Technical packaging terminology can be difficult to understand, even for those in the field for years. If you need to learn about the jargon and terminologies that are commonly used in the packaging industry, this is the guide you need. 

Why Are Packaging Definitions Important to Know? 

By understanding packaging definitions, you’ll save time, communicate more clearly and effectively with your team, and build a stronger reputation and overall custom packaged product. 

The Individuals Who Should Know Packaging Terms  

Ultimately, custom packaging and package design takes place within a company or with multiple degrees of external packaging engineering, often requiring support from independent contractors, consultants, vendor evaluations, independent laboratories, contract packagers, total outsourcing, graphic designers, among other disciplines. Here is a list of professional that should know packaging and printing terms to work more efficiently: 

• Packaging designers 
• Customer service representatives of such companies 
• Brand managers 
• Packaging technicians 
• Material scientists 
• Printers and press operators 
• Packaging engineers 
• Prepress technicians 
• Production managers 
• Ink technologists 
• Finishing technicians 
• Packaging consultants 
• Quality control and assurance personnel 
• Supply chain managers 
• Sustainability managers 
• Machine operators 
• Technical support specialists 
• Regulatory compliance officers 
• Sales and marketing professionals 
• Procurement and purchasing managers 
• Product development managers 
• Artwork coordinators 
• Brand strategists 
• Graphic designers working on these projects 
• Research and development teams 

Without further ado, let’s dig into our complete glossary of packaging definitions from A to Z!

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Numerical Terms

0100 In The Industry: The type of sheets and rolls you can use for commercial purposes. It refers to the types that work for only one side.  

0200 Slotted Boxes: A type of box that is used for packaging purposes. It comes in the form of top and bottom flaps that are stitched or glued.  

0201: A standard regular box with outer flaps that meet the top and bottom for sealing. 

0300: A type of box with a telescope style and more than one piece alongside a lid.  

0500: A type of box that carries several liners or pieces and slides into each other in multiple directions as well. 

0900: This jargon is used for treatments that you can add inside your boxes in the form of partitions, pads, and liners. They work as a singular item; you can also glue them as one item. 

0700: This type of container has one piece; you would ship them in flat form. At the same time, they are ready-to-use types that need a very easy and simple assembly. 

0600: This term is used for rigid style processes that normally have two pieces that are separate. You can switch them together before they are used, and they are known for being large industrial types. 

0400: This is another type of folder box and toys that have pieces of box and hinges. At the same time, they come with interlocking tabs. 

3PL: Acronym for third-party logistics.  

Terms Starting with A

ABS: A logistic that you can create with injection molding and has the ability to give you rigidity and toughness. Although it is a great material that you can use for your packaging, it may be expensive. 

Accelerated Test: A test that allows you to find out about the strength of a coating or a box. The main purpose is to test products in shorter intervals that may occur than in real life. 

Acid Rain: This refers to a mixture of wet and dry deposition that you can have in that atmosphere. This table is important in the packaging and printing industry as well. Acid rain can cause issues to the sources that help the industry create raw materials for their processes.  

Acrylic: A type of thermoplastic material you can get from the polymerization process. So, it is a packaging method that can help you get perfect results for your needs.  

Acrylonitrile: That can provide you with transparency, resistance, and rigidity. There are multiple features it can provide in comparison to its alternatives. 

Additive: The additive is a type of packaging or printing material that you can use to get a certain result for it. 

Adhesive Bleed: It can help you get results against a label material being too pressure sensitive. Multiple scenarios can cause it, like excessive roll winding tension or cold flow. 

Aerosol: This term is used for a range of containers that have specific criteria to meet to get this name.  One of the features they must contain to have this name is a pressure-resistant container that is also gas-tight. Such a box should also have a desired product. 

Aerosol Components: This system is used for liquefied or compressed gasses that you can pack with pressure propulsion containers. This method aims to bring enough pressure to get discharge from a valve. 

Aerosol Services: These are filling arousal products that you use as original formulations and can also be customer supplied.

AlphaSeal: This term is used for units that come with the help of getting a folding box board or virgin pulp wood. There are stringent requirements to meet the standards of these products for the food industry. There is a complete range of materials you can use, like aluminum foil. 

Alternative Fuels: Fuels used in the packaging industry during shipping and transportation. 

Amber Glass: It is a type of brown-colored grass that is used for multiple types of packaging processes. One of the main features of this material is the reduction of light effect on the products packed inside. 

Anneal Bubble Pack: A type of temperature process you can use for creating glass products with the use of stresses and strains. You can use natural and uneven cooling for it.    

Antioxidant: A type of chemical substance you can use for the purpose of preventing the effects of oxygen on plastic material. Such an oxygen attack can cause brittleness in plastic products and reduces their likability and features.  

Anti-Skid Corrugated: A type of corrugated board that comes with chemical treatment and an embossing effect. The benefit of such boxes would be a stable palette and unit load.  

Additive: A substance that you can apply to the surface of a plastic product that you can add to it. The main benefit you get from this one is getting rid of electrostatic charges in your products. 

Applicator Cap: A type of clay closure that you can add to a packaging box to apply content to them, such as grease spouts or daubers. 

Applicator Rod:  A type of short glass rod, which comes in the measurement of 2 MM to 4 MM in diameter. You can use it alongside an applicator cap that can help cut a cap.  

Assembly: A process in which you combine different box elements into one product. The use of such procedures would be to avoid any contamination inside your box. 

AQL: Acronym for the acceptable quality level of a box. This is the maximum percentage move or proportion of a variant In the units that you get with a certain production. The quality assurance department ensures that this variable is under certain guidelines. 

Aromatherapy Packaging: These are the items you can use for packaging aromatherapy products which can also be aluminum bottles, candle holders, and others. 

Aseptic Packaging: A technique you can use to place a product into a box with sterilization kept in mind. The purpose of this process is completed when you get sterilization for your product and the box. Another benefit you get from this packaging product is that there’s no refrigeration requirement for such products. This also applies when the package seal is broken.  

Ampul: A type of smaller container that you can make from glass or plastic tubes. You can draw it into a stem and close it by fusion once you have filled it. You can use a bottom that may be flat and can also draw out as you require it to.  

Ampules/Accessories: These are ampules and also accessories that you can find in the form of breakers, sleeves, and others.  

AN: A material that comes with rigidity, excellent barrier properties, and transparency. This material is used for thermoforming as well. 

Autoclave: A type of pressure vessel that allows you to standardize packages with the help of high-temperature steam or vapor.  

Average Wall Thickness: A type of measurement that you find by measuring the thickest section of a box wall and the thinnest one. Then you divide them into two to find out this measurement.  

Avoirdupois Weight: A system of weights you can use for the purpose of measuring goods. But you are not supposed to measure precious metals and drugs with this unit.  

Animal Healthcare Products in Packaging and Printing: Products that are used for healthcare purposes and come in the packaging category. Injection-molded items are a common example of such packaging products used in the animal health sector.  

Aerosol Components: A type of material that is used for the purpose of creating bottles and boxes. For instance, extruded aluminum containers over caps and closures.  

Autoclavable: Products you can produce from resins and give you the ability to bear up to 250 degrees of temperature for up to 45 minutes. 

Abrasion Resistance: The endurance of a packaging material against scratching and wrapping. This term refers to how strong our packaging material is when it comes to such issues from the use of products that come from them. 

Across Flute: This term is used to measure edited materials as it is a unit for their measurement. 

A-Flute: A type of corrugated flute that is thickest in their category. 

Air Freight: A term used for the products you transport by air. It’s important to have special considerations when packaging such products, such as the sensitivity of the goods, their dimensions, center of gravity, and mass.  

Aluminum: A common material for packaging purposes, known for being lightweight and non-toxic. 

Allocated Inventory In Packaging: The material quantity that a department has been assigned for their production. 

Adhesive: A material that helps bond multiple surfaces into one. 

Anaerobic Digestion: Part of biodegradable waste treatment that helps reduce landfill gas emissions into the atmosphere.  

Anti-Scuff Bicell: A type of basal sheet that you can use without any woven fabrics. These normally work for the outer surfaces of the item and can help against damage to that product. 

Antistat: An anti-static type of packaging that helps avoid any static current in your packaging. This method can help reduce the chances of product damage due to this issue. The full form of this word is anti-static. 

Artwork: This term means the logo or unique design that you can create for your packaging, which are typically associated with specific artwork guidelines.  

Automotive: This term is used for cars and similar vehicles that may be considered in the packaging industry.  

Astraboard: A type of polypropylene that is used inside cases and is famous for its strength and lightweight. 

Attenuate: Reduction of force on products that are sensitive to vibration.  

ATA: Abbreviation of an association that promotes the safety of your case and packaging specifications. The basic functionality of this association is to promote the safety of these products during air transit jobs. 

Terms Starting with B

Backing Liner: A type of paper material you can use to eliminate surface irregularities in packaging products. At the same time, it has the ability to be resistant to water and carry extra strength. 

Banding: This type of machine can help improve the level of security you can have with different items.   

Back Off: Loosening a cap that may occur due to improper cap application torque.  

Backing Liner: A type of compressible paper material to which you can attach the liner. This paper allows you to get rid of any regulation regularities that may exist on the sealing surface. At the same time, you get better strength, appearance, and resistance against spoiling factors. 

Baffle Mark: A type of bottom defect that may occur due to a seam coming between the baffle and the blank mold. 

Bag-In-Box: A type of sealed plastic bag that you can find inside a rigid outer box. The most common use of this one is for packing liquid products that can be of different viscosities. 

Bags: When we talk about bags, there is a long list of products that you can find in the packaging industry. These can be poly bags, mailing currency, anti-static, and many other types of bags.  

Bail: A type of wire handle that allows you to carry a product inside a box. You can weld these two to the opposite sides of boxes to get better results for carrying purposes.   

Barrier Material: A term used to classify packaging materials that offer protection for the environment. You can find these materials with the properties of having pores. At the same time, this helps remove passage of microorganisms, which helps prevent contamination in the boxes.  

Barex: A type of polymer that you can make out of Acrylonitrile. You can also have methyl acrylate and butadiene in these. You can get impressive gas barrier properties and chemical resistance with these. At the same time, it provides you with a good impact. 

Barrels: Barrels are a common type of garden, food, storage, or wine type of containers, which can also be made out of plastic. 

Barrier Material: Any type of material that can help reduce the chances of passage of moisture, gas, and other problem-causing factors into the packaging. 

Baseline Performance: Standards that industry manufacturers adhere to for comparing the performance of their products. 

Bead: A type of narrow and round projection that you can find above or below the surface of a packaging box. 

Bent Finish: A type of finished defect that normally has a bent or crooked appearance on it. You can also call it a crooked finish, in short.  

Barcode: A type of code that can help packaging and printing professionals to understand different aspects about products. For instance, it can help with the SKUs of the product. 

Blown Glass: A term for containers that are created from molten glass. The use of air pressure in this process is a prominent factor that helps create the required shape.  

Blushing: Widening or discoloration that may occur in a plastic bottle. The reasons behind this event can be physical or chemically induced phase separation.  

Board: A heavy-weight thick sheet of paper that can also be created from other fiber substances.  

Boston Round: A style of portal which has the features of a cylindrical shape and roundness. The most common use of this container is in the Pharmaceutical industry. 

Beacon: A network of high-growth businesses also famous for their positions. 

Blank: A piece of corrugated box that has been prepared for making a box. Normally it is in a cut-and-scored form. 

Beers Tray: A type of folding tray that is made of corrugated material. You can find it to have glued corners, and it is quite effective for shipping and storage purposes. 

Bevel: A type of edge of container structure that does not have a 90-degree angle to the container.  

Bins: Boxes used for the purpose of storage of hardware and small parts. You can find them in the shape of corrugated cardboard and recycled plastic. Also, they are useful for shelving and hanging from panels. 

Bioburden: The relative number of microorganisms that you can find for a product at a specific time. This measurement may also apply to the level of microorganisms that you can find in a specific area during air sampling.  

Biofuel: A type of fuel that you can get from organic matter and not fossil products. 

Bird Swing: An edge oversight defect or a string of glass you can find inside a bottle. 

Black Spots: General defect or a small black speck that you may find inside a glass bottle or box in the packaging industry. 

Blake: A certain type of style of straight oblong bottle used in the Pharmaceutical industry. You can also call them space savers and wide-mouth packers. 

Bicell: A plastic sheet material brand you can consider to be a quality product. You can use it as an alternative to Correx. 

Bitmap: A type of digital graphic that is based on pixels normally. They have very large files, and you cannot resize them without losing their quality. 

B-Flute: A term that refers to a corrugated flute that has 1/8th of an inch. 

Bleached Pulp: A type of pulp that you can get by oxidizing chemicals.  

Bott: A term for an Aluminum case manufacturer in the packaging industry. 

Blister Packs: Blister packs are a common type of packaging made from transparent molded plastic, providing a tamper-proof solution for sensitive products, such as for medical and pharmaceutical product packaging.  

Blisters: Blisters are quite different from a blister pack, as blisters can be inside a glass in the form of a bubble. 

Blow Molding: A process that you can use to create plastic containers and bottles. This process also involves molding into two halves of a mold. At the same time, air pressure is used to create mold cavities in products made with this process. 

Blow Pin: A part of tooling that you can use for creating hollow objects or containers with the help of the blow molding process. You can consider it a tubular tool that allows air pressure into a container to shape the mold you want. 

Biodegradable: A material that can decompose in natural conditions. The factors that degrade it are bacteria and other living organisms. 

Blow Molding: A type of process that you can use to mold plastics. There are three main types of this process which are injection, injection stretch, and extrusion molding.  

Bondline: A term for structural parts of a packaging product, including the adhesive part. 

Board: This term is for a thick type of sheet of paper that comes in different variations. Cardboard, containerboard, and fiberboard are 3 common examples of this type.   

Bonding: A process to combine different pieces of foam or plastic. The use of this process allows you to get desired thickness and shape of your packaging products. 

Board Grade: The type of rate that you can give to corrugated boards on three different elements. 

Branding: Branding is a unique aspect or design found on your packaging boxes – such as a logo, color scheme, pattern, icon, slogan, or symbol – that helps people quickly recognize a specific product or suite of products. 

Break Pack: A type of transit container that can be a corrugated case. 

Bubble Pack: Type of package used to protect products inside your packaging. The basic mechanism of this pack is to create a cushioning between the product and potential damaging factors. 

Bottom Plate: Part of the mold carrying heel radius and helps to push up the box. 

Boundary and Scope: These are the two terms you can use for the measurement of project parameters and help define attributes and conditions for them. 

Bruise Check: A side effect or edge that may appear on the side of our product. 

Bulged Finish: A type of finished effect that may be blown out of shape during the production of a box. 

Bung: A type of plug you can use to close a barrel. You can also try using it for closing a drum bunghole. 

Burn Line: A type of dark streak of material you can have inside a plastic bottle. It can result in the decomposition of the material. 

Butterchipboard: A type of pigmented chipboard popular for having smooth sides. You can use it for laminating aluminum foil and quote it with a release quote. 

Buttress Thread: A design of a thread profile that can take certain forms, like a right triangle or a slightly different form.  

Brush Marks: A general defect that can be on the side of a box. Such artifacts may also appear on the neck of a packaging box. 

Brushes: Common packaging equipment that you can use in multiple activities. For instance, you can use them for cosmetic dental, medical, or other applications. 

Terms Starting with C

Capacity: The total volume of space a container can offer for a product that you want to store inside it. 

CAD: This term stands for the computer-aided design you can use in the form of electronic design automation. You can create them in the form of interactive engineering drawings with the retrieval and storage processes. 

CAM: This term is used for a process in the manufacturing of these products. You can use this one to feed data into machines and manufacture products with this data.   

Cap: Cover of a bottle or any packaging that keeps it sealed. Using this part of your packaging ensures that you avoid any type of adulteration into it by keeping it tamper-evident. 

Canning Supplies: Terminology for mason jars and closures. 

Carboy: A type of bottle or other that you can make out of clay, plastic, or metal. Notable for its ability to contain a capacity of three to 13 gallons, used for shipments of spring water and comparable resources.   

Catalyst: A type of chemical substance that can improve a chemical reaction but does not take part in this event. 

Cavity: The process of plastic blow molding, which works to provide the body of the container. 

Carry on Approved: A type of case you can use to meet the luggage requirements for your airline hand luggage needs. 

Chemical Block: This term is used for a form that produces a block of chemical resistance. 

Chop Edge: The chopping-edge is the length of the board or the sheet you use for packaging products.  

CDA: This type of agreement ensures that different organizations do not disclose certain information about certain commitments.  

Coatings: There are several types of specialist coatings that you can use on corrugated boxes. These coatings can help you get different types of benefits like waterproofing, anti-corrosion, and other effects. 

Cobb Test: This type of test allows you to understand the total amount of water a certain material has absorbed. 

C-Flute: A type of corrugated material that can help you get crush resistance. At the same time, this material can offer great printing properties.  

Coldset PVA:  This type of adhesive material can become liquid when you heat them to 60 degrees. On the other hand, it will lose fluidity under 20 degrees.  

Collapsible: A type of box that you can fold to ensure that you can easily bulk transport them.  

Conductive: A type of packaging that can offer protection against static currents.  

Corrispring: A type of material you can use as an alternative to foam and polystyrene cushioning often considered for its eco-friendliness. 

Corrugator: This term is used for an industrial machine that combines various paper types to create a new type.  

Corrust: A special type of coating you can use to avoid cohesion corrosion. Its main uses for protecting metal products for both storage and transit processes. 

Corstat: A type of carbon-based coating that you can use for corrugated cardboard. Its ability to get rid of static current makes it important for the packaging and printing industry.  

Corstat Container: Boxes, picking bins, and trays that have anti-static coating on them. 

CQV: Acronym for commissioning, qualifying, and verifying. These management methods ensure that packaging systems and machinery are kept in the best conditions. 

Cradle: Corrugated cardboard inserts and fittings that you can use to protect during shipping. 

Corrugated Material: The main feature of this material is its shape which allows you to get a lot of strength and stability against difficult conditions for packaging products. It carries ridges and grooves that can help improve the ability to provide strength. 

Corrugated Board Material: The main feature of this material is containing fluted paper sheets.   

