Choosing the right corrugated packaging products doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right team, you can get cost-effective packaging solutions that meet your exact needs. Below, we’ve highlighted a few considerations to help you develop show-stopping, reliable options.
Understand Your Packaging Requirements
Before you look at box specifications, you need to understand what you’re asking your packaging to do. Start with the basics: product size, weight, and fragility. A lightweight consumer good will need different packaging than a heavy industrial component. Getting it wrong can lead to over-engineered (and expensive) packaging or under-protected products.
You should also consider storage conditions. Will your boxes be stored in a climate-controlled facility or a humid distribution center? Will they be stacked six pallets high for weeks at a time? These factors can all degrade strength over time.
Additionally, factor in any regulatory or industry-specific requirements. Food and pharmaceutical packaging may require specific certifications, for example. Overlooking these early on can mean expensive redesigns later.
Select the Right Corrugated Material
Choosing the right wall structure and flute profile directly affects strength and cushioning.
You have the opportunity to choose single-wall, double-wall, and triple-wall boards. Single-wall is the simplest design, with one layer of corrugated fluting sandwiched between two liner boards. Next comes double-wall, which has two layers of corrugated fluting and three liner boards. Finally, there’s triple-wall, which consists of three layers of corrugated fluting and four flat liner boards. Single-wall will provide adequate protection against damage, while triple-wall may be more appropriate for extremely heavy or very fragile items.
Then, you’ll need to choose a flute profile: A, B, C, E, or F. The flute is the squiggly material sandwiched between two linerboards. A is the thickest and provides the best cushioning and vertical compression strength for fragile products. F is at the other end of the spectrum, offering the thinnest option. F is extremely rigid and most often used for small retail packaging and other specialty products. An experienced packaging manufacturer can help you determine what’s best for your needs.
Factor in Sustainability Goals
Corrugated is one of the most recycled materials on the planet. In the United States, the recycling rate is between 69% and 74%. That makes it a strong choice for brands committed to reducing landfill waste. It’s also made from a renewable resource; many suppliers offer options with a high percentage of recycled content. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind.
Pay attention to right-sizing. Packaging that’s too large for its contents wastes material. Additionally, it hinders the number of boxes you can fit into one shipment, which increases logistics emissions. Optimizing your box dimensions is a fast way to reduce both your environmental footprint and freight costs.
You should also stay informed about extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations, which are expanding in the United States. These rules hold producers responsible for the end-of-life management of their packaging. Visit our in-depth blog to learn how EPR applies to your packaging decisions.
Partner With the Right Packaging Supplier
Are you looking for high-quality corrugated packaging products? Turn to Jamestown Container. For 70 years, we’ve been helping businesses get the right solutions for their needs. Whether you need boxes, POP displays, or other packaging necessities, we’ve got you covered.
We offer far more than just packaging solutions. Our customers have access to contract packaging services that handle everything from assembling displays and packing products to coordinating freight. We also offer an eVMI program that automatically replenishes your packaging so you don’t have to worry about inventory.
Additionally, we adhere to rigid sustainability practices to minimize the environmental impact of our packaging solutions. We use recycled linerboard from the Greenpac Mill, which is one of the country’s lowest producers of paper mill landfill waste. Learn more about our sustainability initiatives here.
Let’s Get Started
Want to learn more about what we can do for you? Reach out to us today.