How is cardboard different from corrugated cardboard

Cardboard and corrugated cardboard packaging

It is often not clear to our buyers whether they need a package made of cardboard or corrugated cardboard. This is an important choice and it is first necessary to distinguish between these two materials. Fortunately, they are easy to tell apart: cardboard is a homogeneous material while corrugated cardboard consists of several flat and corrugated layers glued together. If you see one or even two waves when you look at the edge of the cardboard, you can be sure it is corrugated cardboard.

What is cardboard?

Cardboard is a kind of thick, hard paper weighing more than 250 g per m2 (paper weighs less than 250 g). Cardboard is used in the production of a wide variety of packaging and is one of the most popular packaging materials due to its aesthetics, functionality, low cost and environmental friendliness. Cardboard decomposes quickly, so cardboard is perfect as secondary packaging.

What is corrugated cardboard?

Corrugated board is cardboard with a corrugated (fluted or pleated) layer inside two flat linerboards. Due to its special construction, it is light, durable and easy to handle, making it particularly popular as a packaging material. It varies according to the number of glued layers, and the height and frequency of the flute. This material is also quite environmentally friendly as it decomposes naturally in nature. Corrugated packaging waste can be recycled up to 6 times.

What to choose: cardboard or corrugated cardboard?

The first thing to consider is the size of the package. If you need a small, neat box, then you’ll be better off with cardboard. It is possible not only to make colored cardboard packaging, but also to decorate it with various effects (UV varnish, foiling, embossing). For those who want luxury and exclusive aesthetics, you can even choose from a variety of textures and colors. Cardboard packaging is quite delicate, so it is suitable for packaging light, small-format products. As the size of the package increases, the harder it is for cardboard packages to hold their shape. Additional boxes are thus required to transport the cartons to the points of sale. Therefore, the carton is called the primary packaging of the product and the transport boxes in which the cartons are placed are called secondary.

When you need to pack a larger product or one that needs robust protection, it is worth choosing corrugated cardboard. Corrugated cardboard is tougher, so sometimes it is the only choice. Decorative options are also numerous. Packages that do not require complex visual elements can be printed in one or more colors by flexography. If the package needs to be colorful and beautiful, then it can be embellished using high-quality offset printing, covered with glossy or matte laminates, or decorated with UV varnish or foil.

For larger packages, cardboard and corrugated cardboard can be combined

It looks nicer when larger packages are made of both corrugated cardboard and cardboard. For example, when the outside of a package is made from cardboard, it automatically becomes more beautiful and aesthetically pleasing externally, whereas an inner layer of corrugated cardboard makes it durable, tough and safe for the contents.

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