Containers For Shipping: A type of container that you can use for shipping purposes. 

Contract Packaging: A 3rd party packaging company that provides you with human resources and packaging boxes for your business.  

Countertop: A type of displacement for retail packaging. You can consider them similar to shelf-ready boxes. 

Convertor: Companies that convert raw materials into packaging products. 

Copolymer Resin: A type of plastic material that is famous for its flexibility and toughness. At the same time, it has a great ability for transparency and clarity. 

Cores: Manufactured from wood pulp fiber, the fibers are wrapped around a rod in a spiral to create a tube shape. For the size of the core, consider both the core’s diameter and length.

Corner Blocks: Corners that you can use for form packaging. The main purpose of peace products is to help reduce the chances of product damage during the shipment process.

Correx: A type of twin-walled plastic that has multiple applications in the packaging industry. 

Corriflute: This term is used for Correx plastic material as a second name.  

Carton Board: A type of material that is stiffer than a board. You can use it for its ability to avoid compression and moisture issues. It has the ability to resist both of these issues.  

Closed Loop System: This term is used for an industrial system that carries zero waste and can reuse and recycle all the materials it uses for production. It can even do the composting processes to improve the eco-friendliness of your methods. 

CNC Routing: A process that allows for the usage of different materials. The main benefit of this method is the use of computerized devices. 

Closures: A type of device or technique that you can use for sealing packaging boxes. There are some common techniques for this purpose, like stapling, glowing, and tapping. 

Case Making: Case-making machines are the equipment you need for making a computerized setup.  

Clean Room: A type of assembly and packaging service among the facilities of packaging and printing. The purpose of this facility is to get rid of any contamination during different procedures. 

Case Sealer: A type of manufacturing machine that you can use for sealing and closing the flaps of any boxes. You can use glue and tape to make sure these packaging boxes are sealed well. 

Castors: A type of set of small wheels that you can use for the movement of different objects in the packaging process.

Clay Coat: A thin layer of clay coat that you can coat onto corrugated boxes. This is a method that can help improve the printing surface of this material. One of its common uses is on unbleached kraft paperboard.  

Crash Lock: A box style that allows you to lock its base. The main benefit you get from it is no need for tape for its interlocking system. 

Cratering: Small and thin spots where you can find bubbles in packaging products that you code with paint or dye. 

Crazing: Cracks that can come under a plastic or glass layer. 

Creep: A type of deformation that occurs progressively in packaging material. It can be caused by stress; anything or any factor may apply to it. 

CSI: A company that can project development and specializes in producing corrugated packaging. 

Cushioning: A type of packaging element that allows you to protect fragile products during delivery and transit. 

Cycle: The number of times you can get usage from a packaging product, used for reusable packaging containers.  

Cushioning Curves: These indicate materials that provide you with different levels of thickness. 

Cushioning Bicell: Foam laminate which allows you cushioning properties. At the same time, you get anti-abrasive features with this material. 

Creasing: Folding lines that you can find in packaging that allow you to allow the package to be folded and cut as desired. 

Terms Starting with D

Damage Burst: Term for packaging containers that may burst or split owing to their exposure to too much pressure. 

Declaration: The total amount of shock any packaging product can handle and endure. The main criterion of its measurement is the product should not get damaged by any force applied to it. You can measure it in G force. 

Deckle: The width of the board that you can run on a corrugator.  

Decorative: Aspect of finish used to identify color and printing of a packaging product. 

Demo Case: Cases you can use as a demo during your presentation in the sales meeting or a sales pitch. 

Density: The weight of a gas, solid, or liquid that you can measure in the unit of grams per cubic centimeter. 

Desiccant: A substance that you can use for drying purposes when you need to try water vapor. The main purpose of this is to decrease and control humidity inside sealed packages. You can use multiple substances for these many of these are calcium oxide. 

Design: A packaging design includes drawings and specifications of a packaged product. These specifications help you determine what a box will look like and how it will be constructed as an end product. 

Die: A die is a special type of packaging tool that allows you to customize your packaging products. You can create customized dyes to achieve a certain type of box design and other specifications. 

Die Cutting: A process that allows you to stamp the cuts and scores that you want to add to a packaging design. 

Distributor: Supplier of merchandise or products to a retail seller, who does not use any products but works as a reseller provider. 

Dividers: Devices that separate different sections of a container to ensure they get good protection. 

Dolly: A small type of device that you can use for moving heavy objects. It has a setup that is fixed on builds and allows you to move heavy objects easily. 

Drawing: Creation from an art designer or packaging engineer used for technical purposes.   

Drop Test: Test to find out the durability and capabilities of a packaging box.  

Dump Bins: A type of point-of-sales packaging that allows you to keep different objects disorderly.  

Dunnage: A type of material that you can use to support the protection of packaging against different contaminating factors. Moisture and damage are two factors they allow you to avoid. 

Duplex: A type of paperboard you can make out of two layers, commonly used for coating material to gain resistance against water. Often used for pharmaceutical industry paper cups and many other applications. 

Double Walled Board: A combination of corrugated material layers to make them one. Using this method allows you to get extra strength for your packaging boxes. 

Digitization: A process that allows you to convert data into digital format for packaging and printing purposes. 

Dimensions: The length, depth, and height of a packaging box. 

Direct Food Contact: Direct food contact is the physical contact of any material with food. There are certain regulations that must be followed if you are packaging a product with direct food contact. 

Displays: Type of packaging used to showcase a product or merchandise at the point of sale, which can be made from corrugated material. 

Terms Starting with E 

Ecommerce: Ecommerce or electronic commerce is a term that is used for selling products online. If you provide packaging or other products through the internet, you are in the ecommerce business. 

Ecommerce Packaging: The packaging boxes used for ecommerce purposes are called ecommerce packaging. The purpose of these boxes and packaging is to keep your product safe during transit. 

E-Flute: A type of material that allows you good crush resistance. At the same time, it offers you great quality printing.  

Egg-Box Foam: A type of form that you can use in packaging. A main feature of this one is being flat from one side and grooved from the other.  

Electrostatic: A unit of the decay rate electrostatic charge. 

Embossing: A type of effect that allows you to create raised design or lettering on a packaging material surface. 

EMC: Acronym that stands for electromagnetic management coupling. You can use this term for a case or product that helps you manage electromagnetic energies in packaging and processes. 

Emulsions: A type of topical public quoting which is famous for being water-soluble. At the same time, it would be quarter resistant when it is dry. 

End Caps: A type of form question cushioning that allows you protection for the product you pack inside a corrugated box. 

Environment Agency: Environment agencies work to improve the regulations set for waste production for packaging.  

EPS: Acronym for expandable polystyrene, which is a foam that allows you good thermal insulation and helps you with high impact resistance. You can use it in the construction and packaging industries alike. 

ESD: Acronym that stands for electrostatic discharge, which can be a common problem for packaging products. 

ESD Anti-static: A type of cortex that allows you to store equipment from entering a packaging box or other product. 

ESD Shielding: A type of conductive material that allows you to resist electrostatic charge in packaging. 

Estimate: The total amount a company calculates to produce packaging boxes.  

Extrusion: A type of method used for producing plastic bottles.  

Extrusion Profiles: Term for extrusions of shaped products, which you can get in multiple configurations. These shapes come in box solid and hollow forms. 

Ethafoam: A type of semi-rigid packaging that allows you medium-density lightweight. At the same time, it is quite flexible. 

Euro Box: A tough and durable storage solution that you can get in standardized sizing. You can get these in warehouse facilities.  

Euro Container: This term is used alternately for Euro boxes, as mentioned in the previous section. 

Explorer: These are military-grade cases that reproduced in Italy. 

Terms Starting with F 

Fabrication: The process of manufacturing, often used as a packaging or printing term. 

Falling Dart Impact: A traditional method used to evaluate the strength of plastics. 

Faraday Cage: A type of enclosure that you can use for blocking electric fields. You can find it in the form of conductive materials. Also, they are available in the form of a mesh of such materials.   

Faro: A type of digitization device that allows you to find different computerized versions of a small object used for packaging. 

Fatigue: The deterioration of packaging boxes in use. You can use this term for products that can be used repeatedly.   

Feasibility Study: Studies to determine if you can get certain results from a particular process, as well as what adjustments to the process are needed to receive the desired results.  

FEFCO: Acronym for an organization that sets standards for design patterns for corrugated products in packaging.  

Fiber: Fibers are the smallest unit of material that creates a packaging box., also known as molded pulp. 

Finish: A type of coating or print that you can use on packaging products. There are multiple benefits of these you can have for your packaging products. For instance, it allows you to get rid of any chances of corrosion.  

Foam: A substance that is created through a process of trapping gas pockets inside a solid material. There are different types of these that you can find, like XPS foam and Polyurethane. 

Foam Lining: A type of foam liner that you can use inside a case to get protection for your packed products.  

Folding Carton: A paperboard product that you can fold, print, and laminate. Also, you can use it by cutting and gluing, and the main purpose of this product is the transportation of products.  

Forme: A type of metal cutter that you can use for cardboard scoring. The purpose of this cutting can be die cut finish.  

Fulfillment: The use of third-party warehousing for your inventory services for your packaging production. 

FSA: A food standard agency determines different standards for shipping food products. 

FSDU: A type of display unit you can use for retail packaging products. 

Fittings: A range of fixtures that you can add to cases and can be made from plastics and steel.  

Flatbed Die Cutting: A process you can use for creasing, cutting, and embossing sheets. You can use this press this die on a material that you can find on a flat surface.  

Flat Pack: A type of packaging that you can use for shipping purposes. The main feature of this type is that you can use them as a flat box during such processes.  

Flood Coat: Term for when an entire surface will use a dye or color. 

Flute Direction: The literal direction you can add inside a corrugated box. You can have two types of directions here, vertical and horizontal. The main feature of these is to get strength for your boxes and other packaging products. 

Flute: Paper layer that allows you to get more strength when added to a certain corrugated board. You can get more rigidity for your product with these as well.  

Terms Starting with G

Glued: A process that allows you to connect different materials into a box. For instance, different sheets of cardboard can be glued together with wood for strength to your boxes. 

G-Force: A type of measurement that becomes the reason for the weight of a product. You can define it as a weight per unit mass.  

Gloss: A type of coating that can help you get higher reflection for your packaging boxes. A big feature of this coating is a good color and contrast definition for your boxes. 

Terms Starting with H

Hanging Tabs: A type of part that different boxes can carry. The main purpose of this part is to allow you to hang your products packed inside these boxes for display. 

Hardigg: Molded equipment cases used to transport fragile and delicate equipment.  

HDPE: Acronym for high-density polyethylene. You can use it for blow molding, which allows you resistance against cracks and also provides stiffness. 

Heat-Seal: Common method to seal multiple surfaces. 

Hermetic Seal: A type of seal you can use when in need of the ability to avoid leaks. 

Hinged End Cap: Similar to standard types, however, the main difference is hinged end caps do not involve any bonding feature. 

HIPS: Acronym for high-impact polystyrene. The multiple features of this material include cost-effectiveness and resistance against impacts. At the same time, it is quite easy to fabricate this material, making it a low-cost option. 

Hot-Melt Adhesive: Term for hot glue, which is famous for being solid at room temperature. On the other hand, you can liquify that by heating it. 

HPX Resin: A type of high-performance resin that is a polypropylene copolymer. 

Hybrid Pack: A type of packaging that uses both corrugated and rPET materials. 

Hand Erect: Term for a packaging type that you can assemble by hand. A common reason to use this type of packaging is the complexity of a packaging box design. 

Hand Holes: A type of space you can live inside a box for the purpose of its movement and handling.

Terms Starting with I

Impact Strength: The ability that a box carries against any mechanical shocks.  

Imperial: The traditional unit of measurement that you can replace with metric. 

Inert: An object that does not cause any reactions. 

Injection Molded Case: Term for the production process of certain plastic packaging boxes. 

Inkjet Printing: One of the most common types of printing that uses pigmented or dyed printer ink and the creation of images, letters, and other objects.  

Inline: A type of die-cutting machinery. 

Inline Wheels: A type of equipment that you can use for the purpose of easier movement of larger cases, insert supply chains, and other processes. 

In-Mold Labeling: This process allows you to place preprinted labels into the plastic mold. This process is done into the mold before the injection process is done into it.  

Inside/Outside View: Inside view refers to the way a package is designed. On the other hand, the printing process of artwork and text is viewed outside the boxes. 

Integrated: Plant that creates both the raw material and the products created from those raw materials. 

Integral Hinges: Type of one-piece molding is done for cases, and hinges are an important part of this process. You can keep in mind that you can inject two parts of a hinge if you want a cost-effective solution. 

Internal Dimensions: The dimensions of a case or box that you get by measuring it from the inside. Just like other box measurements, you keep depth, height, and width in mind during this measurement. 

Inter-Stacking Pattern: A mechanism that you can use to stack cases on top of each other with ease.  

Inventory: Materials and equipment that are meant for the purpose of reselling. 

IP Rating: The effectiveness level of a claim without any closure, measured against foreign objects.

ISO: Acronym that you can use for the international standards organization. 

ISO 14001: The environmental management system that allows you to set the framework for this purpose. The system is used for companies to adhere to and ensure environmental management. 

ISO 9001 Certified: Certification that a company has met the requirements of this ISO system. 

ISTA: Acronym for the international safe transition, which is responsible for setting international safe transit systems. Also used to improve your logistics for your international trade. 

Terms Starting with J

Jigsaw Packs: A term referring to cushion packaging that allows for the positioning to be logged alongside one another.  

JIT: Acronym for just-in-time inventory system, which is a management strategy that aligns raw-material orders from suppliers directly with production schedules.

Terms Starting with K

K470: A type of lightweight aluminum protective case that is also rugged. This case data test is ATA approved. 

Kanban: A Japanese manufacturing system in which you use the scheduling process. Also, you control the inventory system with the supply chain.  

KD: Acronym for knocked down, which means that you are sending boxes or cartons in a flat form. This works for the boxes to get stored and shipped. 

Kiss Cut: A term that refers to a form of die cutting in which you do not cut the top layer of the material, while leaving the bottom of the material attached. 

Kit Skip: A packaging form that sports teams can use to transport their kit, mostly made from aluminum.  

Korrvu: A type of packaging that allows you to use films inside corrugated outers to help keep your products safe during transportation. 

Kraft: A type of paper colored brown and made from paperboard. The process of its manufacturing has to do with virgin pulp.  

Terms Starting with L 

Labels: Informative document you can attach to a product which may also include bar codes.  

Label Panel: The section of a box where you can add labels to it. 

Laser Etching: A type of engraving method in which you can make designs and other elements with the help of lasers.  

Layer Pad: Used inside cases to divide layers of stacked products such as cans, bottles and other rigid packaging, used in the rigid layer separation process. 

LD: Acronym for low density. 

Lead Time: The time that it takes you to get your order from a manufacturer. You can measure it by starting from the time the order has been received till your customer gets the product.  

Lid: An attached top that you can use to enclose your contents. This type also has the feature of being removable.   

Lightweighting: Reducing the total amount of material used on a particular box for manufacturing to reduce the weight of a box, as well as reduce costs. 

Liner: A part of paper material that works as a component of a corrugated board. You can use inner and outer lines that give you higher-quality features. For instance, you can use them for the print finish.  

Line-Side: The type of packaging in which you handle containers. The main purpose of these will be your transport components to your assembly lines. 

Lithography: The printing of flat services in which you use plates. Also, you can find it as one of the most common and useful types of printing. 

Litho Laminated Print: A type of high-quality printer in which you can also add a press with a corrugated board.

Terms Starting with M

Machine Erect: A type of line of packaging which you can use as fully erected by a mechanical machine.   

Manufacture: Producing products on a large scale, typically through either the use of machinery and/or manual labor. 

Material: A substance of matter from which you can produce a product. 

Materials Handling: A system you create for storing and retrieving materials. You can use this system for distribution and manufacturing processes. 

Matte Finish: A type of coating that allows you to create a surface that absorbs light. As it is a coating, you can apply it to the surface of a packaging box. 

Max Case: A case you can use for military and minding marine industries. 

Mini Bag: Bag used for small samples for a serious picture or presentation.  

Mission Critical: A certain act or event that is essential for an organization. It can be any act or event you need to perform a certain task. 

MLT: Acronym that stands for manufacturing lead time, which is the total time of the production cycle till the finish. There are multiple terms that are used to represent different periods of this total term, including move times, inspection, set up times, and order preparation time.

MM: Acronym for millimeter, which is a type of unit you can use for the measurement of different packaging boxes. 

Monomer: A type of chemical that you can use for the purpose of packaging production. The main feature it provides is its reaction with polymer. 

MOQ:  An acronym for minimum order quantity, which refers to the lowest quantity that a supplier will accept to place an order.  

Mold Seam: A vertical groove that you can find at the mold halves, also referred to as a parting line. 

Multipoint Gluing: The points where you apply glue to two intricate designs.   

Multi Trip: A type of packaging that you can use for multiple trips. 

Multi Up: A type of design in which dyes and presses are designed.   

Terms Starting with N 

NATO Part No: NATO stands for North Atlantic treaty organization, a military alliance. This jargon represents a digit code used for identifying material supplies standards. 

N Case: A cost-effective version of smart cases which you can use for presenting and pitching products and their samples.  

Nesting Containers: The type of containers you can design with sloped side walls. This allows you to stack them on each other when empty, saving a significant amount of space. 

Nomar: A type of abrasion-resistant coating you can use for being water-based and can also be glued. 

Terms Starting with O 

Offset Litho: An alternative word for mass production printing in which you use the offset method.  

Offset Printing: This method uses the transferring from the printing plate onto double blankets. You can also use rollers instead of rubber blankets. It is a popular printing method that provides high quality printing and color labeling. 

Ohm: A measurement method that allows you to measure electrical resistance, used for devices and materials. 

Operational Temperature: A range of temperatures that protects you for a certain type of packaging or case.  

Output: The total number of units certain manufacturing blinds can create in a particular manufacturing cycle.  

Outside View: The exterior or outer view of any packaging design. 

Overprint: This is the process of printing multiple colors in a way one will be printed on another. 

Terms Starting with P

Packaging: Term for placing products in a stock or customized container, bag, or box.  

Pack Burst: A type of versatile package design that can contain lubricants. Such packages carry pre measured amounts of these materials. 

