
Single wall corrugated board is made from a single layer of corrugated paperboard, which is produced by passing a fluted paper sheet through a series of rollers to create a strong and lightweight material.
This board is ideal for packaging and shipping lightweight items, as it is easy to fold and can be sealed with tape or staples.
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What Is Single Wall Corrugated Board?
Single wall corrugated board is a type of packaging material made from a single layer of corrugated cardboard.
It's lightweight and easy to handle, which is why it's often used for packaging small to medium-sized items.
Single wall corrugated board is typically made from a fluted paperboard, which is a type of paper-based material that's strong and durable.
This type of board is often used for packaging items like toys, clothing, and other household goods.
Structure and Properties
Single wall corrugated board is a simple yet effective design that has been around for centuries. The basic principle of corrugated board is evident in its simplest design - single wall corrugated board.

The flute or flute web, located between the two face sheets, protects the contents of a carton by providing an effective cushioning function. It absorbs the physical energy applied to the carton or folding box when it's bumped or dropped.
This flute provides a reliable protection for the contents of the carton. It's a crucial feature that has made single wall corrugated board a staple in the shipping business.
Single wall corrugated board is characterized by a low dead weight. This makes it an ideal choice for shipping smaller and lighter goods.
The corrugated sheets produced in Germany are sinusoidal, meaning they have a wavy shape. This design has been proven effective since the end of the 19th century.
A-shaft, a coarse shaft, is the simplest form of corrugation and has been used for the production of corrugated cardboard since the late 19th century. It's still widely used today due to its effectiveness.
Cartons with N-flutes and G-flutes are also available, but A-flute remains the most popular choice.
Production and Materials
Single wall corrugated board is made from cellulose fibers that are placed in layers, creating different levels of protection. These layers are classified as "medium" or "fluting" that is attached to the "lining" through adhesion.
The fluting provides extra strength that can withstand the wear and tear throughout the packing, shipping, and storage process. This is especially important for single wall corrugated board, which has a single layer of fluting.
The number of flutes and linings in a single wall corrugated board determines its overall strength and durability.
Main Materials
Corrugated materials come in a range of thicknesses and strengths. Most of them consist of two or more facing layers with corrugated flutes sandwiched between them.
Single-face sheets are a simple type of corrugated material, combining one sheet of liner board facing with one layer of flute. They're primarily used for protective wrapping or packing.
Single, double, and triple-wall corrugated materials form the vast majority of corrugated boxes used today. These types of materials are far more common than single-face sheets.
Corrugated material consists of cellulose fibers placed in layers, creating different levels of protection.
The Production
The production of single wall boxes involves several key steps.
The first step is to create the corrugated web, which is done by passing a paper web through the corrugating unit in an ondulation process.
This process creates the fluting, and the resulting corrugated web is then glued to a smooth paper web, the cover.
To get an optimal corrugated web that holds its shape, the paper web is first moistened and then heated with the help of heated corrugating rolls.
The shape of the gear wheels on the corrugating rolls determines the final shape of the corrugations.
In the last step, the single-sided corrugated board is glued to another smooth paper web on the flute side, so that the flute web is now between two paper webs.
Testing and Certification
Testing and Certification is a crucial step in the production of single wall corrugated board. Boxes are put through a series of tests to see how much weight each type can hold.
Determining this strength allows items to be safely shipped and stored.
Types of Boxes

Single wall boxes are the classic among cartons, with a history dating back to 1871. They've reliably proven their quality over the years.
The basic principle of corrugated cardboard boxes, including the characteristic corrugated structure, has not changed since their invention. Corrugated cardboard boxes are used in the professional trade and private sector as postal parcels or removal boxes.
Only variants that are significantly stronger have been developed since the invention of corrugated cardboard boxes.
Self-Erecting Boxes
Self-Erecting Boxes are a type of box that's super convenient to use. They have an attached, foldable lid that can be easily assembled into an RSC or telescope-style top.
Single wall corrugated boxes are a great choice for Self-Erecting Boxes, as they are 100% recyclable and made from a renewable resource. This eco-friendly feature is a big plus for businesses and individuals looking to reduce their environmental impact.
The corrugated cardboard used in Self-Erecting Boxes has a long history, dating back to 1871. Despite the many changes in manufacturing processes over the years, the basic principle of the corrugated structure has remained the same.

