Cardboard boxes are useful for storage and shipping. They have become immensely popular because they offer a reasonable amount of protection at an extremely low price. There are many different types of cardboard boxes that have commercial and industrial uses, so you should make sure that you choose an option that suits your specific needs.

What Are Cardboard Boxes?

Cardboard is a material consisting of several paper layers. The layers are bound together with natural adhesives and wood pulp. This allows them to function as a single unit that offers better protection than a single layer could provide. Some cardboard contains corrugated paper that offers even more stability and protection. Corrugated cardboard boxes have a middle layer that has been fluted to provide extra cushion for items stored inside the boxes.

Cardboard Box Options

Size is one of the primary considerations when choosing cardboard boxes. Manufacturers make cardboard boxes in a large variety of shapes and sizes, so chances are that you can find an option that fits your needs. If you can’t find a cardboard box supplier that has an option big enough or appropriately shaped for your items, then you can contact companies that manufacture custom cardboard boxes. This options costs more money than buying generic boxes, but it will allow you to ship and store all of your items safely.

Strengths of Cardboard Boxes

You can also choose between varieties of cardboard box strengths. The industry ranks cardboard boxes according to their Edge Crush Test (ECT) results. Some companies also use a burst test to measure the strength of their cardboard boxes. Every manufacturer is required to print the ECT or test weight on their cardboard boxes. You can usually find the manufacturer’s seal printed under the bottom flap.

ECT is a useful measurement for determining the strength of a box because there are several factors that affect how much weight a cardboard box can hold. A small box made of ¼-inch cardboard can withstand more pressure than a large box made of the same cardboard. For instance, a cardboard box with 32 ECT is measured to hold up to 200 pounds safely regardless of the box’s size. The ECT lets you know how strong the box actually is, not how strong the cardboard is.

Advantages of Cardboard Boxes

One of the most immediate advantages of cardboard boxes is the low price. Even strong cardboard boxes are inexpensive to make and buy. They are also sturdy, especially when one considers how little they cost. A wooden, plastic, or metal box that offers the same level of protection would cost significantly more.

Cardboard boxes are also environmentally friendly. They are made of paper, which can be recycled or composted. Much of the cardboard that is used to make the boxes comes from farms that specifically grow trees for harvesting. Choosing cardboard boxes made from these trees means that your company does not contribute to deforestation of public land foreign forests that contribute to the planet’s health.