Pallets: A flat transport structure you can use for supporting products. These can be most commonly used in the form of wood, which also helps you lift and move products. 

Pantone: A system you can use for matching colors and for printing inks. 

Partitions: A device you can use to create partitions inside a box. You can use interlocking corrugated, cushioning, or other types of boxes. 

PE: Acronym for polyethylene material. 

Perforations: Small holes made into the side of a material that allows you to open a packaging box more easily.  

Performance: Productivity strength features and other noticeable aspects in a packaging process. 

Picking Bin: Containers for picking and shipping to the customer.

Pick Face: The front face of the storage that the order picker can see in the warehouse. 

Pillow Pack: A box that looks like a miniature cardboard pillow and can pop up into shape by handling. You can use interlocking tabs in them; they are perfect for small products and objects. 

Pin-Holding: Small holes you can find in a finish that can occur due to substance. Coating applicators can use multiple options to reduce the chances of such issues. 

Plastic Boxes: Any type of plastic box you can manufacture in a wide range of materials you get from plastic.

Platen: A process to achieve flat surfaces by pressing multiple surfaces against each other. There are types of presses that use such a platan process. 

Plotter: A device you can use for the cost-effective manufacturing of prototypes. You can also get pre-production samples with them that also give you new manufacturing of specific products. 

Plywood: A type of board made from wood carrying 2 layers you can glue together with grain direction altering.  

PMS: Acronym for the Pantone matching system, a popular color-matching system used in the printing industry.  

Polyethylene: A typically used plastic material that has multiple manufacturing benefits, with three classifications being low, medium, and high. 

Polyethylene Foam: A type of closed-shell foam you can use for its resilience against chemicals and the strength it provides. 

Polymer: A material that forms large molecules emerging from smaller molecules coming together. There are two types of them; you can get both synthetic and natural types. 

Polypropylene: A common material you use for packaging purposes and can provide stress resistance. At the same time, it can be transparent even after production. 

Polystyrene: A type of thermoplastic material you can get from the polymerization of styrene. It is non-toxic, and where the resistant features make it special. On the other hand, it can provide you with power and strength.  

POS: POS stands for point of sale product displays, which normally showcase products with promotions.

Postal: A type of packaging you can create and use to post items. This means it should serve all the needs you want to fulfill for transportation by posting. 

PP: Acronym for polypropylene.  

PPE: Acronym for personal protective equipment, which refers to the equipment used to protect team members directly involved in manufacturing.

Press and Pull Catches: Letters used for the purpose of packaging. They can be opened with the push of a button and can stay closed under stress. At the same time, they can bear impact without opening. 

Product Amenities: Additional product features. 

PU: A thin material you can use for being versatile as a plastic material. It is a flexible form of elastoplastic.  

Pulp: Material made from cellulose fibers, wood, and waste paper. You can prepare it by separating cellulose fibers from these materials. 

Purge Valve: A valve that allows you to let air flow through a case. But the real feature is that you can stop dust and water from entering this case without stopping the air.  

PVA Adhesive: A common type of rubbery and synthetic polymer that you can use as a thermoplastic. 

Terms Starting with Q 

Quote: A packaging code you can get from a salesperson or an estimator. With this statement, you’ll receive the total price for a specific packaging order.

Terms Starting with R

Rationalization: A process you can use for the purpose of merging similar packaging lines. With these, you can get but if it’s like a smaller inventory and better economies of scale.   

Rack Mount Case: A metal framework that allows you to carry electronic equipment. 

Rack Unit: A unit that you make for flat cases and portable server cases. 

Recyclable: Packaging materials that can be reused, instead of becoming waste or new single-use material.  

Reel: A spool or coil that you can use to wind flexible materials around. The benefit of this equipment is that you can easily store and translate these materials with it. 

Registration: Locations or marks you can make on print surfaces for better results with the print. It can be quite helpful if you print multiple colors on such a surface.  

Resistance: A measurement of how much difficulty an electric current would pass through a conductor.  

Rotary Die Cutting: A type of die cutting on a cylinder rotary press, commonly used in line with printing, in which you can use solid and engraved dies. At the same time, you can consider magnetic and adjustable dies. 

Rotational Molding: A type of molding process that you can use for plastic materials and has multiple qualities. For instance, it can help you with one-piece hollows and is also stress-free. 

RFQ: Acronym that stands for request for quotation that a company or person gets for estimating the costs and to make products.   

Reusable: Type of packaging that can be used multiple times before discarding it. 

Retail: A method of selling products directly to the public for use purposes and not for reselling or wholesaling.  

Royal Mail Sizes: Guidelines to measure the size and weight of different postages, also used for the maximum size of postages you can add. 

RSI: This acronym stands for repetitive strain injury that can occur due to repetitive actions. 

Run: The total number of products a unit produces in a session.  

Retention Pack: A type of packaging that allows you to have cost-effective and simpler protection in the form of protection. 

Terms Starting with S 

Shadow Board: A type of case insert you can use for an organization station. You can also make them custom forms with foams, and they highlight if a tool is missing or back to the store.  

Sheet: A raw material used for packaging and printing. 

Sheet Feeders: A type of plant that allows you to work with corrugated sheets with the help of a corrugator.  

Shell Case: An alternative commonly used for the purpose of sampling. You can use it instead of a traditional sampling case.  

Shielding Layer: A type of conductive layer that you can use for the purpose of blocking electrostatic fields. 

Sheet Plant: A company that buys its materials from sheet fitters and cut numbered them into packaging. Such plants typically do not have a corrugator device. 

Silk Screening: A printing technique you can use for transferring ink to the printer. There are multiple ways you can use it, like applying it to liners, containers, and other elements. 

SKU: Acronym standing for stock-keeping unit or an identification code you can use for an individual or product. 

SLA: Acronym for a service level agreement, which is a contract that a provider tells about the responsibilities of the supplier, as well as vice versa.   

Sleeve: A type of paperboard that you can customize with shape and style. You can make it in a way that slides over another one to provide you with decoration and beauty. 

Smart Case: A type of packaging case you can use to show products for a sales pitch or a business meeting. 

Sourcing: A term encompassing all functions used for raw materials. You can also consider the collection, processing, and recycling of these processes. 

Spec Number: A five-digit number that you can use for a certain design.  

SPRC: The total time that a production unit can use to create a certain amount of products.  

SSE: Acronym for static-safe environments that work by distributing certain conductive products. 

SSI Schaefer: A manufacturer of warehouse logistics systems shelving storage equipment, and many other similar products. 

Stack Height: Regulations that must be maintained to ensure that you stack packaging safely.  

Stacking Corner: The type of strong plastic corner that you can add to a case or a package to make it more steady and safe. So, the main purpose of it is during stacking. 

Standard 300: A standard age of presentation cases of shell type. 

Starpack: An organization in the packaging and printing industry that recognizes innovations in technology and design packaging. 

Stereo: A type of flexible plate that you use for printing, so it’s even easier, like the flexographic technique. 

Stillage: A type of brake or pilot you can use to hold multiple items. A common use of these is lineside assembly applications.  

Static Dissipative: A form or material you can use to dissipate static charges. These boxes help protect any item within these boxes against any such charges. 

Spool: A type of cylinder that allows you to wind flexible materials around.  

Single Wall: A certain type of box you can use for packaging purposes, which you can use with two materials. You can have fluted paper and then two materials that you can bond on any of the two sides of this material.

Simulated Rainfall: A test used in the UK for checking the protection of a packaging box.  

Single Pass Printing: A single-pass printer allows you the production of four-color printing and monochrome data in one pass. 

Single Source: A method of providing supplies to customers from one source. You can save costs with these and make management easier and better. 

Single-Up: A type of rotary die cutter you can use to cut products in one particular shape. 

Sheet Plant Association: An association that works on the motion of best practices in their member companies.  

Shelf Life: The total time during the age of the product can be usable after production. Packaging is one of the best methods to improve the shelf life of your products.   

Shelf Ready Packaging: A type of packaging that allows for easy assembly and display of your product.  

Sampling: The process of creating a prototype that you can use to get customer approval. All of its features must be like the products you will create. It is a process of creating a sample to show your customer what the end product will look like.  

Seams: Encompasses various techniques used to keep a package together. The methods you use in this technique are tapping, stitching, and gluing. For instance, you may use a corrugated board to make it bigger and stronger.  

Strapping: The process you can use for strapping and combining straps. You can try reinforcing these for stability for certain packaging products.   

Stratocell: A type of low-cost polyethylene foam that is used for packaging. You can try using it for the inner cushioning of a packaging box. 

Style: A style guide can be used for the purpose of box designs that the European federation has set. 

Supazote: A type of cross-linked ethylene copolymer format that you can use for its extremely soft feel. 

Supply Chain: A network that you create between different companies to handle and produce like any product.  

Suspension Pack: A type of check that protects your products during transit. Its mechanism of making products suspended between two layers allows you to get rid of impact. 

Sustainability: Processes and products that reduce the chances of environmental harm and promote eco-friendliness.  

Terms Starting with T

Tamper Resistant Seal: A type of seal that cannot be opened without clear evidence of tampering. When you try to open such a seal or gap, it will be partially destroyed, showing the abundance of tempering with the product. 

Tamper Evident Band: A part of caps and seals that allows you to determine if a product has been tempered. This way, you can reveal if any product has been tampered with or not. Once you open a cab, this part would be destroyed to provide evidence of this activity. 

Tear Strip: A type of plastic film that you can apply to the inside of a package.   

Tear Tab: An extension of a tearing strip that you can find on a package or a bottle. Its purpose is to provide easy grasping of the packaging.  

Technobag: A type of presentation bag made from polypropylene in Germany. Often considered for project production with injection molding, as they have a single wall. 

Test Liner: Manufacture a type of recycled liner board as a sheet of fibers. The big feature of this one is that all the fibers in this one are similar. Its outer layer is better quality cycle fiber, called multiply or duplex.  

Thermoforming: A type of manufacturing process in which you use vacuuming or pressuring. There are a number of industries you can use it for, like product displays, clamshells, and food packaging needs. 

Triboelectric Charge: A type of charge that can be produced by different materials coming together.  

Tri-Wall: The triple-floated corrugated board has the ability to provide flexibility and strength. At the same time, it has amazing eco-friendliness that makes it quite preferable. 

Tubes: Equipment used for the purpose of corrugated tubes for multiple reasons. Commonly you can find these alongside end caps. 

Turkey Lock: A style of box that comes with a full overlap base, which does not require tapping.  

Tool Control: A type of tool organization insert that you can use for cases. You can get its highlight when you’re missing different colored foams. 

Tongue and Groove Seal: A type of extended group that you can operate even on mind mirror image concepts, with the ability of a titled enclosure. 

Travel Skips: Large aluminum cases used to transport sports kits and equipment.  

Trays: Packaging solutions commonly used for samples and other product elements. 

Tote: A type of plastic container that you can stack one upon each other.

Transit: The process by which you transport products from one place to another for shipping. 

Transit Damage: Any damage to a product that may occur during transportation. 

Terms Starting with U

Ultrasonic Welding: A type of industrial building technique that allows you to create certain types of materials. You can use ultrasonic high-frequency vibrations for this purpose. It allows you to create a solid-state world that you can use for plastics.  

Unit Cost: The cost for manufacturing a particular product. Multiple types of costs exist, such as overhead costs, labor costs, among others. 

Terms Starting with V

Varnish: A type of ink that can be shortened or glossy. At the same time, it can be made and helps improve the beauty of a product, as well as increased product protection.  

VCI: Acronym that stands for vapor corrosion inhibitor. The coating allows you to get protection against corrosion. It works both passively and actively to provide this protection.  

Vector: A type of graphic that is made up of paths and defines points from start to end. These images are made from multiple dots, allowing you to scale them up without any quality loss. 

Vibration: Factors such as loose cargo that can damage packaging products and goods packed inside. 

Vibration Sweep: A vibration that travels from one frequency to another. You can use this method for protective cases. 

Virgin Material: A term of approval that a material has not been processed in any way except in its manufacturing process. 

VMI: Acronym that stands for vendor management inventory, used in stock management to determine the appropriate packaging levels. 

Void Fill: A type that you can use to protect a certain product inside a packaging box. You can get it from certain materials that fill the whole box except the product packed inside. 

Volume: The total number of units a manufacturer can produce in a certain amount of time. 

Volume Resistivity: The ability that a material contains to resist the flow of current.  

Vortex Pressure Relief Valve: A type of valve that can help adjust air pressure without letting in any water, and it does it automatically.  

Terms Starting with W

Waterjet Cutting: A type of equipment that allows you to cut materials with the help of high water pressure.  

Weight: The density of a material used for packaging purposes.  

Warehousing: The storage of parts and components that you can use for the purpose of packaging and printing processes. 

Wastage: The components or packaging boxes that do not meet your quality standards and can be discarded. 

Terms Starting with X 

Xtrabag: A type of case that makes you lightweight and is made of plastic. 

Terms Starting with Y

Yield Value: The actual amount of force needed to start an ink flowing.

Terms Starting with Z

Zarges: Manufacturer of a range of aluminum shipping cases and containers.

FAQs 

What are the most common examples of packaging? 

When it comes to the examples of products in this industry, there are multiple products you can have. For instance, there are products like: 

• Mailer boxes 
• Ecommerce packaging 
• Cosmetic packaging
• CBD packaging 
• Retail packaging

What are the most common types of packaging boxes in the packaging industry? 

The type of box ultimately depends on the unique products and custom specifications. In general, the most common types of boxes tend to be mailer boxes, candle boxes, product boxes, ecommerce boxes, and other retail packaging boxes. 

What is packaging, and why does it matter for products in different industries?  

Packaging is any type of product cover that needs protection against environmental factors that can cause issues.  

What is the importance of packaging abbreviations? 

When it comes to the terminologies used in the packaging industry, abbreviations play an important role. The better you understand printing jargon, the more impactful your collaborative packaging process and output can be.

What are the most common food packaging types? 

When it comes to the food packaging industry, there are multiple products that are essential. For example, cake boxes, cookie boxes, and other bakery packaging are quite commonly utilized. 

What does retail packaging mean? 

When it comes to what retail packaging means, it is simple that any type of box for selling to end consumers must be a retail packaging box. 

What does bulk packaging mean?  

Bulk packaging is a type of packaging that allows for scalability in box quantities, as well as more cost-efficient unit prices due to increased order size.  

Refine Packaging: Your Ultimate Custom Packaging Partner

So, you’re armed and ready with all of the packaging terminology that can help you grow as a packaging professional. Now it’s time to start the packaging production process!

Refine Packaging can assist from conceptualization to mass box production. We aim to provide as many options as possible and simplify the process so you can see your idea materialize in the shortest time possible.

Select from our array of custom box industries and products, or let us know your concept so our designers can work with you. We use various printing techniques and offer 2D and 3D mockups of your packaging. Our team can send you a sample so you can verify if the prototype matches your vision.

But don’t just take our word for it—discover how the Refine Packaging process has delivered successful customer stories for 1,000s of satisfied brands and their clientele. Contact us for a free quote today, and our packaging specialist will connect with you shortly.

The post Packaging Definitions: Complete Glossary of Printing Terminology appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Nevertheless, there may be times when unquestionable damage occurs during shipping or when your products leave the warehouse. In fact, one out of 10 packages in the US arrive damaged at consumers’ doorsteps. Although some incidents may result from your courier or fulfillment partner’s negligence, you’re still responsible for retrieving the product and issuing a replacement or refund.

Yes, returns are inevitable. But you can take steps to prevent legitimate and fraudulent cases from hurting your bottom line. This article discusses how you can ensure the safe delivery of your fragile products.

Fragile Goods Defined

Fragility can mean different things to different sellers. But in general, fragile items require extra care and attention when shipping. These goods may be breakable such as glass, crystal, and ceramic. They also include objects with many curves, small delicate pieces that can bend or come off, and parts that can sustain scratches, tears, or dents when not packed well. Examples include electronic gadgets, musical instruments, artwork, furniture, and plants. Notebooks with wire binders, leather items that can be scuffed, and books with high-gloss covers that can have scratches can also be counted as fragile.                                                                

Common Causes of Shipping Damage

A study showed that 81% of ecommerce returns are due to product damage. Let’s look at all the factors that can cause damage to your fragile items, from inadequate or improper packing to external elements.

Improper packaging

Oversized box

Your products can bounce up and down or shift from side to side during land travel if your box is too big for your item. Your item’s body or edges may crush against each other or other packages if the box is too spacious and doesn’t contain enough infill that suits the product’s fragility, size, and quantity.

Weak material

Your box should be thick enough that it won’t collapse under your product’s weight. The packaging should stay intact throughout its journey to your customer. Lower-quality material can put your item at higher risk if your padding is already skimpy.

Absence of labels

Labels saying “Fragile,” “Hazardous,” or “Perishable” help alert delivery handlers about the nature of your package and how they should handle it.

Rough handling

Your package will go through several warehousing and shipping staff hands before reaching its destination. They may not always gingerly handle boxes or position them securely in their vehicles the way you expect them despite the labels you put on them.

Improper storage

Items containing food and perishable goods may rot or change in quality if you fail to keep them in temperature-controlled, infestation-free storage.

Climate and bad weather

Besides varied weather from state to state, we live in a time of sudden environmental changes. Climate and durability testing your packaging will be a good idea if you have a temperature-sensitive, breakable product.

Poor transit route choice

Like bad weather, choosing high-traffic routes for ground shipping may delay your delivery. Ask your fulfillment center about your options to address this concern.

Theft and tampering

Choose tamper-proof packaging and apply for insurance to ship high-value products safely. 

6 Steps to Ship Fragile Items Safely

1. Choose a box based on your item’s size and weight

We can borrow UPS Guidelines for packaging fragile goods: provide at least two inches of space between the box’s walls and the item inside. The right-sized box should also support your product’s weight and fit the necessary cushioning material.

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Heavy-duty materials may cost more, but consider the additional expense you’ll spend for possible return or replacement if you use a lower-priced but thinner and flimsier packaging that tears or deforms by just the touch of sweaty hands.

High-value items may require double-boxing (package within a package) for extra protection. This technique can also apply to large products—you can disassemble the parts and pack each into smaller boxes to spread the weight evenly in a larger box. However, this will naturally increase your shipping costs.

