Cardboard is more amazing than you may have realized. It comes in a variety of forms and plays a crucial role in keeping our lives neat and orderly, helps keep food fresh and our products safe, can be reused and remixed in exciting ways—and has made life a whole lot easier, too. Here’s how.
First, some background: The first recorded usage of a cardboard box was documented in 1817, and oddly enough, it was used for a German board game. The material was later refined into corrugated cardboard—a paper “sandwich” of two sturdy flat sheets with a fluted sheet in the middle—in the 1870s for the purpose of safely shipping glassware and other fragile objects—and the rest, as they say, is history. The rigidity of the material holds objects in place while also acting as a cushion. For this reason, manufacturers of high-tech and high-quality goods often use it to protect their products from damage.
Of the cardboard material that’s produced each year, the majority is dedicated to food packaging where it’s commonly used for storing juice, other beverages, candy, dry foods and frozen foods. Cereal, for instance, was one of the first products to ever be stored in paper packaging. Sealing dry cereal in a box helps extend its shelf life, makes it appear more attractive and appealing to consumers, and makes it easier to store and ship. Corrugated cardboard packaging keeps fresh foods safer, too.
Because cardboard is lightweight, sturdy, and economical to produce, it drastically reduces shipping costs and lets consumers have greater access to goods without having to leave their houses or pay high shipping fees. Plus, cardboard boxes are easy to assemble, disassemble, and seal. Prior to the 1900s, heavy wooden crates were used to ship goods, which cut down on the quantity of goods that could be transported at once. For this reason, cardboard packaging has been a boon to industry, too.
In many cases, the cardboard can be repurposed for reuse to create everything from cat houses and magazine holders to fun forts and bird feeders—which is why it’s so popular among companies that ship their goods. When you’re done using cardboard boxes, they can easily be put out to be recycled.
At least one non-profit organization has constructed temporary shelters out of cardboard. The structures are meant to be a short-term solution until the recipients can transition to a more permanent place to live, but in inclement weather, they make a world of difference. These shelters can also be used in emergency situations where disaster relief is needed.
Just about everyone agrees that unwrapping and tearing into a box is an exciting experience. Why? Since they take longer to open, gift boxes foster a sense of intrigue and anticipation. This basic concept has also revolutionized the marketing and advertising industries. With the advent of cardboard, company logos, appealing graphics, and product information could be printed onto cardboard packaging with relative ease. For many consumers, well-designed packaging not only protects products but also is what separates thoughtful brands from their competitors.
In the eyes of a child, a cardboard box is a spaceship, a submarine, or a race car speeding towards the finish line. Studies have shown that when children play and interact with objects such as boxes, it stimulates their physical senses and gets them asking questions and thinking more creatively. Exploring the inside of a box can help kids hone their spatial awareness—their awareness of themselves and objects in a space—while also teaching them about the physical world around them.
Cardboard packaging is an excellent, cost-effective solution for various storage and packaging needs. Offering a surprisingly high level of protection, cardboard boxes and cardboard drums are great value, incredibly versatile and environmentally friendly,
You can use cardboard packaging for a wide variety of goods and products and, as a business, you can lower your bills and carbon footprint while ensuring that products reach your customers intact.
In this article, our expert packaging advisors at ITP Packaging explain the benefits of using cardboard for packaging. Read on to discover everything you need to know about cardboard packaging.
Cardboard packaging is incredibly versatile and offers a fantastic range of uses. The primary goal of cardboard packaging is to protect goods (usually solid items) that need to be stored and transported.
This is a broad way to look at cardboard packaging, because the reality is that cardboard can be used to store everything from electrical goods to household items. Companies use cardboard boxes to ship products in bulk, while businesses pack up orders in cardboard boxes to ensure they reach their customers in one piece.
Cardboard can be used to store food and drink (cardboard milk cartons, for instance), and in particular cases cardboard drums are even used to transport hazardous chemicals, pharmaceuticals and dangerous waste. The list goes on – cardboard boxes are used by individuals, small-scale businesses, and massive industrial companies.
If an item needs to be shipped, it can probably be shipped in a cardboard box!
Cardboard is so versatile because there is a wide range of different packaging options available. Cardboard is easily mass-produced, but can also be tailor-made to meet specific requirements and to transport and protect particular items.
But while cardboard comes in different shapes and sizes, there are three major types of cardboard packaging commonly used for industrial shipping and storage. These are:
Single-walled cardboard boxes are the most cost-effective option, offering a good deal of protection, as well as being lightweight and versatile. Double-walled cardboard boxes have two layers of cardboard and, while more expensive and heavier, offer an added layer of protection.
Fibre drums are circular containers produced from rigid cardboard fibre. They offer a high level of protection and can be fitted out with drum liners in order to store liquids, as well as solids. Fibre drums are often used to store food (they are food-grade quality) but are also UN rated for the transport of dangerous or hazardous goods.
Cardboard is an excellent material for packaging. While cardboard boxes might appear flimsy at first glance, high-quality cardboard is strong, durable and able to withstand a surprising amount of damage.
Let’s take a look at the major advantages of cardboard packaging in more detail, so we can see why it’s such a good choice.
Cardboard packaging is wonderfully versatile and, as we’ve already seen, has a fantastic array of uses. Cardboard can be turned into boxes or drums and can be manufactured to almost any size.
Cardboard can also be branded with company logos or used to provide instructions or warnings to customers. Cardboard packaging can therefore become an essential part of a company’s marketing and branding process.
Cardboard packaging is undeniably cost-effective. It’s one of the cheapest forms of packaging you can source for your business, particularly if you’re fulfilling bulk orders.
Like any packaging product though, you shouldn’t just go for the cheapest option. Always go for quality cardboard packaging, even if it costs a little bit more – you don’t want your customers to receive damaged goods or shoddy packaging, after all!
Cardboard packaging is designed to protect whatever is stored inside it, and it does this job particularly well. Cardboard boxes consist of two layers of cardboard that are filled with corrugated cardboard.
This offers a springy protective layer that prevents the items from being damaged. Cardboard boxes can be scratched, dented, knocked about and, to some extent, cardboard packaging is also waterproof.
One of the biggest advantages of cardboard packing is that it’s eco-friendly. Cardboard boxes can often be reused more than once, but if they can’t they can be recycled into new products.
This isn’t just a bonus for the environment, but it helps cardboard suppliers to keep costs down through recycling, which helps businesses source cheaper cardboard for their storage and transport needs.
Choosing cardboard packaging over other materials such as plastic helps businesses lower their carbon footprint and, ultimately, to build a more sustainable, environmentally friendly brand that eco-conscious customers can be proud to work with.
If you have particularly valuable or fragile items to ship, you might be wondering how to make cardboard stronger for safer storage and transport.
To start, it’s always best to invest in high-quality cardboard boxes from a reputable supplier. Second, instead of going for cheaper single-walled boxes, always opt for stronger double-walled cardboard boxes.
It’s possible to add extra cardboard inserts to the packaging or to double-wall a box yourself. It’s recommended to pack all items tightly to avoid movement during transit and, if necessary, consider wrapping items in light cardboard or paper sheets.
Before shipping, inspect the cardboard packaging for any rips, tears or structural damage. Existing damage can easily be exacerbated during transport, so only use sturdy, intact boxes.
Cardboard packaging is a surprisingly durable packaging material that can be used to safely store and transport a wide range of goods and products. Cardboard packaging is cost-effective, versatile and, most importantly of all, environmentally friendly.
If you’re looking to source quality cardboard packaging for your business or personal needs, don’t hesitate to contact ITP Packaging for more information.