Difference between cardboard boxes and corrugated boxes

When it comes to cardboard packaging materials, the word “cardboard box” usually comes to mind. However, for the professional packaging materials industry, the effective material used is actually corrugated boxes. What is the difference between the two? Although the two materials look similar, corrugated boxes are more durable than cardboard boxes and can reduce the level of damage to goods during transportation. To improve the effectiveness of your packaging efforts, read further below about the differences between cardboard and corrugated boxes.

What’s the difference in terminology?

When it comes to picking the right packaging materials to ship your products, it’s important to know what type of packaging you’re actually getting. If not, you may not be able to go about reflecting your brand.

A cardboard box is usually thick or heavy pulp. You’ll find this type of material generally used for cereal cartons or greeting cards. While corrugated cardboard boxes are made from similar materials as hard cardboard boxes, it’s important to understand how these materials are different.

Corrugated cardboard boxes are made up of three layers of cardboard, the inner and outer layers and a center layer of pit cardboard. There are a number of reasons why this type of material improves the packaging process:

• Durability
• Lightweight material with a high weight ratio
• Protection of the product
• Cost-effective
• Environmentally friendly

While these differences may seem insignificant. However, it is easy to see that cardboard boxes are better suited for cards or cereal boxes. On the other hand, corrugated boxes are the packaging material of choice for transportation. When formed into boxes, corrugated boards are ideal for transportation because they are very strong and durable and easy to recycle.

Structural Differences

Hard cardboard boxes: are usually made of thicker cardboard without a wavy center sandwich. This cardboard may be multi-layered, but the layers are bonded directly to each other to provide a certain level of stiffness and thickness.
Corrugated carton: consists of one or more layers of corrugated cardboard (cardboard with a wavy shape) and one or two layers of laminated cardboard. The corrugated cardboard provides additional cushioning and support, adding strength and flexibility to the carton.

Differences in strength

Rigid carton: Because there is no corrugated structure, it has relatively low compression and impact resistance and is suitable for short-term packaging or internal filling of lightweight items.
Corrugated carton: due to the presence of corrugated, it can better distribute pressure, has better compression resistance, and is suitable for transportation and protection of heavier or more fragile items.

Differences in applications

Rigid cardboard boxes: commonly used for gift packaging, document storage and display purposes, etc., where the strength of the packaging is not required.
Corrugated carton: widely used in logistics and transportation, commodity packaging, etc., especially for products requiring a certain level of protection, such as electronic products and glass products.

Improve the level of packaging technology

For businesses that send several packages every day, it is crucial to have the right shipping materials to ensure that your products are safe and arrive at their destination in perfect condition. For added security and to enhance your brand, corrugated boxes can be sealed with water activated tape (WAT).

WAT is made primarily from kraft cardboard tape, and unlike plastic cardboard tape, it forms a permanent bond with the corrugated box and is sure to leave a mark when torn off. Water-activated cardboard tape is usually reinforced with multiple layers of polyethylene steel-grain thread and is available in different widths and thicknesses.

Once the packaging tape adhesive is saturated with water, the adhesive penetrates the carton material to form a permanent bond with the carton.WAT has a number of benefits that other carton sealing solutions cannot offer.

This tape seals large cardboard boxes sturdily, seals different sizes of cardboard boxes, withstands extreme environments, and prints labels directly from the shipping tape dispenser onto the cardboard packaging tape. You will be able to choose from a manual tape dispenser or a motorized tape dispenser for the best seal.

In short, the type of carton you choose depends on specific needs, including factors such as the weight, shape and fragility of the product, as well as transportation conditions.