2. Wrap the item and surround it with infill

Wrap each product with paper and seal with Scotch tape followed by bubble wrap, ensuring you cover all the parts. Use packing tape to secure your plastic wrapping. Think twice before adding a second bubble layer, as it might make unboxing harder. It might be better to wrap your product in foam first instead of paper. If you’re shipping several items in a box, wrap them separately.

Fill the base of your box with crinkle paper, packing nuts, or other internal packaging before placing your product in the center. Then pour more infill around the item to restrict movement. Add corrugated inserts or craft paper on the box walls to make them sturdier. Give your box a slight shake to check if your item or items don’t shift. Pour a final infill layer—just enough to close the top flaps shut without a bulge.

You can follow the packing tips below for each fragile item category.

Ceramics and glassware

• Use thick packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap products individually. The bubbles should face inward to maximize cushioning.
• For cups and vases, fill the inside with crumpled paper or small bubble wrap pieces to prevent them from cracking from within.
• Stack plates vertically, not on their sides or edges. Put packing paper or bubble wrap between each individually wrapped plate and place them in a sturdy box.

Mirrors and artwork

• Use a box slightly bigger than your wrapped item to give room for cushioning material.
• For large artworks and mirrors, create a custom-sized hardboard or plywood cover to place over the front of the item for puncture and pressure protection.
• Attach cardboard or foam corner protectors to keep vulnerable portions from dents or scratches.
• Place the item in the center of the box to reduce direct contact from its edges, which are prone to external impact.
• Slide a framed mirror or artwork into its box vertically, the same way you would put a book on a shelf.
• For shipments with several pieces inside, always position the heaviest item at the bottom and the more delicate or lighter products on top to prevent damage from compression and distribute weight evenly.

Electronics

• Use the original packaging of the electronic product as much as possible—they’re designed to protect the item while in transit. If that’s unavailable, choose anti-static bubble wrap or bags when packing sensitive electronic components (like circuit boards and computer parts) to protect items from damage due to static electricity.
• Attach corner protectors or foam inserts for added support to gaming consoles, monitors, and other oddly shaped electronics.
• Wrap loose accessories and cables individually before placing them in a separate box or bag. Doing so prevents them from scratching or damaging the main product.
• Remove batteries from gadgets to prevent the possibility of leaks and damage.

3. Seal the box well and place safety markers

Once you close the box, tape it securely—several times if necessary. Couriers recommend the H-taping method. Before filling the box base with padding, fold down the bottom flaps—the smaller flaps go in first before the larger flaps—and tape down the middle of the box. 

For square boxes, fold two opposing flaps in, then the remaining two. Leave an overhang of tape on each end so the tape’s edge sticks to the side of the box for a secure seal. Apply pressure to ensure the tape adheres to the box.

Next, tape the opposite edges to form the letter H. Apply half of the tape on top of the box and the other half on the side. Repeat this method to seal the top of the box once you’ve put your products and fillers inside.

Apply “fragile” labels or stickers and other markings or instructions on how to store the package.

4. Add impact detectors or shock and tilt sensors

These tamper-proof detectors or sensors heighten awareness for handlers to keep boxes upright. These visual reminders typically turn red after tilting or excessive impact. 

Such sensor labels force couriers to be careful because the red marking becomes permanent, indicating mishandling. Due to their high price, these sensors are only advisable for highly delicate products.

5. Get shipping insurance

Couriers and third-party insurance providers offer shipping insurance. This fee covers damages or losses during your package’s transit.

Shipping or freight insurance differs from liability coverage, which covers only a specific dollar amount for every pound of your package’s weight. Coverage also varies among couriers and depends on your product’s commodity type and size.

In liability coverage, you must file a claim proving the carrier’s negligence and wait for processing, which can take several months. Under liability limits, the shipping firm can’t be responsible for damage or loss due to the shipper’s improper packaging, natural disaster or bad weather, government action, such as road closures, trade embargoes, or quarantines, and war.

When the carrier accepts your claim, it won’t pay for the item’s retail selling price—only the manufacturing cost or whatever its policy states.

Meanwhile, insurance providers will only ask you to declare that damage or loss occurred but won’t require you to supply proof of negligence. It’s more costly, but you can receive payment for claims within 30 days.

6.   Keep your return policy updated

Verify if the information about returning broken or damaged products is still accurate. Confirm whether you’ll apply your terms during the holidays or other events.

To prevent return fraud or abuse, ensure your policy requires the following:

• Duration: Number of days for filing returns.
• Set a limit for the return window: This will range based on the type of product, but is typically 30 days.
• Proof of purchase: Maintain paper receipts, confirmation codes, and emails to ensure claims aren’t for stolen goods. 
• Proof of damage: Your policy can also include submitting videos or images for proof of damage.
• Original packaging: Unique boxes can help to deter claims from “wardrobers” who return purchases after using them, as well as swappers.
• Valid ID: Including a photo that matches the buyer’s name to verify identity
• Quality assurance check: You can arrange for the shipping provider to perform a quality check at your customer’s doorstep on your behalf. Let your policy state that you will refuse returns that fail your parameters (incorrect product, used appearance, lack of supporting documents, such as tags, labels, and others).
• Penalties: If the number of fraudulent returns has become unmanageable, require customers to shoulder the costs of returns. You can also include a clause in your policy that your business “reserves the right to limit returns or exchanges in all instances.”

Another way to reduce returns is to provide sizing guides, 360-degree product views, access to customer reviews, and other content to help consumers grasp the look and feel of products better.

Moreover, keep track of feedback. Discover common complaints so you can make necessary adjustments to your product or offer.

How Top Couriers Treat Fragile Items

UPS

UPS charges $10.85 per package for “additional handling” or special handling of packages weighing over 70 pounds or any package if its longest side exceeds 48 inches and its second-longest is over 30 inches. The company also offers boxes and packaging services through The UPS Store.

UPS recommends limiting breakable contents per box to six to nine items, each weighing five pounds or less. It also advises shippers to stick a shipping label inside the parcel and outside the box.

FedEx

FedEx Express Package and Ground Services apply surcharges for large packages (the longest and second-longest sides are similar to UPS) weighing over 50 pounds for local shipment and over 70 pounds for overseas delivery. The rate depends on the company’s zoning system.

FedEx’s packing guide for fragile items suggests double-boxing sensitive products with three-inch padding inside and around a smaller box. Moreover, it offers cold shipping solutions for a fee.

USPS

In 2022, USPS stopped offering its “Label 875” option for special handling of fragile shipments, saying customers must pack carefully and purchase insurance. America’s national postal office offers up to $100 worth of insurance for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express.

3 Ways to Test Your Packaging’s Performance

Packaging testing ensures that your product will be in good condition when it reaches your customer. Various tests are available to help you determine if your cushioning material and boxes can keep your product free from damage and degradation while on the way to its destination. Here are some ways to test your box’s durability:

1. Send a few products to people you trust

Are you just starting your business? Try shipping your products to relatives and friends. Then ask the recipients to send you images of the shipped item to help you see their condition.

2. Perform an improvised drop test

Pack your item the way you plan to do it for actual shipping. Then do any of the following: push it to the table’s edge until it drops. Or toss it in the air and let it fall to the ground. Put a heavy box or two on top of it. Then open your package to see whether or not your item sustained damage.

3. Bring it to a certified testing center

Although more costly, testing your materials at International Safe Transit Association (ISTA)-certified labs can give you peace of mind about your box and internal packaging choice. 

These facilities conduct drop, vibration, and compression tests to simulate different situations like products falling off a shelf or traveling on a bumpy road.

Impact of Damaged Goods on Business

Reexamining your packaging strategy for fragile items can help you avoid the following consequences when customers receive damaged products:

Returns

Goods returned to American online retailers reached $212 billion or 16% of the $1.29 trillion the sector earned in 2022. The highest expenses reportedly came from warehouse and equipment charges.

Losses

The cost involved in managing product returns could reach up to 17% of the item’s prime cost or all the expenses that go into producing it, including materials and labor. Other expenses include storage and disposal costs or repair fees for cosmetic damage. This means you get a lower profit from the repaired product.

You also risk losing future business because the shopper may fear receiving another damaged product if they order from you again. 91% of customers go to other brands after one bad experience. In some serious cases—for example, damaged items that cause fire or physical harm—shoppers might file a lawsuit against your company.

Moreover, staff can lose productivity from attending to tracking return orders, repackaging, and shipping replacements.

Bad reviews

Feedback about damaged products posted on your website, official social channels, or review sites mars your credibility.

Detecting Fraud

While merchants and resellers must accept returns as a business reality, you can take the following steps to detect perpetrators of returns abuse and fraud:

1. Review your customer records

Practice thorough record-keeping and regularly audit your data to determine “serial returners.” Create a blocklist to decline returns from these shoppers. Anti-fraud protection software can do this for you automatically.

You may also opt to manually approve orders from suspicious buyers. Another alternative is to end cash refunds and instead offer like-for-like swaps.

2. Train employees to enforce your policy and spot fraud

Set and post guidelines on spotting red flags and how to respond to suspicious behavior. Make them ask the returner, “What didn’t you like about the product?” Fraudsters will give lame excuses for this question.

Or rehearse staff on how to handle tricky situations, such as clients who turn irate over a lost receipt. Also, keep employees updated about scams like gift card tampering. 

Promote Product Safety and Client Satisfaction

If your business involves delicate items, packing your fragile product with the appropriate material is the first step toward customer satisfaction and revenue growth.

Refine Packaging has a wide array of boxes for every industry. At the same time, our team can answer any questions you may have while we work with you to design a customized box for your brand. Contact us today to discuss the packaging solution that will give your fragile goods a winning edge.

The post Fragile Goods? How to Safely Ship Products (And Reduce Return Fraud) appeared first on Refine Packaging.

A lot happens in the first few seconds after a package is delivered. When your customer first lays eyes on the box you’ve sent to them, you have an opportunity to trigger an emotional reaction. Play your cards right, and you can delight your customer, reinforce your message, and build brand affinity. Alternatively, if your packaging supplies and boxes aren’t up to scratch, your customer may feel frustrated, underwhelmed, and less likely to order from you again.

These days, it’s simply not enough to just deliver a package safely. Of course, this is of paramount importance, but it’s really the bare minimum and now expected. What’s needed today is customization. 

In the 2021 fiscal year, FedEx Express delivered an amazing 6.6 million packages each day. You may be an online shopper yourself. Just think back to the amount of packages you’ve ordered over the last few months. Chances are, the e-commerce packages that stood out from the crowd are the ones that were customized. 

This is because a premium look and feel, plus clever branding, has the power to build relationships between e-commerce brands and their customers. In the absence of physical stores and face-to-face customer service, your shipping boxes are more than just a safety measure; they’re a creative medium that can be harnessed for communications and marketing. 

Still not convinced? Think about the growing number of unboxing videos and posts on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Then there’s the research by experts, which shows just how much consumers value thoughtful, customized packaging: 

• 72% of American consumers say their purchasing decision is influenced by the packaging design. (Ipsos)
• 61% say they are much more likely to repeat a purchase of a luxury product if it came in premium packaging. (Dotcom Distribution)
• 40% of consumers will share an image of your packaging on social media if it was unique or branded. (Dotcom Distribution)

Unboxing the Magic of Packaging with Custom Shipping Boxes

Leading e-commerce players are those who understand the magic of an end-to-end customer experience. Sure, you have a great website, but the customer’s retail experience isn’t over until your product is safely shipped into the hands of your customer. Factors like product quality, competitive prices, fast checkout and shipping, and a good online customer service team play an important role, but the unboxing experience is also crucial. 

In fact, a wondrous unboxing experience can be the difference between a one-off customer and a loyal brand advocate. While it’s tempting to keep costs as low as possible and go for the cheapest packaging options from a financial perspective, this doesn’t bode well with consumers.

According to GfK, consumers value brands with a premium look and feel. In fact, they’re more likely to buy less products that are higher-quality than more products that are of low quality. 

When your product arrives, the packaging instantly gives a first impression to your consumers. A plain cardboard box can look cheap and thoughtless, which is the opposite of the premium quality that today’s consumers crave. 

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On the other hand, when your products arrive in bespoke, carefully designed custom shipping boxes, you demonstrate to your customer that you’ve put thought into the shopping experience and care about your brand. 

Plus, your designs can go beyond just being eye-catching and pretty; they can tell your brand story. With the right typography and messaging, your custom shipping boxes can become another key vehicle in your marketing strategy. 

It’s clear that by customizing shipping boxes, brands can improve their relationships with customers and boost both marketing and sales efforts.

Is a Shipping Box Right for My Business? 

Of course, a shipping box isn’t the only way you can get your products to your customers. There are other options, too, like the mailing envelope.  

Mailers are a good choice for lightweight, robust items like clothing or jewelry that is already packaged in a gift box. You don’t need to pick between mailing envelopes and shipping boxes, though. Depending on the products you offer, you may choose to use a mailing envelope for smaller items and a shipping box for larger ones. 

To help you understand the pros and cons of each shipping container, we’ve created a handy table below that gets into the details. 

Mailing Envelopes vs Shipping Boxes

Once you’ve made up your mind between mailers and a shipping box, it’s time to move to the next stage. 

Types of Boxes and Box Style to Consider

You know you’d like to use custom shipping boxes to delight your customers. Now, it’s time to think about the type of box to go for. Generally speaking, there are six main kinds of custom shipping boxes, designed to accommodate different products. Take a look at the main types below. 

• Regular Slotted Container: Think of regular slotted containers as the traditional, common box. It’s likely that most of the packages you receive come in these types of boxes. This is because regular slotted containers are versatile, reliable, and come in a wide variety of sizes, making them ideal for a range of products. Regular slotted containers have a simple design, making them easy to manufacture with little waste.
• Full Overlap Container: A full overlap container is like the sister of the regular slotted container. The one main difference is that the flaps in a full overlap container overlap one another to completely cover the box’s width. This gives the box another layer of thickness, which provides more padding and safety. For products that are more fragile, the full overlap container is a great option. Again, it comes in many sizes. 
• Full Telescope Containers: Full telescope containers are an unusual shape. They’re usually the length of a telescope, which is where they get their name from. They’re made from two slotted regular banks that are placed together. This gives the box layered edges, making them sturdy and strong. The long, rectangular shape of full telescope containers makes them perfect for products like magazines, newspapers, and even artwork. The shape of these types of containers could be instrumental in making a brand statement. 
• Wraparound Blank: The wraparound blank is pretty much like a regular slotted container box but switched sideways. These custom boxes are usually used for rigid products that will fit snugly within the wraparound blank, making for a tight, protective fit. Wraparound blanks are typically packaged using a robotic machine, which is great from an efficiency and productivity standpoint. Usually, these custom shipping boxes are used for perishable products like food and wine, as well as home and personal care items.
• One-Piece Folder Box: The one-piece folder box is for items that are slim and shallow. This box uses one piece of cardboard, creating a smooth bottom. The flaps of this piece of the cardboard are used to create the top of the box, and also broken up into side flaps. One-piece folder boxes are easy to assemble, making them convenient for small businesses to use and store. They’re often used for shipping books, magazines, artworks, or picture frames.
• Five-Panel Folders: Five-panel folder boxes are made from corrugated box material. They are created using a single piece of cardboard that is divided into panels. The fifth of these panels is used as the closing flap, which functions to seal the box. Usually, these boxes are used to ship long, slim items like metal rails. Because of their unusual shape, they’re less likely to be used for e-commerce products.

Once you know the kinds of boxes out there, the next question is: How do you create an amazing custom shipping box strategy at the right price? Here are five things you need to know.

1. Size Matters

Before you can start customizing your bulk shipping boxes, you need to first think of the basics, starting with size. 

If your shipping box sizes aren’t right, not only will they cost more, but your items could end up being damaged if the box isn’t properly filled. Plus, it’s well-known that online shoppers hate waste. In fact, 88% of U.S. and U.K. consumers want brands to be environmentally friendly and use sustainable materials. So if your box is too big and overfilled with non-recyclable filling, your customers won’t be happy.

Not only that, but a too large or too small box demonstrates a lack of care and thought,  which relates back to the premium look and feel concept we mentioned earlier. If a customer’s first impression of your brand is that your custom shipping boxes are tatty and poorly packaged, you need to do a better job.

To decide what size box you need, assess the needs of your company, and take the time to analyze your products. The box you choose will need to tightly fit them inside but leave some room for padding to minimize the likelihood of product damage during handling, storage, and shipping. This will also help reduce shipping costs. Generally speaking, the smaller and lighter the box, the lower the cost of transport. 

As mentioned previously, if your products are small enough, then you may want to consider customized mailers. These sleekly designed packages do exactly what they say on the tin: They arrive in the mail. You’ll often see these kinds of packages used for subscription boxes. 

If your business needs a shipping service to move your products, then your next best bets are shipping cartons or cardboard shipping boxes, assuming that your products are not fragile or delicate. If this is the case, then the best choice is corrugated shipping boxes, which are more robust and sturdy. 

2. The Look and Feel

Once you’ve got the size and type of packaging figured out, it’s time to get to the fun part: design. A sense of style and flair for design can turn a plain rectangular box into a marketing superstar. 

Creating a customized shipping box goes beyond just graphics and colors. You can consider textures and finishing options, too. You want your box to best represent your brand and your products. Every choice you make has the potential to be a statement. 

The first thing to consider is the texture of your packaging. Depending on your brand values and colors, this could be anything from embossed gold to kraft-feel brown, or even a luxurious leather texture. When it comes to textures and the whole design process, this is an opportunity to let your creativity go wild. So choose the right material and create something spectacular that wows a variety of customer types. 

As an example, take a look at Earth Fare’s eye-catching customized packaging. The company’s eco-friendly packaging instantly conveys the brand’s values as a natural, ethical company.

However, you don’t have to stick with neutral cardboard brown. You can customize your boxes’ colors so that they are in line with brand guidelines. You can also decide if you want the color finish to be glossy or matte. It’s worth remembering that different colors and textures need to be carefully combined to make sure you get the look you want. We advise experimenting before you commit and order your custom shipping boxes in bulk. 

