Cardboard boxes are prefabricated, industrially manufactured boxes and are also environmentally friendly. Cardboard is not a single material, but rather is made up of many materials such as corrugated fiberboard, wood, cardboard, PVC, paper, cork and more. Cardboard boxes are utilized for a variety of purposes such as packing products, fragile goods, and even wooden toys. Cardboard boxes are available in a large assortment of shapes and sizes and are known for being affordable, as well as sturdy and long lasting. Specialists in the industry rarely use the word cardboard as it doesn’t denote a certain material, although, that is not the case with cardboard. Boxes are just boxes!
Cardboard boxes are available pre-cut or in a variety of sizes to meet any size or shape of product you need to wrap or package. Cardboard packaging is widely preferred over other packaging options due to its strength, durability and affordability. Cardboard boxes are also known for their long shelf-life, and many companies and businesses use cardboard boxes for storing and shipping goods, as well as for decorative purposes. Pre-packaged boxes made of cardboard are an eco-friendly and affordable way to ship your products, without depending on your local postal services or your Post Office for the delivery of your packages. Many people enjoy re-useable packaging, which is why companies and small businesses are choosing to purchase raw materials for manufacturing purposes in order to save money on custom boxes and shipping costs.
Cardboard box sizes vary according to the product you are mailing or packing, but most products are shipped in standard corrugated box sizes. Corrugated boxes can either be purchased ready to use, or you can purchase corrugated boxes that you cut and shape yourself. Cardboard is usually made with a wood frame, but you don’t have to be a skilled carpenter to realize this look, and any basic office supply store should have plastic cutting tools, cardboard cutter blades and other supplies to get the job done.
You can use almost any type of paper or packaging to create a corrugated cardboard box, including wrapping paper, fabric, vinyl, wrapping tape, paperboard, bubble wrap, paper, cellophane and several types of natural corrugated material, such as coconut pieces, newspaper, grass clippings or eggshell. If you are using all natural materials, be sure to remove all peels or stains before mailing or packaging. Although many businesses choose to purchase boxes made of real wood because they believe the look is more appealing, corrugated boxes are easy to break and many times they are less attractive than boxes made of cardboard or other materials that are not corrugated.
Most companies that purchase cardboard boxes will purchase heavy paper stock in order to reduce shipping costs. Cardboard boxes are often inexpensive, so it is not unusual to find heavy paper stock priced at just a few cents per box. It is important to make sure that you buy enough boxes to meet your projected needs, but if you have a large order you may wish to contact your supplier about purchasing other corrugated board options, such as medium or heavy stock. Heavy stock boxes are used more frequently than medium or light, so they may be less expensive to purchase in bulk. Many suppliers offer different shipping options, including next day delivery or overnight, and it is important to make sure you understand how your chosen supplier will process your package and what your shipping options are. Many manufacturers offer special services, which can be beneficial in the event of a return or damaged box.
If you are considering using corrugated cardboard boxes for the packaging of food products, you should be aware that they are not sanitary and cannot provide adequate protection for bacteria, allergens or toxins. Even with these limitations, packaging with corrugated boards still has advantages over using other packaging options, such as plastic. Cardboard packaging stays cool to the touch, which ensures that your products are well within the temperature range required for long term storage. Cardboard boxes also offer a uniform appearance, which can help reduce the costs associated with packaging supplies. Although the physical handling of the product is unlikely to be affected, if the cardboard boxes contain glue or wax, it can affect the appearance of your products. Finally, because these boxes do not use additives or binders, they have a shorter lifespan than many other packaging options.
