluting, one between each layer of linerboard. This type of board is ideal for applications that require even more strength and stability.

Triple Wall corrugated board is the most robust of the bunch, consisting of four sheets of linerboard and three layers of fluting, one between each layer of linerboard.

Here are the different types of corrugated board in a quick reference guide:

Corrugated board is also a sustainable option, with 88.8% of old corrugated containers being recycled in 2020.

Cardboard is an efficient option for packaging lightweight products like light clothing or thinner items. It's the material used for media mailers you'd find at the post office.

Carefully consider if cardboard is the right shipping material for your products, as it's not impact-resistant and may result in damage. Corrugated cartons are a better choice for packing and shipping items due to their strong and durable nature.

Corrugated packaging can withstand the rigors of moving from a warehouse to a mail processing center and ultimately to a delivery vehicle. This makes it ideal for shipping items that need to be protected during transit.

Custom shippers or packaging require corrugated material, as it allows for just as much customization as cardboard while offering more rigidity. This is especially useful for unique designs that need to be protected.

Food packaging often uses corrugated containers due to their sustainability and cleanliness. This is particularly important for online grocery shopping and meal services that need to keep perishable goods cool during transport.

Corrugated cardboard is a game-changer for shipping fragile items, its fluted middle layer creating air pockets that absorb impact and prevent damage.

The extra strength of corrugated cardboard is a major benefit, making it ideal for shipping glass bottles and other delicate items.

Its lightweight design won't add to your shipping costs, which is a huge plus.

Corrugated cardboard is more expensive than regular cardboard, but its durability and strength make up for the extra cost by preventing product damage during transportation.

Basic cardboard, on the other hand, is relatively flimsy and can't hold up in rigorous shipping environments.

A cardboard box is not actually made of cardboard, but rather a corrugated box. Corrugated boxes are made of at least three layers: two outer layers of linerboard and an inner layer of fluted medium.

Corrugated boxes are much stronger than the sum of the individual layers, thanks to the wavy fluted layer. This makes them a great choice for shipping and packaging fragile items.

Cardboard, on the other hand, is a catch-all term for heavy, paper-based materials. It's commonly made of one layer of thick paper known as paperboard.

Here's a comparison of cardboard and corrugated boxes:

Corrugated boxes are the way to go for shipping and packaging, especially fragile items. They offer better protection and are more durable than cardboard boxes.

In 2018, nearly 1.9 billion people purchased goods online.

The meteoric increase in online shopping has led to changing expectations around shopping, even for retailers with physical locations.

Every consumer expects their products to arrive quickly and in good condition.

The kind of packaging you use to ship your products is an important decision that could be the difference between a one-time customer and a lifetime customer.

The likelihood of someone ordering from you again if they receive your product in a damaged or mishandled container is slim.

You still have to ensure your product is carefully secured, even if you're shipping with a global retailer like Amazon or Walmart.

Corrugated cardboard is a more sustainable choice compared to single-layer cardboard. It can be used multiple times before it becomes waste.

Fluting in corrugated cardboard gives it extra strength, making it less likely to end up in a landfill after one use. Single-layer cardboard, on the other hand, is more prone to damage.

Recycling corrugated cardboard is easier and more common than recycling single-layer cardboard. Many local trash companies have recycling programs for corrugated cardboard.

A lower carbon footprint is another benefit of using corrugated cardboard. This is because it can be used multiple times, reducing the need for new materials.