3. The Custom Box Design

We’ve already mentioned brand guidelines, and the design element of custom shipping boxes is where these come to the forefront. Your logo, typography, artwork, company strap-line, and more can come into play here. After all, customized shipping boxes are an excellent marketing vehicle. 

It’s likely that your social media pages and websites are exploding with your brand tone of voice, and it should be on your packaging, too. Your custom shipping boxes are a storytelling opportunity, a way to build affinity with customers. Tell them something they didn’t know about your company, and make them feel special. What you write—or don’t write—is important. 

Think about your brand and its values: Are you subtle and elegant, loud and proud, or colorful but modest? Once you’ve narrowed down a few words to define your brand, it’s time to think about how the design of your customized shipping box can reflect this.

For example, if your brand is eco-friendly and values minimalism, you may want to go for a crisp kraft paper with a small amount of lettering in a delicate typography. Alternatively, if your brand is exuberant and colorful, then you may want colored cardboard, decorated with different patterns. 

Keep in mind that small boxes have limited room. For example, if you’re a cosmetics brand and are only delivering a single product, it’s likely you’ll only need small boxes. However, this doesn’t mean you need to skimp on the design. Instead, think of how you can make the most of the space you have to make an impact. 

After you’ve got the design sorted, it’s time to think about printing options. The option you choose takes price into consideration, but it’s also worth thinking about the intricacy of your design. There are three main print methods to consider:       

• Flexographic/direct printing: This is perfect for high-quality printing of basic designs, featuring a maximum of three colors. This option is cost-effective and produces a beautiful, professional-looking finish in your custom shipping boxes. 
• Lithographic printing: This is great for more intricate designs or those that incorporate photography. Lithographic printing is often considered as the highest caliber in terms of quality, although it is more expensive, especially if you need a large quantity.  
• Digital printing: This is a more basic form of printing that can even be performed from home. It’s cheaper but also produces low-quality prints. If you’re on a budget or think your designs may change, then digital is a great option to start with. 

4. Customize Your Box From The Inside Out

You’ve mastered the exterior design of your custom shipping boxes and you’re sure it will wow your customers. Now, it’s time to think about how you can continue the wow factor once the box is opened. 

The inside of your shipping boxes are a continuation of your brand story. You can design the interior of your box just as you would the outside, with typography and brand colors that continue to tell your story. 

Aside from the box itself, think about the interiors that surround your product—the filing. While bubble wrap and styrofoam are traditional packaging cushions, they aren’t the most exciting or ingenious. However, with a little bit of thought and creativity, you can turn your packaging cushioning into another tactic in your customization strategy.

For example, if you use packing peanuts, you could consider changing the color and shape so that they represent your brand. Alternatively, you could consider using colored tissue paper to add a sense of luxury to the unboxing experience. 

Aside from cushioning, it’s a good idea to think about how else you can make the unboxing experience YouTube-worthy. If you’re a small company, you could perhaps include personalized, handwritten notes to make your customers feel special and show the care that goes into packaging your products. Details like stickers, newsletters, ribbons, and free samples are also a great way to make the unboxing experience feel even more rewarding for your customer. 

5. Outside the Box

When it comes to sealing your custom boxes, there are two main kinds of tape to consider. There’s water-activated tape and pressure-sensitive tape. 

• Water-activated tape is a type of paper tape that incorporates a water-based chemical. When you put the tape on the carton, a chemical reaction is triggered, which strongly bonds the tape to the box. This makes water-activated tape extremely strong and almost tamper-proof. It’s also great for keeping products safe in even the roughest conditions, as the tape’s bonding measures mean it’s difficult for water to get into the box. 
• Pressure-sensitive tape, by comparison, uses a sticky adhesive substance, which sticks to the box when it’s rolled on. This is the kind of tape you’ll be familiar with in everyday life; it’s used in sellotape and masking tape, for example. Pressure-sensitive tape isn’t as strong and robust as water-activated tape. However, for small items and small businesses, it is good enough to do the trick, especially if your items are durable. 

Finally, after all the work you’ve put into creating amazing custom boxes, you should tell the world about them. Display your beautiful boxes with promotional products in them on social media, and share posts from customers who do, too. Ultimately, your customized shipping boxes can become another part of your content marketing strategy, helping you attract new customers and ensure your current ones keep returning. 

Logistics, Logistics, Logistics

A custom shipping box strategy doesn’t start and end with the box. There’s the whole process of getting your beautiful packaging in the hands of your happy customer. In the world of e-commerce, your price strategy for shipments can be a competitive differentiator. 

Free shipping, same-day shipping, and next-day shipping are all huge plusses. However, your choices need to make financial sense. If your model isn’t profitable, then this could cause long-term damage to your business’s revenue stream. 

Here’s an overview of the most common shipping methods for your custom shipping boxes, and how they could work for your company. 

Free Shipping

Did you know that 90% of consumers would increase their online shopping spending if they could select free shipping? However, while shipping may be free to the end consumer, it won’t be free for your business. There will always be costs involved.

Free shipping can be a viable option for many companies though. It’s all about the tactics you employ to strike a balance. For example, you could make the prices of your products more expensive to account for the cost of free shipping. Alternatively, you could strategically add the cost of free shipping into your financial planning and deduct it from your revenue. 

There are other options, too. Rather than offering free shipping across the board, you could run special sales, such as during the summer or Black Friday, in which free shipping is advertised for a short time. Another tactic is to offer free shipping for orders over a certain price. 

Charge Up-to-Date Carrier Rates

A more straightforward method is to align your shipping prices with real-time rates from suppliers like FedEx and USPS. If you’re savvy, you could even offer your customers a range of choices from different suppliers, enabling them to choose the option that works best for them. 

Some may wish to go for the cheaper option that takes a little longer to deliver. Other customers may want their product as soon as possible and so are willing to pay a little more for quick delivery. This transparency and the power of choice can go a long way toward making happy customers. 

Charge a Flat Rate

Another popular choice is what’s known as flat rate shipping. This is where you select a standard rate for shipping. Often, the rate is cheaper for a few days delivery and more expensive if the customer chooses next-day delivery. Flat rate delivery puts you in control and can be helpful from a financial planning sense, as you won’t have to incur the cost of free delivery. 

That said, flat rate shipping doesn’t take into account fluctuations in dimensional pricing, so if your products vary greatly in size, it could be a risky option.

Offer Pickup Options 

Another option to consider is offering pick-up delivery options, either curbside, store, or locker deliveries. This option can be viewed as more sustainable by end consumers, as it drops a number of parcels often at a central delivery point rather than delivering them to individual addresses. 

However, pickup options are often less convenient for the customer, unless the pickup spot is right down the road from their office or home. For this reason, we recommend offering pickup options in addition to one of the strategies above. 

Keep Your Products Memorable and Secure with Custom Shipping Boxes

You may be thinking, “This all sounds great, but where can I get customized shipping boxes?” Don’t fret because you’re in the right place. At Refine Packaging, our bread and butter is helping brands create customized packaging for all kinds of products. 

We understand that designing custom size shipping boxes in bulk can be a daunting, overwhelming task, which is why our friendly, experienced team is on hand to make the entire production process smooth, rewarding, and simple. 

Our team of creatives can turn your design ideas into reality, creating beautiful cardboard printed boxes that will delight your customers and build brand affinity, all at a reasonable price for your business.  

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote on your custom shipping box needs. We’ll support you in creating custom shipping boxes that convey your brand’s unique personality, have amazing social appeal, and protect your product no matter where it travels.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Custom Shipping Boxes appeared first on Refine Packaging.

These not-so-humble box mailers are not only durable (to keep your products safe), but they’re also highly customizable, so you can get your brand noticed and create memorable experiences for your customers.  

Mailer Boxes: Shipping Essentials for Ecommerce

In retail, mailer boxes can be used as gift boxes and for sending out promotional materials. They are easy to assemble and extremely effective for keeping ecommerce orders safe and secure. Mailer boxes are nothing new, but they’ve become more mainstream because of the thriving subscription box market. 

Subscription boxes, as we know them today, have only been around since 2004, but they are now a dominant feature of the ecommerce landscape. Consider this:

• Fuel by McKinsey estimates the total market size of the subscription ecommerce market is about $12 billion to $15 billion.
• A survey by Clutch found that 54% of online shoppers are subscription box service members.

Many of the products subscription services are shipping out arrive in mailer boxes. These boxes, usually custom mailers, are very versatile, so they can fit all kinds of items. Everything from razors and makeup, to video game accessories and dog treats, can be ordered through a subscription box service. All of these items can fit neatly and be attractively displayed in a mailer box.

Mailer boxes aren’t limited to subscription services. They’re commonly used to send out everything from books and business cards to jackets and computer keyboards. In other words, if you order things online, you’ve likely seen a mailer box. 

All of this translates to a tremendous amount of boxes arriving on people’s doorsteps. 

Let’s find out how you can get the most from mailer boxes and stand out from the competition. 

Building Your Brand with Mailer Boxes

Not so long ago, companies and their customers gave little thought to what kind of box their products were shipped in. They just wanted the item inside to arrive intact and to be what they expected. But times have changed. A company that ignores what their mailer boxes look like is missing out on a highly effective and lucrative marketing strategy. 

Sure, ordering online is convenient, but often, customers are looking for more. They want to be wowed by the complete experience, including the shipping mailer boxes their goods arrive in. 

Mailer boxes offer so much room for customization. Even if your company is just starting out, you can give your customers a special experience. Everyone from tiny Etsy stores to well-established brick-and-mortar stores use mailer boxes for shipping their products and increasing brand recognition.  

Mailer boxes offer a lot of flexibility. You can:

• Come up with a unique design that promotes your brand. 
• Make use of your logo, slogan, and brand colors.  

Remember to stay consistent with your branding across all of your marketing channels. Think about what colors you’re using on your website or what type of font you’ve used for your logo. You want people to see the mailer box and immediately identify it with your brand.   

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Social Media and Unboxing Videos

Nowadays, social media is a key component of any marketing campaign, and unboxing videos are examples of initiatives that can skyrocket the value of your brand.

If you think people aren’t watching someone else open a box, think again. Try a cursory search on YouTube for unboxing videos, and you’ll be surprised at how many videos pop up. These videos are strangely addictive and popular.  

What is the first thing people see in an unboxing video? You guessed it – the box! You don’t want to skimp on your mailer box design and miss the opportunity to create that valuable first impression.

Two of the most influential YouTube unboxing channels are Ryan’s World with 28 million subscribers and Unbox Therapy with nearly 18 million subscribers. That’s a crazy amount of people tuning in to see someone else open a box. 

Sure, people tune in to these channels to see the actual products being unveiled, but they’re also enjoying the accompanying excitement of unwrapping the layers of packaging. 

If you want to get noticed by customers (or influencers), the overall presentation is important–and yes, that includes the box! A beautiful custom mailer can enhance your customers’ experience and even give your products a higher perceived value. 

What to Look for in a Mailer Box

Now that we’ve established the branding importance of mailer boxes, let’s talk about what makes up mailer boxes. As with all custom packaging, you want your boxes to be top quality. 

Here are some things you should consider when buying mailer boxes:

1. Paper Grades

Mailer boxes are primarily used to mail items and therefore durability is a must. That’s the reason why these boxes are usually made of corrugated material. It’s important to pick the right manufacturing paper for your purpose and products. 

Here are some common paper grade options for mailer boxes:

Kraft Corrugated Cardboard

These are the basic brown corrugated mailers we’re all familiar with. Kraft cardboard is an affordable option that gives you a rustic, natural look. Corrugated mailer boxes are made up of between 60-100% recycled material. 

Uncoated White Corrugated Cardboard

Some people prefer white corrugated mailer boxes. The look is cleaner, and graphics will stand out more with this choice. White corrugated packaging boxes also look high-end.

Clay-Coated Corrugated Cardboard

This corrugated packaging option gives you a smoother, brighter surface. It’s a little more expensive, so it’s a good pick for luxury brands.

Corrugated cardboard boxes also come in different thicknesses. Think about what you’re mailing. Is it lightweight? Fragile? Then decide on the flute grade (thickness) you need. Some common box mailer flute grades are E-flute 1/16 and B-flute 1/8.

Any kind of box can be dressed up or down, depending on your budget and the aesthetic you’re going for. A small budget is not an excuse to be boring. A simple brown box printed with your logo can create a lasting impression. 

Even if your budget is almost non-existent, you can customize your mailer boxes. Order a hand stamp with your logo or try a custom sticker. It’s all about making your boxes your own and reinforcing your brand. 

2. Closures

All of these boxes should be easy to assemble and need to be securely closed up somehow. Unlike regular shipping boxes that are often closed up with packaging tape, mailer boxes have some sort of tab-locking mechanism.  

Some mailer boxes come with additional protective dust flaps to keep dirt out. You can even choose a box with a tear strip for added security. If you’re mailing the box, you can further secure it with tape or hot melt glue, so it doesn’t pop open during shipping. 

3. Printing

You want your custom mailer box to create a good first impression as soon as it hits your customer’s doorstep. This means you want your text and graphics to look crisp and high-quality. Unintended blurry images are a no-go.

How good your graphics look comes down to the printing process you choose. There are several options out there, and there are a few factors to consider, namely your budget, any time constraints, the quality you’re looking for, and whether you are using your mailer boxes for shipping or retail packaging.  

You no doubt realize the important role colors play in evoking a certain mood or increasing brand recognition, so it’s vital to understand a little bit about how these colors are printed on boxes. 

There are two main color processes used when printing on mailer boxes: PMS and CMYK.

Pantone Matching System (PMS) 

PMS uses premixed ink formulas from Pantone, so you’re sure to get consistent colors across all types of mediums. With PMS, you get more vibrant colors. It is the best option if you’re using a lot of thin lines or metallic or fluorescent colors.  

If you’re using three colors or less, PMS is the cheaper option. But that doesn’t limit you to only three colors. You can “tint” colors to save money. For example,  if you’re using green, you can add a little white to come up with mint green.  

CMYK

CMYK is the other color option. It’s made up of four colors: (C) cyan, (M) magenta, (Y) yellow, and (K) black. This process creates the images out of tiny dots. It’s your best bet if you want to use full-color photos or need a lot of different colors. 

Now, on to the actual printing. There are two main options for printing on your custom mailer boxes: direct printing and pre-printing.  

Direct printing, sometimes called post-printing, is when you print directly on the box. This method is often used with corrugated boxes. 

• Flexography (or flexo) is a popular option. With flexo, you’re printing directly on the box. Flexo is affordable, has good printing speeds, can be quickly set up, and works well on both rough or smooth materials. Flexo uses PMS colors, so if you’re looking for full-quality photo images, you might not get the results you want.
• Digital printing is a printing method that’s gaining in popularity. It gives you higher quality than flexo. It’s fast but best for low volumes.
• Offset lithography (or litho) falls under the pre-printing category. It’s usually used for printing on custom labels, which are then glued to the box. This option is great for higher-quality photos or if you want to add some embossing or foil stamping. Litho labels can cover the whole box or just a small section. It’s up to you. 
• Foil stamping (or hot stamping) will give you an elegant, sophisticated look. Foil stamping is a printing technique that uses hot dyes to press a metallic print and foil onto the surface of the box. You can use a variety of colors, but a popular option keeps it simple – a black background with gold or silver foil. Foil stamping is usually found on the outside of the box. But why limit yourself? If you want something a little different, try it on the inside of the box.  

Keep in mind that these printing techniques aren’t mutually exclusive. Feel free to mix things up to grab your customers’ attention. 

If you want to get extra fancy, you can even combine direct printing with a litho label. Or if you want to splurge, go with two-sided printing. Whatever you choose, try to get the highest quality that’s within your budget. You don’t want to skimp on the appearance of your mailer boxes. You want them to look sharp and stand out. 

4. Finishes

Beautiful printing can be eye-catching and stand on its own. But if you want to elevate your product packaging design even more, consider adding a coating or other finishing touches. They can give your box a polished, high-end look.

Aqueous Finish

One popular and relatively affordable coating option is an AQ finish. This vegetable cellulose coating was introduced in the 1970s. The coating makes a box look shiny and smooth and protects it from smudges and scratches. You can opt for a glossy or matte finish – or even satin, which is somewhere in between.  

Another benefit of an AQ finish is it’s eco-friendly. Since it’s water-based, it’s nontoxic and can be easily recycled. 

UV Coating

This is a clear liquid coating that’s applied and then dried with ultraviolet light. This coating will give your box some added texture. You may want to opt for a spot UV varnish where it’s only applied to a specific area of the box. This is a great way to make a desired design element pop, such as your logo or slogan.  

To recap, here’s a table of the features and qualities to look for in mailer boxes:

Keep Your Custom Mailer Box Eco-Friendly

There’s no denying that e-commerce is booming. LimeLoop compiled data from the major shippers (USPS, FedEx, and UPS) and estimated that around 165 billion packages are shipped in the U.S. each year. But with all of these online sales comes huge amounts of waste heading to our already overflowing landfills.

This is concerning to customers and businesses alike. You can’t go a day without hearing distressing news stories about climate change or other impending environmental disasters. Sure, consumers love to buy the latest and greatest, but they’re also concerned about the environmental impact of their purchases. 

One study found that 74% of consumers were willing to pay more for sustainable packaging, and a quarter of these were willing to pay an increased cost of 10% or more. 

There’s no way to get rid of packaging completely, but customers appreciate companies that make an effort to be less wasteful. So give customers what they want. Box mailers not only look good, but they’re also one of the more eco-friendly options for packaging. 

Here are some reasons why:

• Most mailer boxes are made from post-consumer recycled materials.  
• Mailer boxes can be recycled again and again. They’re easy to break down, which encourages people to make an effort to put them in a recycling bin. According to the EPA, in 2018, approximately 32.1 million tons of corrugated boxes were recycled, which was a 96.5% recycling rate for corrugated cardboard boxes. That’s keeping a lot of packaging out of our landfills.
• Mailer boxes are easy to ship. They’re relatively lightweight and stack neatly in a truck, so it takes fewer trips to get them to their destination. Additionally, they’re usually shipped flat to retailers, which saves considerable space.
• Mailer boxes are usually made of corrugated cardboard materials, which biodegrade much faster than other shipping materials. Plastic, for example, can take upwards of 500 years to biodegrade. Embracing eco-friendliness isn’t lost on consumers. In a survey by consumer research firm Toluna, 66% of respondents said that paper or cardboard packaging is better for the environment.
• Retail and shipping mailer boxes are mostly made from materials sourced from sustainably managed forests. Look for companies that have FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certification for their corrugated mailers.
• Mailer boxes are sturdy enough to repurpose. You could use beautifully colored mailer boxes to store old postcards and other small mementos.

