Corrugated Boxes

Chipboard vs. Corrugated Boxes: What’s the Difference?

by

Cardboard boxes are an essential component of packaging and shipping, offering protection, support, and versatility for various products. Two main types of cardboard boxes are chipboard boxes and corrugated boxes, each with unique characteristics and applications. This article will explore the differences between these two types of cardboard boxes, helping you understand their specific advantages and ideal uses.

Empty cardboard box close-up.

Chipboard Boxes

Chipboard is a lightweight, inexpensive paper-based material made from recycled paper or wood pulp. Chipboard boxes are typically brown, although they can be found in other colors, and are used for various purposes such as shipping small items, retail displays, and storage. These boxes are ideal for:

1. Lightweight products: Chipboard boxes are perfect for carrying goods weighing up to approximately 20 pounds, making them suitable for products like books, magazines, and small electronics.

2. Non-durable items: Since chipboard is less resistant to moisture, humidity, and rough handling, it is best suited for non-perishable items that do not require long-term protection.

3. Low-cost packaging: Due to their simple construction and use of low-cost materials, chipboard boxes are an affordable option for businesses on a budget.

4. Retail displays: Chipboard can be easily customized with printed designs, allowing for attractive and cost-effective retail displays.

5. Partially-recycled content: Chipboard contains a significant amount of post-consumer waste, making it a more environmentally friendly choice compared to some other packaging materials.

Chipboard boxes offer numerous advantages like being lightweight, cost-effective, customizable, environmentally friendly, stackable, versatile, and easy to assemble. These benefits make them an ideal choice for shipping, storing, and displaying lightweight products across various industries.

Corrugated Boxes

Corrugated boxes are made from a combination of two layers of flat paper (liner) and a middle layer of fluted paper (corrugating medium), which provides the box with added strength and rigidity. Corrugated cardboard is available in different grades (A, B, C, E, and F), each offering unique benefits. Corrugated boxes are designed for:

  • Heavy or large items: Thanks to their enhanced strength, corrugated boxes can safely hold items weighing up to 60 pounds or more, depending what’s inside.
  • Corrugated boxes can be customized to meet specific requirements, such as size, shape, and color. They can also be equipped with additional features like dividers, handles, and special closures to create tailored packaging solutions.
  • Corrugated boxes are stackable, allowing for efficient use of storage space and easy transportation. Their ability to bear heavy loads without collapsing makes them suitable for high-density storage situations.

How to Control Shipping Costs: Choose the Right Type of Boxes

by

Shipping costs can be a significant expense for businesses and individuals alike, especially when it comes to sending packages. One effective way to reduce shipping boxes costs is by choosing its right type for shipping. It is very essential to learn some techniques which can be very relevant in preparing packages. One can save time, effort and money if packing and preparing of one’s item can be done systematically. using the right type of boxes in shipping packages can lead to significant cost savings, damage prevention, improved efficiency, and enhanced customer satisfaction while also considering environmental impact and compliance with industry standards. We will explore how selecting appropriate box sizes, materials, and styles can help control shipping costs and ensure efficient delivery of goods.

  • Box Sizes and Dimensional Weight

Dimensional weight is a pricing system used by couriers to calculate shipping boxes costs based on the size of a package rather than its actual weight. By choosing the right box size, you can minimize dimensional weight charges and save on shipping costs. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Optimal Box Size: Select a box that accurately fits the dimensions of your item, without leaving excessive empty space. This helps reduce the risk of damage during transit and ensures that your package is not classified as oversized or irregularly shaped, which could result in higher shipping fees.
  • Smaller Boxes for Lighter Items: For lighter items, consider using small shipping boxes instead of large ones, as they may still meet the requirements for dimensional weight calculations and help you save on shipping costs.
  • Larger Boxes for Heavier Items: Conversely, larger boxes may be more cost-effective for heavier items, as their lower per-inch rates often offset the increased dimensional weight charges.
  • Materials and Durability

The material used for boxes also plays a crucial role in controlling shipping costs. Cardboard boxes come in various grades, each with its unique benefits and drawbacks.

  • Corrugated Cardboard: These boxes offer excellent durability and strength owing to their multi-layered structure, making them ideal for fragile or heavy items. However, they tend to be more expensive than standard cardboard boxes.
  • Single Wall Cardboard: These boxes are made from a single layer of cardboard and are less expensive than corrugated cardboard. They are suitable for non-fragile and mid-weight items but may not provide enough protection for heavy or delicate cargo.
  • Double Wall Cardboard: Double-wall cardboard offers greater durability than single-wall card

The Packing Supplies a Shipper Should Always Have on Hand

by

As a shipper, having the right packing supplies on hand is crucial to ensure safe and efficient shipping of your products. Proper packaging not only protects the items during transit but also reduces the risk of damage claims, returns, and associated costs. In this article, we will highlight the essential packing supplies every shipper should have readily available to meet various shipping needs.

1. Cardboard Boxes

Cardboard boxes are indispensable for shipping various items. They come in different sizes, shapes, and strengths to accommodate products of all types and sizes for packing supplies. Ensure you have an adequate supply of cardboard boxes suitable for your shipped items, including small, medium, and large sizes, as well as flat-rate and priority mail boxes provided by postal services like USPS. Cardboard boxes provide a stable structure that protects products from damage during shipping, storage, and handling. They can withstand external forces like impact, pressure, and vibrations, ensuring the safety of the items inside. Cardboard boxes are designed to be stacked easily, facilitating efficient use of storage space and reducing the risk of product damage caused by fallen or unstable boxes. Reputable cardboard box suppliers offer a wide range of high-quality packaging solutions, ensuring businesses have access to the right boxes for their specific shipping and storage needs, from standard sizes to custom-made options that provide optimal protection for various products.

2. Packing Tape

A reliable supply of packing tape is vital for sealing cartons and other packages securely. Opt for strong, durable packing tape with a pressure-sensitive adhesive that can hold up under different weather conditions and handling. Consider purchasing tapes in various widths and colors to match your brand or specific shipping requirements. Packing tape is essential for packing due to its ability to securely close packages, reinforce their structure, provide anti-theft protection, improve aesthetics, offer branding opportunities, and ensure versatile applications.

3. Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap offers excellent protection for fragile and delicate items during transit. This flexible, cushioning material comes in rolls and sheets, allowing you to customize the amount needed for each shipment. Make sure to keep different bubble wrap sizes (small, medium, and large bubbles) on hand to provide appropriate cushioning depending on the fragility of the items being shipped.

4. Foam Padding

Foam padding is ideal for protecting delicate and sensitive products, particularly those susceptible to shock, vibration, or temperature changes. Available in various forms such as polyethylene foam (PE), polystyrene foam (EPS), and polyurethane foam (PU), ensure you maintain a diverse selection of foam padding materials in your inventory to cater to varying product needs.

5. Packing Peanuts

Packing peanuts, made from polystyrene or biodegradable materials, are perfect for filling voids and stabilizing contents within packages.

USN Corporation