Self-Erecting Boxes are perfect for shipping and packaging, as they are easy to handle and can withstand a decent amount of weight - up to 15 kg of filling weight is possible.
Here's a quick rundown of the flutes used in Single wall board for Self-Erecting Boxes:
Overall, Self-Erecting Boxes are a great choice for anyone looking for a convenient and eco-friendly packaging solution.
Slotted Boxes
Slotted boxes are a reliable choice for most standard packaging and shipping applications. They're made from single pieces of scored and slotted corrugated blanks for easy folding.
RSC (regular slotted containers) are the most common type of slotted box, featuring equally sized flaps that meet in the middle when folded together. This design makes them versatile and easy to use.
Slotted boxes like FOL (full-overlap slotted) and SFF (center special full-overlap slotted) offer the best cushioning and stacking potential. These features are particularly useful for protecting fragile items during shipping.
Slotted boxes come in various types, including HSC, OSC, CSSC, and CSO. Each type has its own unique characteristics and uses.
Printing and Protection
Printing on single wall corrugated board can be done using three primary methods: Flexographic Relief Printing, Lithographic Offset Printing, and Digital Printing.
Flexographic Relief Printing is best for edge-to-edge or text-heavy prints, offering good image fidelity at an affordable cost. This method is ideal for applications where a high volume of prints is needed.
Digital Printing is a lower-cost option that uses cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) for quick and accurate printing. However, it could lead to vibrancy issues and color imperfections.
The choice of printing method depends on your desired print quality, graphic complexity, and similar factors.
Protection
Single wall corrugated boxes are a great solution for protecting your products during shipping. They're made from a durable material that's resistant to moisture and bacteria, making them perfect for shipping food contents.
Their strength and stability also reduce transit damage, which is a major benefit when it comes to customer satisfaction. In fact, studies have shown that single wall corrugated boxes can improve customer satisfaction levels due to safe delivery of contents.

The boxes are designed to keep products safe and secure, and they're also 100% recyclable and made from a renewable resource. This is a win-win for both the environment and your business.
Here are some key features of single wall corrugated boxes that make them ideal for protection:
- Available in a wide variety of board grades and flute combinations
- Manufactured bespoke to customers’ requirements
- Available for manual or automated packing lines
- Full range of barrier coatings are offered to improve performance in the supply chain
- High-quality print for optimum presentation
- Additional features, including die cutting are available
Printing on Cardboard
Printing on cardboard can be a bit tricky, but understanding your options can make a big difference.
There are three primary methods of printing on corrugated boxes, including flexographic relief printing, lithographic offset printing, and digital printing.
Flexographic relief printing is best for edge-to-edge or text-heavy prints, offering good image fidelity at an affordable cost.
This method is particularly useful for businesses on a budget who need to print a large quantity of boxes.
Flexographic relief printing can be a cost-effective option, but it may not be suitable for high-end designs or complex graphics.
If you need to print high-resolution graphics, lithographic offset printing is a better choice, although it's more expensive.

Digital printing is a lower-cost option that uses cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) for quick and accurate printing.
However, digital printing can lead to vibrancy issues and color imperfections, so it's essential to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
Here are the three primary methods of printing on corrugated boxes at a glance:
- Flexographic Relief Printing: Best for edge-to-edge or text-heavy prints, offering good image fidelity at an affordable cost.
- Lithographic Offset Printing: More expensive, but it allows for higher-resolution graphics.
- Digital Printing: A lower-cost option that uses cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) for quick and accurate printing.
Applications and Standards
Single wall corrugated board is widely used in various applications due to its unique properties. Its versatility makes it suitable for packaging, shipping, and storage.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established standards for single wall corrugated board, ensuring consistency in its production and use. The ISO 622 standard specifies the requirements for corrugated board in terms of its physical and mechanical properties.
In the packaging industry, single wall corrugated board is often used for shipping fragile items, such as glass and electronics, due to its cushioning and shock-absorbing capabilities.
Areas of Application for Light and Smaller Freight

Single-wall cartons are perfect for lighter packing weights, which makes them ideal for maxi letters. They're also great for folding boxes and smaller postal packages.
Single-wall cardboard boxes are often used for decoration purposes or for handicrafts. You can even use them for moving boxes to provide extra protection for your belongings.
Single-wall cartons are mainly used for lighter packing weights, which limits their application to smaller freight. This includes goods consignments, which are typically lighter in weight.
Standard Cartons
Standard cartons are a fundamental part of packaging, and they've been around for generations. Corrugated cardboard boxes, like single wall boxes, have been used for transport for over a century.
Single wall corrugated cardboard consists of an inner and outer liner with a fluted corrugated sheet in between. This makes it a great option for shipping cartons with lower weight ranges.
Single wall board is used in the lower weight range of shipping cartons, and it's suitable for packing weights up to 15 kg. They're also easy to handle, making them a convenient choice.

The flute type used in single wall board can vary, with C, B, or E flute options available. This allows for flexibility in choosing the right cardboard for your application.
Here are some key features of single wall board:
- Available with C, B, or E flute
- Up to 15 kg of filling weight possible
- Easy handling
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between cardboard and corrugated board?
Corrugated board has multiple layers, while cardboard has only one thin layer. This key difference affects their strength, durability, and uses.
Sources
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