Eco-friendly doesn’t have to mean dull and monotonous. Sure, simply adorned kraft mailer boxes may convey the look you’re going for, but if you want to add more zing, there are many options. Today, you can find water-based, soy-based, and even algae-based inks that look beautiful and are good for the environment. So don’t let environmental concerns limit your color palette. 

Mailer Box Design: Be Sure You Get What You Want

With so many options for your custom mailer boxes, you want to get exactly what you want. No matter if you work with a designer or decide to go it alone, you want to make sure your mailer box design will fit your needs.

Are small mailing boxes the right size for your products? Make sure you can fit all of your goods comfortably. You don’t want a fit that’s too tight or to have your items swimming around in there. How about the graphics? Are the colors right?  Do your custom mailers with logo look good? Is everything spelled correctly?

When ordering custom mailer boxes, make sure to check the final proof. You can look at an online proof with a flat view, or perhaps a 3D mockup will help you visualize the final product. If you’re ordering a lot of mailer boxes and you have time, you may want to order a physical sample, so you know exactly what you’re getting.

Your shipping mailer boxes are the face of your business, so make sure you get everything just right the first time. You’d hate to order 1,000 boxes with your company name misspelled or the wrong URL emblazoned on the side. 

What Goes Inside Your Box

Mailer boxes are durable, but that doesn’t mean you can simply toss your items in and throw the box in the mail. There are certain things you may want to include inside.

Let’s start with protecting your product during shipping and fulfillment. Some items will fit perfectly snugly in the box and not need added padding, but for many items, you’ll need some sort of void fill to cushion your product so it’s not rattling around inside. 

Here are some common options for void fill:

• Packaging paper. This is an excellent way to fill space and protect your items. You can wrap individual items or ball the paper up to cushion your goods. Packaging paper looks decent and is recyclable.
• Crinkle paper. You’re probably familiar with the basic kraft crinkle paper. Color options are almost limitless. 
• Tissue paper. This is a simple, affordable option that can elevate the look of your packaging. It’s not the best for fragile items but works well for items like clothing.
• Cardboard inserts. Custom-designed inserts will protect moderately fragile items. Inserts are made to fit a particular item, so it’s best to use them on the products they were made for. 
• Foam cushions. If you’re shipping something fragile, this will help protect your items from scratches and breakage. You can cut the foam to shape to make it more useful. One big drawback is this type of cushion is not environmentally friendly. 
• Air pillows. These aren’t the most beautiful, but they’re lightweight, easy to store, and get the job done. 

In addition to protecting your products, throwing a few added goodies into your mailer box can make the experience more personal for your customers. That’s something most will appreciate. According to one study, consumers were 80% more likely to make a purchase when companies offer personalized experiences.  

So don’t waste the opportunity. It doesn’t take much to make your customer feel special.  Here are a few things you could include in your box mailers:

• Enclose a personalized thank you note. Or if you haven’t printed anything on the inside of a box, write “thank you” inside the top of the box. 
• If possible, use your customer’s name. In an Accenture survey, 56% of respondents said they were more likely to shop in-store or online at a retailer that recognized them by name.
• Toss in some coupons. People love discounts.
• Include small samples for other products. Your customer will feel pampered and special, and it’s a great way to introduce them to some of your other products.
• Add little toys, candies, or stickers. If you’re going for sophistication, this may not be the look you’re envisioning, but sometimes, a little frivolity is appreciated.
• Encourage your customers to share their experiences on their social media channels. Put your social media handles on the box with a hashtag you’d like to see trending. 

As with all marketing endeavors, presentation counts with mailer boxes. Of course, you need to work within your budget, but that shouldn’t stop you from adding a little something extra. Who knows? You might get lucky and a social influencer may share an unboxing video of your product.  

Perhaps more likely, customers will spread their impressions through word of mouth.  According to the American Marketing Association, almost 75% of consumers identify word of mouth as a key influencer in their purchasing decisions. And what better way to get them talking than getting them excited about your beautiful packaging? 

Corrugated Mailers in Action: A Little Inspiration

Having a lot of options is usually a good thing, but it can also feel overwhelming.  Sometimes, it helps to look at what others are doing. 

Here are some mailer box examples that will get your creative juices flowing and give you a good jumping-off point to come up with your own mailer box design:

1. Lily and Onyx

Lily and Onyx curates locally and internationally crafted goods that promote things like mindfulness and the “California” lifestyle. Their mailer boxes stay on brand. You can see the above packaging uses simple, tasteful, soothing colors, and typography that reflect the boho vibe the company is going for.  

As with their products, Lily and Onyx’s packaging has a natural look. You won’t find any wasteful packaging here.  

2. Love With Food

Love With Food, a snack delivery service, proves you don’t have to send out high-end goods to use stylish mailer boxes. Their service starts at just $7.99 a month, but they don’t skimp on their boxes. Their custom mailer boxes are bright red with white lettering, which reflects the branding on their website. The simple but bold color combination is sure to grab attention.  

3. Vegancuts

Sometimes, simplicity is the perfect reflection of your brand. Vegancuts offers snack, makeup, and beauty boxes. All of their offerings are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. They’re not about unnecessary excess, which is beautifully reflected in the simple line drawings and script on their printed mailer boxes. 

4. FabFitFun

Simplicity is not the name of the game for everyone. Popular lifestyle box subscription service FabFitFun is all about living life to the fullest. Their custom mailers are anything but subdued. Each season, they send out a new box with a new design. The boxes vary by the season, but they usually use several colors with images that cover the box inside and out. 

5. greenUP Box

What would you expect from a subscription box dedicated to reducing waste and plastics? Probably exactly what greenUP Box is sending out. Not only are their products all eco-friendly, but so is their packaging material.  

The leaf-covered design and earthy green color of the box are reminiscent of nature. The box and the crinkle paper inside can be easily recycled, so no waste here.

6. American Influencer Beauty Bundle

Sometimes, it’s all about the glam factor. American Influencer Beauty Bundle is a bi-monthly subscription service that gives customers exclusive access to influencer beauty products. Their shiny mailer boxes have a luxurious look that appeals to their customer base looking for the latest beauty trends. 

7. Smartass & Sass

As their name suggests, Smartass & Sass is all about “snark, sass, and sarcasm.” Their custom-printed mailer boxes might not appeal to everyone, but they reflect the company vibe and cater to their customer base. Spend a few seconds on their website and you just know this is a fun company with a certain brand of humor. 

Smartass & Sass uses boxes that look bold but are quite simple. It has kept the box for their secondary packaging to a single bright blue color with their name and a geometric pattern on top. They put their website address on one side and their catchphrase, “classy, sassy, and a bit smartassy,” emblazoned on another. Inside, they kept it plain to keep the emphasis on the quirky products you’ll find in the box.  

Every month has a different theme, so you never know exactly what you’ll get, which adds to the excitement. They even share unboxing videos on their website of past boxes, so you get an idea of what kind of experience you can expect when this box lands on your porch.

Put the Spotlight on Your Brand With Mailer Boxes

You’ve got a desirable product, so don’t leave your packaging decisions as an afterthought. Packaging should be a critical part of your marketing plan. It’s often the first thing your customer sees, so you want to get it right and make a great first impression. Think about what your company represents, and make sure your packaging reflects that.

A thoughtfully designed mailer box can up your game and boost your brand identity – and, in turn, increase your sales. Remember, customers are looking for the whole experience, so make your mailer box memorable and special. A quality mailer box can both ensure your goods get to your customers in one piece and – just as importantly – have them coming back for more.  

Refine Packaging is the top choice for the world’s Inc 5000 and Fortune 500 companies. With super fast production times, affordable pricing, and a sky’s the limit attitude, we’ll help you turn your custom packaging into a competitive differentiator. Contact us today and a dedicated packaging specialist will guide you through every step of the custom packaging process without breaking a sweat.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Mailer Boxes appeared first on Refine Packaging.

But did you know that product packaging has different levels? 

Known as primary, secondary and tertiary packaging, each package has its place and its purpose. 

In this article, we’re going to reveal the differences between each type of packaging, when each one is used, why they matter and how to find a professional packaging company to help ensure your product packaging is designed right every step of the way. Let’s take a closer look. 

Primary Packaging 

Primary packaging is the packaging that comes in direct contact with the product itself.

A cereal box wouldn’t be considered primary packaging, but the bag inside the box would, since it’s the part that actually holds the contents of the box. If all cereals were contained in the box alone (without the bag), they’d be much more susceptible to going stale or being affected by moisture or light, which could degrade their taste, texture and consistency. 

The main job of primary packaging is to protect and preserve the product inside. In this example, bags are rather clunky and liable to slip out of your hands. Plus, they don’t exactly fit neatly in a cupboard. It’s harder to print information about the product on them, and thus we have the bag inside the box — to keep the product fresh and outside of light, moisture and other elements that could affect it. 

Primary packaging is often referred to as retail packaging, although this term is sometimes used to describe secondary packaging as well. Using our cereal example above, primary packaging doesn’t just reference the bag that the cereal comes in, but the box that the bag is stored in, as well. As you’ll know if you’ve ever been down the cereal aisle in the grocery store, the brightly-colored boxes with deeply-textured images of cereal are designed to attract your eye and your attention. 

In terms of what’s considered primary packaging, you can think of it as the answer to a simple question — is this the packaging that the product is normally bought in? If so, then that would be considered its primary packaging. As another example, carbonated drinks are kept in a can — the can would be considered the primary packaging because it’s how the product is delivered to the consumer. 

Secondary Packaging

Secondary packaging is generally used to group a certain amount of products together into a cohesive unit that’s easy to identify. The SKU, or Stock Keeping Unit, makes it easy for vendors to identify the movement of stock as well as inventory. Secondary packaging makes it possible to group products so that they can be more easily tracked. Smaller shipments of products are often shipped using secondary packaging. 

The packaging itself can be made up of several individual pieces including:

• The box itself
• Interior padding
• Product separators
• Reinforcement to prevent crushing or denting the box
• And so on

For most people, secondary packaging is what comes to mind when they think about packaging. Everything from the branded ecommerce packaging that you receive in the mail to the customized boxes that line the shelves at your local retail store are part of the secondary packaging level.

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The individual pieces of secondary packaging can be further customized, in order to make the product more visible and easily found in a warehouse or retail store. Referring back to our cereal example, the secondary packaging would be the box that contains multiple custom boxes of cereal for storage in a warehouse before it goes onto retail shelves. Another example would be a “fridge pack” for the carbonated drinks, which is what is used to store several of the cans together and offer another layer of protection. 

Sometimes, primary and secondary packaging can overlap. For example, retail stores often receive shipments of a newly-released movie in a box that doubles as a display stand. The box serves as secondary packaging to protect the item, but it also serves as retail packaging to catch the consumer’s eye, even though the DVD case itself is how the movie is delivered to the consumer. 

Consumers will often see and interact with secondary packaging, particularly if it follows the two-in-one shipping and marketing option like the aforementioned DVDs or carbonated drinks. If you plan on using your product packaging similarly, it makes sense to consider how your product packaging design can leave a memorable impression on your customers.

Tertiary Packaging

Tertiary packaging is often known as bulk packaging or transit packaging. It’s used to transport larger numbers of goods safely and securely to their destination. Imagine several boxes full of cereal boxes arriving on pallets to distribution centers.

This kind of packaging makes it easy to handle, store and ship goods as single, self-contained units. Oftentimes, tertiary packaging consists of several cardboard boxes huddled together with stretch-wrap to prevent the packaging from being jostled and bumped around in transit. 

Consumers generally don’t see tertiary packaging, since it’s often used just to add another layer of protection to the secondary packaging and also to group larger shipments together for storage and easy retrieval of SKUs. 

Why Do Packaging Levels Matter?

Whether items are being shipped in a large group or you’re grouping together similar products for retail display, or individual items for customer consumption or use — custom packaging at every stage is important. 

On the tertiary packaging level, consumers may not see it, but that doesn’t mean you should pay any less attention to it. At every level of your packaging, whether consumer-facing or not, there’s strategy involved. Keeping your product (especially if there’s a large number of them) safe during shipping and fulfillment is just as important as catching the consumer’s eye on a retail shelf. 

Of course, it’s also understandable that you want to save money while protecting your product. The good news is that working with a knowledgeable, experienced packaging company is what often makes the difference between your goods arriving safe and sound and presenting itself as the customer’s best option, versus arriving broken, dented, crushed, torn or worse. 

Help is Here for Every Level of Your Custom Packaging Journey

Fortunately, Refine Packaging is here to help. With our extensive knowledge and expertise in all things product packaging and printing, we’re able to help you stay on budget while exploring amazing options that will highlight and position your product as the consumer’s very best option from among all of your competitors. 

From secure tertiary packaging that keeps your items secure from the warehouse or distribution center to store shelves, to secondary packaging that highlights your brand while making it easy for consumers to access the product itself, to primary packaging that puts the spotlight squarely on your product, putting it head and shoulders above the rest — you can count on Refine Packaging to provide you with consulting and fulfillment services at every step of the process. 

Even if you don’t yet have a vision for your brand and you need input on how to properly communicate it to consumers, our staff of talented graphic artists can help guide you every step of the way. Spanning many different disciplines and backgrounds, we have the skills to take your vision and transform it into a beautiful product design.

Effortlessly communicate your brand and promote your product’s unique style. It’s possible not only with the graphics and packaging design themselves, but also with the materials used in your packaging.

Eco-friendly and environmentally-conscious, rustic and primitive, elegant and modern, sophisticated and luxurious. No matter what type of impression you want to convey, Refine Packaging is able to bring it to life.

You’ve worked hard to create an incredible product. Contact us today for a free, no obligation quote on your product packaging and let our exceptional team of packaging and printing professionals help design packaging that reinforces everything you want users to know about your product and its superb performance and style. 

The post The 3 Levels of Packaging: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Packaging appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Understanding Paper Weights

Paper weights help to identify the thickness or thinness of paper, and also reflects the durability for its use in packaging.

When we talk about paper weights, it’s important to note that just like many other methods of measuring, the U.S. method of determining paper weight is different from the rest of the world.

In the U.S., paper weight is determined by its manufacturing origin. The rest of the world, on the other hand, compares the weight of a single square unit of paper.

When you have the same type of paper from two different paper manufacturers – this measuring system becomes increasingly complex. Although both papers may be physically the same, the process used to make them might differ. 

Comparing Different Grades of Paper

Different grades of paper are determined by how the paper is going to be used. They include:

Opaque and Offset Uncoated Papers

Offset uncoated papers are a large volume commodity grade of paper.

This grade of paper is often used for archival purposes since the way it’s made makes it more alkaline as opposed to acidic, and that allows the paper to look newer, longer. Plus, the internal bonding between the components in the paper itself is very good and the paper itself is rather durable. 

Offset paper generally weighs anywhere from 50 lbs to 80 lbs and can be finished using a smooth finish, a vellum finish (which, despite its name, has a rough texture) or a patterned finish like linen.

Opaque paper has a similar weight but the pulp quality is better. Plus, true to its name, this type of paper has a higher opacity, which means it’s more difficult to see through.

The finishes for opaque paper include an elegant-looking satin finish, a more durable film coat, or a simple, protective thin coat.

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Writing Paper

Traditionally known as Correspondence Papers or Bond Papers, this paper is most commonly found nestled within your home or office printer and is typically used for corporate letters or even hand-written notes.

You can add a watermark to this type of paper or add cotton fibers to give it more strength and a classier feel.

Text and Cover Papers

There are premium uncoated papers known as text and cover papers that are great for things like report covers, brochures and business cards. These types of papers are great for presentations and can come in a wide range of finishes, colors and patterns. 

4 Popular Paper Grades Used in Packaging

When you see things like 100# and the various coated or uncoated types, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But there is somewhat of a secret to understanding the grade of paper.

Simply put, the higher the paper’s GSM or PT Unit, the thicker the material. The thicker the material, the more durable it is and the more weight it can sustain.

When deciding on the best paperboard to use for your stock or custom packaging, here are the 4 the most common types of paper grades you’ll likely find: 

1. Clay Coated News Backboard (CCNB)

Clay coated news backboard, commonly known as CCNB cartons, are made from a mix of recycled newspapers, old corrugated containers and a mix of other types of paper.

CCNB is often the most cost-effective and affordable option for printing, however there are some drawbacks to be aware of.

This type of packaging, due to its nature and its makeup, can absorb a lot of water, so it’s best not to choose this option if you’re concerned about moisture affecting your product. Foldable carton packaging is most often made with this type of paper.

Among paper grades, it’s not exactly a fan favorite simply because the quality isn’t as high as other types of paper grades, the paper can’t hold much weight in terms of product and it’s more affected by moisture than other varieties. Still, if you need something quick, easy and affordable, it doesn’t get much easier than this.

This type of paper often houses things like pet food, detergent, or dry goods like noodles or beans. 

2. Folding Box Board (FBB)

Folding box board, or FBB, is crafted using a combination of chemicals and mechanical material and processes to create a pulp material that’s several layers thick which adds exceptional strength and durability. Because the chemical layer of this paper is bleached, it provides an exceptional canvas on which to create high quality prints. 

This type of material is stiffer when compared to other grades of paper, but it’s a great choice for many different types of products and is often used for food, cosmetics and even pharmaceutical products. 

3. Solid Bleached Sulfate Board (SBS)

Solid Bleached Sulfate or SBS, is the epitome of product packaging.

Similar to folding box board, with SBS, the fibers are first chemically pulped and then bleached. After this process, the bleached pulp formed into box shapes. 

Since both the inside and outside of the box have a white surface, it’s an excellent option for printing in and out. You can also use high quality specialty processes on this grade of packaging, like spot UV printing, embossing and debossing, hot foil stamping and much more. 

Understandably, this type of custom packaging is most popular with a variety of industries and can package everything from food to tobacco to personal care items and everything in between. 

