How to choose your cardboard box?
The cardboard box is an essential packaging for the shipment of merchandise, whatever the size, by post or private transport.
But given the multitude of cardboard box models and formats, how do we choose the box that corresponds to our products?
INDEX
- Cardboard box data sheet
- The different types of channel
- The simple channel
- Double channel
- The triple channel
- The different models
- The standard American box
- The GALIA box
- The VPC box
- Carton for bottle (s)
The criteria for correctly choosing your cardboard box
1: the nature of the product to be shipped
2: the type of channel required
3: the dimensions of the box
Cardboard box data sheet
This cardboard box, also called an American box, has 4 upper flaps and 4 lower flaps, thus facilitating assembly and closing.
It is used to transport objects and protect them from possible external damage due to friction or blows. Depending on the number of channels (or layers of corrugated cardboard) that the box has, it can be of greater or lesser resistance.
The different channels
The type of channel is the basis of the manufacture of the cardboard box since it defines its solidity; the channel is the layer of corrugated paper wrapped within two walls of paper (one on each side). Its thickness is variable.
The simple channel
Simple channel (or simple wave) means that the walls of the carton are composed of a single layer of corrugated paper between the two inner and outer layers of paper. This type of box has been designed for the shipment of solid and light objects that are not fragile.
It can also be used for the packaging of supporting objects, that is, products that can support several times their weight and can go one on top of the other without risk of being damaged or crushed. Its maximum capacity is 30 kg.
Consult our range of simple cardboard boxes
Double channel
The double channel (or double wave) means that the walls of the carton are made up of two layers of corrugated paper between the two inner and outer layers of paper.
It is considerably more resistant than the single channel box and therefore offers better protection against impacts or punctures and also better thermal protection against intense variations in temperatures. We recommend this type of box to transport heavy objects up to 70 kg,
supportive or not, or fragile objects such as household appliances or computer equipment, etc. It supports very well stacking on pallets.
Consult our range of double channel cardboard boxes
The triple channel
Triple channel (or triple wave) means that the walls of the carton are composed of 3 layers of corrugated paper between the two inner and outer layers of paper. This type of box is also called a reinforced custom cardboard box as it can support up to 500 kg loads both during transportation and in a complex storage and stacking context.
This reinforced box has been designed for the transport of very heavy and fragile objects, support objects or high added value. Thanks to its high shock absorption capacity, it is fully adapted for long-term storage and exports.
The different models
There is not just one type of box but several. We present the characteristics of each model.
The standard American box
The American box is the standard format of the cardboard box. It is the most used box model for shipping products. There are also American boxes of variable height, that is, they adapt to the height of what they contain thanks to their system of grooves that facilitates closing at the desired height.
Consult our range of American boxes of variable height
The GALIA box
The GALIA box is a specific model of cardboard boxes designed to meet the demands of the automotive industry. The acronym GALIA means in French Group for the improvement of logistics in the automotive sector. The outside dimensions of the box are always mentioned and are produced with single channel or double channel.
This box complies with European palletizing standards in order to be able to form stable and homogeneous pallets. The GALIA box has two different types of closure. One with a flap system (GALIA A box) and the other with a lid or hood cover (GALIA C box).
Consult our range of GALIA boxes
The VPC box
The VPC cardboard box has been designed to transport products intended for online sale (e-commerce). Also called VAD Cardboard Box »Acronym for Distance Selling.
This box has standard dimensions and a side opening to facilitate order preparation, picking and the placement or presentation of products on the shelves. It can be stacked easily and high without the risk of it being crushed or coming off the pallet.
Consult our different models of VPC boxes
Carton for bottle (s)
The cardboard box has also been reinvented to be able to transport glass bottles comfortably. This specific model has cardboard cushioning modules that allow the bottle (s) to be maintained and prevent possible blows and damage. In this way, your bottles arrive intact to their recipient.
Consult our range of boxes for bottle (s)
The criteria for correctly choosing your cardboard box
Now that you know all the cardboard box models, we present the main criteria to be able to choose the correct box format.
The nature of the product to be shipped
It’s fragile? Is it a support object? Is it a valuable product? What will be the means of transport used to send it? Will it be stored somewhere? How? These are questions that you will have to answer in order to know what type of packaging is the most suitable for your products.
Choose the channel of the box
If you’ve already answered the questions above, you already know exactly what type of channel you need for your shipments. We remind you of our recommendations:
- The single channel has been designed for light and non-fragile objects (up to 30 kg).
- The double channel is recommended for heavy or fragile objects (up to 70 kg).
- The triple channel is essential for the long-term transport of heavy or fragile objects (up to 500 kg).
The dimensions of the box
Some providers mention the two dimensions, namely interior and exterior in order to be as precise as possible. This is the case of our company Emmalee.
Can’t find boxes with the measurements that suit your product? Nothing happens. You can always protect your product with our bubble wrap or accommodate it with our craft paper.