4. Natural Kraft or Coated Unbleached Kraft (SUS or CUK)

Known as SUS or CUK, kraft packaging is made from 100% recycled materials, making it a great choice for environmentally-conscious companies who want to embrace a more eco-friendly packaging style.

It’s an excellent option for food packaging and its fantastic strength and tear-resistant design makes it just as hardy and resilient for heavy beverages, cosmetics and more. A thin layer of kaolin clay can be applied to make the surface support even higher quality printing. 

Get Started with the Right Paper Grade for Your Packaging Project 

It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed or confused about the different grades and weights of paper and which is best for your retail packaging, not to mention the different types of finishes, applications and specialty printing options you get with your specific paper or packaging choice.

But you don’t have to navigate the uncertainty of paper grades and weights on your own. Here at Refine Packaging, we make all things packaging our business so that you don’t have to. If you have questions, aren’t sure what options to choose or would like more information on the types and grades of paper available and the pros and cons of each, contact us today for a free no obligation quote.

No matter what type of product you want to protect, we have packaging that’s fully customizable and ready to present your product in the best possible light.

We’ll take the time to better understand your project and your vision for your product packaging design, and then help you create a look that’s durable, attractive and attention-getting, so that you can concentrate on marketing and selling, while leaving the packaging design and printing to us. 

The post 4 Most Popular Types of Paper Grades in Packaging appeared first on Refine Packaging.

You’ve made countless decisions already, but now is the moment of truth. It’s time to decide on something that could make or break your customer’s first impression about your products.

Should you choose stock packaging or custom packaging? 

It’s a difficult decision to make. Especially when you consider that:

• In a Dotcom Distribution study, over 60% of those surveyed said that gift-like packaging gets them excited about what they ordered.
• 40% of these online shoppers said they would be more likely to purchase from a retailer again if the retailer used premium packaging.

By understanding the differences and the pros and cons of stock and custom packaging, you’ll be able to confidently make this decision and give your product the best possible impression on your customers. 

Here’s what you need to know before you decide on either stock packaging vs custom packaging. 

Stock packaging is readily available packaging that’s easy to access and use right away. It’s often the default choice from shipping warehouses. Stock packaging, as its name implies, comes “as is” with little to no customization available. Since it’s not designed specific to your needs, it will have a basic and generic look and feel to it. 

You’d want to use stock packaging if you urgently need to get your product into consumers’ hands and you’re not concerned about the impression your packaging will have on your customers.

Stock packaging is fast, freely available and comes in different sizes and shapes (all of which are very broad and not specifically tailored to your product). It’s also economical, so if you’re looking for ways to save money, stock packaging just might be your solution.

Custom packaging is essentially everything that isn’t stock packaging.

Imagine that your product has a unique size or shape. You may want retail packaging that’s specifically designed to highlight the product’s shape and house the product snuggly and securely. Custom packaging can help you do just that.

In fact, if all you want is a plain white box, although it sounds broad and generic, you’d be surprised to learn how few suppliers of stock packaging actually have the exact box dimensions you need.

Custom packaging is also available in a wide range of shapes and sizes and you can customize nearly every facet of it – and not just in terms of the design, but also added printed effects that make your brand and product truly stand out and leave a lasting impression.

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Even if you don’t want all the “bells and whistles” that custom packaging can offer – customizations like matte or gloss lamination, foil stamping, embossing or debossing or spot UV  – it may still be a good idea to opt for custom packaging.

Just search for “unboxing” on YouTube and you’ll see how much people obsess over beautiful custom packaging. In a recent Dotcom Distribution study, 50% said gift-like or branded packaging makes them more likely to recommend a brand to others.

Suffice it to say, custom packaging is an easy way to spike interest in your products and build excitement around your brand.  

Stock Packaging vs. Custom Packaging: When To Use Each One

With all these pros and cons for stock packaging vs. custom packaging, you may find it difficult to truly narrow down when you’d want to use each type of packaging.

To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of instances where one option is likely better than the other. 

You should use stock packaging when: 

• You want to test out different marketing options and don’t want the expense and time of custom printing until you’re ready for it.
• You’re a startup on a tight budget and are looking for an economical way to conduct market tests or do other promotions.
• You’re faced with production shortages and need to get the available product out the door ASAP. 
• You’re preparing trade show samples to be given out to attendees.

As you can see, the name of the game with stock packaging is that it’s quick, cheap, easy to obtain and almost certainly available. 

You should use custom packaging when: 

• You have a luxury product and you want to create a sophisticated look.
• You want to take full advantage of custom box design or shape options for your product.
• You want users to unbox your product on social media and share their reactions
• You need or want packaging that’s unique and beyond the ordinary and you’re prepared to pay more for nearly limitless customization options.
• You have a large volume of printed packaging needed and you want every facet of your packaging production to be tailored to your specific needs. 
• You have a subscription box service or an ecommerce type of service and you want to highlight your product in a unique way.

Stock packaging may be cheap, fast and easy, but you lose a lot of things you may not have even considered when you choose to go with out-of-the-box packaging.

With custom packaging, you open up a whole world of design and personalization benefits. There are flexible printing techniques and tools that you can utilize to deliver an impressive customer experience. Every angle of the package, and even the material itself can be printed, embossed, highlighted, glossed and so much more in order to make it stand out from the competition. 

The Bottom Line on Stock Packaging vs. Custom Packaging

As you can see, the “debate” on stock packaging vs. custom packaging is really not much of a debate at all. When you consider the stark differences between what stock packaging brings to the table, and what you can have with custom packaging – there really are times when one is a better option than the other. 

When it comes to choosing custom packaging, it’s vitally important to do it right. At Refine Packaging, we have years of experience creating custom packaging for all types of products, sizes and configurations.

The world of custom packaging can be confusing and overwhelming for a first time product designer, and even if it isn’t your first product design rodeo, it’s still nice to have a knowledgeable team of experts on your side to help guide you and provide advice.

Whether you already have an idea in mind or you’d like suggestions, our team of artists is trained in a variety of styles and mediums, and can maneuver easily across different graphic styles to create a look that accurately captures your idea and your product in one complete design.

The team at Refine Packaging is eager to help you take the next step with your custom packaging and walk you through the process so that you can have packaging that perfectly exemplifies and embodies the best features of your product and your brand.

Contact us today for a free, no obligation quote on your custom packaging needs and we’ll work with you to create a look and a package that brings together the very best of your brand personality, social appeal, and quality product design to create a look that is unmistakably your own. 

The post Stock Packaging vs. Custom Packaging: What’s The Difference? appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Carton packaging is also commonly referred to as carton boxes, folding cartons, paperboard cartons and paperboard boxes.

The History of Folding Cartons: Who Invented Carton Packaging?

Foldable carton packaging was invented by Charles Henry Foyle in the late 1800s, an Englishman who created the product we know as the carton today. It was essentially a piece of paper that was cut in such a way that it could be folded into a custom box. Although incredibly innovative for its time, carton packaging still lacked a lot of the features we know and love today.

For example, although it could be folded into a box shape, the ends still needed to be held together tightly, so it was common to use tacks and strings to hold the carton boxes together. This was expensive, not to mention labor-intensive. What’s more, such boxes were difficult to produce, so carton packaging like this was usually only used for valuable luxury items like jewelry. 

Fortunately, carton packaging came into the limelight in 1879, when Robert Gair realized that his printing press could cut through the carton material and allow for mass production of carton packaging. Food and snack companies realized that the foldable boxes greatly extended the shelf life of their products, and were among the first to regularly use such materials. 

The first snack food company to adopt the use of carton packaging was the National Biscuit Company, better known today as Nabisco. 

How Is Carton Packaging Used Today? 

Today, carton packaging has found a reliable home among store shelves around the world. When deciding on your product’s box design and presentation, there are many reasons to consider using carton boxes, including: 

Eco-Friendly Packaging

In this day and age, consumers do their best to be responsible stewards of the planet. That means buying and using packaging made from recyclable materials like Kraft paper.

Cartons are made with more than 75% paper that comes from sustainable sources and is harvested using responsible practices. This means choosing carton packaging boxes for your product packaging needs is an eco-friendly choice that reflects well on your brand and your company. 

High Shelf Appeal

Beautiful packaging has what we call “high shelf appeal”.  Properly designed, structured carton boxes help solidify your brand in the consumer’s mind as one of quality and consistency. What’s more, they provide ample space to showcase your brand message.

Tell your story through your product packaging design, highlight the benefits of your product, present a promotion or even showcase your social responsibility endeavors by using eco-friendly packaging. The choices are endless! 

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Common Types of Carton Packaging Boxes

There are several distinctive types of carton packaging, each with its own benefits depending on your needs. Companies turn to high quality paperboard carton packaging to protect, store and showcase their food, beverage, cosmetics, supplements and so much more. Here are just a few of the many different types of carton packaging that are commonly used in retail packaging. 

Strength Packaging

Strength packaging offers solid, reliable structural design to help protect your product from being compressed. But don’t let its rigidity fool you, high strength packaging is still fully customizable and printable so you can feel free to unleash your creativity with this durable packaging. 

Foldable Cartons

The original and still one of the most popular types of carton packaging. Flexible enough to be folded by hand if you only have a few small batches, or process through high speed automation for larger numbers, foldable cartons can be completely customized and designed for all your promotional needs.

Multipacks

If you’re selling several of an item together, multipacks are an excellent way to keep each item secure and stable while protecting the entire lot in one complete package. Often used for things like canned goods, cereal, yogurt and other types of food. 

Hybrid Packaging

Hybrid packaging blends different features of different types of carton packaging to create a “best of both worlds” combination. 

Looking for more types of carton packaging? Read our ultimate guide to carton boxes for a deeper look into folding cartons.

Other Benefits Carton Packaging Offers

It’s worth noting that like any type of packaging, carton packaging offers an opportunity to increase the perceived value of the product inside.

Although we’re no longer tying up or tacking down our cartons, and they’re no longer reserved for jewelry or other expensive items, carton packages have nevertheless surged in popularity and continue to be popular today with some adjustments, such as being made with eco-friendly materials. 

What’s more, foldable carton packaging can be shaped into any type of design. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a box. This makes it a great way to add a unique flair or creativity to your product to set it apart from all of the other boxes out there. Taking advantage of the large printable area on carton boxes is a smart idea that is commonly used in cosmetic packaging design, and is a great way to showcase the benefits of your product.

Build Your Brand with Carton Packaging 

Read our comprehensive article about packaging terminology to help you get up to speed with industry jargon as you create your own custom boxes.

At Refine Packaging, we understand that not everyone is a packaging expert.

Packaging is our passion and we strive to create printed designs that are the perfect match for your product. Our staff of graphic artists spans a variety of styles, so even if you don’t have a design in mind, we can create something that perfectly encompasses and reflects your brand, your story and your message, as well as the things that set you apart from your competition.

We create memorable, beautiful and stylish packaging for a wide range of industries, products and businesses large and small. If you’re thinking of choosing paperboard boxes or you’re not sure what type of custom packaging is right for your specific needs, talk to us!

We have decades of combined experience and bring our detailed industry knowledge to work for you in a way that’s easy to understand and will get your product in the hands of consumers faster. 

We also offer a variety of styles and printing processes that can make your packaging look extraordinary. From UV coating to foil stamping or different types of glosses, there are a variety of factors you’ll want to consider when choosing the right type of packaging material and design for your specific needs. But that doesn’t mean you have to do it all alone! 

Now that you’ve read about carton packaging boxes in more detail, why not contact the printing and packaging experts at Refine Packaging for a free, no obligation estimate on your printing and packaging needs? 

Let’s work together to create a style that’s uniquely your own, with packaging that exceeds your expectations. 

The post What is Carton Packaging? Folding Carton Packaging Explained. appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Who Invented Corrugated Packaging?

Corrugated packaging as we know it goes back more than a century, born from the need to package and store goods for a longer period of time.

In 1856, Healey and Allen, two Englishmen, secured a patent for the first known use of corrugated paper. Using two fluted rolls, corrugated paper was fed through a hand-cranked machine, creating fluted paper lining that could be placed in hats.

But corrugated paper for hats is one thing, and corrugated packaging for transporting products is completely different. An American named Albert S. Jones is responsible for this combination, and was the first person known to use corrugated paper to wrap fragile items like bottles and other easily breakable goods in a similar way that corrugated packaging is used today. 

How is Corrugated Packaging Made? 

The process for creating corrugated packaging hasn’t changed much since its humble origins in the 1850s.

With corrugated packaging, two sheets of flat paper known as liners or linerboard, are glued to a corrugated inner material called fluting.

Together, these distinctive layers are stronger than they would be if they were used separately. If you look closely at corrugating packaging, you can see a type of weave pattern. This is what adds structure and stability to the packaging. 

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Different fluting can be used to make different sizes of arch in the material, creating an end result that is structurally superior to many other types of packaging and is a great option for products that need to be handled and packed carefully. 

Curious for more details? We dive deeper into the corrugated packaging process and different flute grades in our ultimate guide to corrugated packaging.

Why Use Corrugated Packaging? 

There are several reasons why you might consider using corrugated packaging as your product packaging of choice: 

• Stronger than Cardboard: Safe, sturdy and protective, corrugated boxes are stronger than cardboard, so you can feel confident that whatever you put inside will stay safe and sound. Corrugated packaging is also crush and pressure-resistant. 
• A Wide Range of Sizes: Corrugated packaging is available in a wide range of sizes. Although it’s strong, it’s also lightweight, making it a great fit for nearly any type of product that needs to be protected, but without the added weight. 
• Can Be Broken Down and Reused: Corrugated boxes can be broken down and stored easily or transported without affecting the structural integrity of the packaging. 
• Good for the Environment: The packaging material itself is made from recycled and renewable materials, such as Kraft, making them an eco-friendly packaging option that consumers will appreciate. 

Corrugated vs. Cardboard Packaging: What’s the Difference? 

With the incredible surge in online shopping (COVID19 notwithstanding), customers expect their packages to be delivered safe and sound, with the contents in good condition.

Packages that arrive damaged, crushed, or torn open leave a bad impression when unboxing. That’s why it’s so important to consider what level of strength and stability you need in your packaging.

Corrugated packaging and cardboard packaging are two of the most popular types of boxes, but it’s important to understand the difference between them so you can decide on the right balance of protection for the product inside. 

Cardboard Packaging

Cardboard, also known as carton packaging, is made from thick paper or paper pulp which is then crafted into small packages or even material to help bolster the structure of lesser materials so that the contents won’t lose their shape.

Cardboard is inexpensive and easy to use as part of most shipping strategies, but it also may need additional packing material to keep the contents safe from being crushed, or being damaged by the elements. 

Corrugated Cartons

These are made up of several layers of material that are stronger together than they would be on their own. An inside liner and an outside liner are filled in the middle with a fluted material that helps solidify and strengthen the entire piece.

Corrugated cartons perfectly balance strength and lightness of weight, so they’re perfect if you need to ship a variety of products carefully. In addition to their structural strength, they’re also resistant to moisture and sudden changes in temperature.

Of course, no container is fully impervious to being crushed or being exposed to rain, sleet or heat for a long period of time, but if you want the added confidence that your product will arrive securely, corrugated packaging is a great option. 

Learn more about folding cartons with our ultimate guide to carton packaging to better understand the differences between corrugated and cardboard.

When To Use Corrugated Packaging

Corrugated packaging is best for products that need to be transported from a warehouse, to a processing center and onto a delivery vehicle. With so many people and machines handling the package, it needs to withstand being shuffled, slid, tossed and even dropped. If you want to add in an extra barrier of protection, you can wrap the interior product with additional cushioning for added security and peace of mind. 

Corrugated boxes are also a great choice if you want full customization control over your packaging design. You get all of the benefits of a large design area like with cardboard, except the added strength and durability. Additional features like custom opening folds, flaps, die-cuts and embossing or debossing are just a few of the many options you can add to create a unique design without worrying that the process will mar the product within. 

If you’re selling food, corrugated packaging is a must. Not only is corrugated much more sustainable and hygienic, but with so many people turning to online grocery shopping and delivery, companies are choosing to insulate their corrugated packaging for even greater protection to help seal in the temperature, especially for perishable goods. 

Choose a Trusted Corrugated Packaging Box Manufacturer

Read our packaging terms guide to help you get up to speed with industry terminology as you create your own custom boxes.

At Refine Packaging, our decades of combined experience, coupled with our deep knowledge of the custom packaging process across a variety of industries allow us to provide you with full-service packaging design and printing services.

From choosing the right packaging material for your product, to designing a look that captivates your audience and elevates your brand, trust the professionals at Refine Packaging to deliver an end result that’s so powerful and so compelling, you’ll want to buy your own product!

If you’re interested in learning more about how corrugated packaging may be the right choice for your packaging and shipping and fulfillment needs, or you’d like to consult with us on crafting the perfect design to showcase your product, we’d be delighted to work with you.

Even if you’re not sure what type of packaging you need for your product, get in touch with us. Our experts will take the time to understand your vision and your needs and work with you to craft packaging that perfectly expresses all of those points in one artistic creation.

Contact us today to learn more about our extensive printing and packaging services and get a free, no obligation quote for all your custom packaging needs.

The post What is Corrugated Packaging? How Corrugated Packaging is Made & When to Print with Corrugated Material appeared first on Refine Packaging.

I’m sitting at my office desk and I currently see six. And no, I’m not a hoarder. All of my office supplies and printing paper were shipped in these boxes and can be neatly stored away in them, too.

Even in my home, there’s almost always a few corrugated boxes hanging out in the corner of my room or closet. I’m forever trying to clear out stuff and these boxes are where I put items for donation. 

The particular box that’s near me now came from Trader Joe’s, which used to box up my groceries. Initially, Trader Joe’s received a shipment of frozen hash browns in this same box. As you can see, a single corrugated box can serve many purposes and is rarely single-use. 

You probably take corrugated boxes for granted, but they play an integral role in our business and home life. 

Corrugated boxes are ubiquitous in our homes and workplaces – whether you work in an office, a garage, a retail establishment, a restaurant, a fire station – or pretty much anywhere.  

Most products are shipped in corrugated boxes and many products remain in these boxes for convenient storage. Many retail packaging boxes serve multiple functions before they work their way to the recycling plant. 

It’s no wonder that the corrugated packaging industry is booming. And with an increasing ecommerce demand, coupled with consumers desiring more eco-friendly packaging options, it’s not looking to slow down anytime soon. Consider these stats:

• It’s estimated that the U.S. shipment volume of corrugated packaging will be around 443 billion square feet in 2023.
• The corrugated board packaging market was valued at over $262 billion in 2019, and is expected to reach nearly $400 billion by 2025.
• More than 95% of all goods consumed in North America are packaged and transported in corrugated packaging.

• There are over 1,100 corrugated manufacturing facilities in the U.S.

Corrugated boxes offer protection, are cost-effective, and can easily be customizable.  

What’s not to love?  

Deconstructing the Corrugated Box in Packaging

Most people refer to corrugated boxes as cardboard boxes, but they’re technically not the same.  

This can lead to some confusion with the terms. Cardboard is a heavy-duty paper stock, commonly used for folding cartons and other applications. 

You’ll find folding carton boxes lining grocery shelves are often made of cardboard. Think of a cereal or mac and cheese box. This type of box is not one you would expect to survive the shipping process. Toss one of these in the mail and they’ll likely arrive at their destination in tatters. 

A corrugated box, on the other hand, is all about strength.  

Corrugated boxes are made up of a liner and a medium. These sheets of paper are glued together. They’re typically made of three fiberboard layers, but can be even thicker. 

The outer layer is called the linerboard or simply the liner. Liners are the flat material usually found on the outside of the board, but sometimes inside like in the case of a double or triple wall. 

The medium is the wavy layer in the middle, which is called a flute. This inside player is what gives corrugated packaging boxes their strength and why they’re so commonly used for shipping and storage.  

What Process Goes into Making Corrugated Shipping Boxes?

I’ll go out on a limb and assume that we all know that corrugated boxes start their life as a tree. That aside, let’s take a closer look at how these boxes are manufactured. Here’s an abridged look at the corrugated box process: 

• The trees are cut down and bark stripped off.
• These logs are ground into wood chips.
• The woodchips are pulped using a chemical (sulfite and sulfate) or a mechanical (grinding) pulping process.
• A corrugated rolling machine makes the fluting.
• A corrugator machine presses and glues the layers of boards together.
• A die cutter cuts out features like flaps and scores creases.
• The board is cut and glued.
• And voila, you have a corrugated box. 

If you want to delve even deeper and see the corrugated box making process in action, YouTube has a surprising amount of interesting videos of what goes into making corrugated boxes.

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Corrugated Boxes: It All Starts With Paper

There are two main types of paper used for corrugated boxes – kraft and test. 

Typically test paper is used for the inner liner and kraft paper for the outer liner of the box. 

Kraft paper is more expensive than test paper, but is higher quality.  

Kraft paper is made from softwood trees, such as Pine, Spruce, and Fir, and consists of 70-80% virgin chemical pulp fiber. It comes in several different versions, such as brown, white, mottled, fully bleached, and birch faced.  

Kraft paper also has a smoother finish, which makes for better printability. It’s also more water-resistant, which affords added protection to the goods inside. And because of its higher tear and burst resistance, it’s stronger than test paper. 

Test liners are usually made from hardwood trees that have short fibers, such as Oak, Sycamore, Birch or Chestnut, or recycled paper. Test paper is less expensive than kraft, but it’s less durable and harder to print on. That’s why test paper is often relegated to the inside of boxes, so it’s not as visible.  

Get to Know the Different Flute Grades for Your Corrugated Boxes

The flute (the wavy part sandwiched between the liner) is what sets corrugated boxes apart from their cardboard cousin. 

The flute size determines the thickness of the box walls and gives the box its stacking strength. Flutes are referred to by a letter that designates its size. They are measured by thickness and how many flutes per linear foot. Here are the most common flute sizes:

• A-Flute (33 flutes per linear foot) is the largest flute at 1/4” thick. Its thickness offers lots of protection and makes it a good option for fragile items.
• B-Flute (47 flutes per linear foot) is 1/8” thick. This is a lot thinner than A-flutes, but it’s deceptively strong.  It’s often used for counter displays or canned goods. This flute is popular for die-cut designs.
• C-Flute (39 flutes per linear foot) is 3/16” thick. This is the one you’re probably the most familiar with, since it’s the most popular option for shipping boxes.
• E-Flute (90 flutes per linear foot) is only 1/16” thick, so it’s pretty thin. It doesn’t offer the strength of the larger flutes but does have some advantages. It’s sometimes used instead of paperboard for folding carton boxes. It’s efficient to store and is good for printing.
• F-Flute (125 flutes per linear foot) is 1/32” thick and is among the thinnest of the flute grades. It has a very smooth surface, so printed graphics will look sharp. 

Picking the Right Wall Type for Custom Corrugated Boxes

Even if you know what flute size you want, you still have some important decisions to make. 

Corrugated packaging comes in all types of wall thicknesses. Sometimes you only need a little protection for your products, while other times you want something heavy-duty. Here are your wall type options: 

• Single-face: This is usually sold in rolls and is a single sheet of liner attached to one sheet of corrugated medium. It offers extra cushioning for delicate items. You might use this for added protection if you’re shipping something like wine glasses.
• Single-wall: This is one sheet of corrugated medium glued between two sheets of the liner. It’s the most common and is probably what springs to mind when you think of a corrugated cardboard box.
• Double-wall: This is more durable but less flexible.
• Triple-wall: This is the strongest, with three stacked corrugated sheets and four liner board facings. It’s used for industrial parts or sometimes for produce bins. 

Different Packaging Styles of Corrugated Boxes

Another important component when picking the appropriate corrugated packaging box for your products is finding the right fit. 

Corrugated boxes come in all shapes and sizes. You don’t want to have to cram your items, but you don’t want them swimming around either. 

When selecting a box size, keep in mind that the internal dimensions of a box are written as length x width x height (L x W x H).

Here are some of the most common box style options to choose from that come in varying sizes: 

• Regular Slotted Container (RSC):  This one is the most common. Think of your classic shipping box. With this box, all of the flaps are the same length, with the two outer length flaps meeting in the middle when the box is closed. You need tape to secure the flaps.

• Full Overlap Container (FOL): This type of box has added strength since both sets of outer flaps fully overlap, making it double-layered on the top and bottom of the box. 

• One Piece Folder (OPF): If you’ve ever ordered a book or other media materials, you’ve seen one of these boxes. They’re creased and slotted, then folded into a box. 

• Full Telescope Design (FTD): As the name suggests, this box has a separate top and bottom that fit over each other. The double walls give it extra strength.

Of course, these boxes need to be closed up somehow. Most commonly, corrugated boxes are closed up with packaging tape, tuck-in flaps, or strapping for heavy-duty loads. 

All of these choices can feel overwhelming, but there are many tools and services available to get you started on your quest for that perfect box. If you’re looking for a simple box, you can easily find a standard box template online.  

When you need something more complicated, with features like full 3D models or designing your die-cut templates, there are some sophisticated software options, such as ArtiosCAD, Impact, or Packmage. 

If you’re still unsure where to begin, request a free consultation with our packaging team for guidance about dielines, box styles, varnish and more that’s specific to your unique needs.

The (Many) Benefits of Corrugated Boxes for Shipping and Packaging

Boxes can be made out of all kinds of different materials, such as plastic, wood, metal, or paperboard, but there’s a reason corrugated boxes are such a popular option. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of this type of box: 

Unrivaled Protection for Transportation and Shipping Safety

If your goods are being shipped in a corrugated box there’s a good chance they’ll arrive safely at their destination. 

Corrugated boxes can protect even the most fragile items, including glass and chemical liquids. The tear-resistant qualities of corrugated cardboard are hard to beat and they have the added advantage of guarding against moisture, so food items are kept fresh. 

The durability of corrugated boxes are one reason why so many companies use them as a staple of their shipping and fulfillment strategies.

Corrugated Boxes are Cost-Effective

The bottom line is important to all businesses. No one wants to waste money – especially on practical necessities.  

Corrugated boxes are relatively low cost to manufacture. Most of the time, custom boxes cost less than you might expect. 

Also, because they’re lightweight and can be easily stored, you can save money on storage and transportation costs.

Options for Custom Corrugated Boxes and Endless 

Corrugated box options are almost limitless. 

You can choose from all types of boards, weights, adhesives, coatings, treatments, flame resistance, static control – the list goes on. 

These packaging boxes can also be folded into all kinds of different shapes and box sizes. And we haven’t even touched on the exhaustive graphic design options corrugated boxes afford. 

There are all kinds of printing options so you can make your corrugated boxes unique to your brand.  

Corrugated Packaging Boxes are Environmentally-Friendly

Corrugated cardboard material looks like it fits the bill for consumers’ thirst to do right by the environment. Accenture recently surveyed 6,000 consumers in 11 countries and found the following:

• 83% of respondents thought it was important or extremely important for companies to design products that could be reused or recycled.
• 77% thought plastic was the least environmentally friendly type of packaging.
• But the good news for corrugated boxes, 55% thought paper products were the best option for the environment. 

Let’s look at some of the reasons, corrugated boxes get high marks for protecting the environment:

Corrugated boxes are easy to recycle

You have no excuses. In most places, you can just break down your boxes and put them in your curbside pick-up.  

• According to the EPA, in 2018, around 32.1 million tons of corrugated boxes were recycled out of 33.9 million tons of total paper and paperboard recycling.
• That year the recycling rate for corrugated boxes was 96.5 percent. 

Corrugated cardboard boxes are renewable

Corrugated packaging is made from a high percentage of recycled material (mostly in the 70-100% range). It can be manufactured from paper pulp that comes from fast-growing pine trees, or made from wood chips and other leftover materials.

Most corrugated box manufacturers get their paper from sustainable forests. No reputable paper company is going to be clear-cutting old-growth forests.  

Nope, quite the opposite.  

After all, it’s in the interest of paper companies to keep their supply going, so they’ll take actions like replacing harvested trees with seedlings. 

Corrugated shipping boxes are reusable

Corrugated boxes are easily collapsible, so you can break them down and store them in the garage until you need one for your next move or another future use.  

Corrugated packaging boxes save energy

Since corrugated boxes are mostly made using recycled materials, it takes less energy to produce them.  

Most are made without dyes and bleaches, so that’s one less step in the production cycle. They’re also relatively light so you can save on transportation costs.

Corrugated boxes are efficient  

A corrugated box offers a lot of protection so you don’t need it to be giant-sized or filled with excessive padding inside. 

Additionally, corrugated cardboard boxes are easy to stack or collapse when not in use – so you don’t need as much space to store them.

Drawbacks of Corrugated Boxes for Shipping and Packaging

Corrugated boxes can handle many of your packaging needs, but alas, as we all know – nothing’s perfect. As with anything, there are a few drawbacks: 

• A corrugated box, on its own, is not waterproof, so it’s not the best protection for the elements. If you leave a corrugated box in the rain it will eventually become a soggy mess.
• Both an unprinted or printed corrugated box does not have the strength of other materials, such as metal, so it might not be the best option for very heavy items.
• Sideways pressure may cause the corrugated cardboard to become deformed.
• It’s difficult for a corrugated box to maintain a pristine look. Because of its somewhat rough surface, even a box adorned with beautiful graphics may end up looking a little wrinkled and worn.  

But no matter your business, corrugated boxes will likely play a role in your custom packaging or supply chain needs. 

Testing Standards for Corrugated Packaging Boxes

Of course, if you’ve gone to the trouble of researching what flute grade and wall type you need – you understandably want some sort of assurance that the box will do what it’s supposed to do. And ultimately, that means protecting the products inside the box. 

Merchants, shippers, and consumers want to know they can count on the box to keep its contents safe. No one wants to receive a mangled box full of broken items at the end of a journey. 

Fortunately, corrugated boxes go through a rigorous testing process. 

There are several tests, with the two main tests used today being the Edge Crush Test (ECT) and the Bursting (Mullen) Test. 

These tests are important since most transportation companies, such as UPS, FedEx, airlines, and railways require shipping boxes to meet certain standards.

Here are four commons testing methods to consider for your corrugated cardboard boxes:

• The Edge Crush Test (ECT) measures the stacking strength of the box, which will let you know things like pallet shipping durability. ECT is a laboratory test method where the edge of the board is compressed between two plates. It’s measured in pounds per linear inch and is used to calculate the maximum compression force a box can withstand.
• The Bursting (Mullen) Test measures the force needed to rupture or puncture the corrugated cardboard. This test gives you an idea of how well a box will protect the goods inside during shipping.
• A Flat Crush Test measures the resistance of corrugated paperboard to flute crushing. This will help you determine how much pressure you can safely apply to your box during the printing process, whether you choose digital or offset printing.
• A Water Absorption Test (COBB) measures how much water corrugated fiberboard absorbs over a specified time under standardized conditions.  

Box Maker’s Certificate (BMC) 

These test results aren’t hidden away in a lab notebook somewhere.  

Nope, the results are often right in front of you. 

You’ve probably seen a circular stamp on the bottom of many corrugated boxes. 

Maybe you haven’t given it much thought, but that little stamp is chock full of information. It’s called a Box Makers’ Certificate (BMC) and has been widely used since around 1968, when the trucking and rail industry started relying on them.  

Today, this stamp is found on the bottom flaps of many corrugated boxes. 

Let’s take a look at what information you will find on a BMC:

• The name of the manufacturer and where the box was manufactured. This information is found in the outer ring of the circular stamp.
• Something along the lines of, “This Singlewall box meets all construction requirements of applicable freight classification.”
• The bursting test information (lbs. per sq. inch), or edge crush test information (lbs. per inch).
• The size limit (often given in inches).
• The gross weight the box can support. (Keep in mind this is the very upper limit.  It’s best to leave a little cushion.)

A Box Makers’ Certificate (BMC) doesn’t guarantee the box will protect the goods inside, since it doesn’t take into consideration things like moisture resistance, and of course you are responsible for any necessary padding inside.  

But, it’s a good starting point. At least you’ll know it’s not a good idea to cram a heavy barbell into a box only rated for ten pounds. 

In addition to the BMC, you may find other stamps on a corrugated box – depending on what is being shipped.  

Glassware, hazardous materials, and food often require additional stamps.  And many corrugated box manufacturers like to advertise their environmental credibility – so you might see stamps like “recyclable” or “sustainable forests” on the bottom of some boxes.

Don’t Settle for Dull Corrugated Boxes: Add Excitement to Your Packaging Design

What comes to many people’s minds when they hear the term corrugated box is a drab, brown rectangular-shaped box.  

Sure, this classic type of box serves a huge purpose, but corrugated boxes don’t have to be merely functional. They can also be used to enhance the unboxing experience and to pump up brand recognition. 

Don’t limit yourself to a boring shipping box; add some pizzazz.  

Why not take advantage of the advertising space? 

Go on and plaster your company name or logo on your custom boxes or seal them up with some custom packing tape. It’s easy enough to change up the look of your boxes, so you can even use different designs for holidays or the changing seasons.  

If you’re not sure where to start, here are some examples of companies that are making corrugated boxes their own with incredible product packaging design:

Fuego Box

It seems like there’s a subscription box for just about anything these days.  

If you’re into adding some spice to your meals, then Fuego Box may be just what you’re looking for. Fuego Box specializes in craft and small-batch hot sauce. Their product is all about the heat and their corrugated packaging box beautifully reflects their brand.

Hot sauces come in glass bottles so, in addition to looking good, their boxes need to be protective. You can order one bottle at a time, but if you’re feeling adventurous you can try eleven different bottles in their “Tame-to-Insane” challenge box. 

The eleven hot sauce bottles come in a large roll-end front tuck box with dust flaps. The front flaps lock into the main body for strength and security, while the side flaps keep out the dust.   

Pop open the box and the inside is filled with deep orange and red colors that just imbue a sense of heat. You know you’re in for something spicy when you lift open the box. All eleven bottles are carefully nestled in cardboard cutouts, which gives a higher-end look and offers added cushioning. 

FunFitFun

The outside of a corrugated cardboard box offers a large area to cram some serious branding. Some companies merely print their name or logo in a single color on the side of the box, but others go much bigger and bolder.  

Lifestyle brand, FunFitFun has made full use of the entire corrugated box – inside and out.  

Four times a year the company sends out ecommerce packaging filled with beauty, fitness wellness, and home items. They’ll never be accused of being drab. They cover the whole outside of their boxes with colorful graphics, which they change up to reflect the season. 

As the brand’s name suggests, the boxes are all about projecting a fun, healthy vibe.   

Custom Branded Packaging Tapes

Even if it’s not in your budget to plaster your corrugated boxes with your company logo and fancy graphics, don’t assume you can’t make your boxes unique. 

You don’t have to go all out. You can add a little flair to your shipping boxes at just about any price point. 

You’ve got to seal that box somehow. Custom packaging tape can serve a dual purpose – securely sealing your packages for transport and getting your brand noticed.   

Using affordable, branding packaging tape around your boxes can go a long way. The classic example is, of course, Amazon. Their corrugated shipping boxes are simple, yet there’s no mistaking where that box is from once you see that recognizable black tape with the blue lettering.   

But you don’t have to be a behemoth of a company to customize your boxes. Even small companies can order packaging tape to add interest to an otherwise ho-hum box. So, get creative, and design a tape that pops.  

Patagonia

Corrugated boxes, for the most part, are rectangularly shaped for ease of storage and transport, but you don’t have to limit yourself. You can make them in just about any shape you want.  

Outdoor clothing company Patagonia prides itself on its commitment to the environment and wanted its packaging to reflect that. 

These hexagonal-shaped boxes are both eye-catching and functional. The corrugate was left in its natural state with minimal printing, but the shape gives these boxes a distinct look. Not only does the box design look cool. Corrugated cardboard can also easily be stacked on store shelves for a neat appearance. 

Get Started with Customizable Corrugated Boxes

Corrugated paper has come a long way since it was first introduced in 1856 and used as a liner for top hats.  

It’s hard to believe that something that’s been around since the 19th century is still so widely used today. There have been some improvements made to the material during the intervening years, but there’s a reason corrugated boxes have had such staying power. 

No matter your business, corrugated boxes offer many options. 

They can protect your goods, they’re easy to transport and store, they’re affordable, they can pump up your brand recognition, and they’re one of the better packaging options out there in terms of the environment. These boxes will likely be storing and moving items from one place to another well into the next century. 

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