HOW TO CHECK THE QUALITY OF A CARDBOARD BOX?

One of the most important aspects in a cardboard box is its quality: it depends
mainly on its resistance when transporting your products. But calculating the
quality of a cardboard box is also one of the aspects of the packaging that
generates more doubts, especially among online stores that do not have a deep
knowledge of the world of packaging.

What Is Corrugated Cardboard Made Of?

Corrugated cardboard, a material used for the production of a large part of commercial
packaging, is made up of several layers of paper.  Some of them are smooth and others wavy. The simplest corrugated cardboard has at least one corrugated layer and two layers
of plain paper, one outer and the other inner.

From here, the combination between plain and corrugated paper can be sophisticated,
resulting in cartons that combine a higher number of layers of corrugated paper
and plain paper. The wavelength and paper type can also vary. Together, these
variations give rise to the different qualities of a cardboard boxes.

What Is The Quality Of A Cardboard Box?

The quality of a cardboard box depends on 3 aspects:

1. The type of wave or channel

2. The type and weight of paper

3. The composition of the box, that is, the combination between smooth and wavy faces

In PCB we offer 6 different qualities of cardboard, understanding the quality of
each box as a certain combination between wave or channel, type and weight of
paper, and combination between smooth and wavy faces. Some of the qualities we
offer are available in kraft or white color to choose.

Each of these qualities is suitable for the transport of a type of product
(according to its degree of fragility, volume, weight, etc.) and for certain
transport conditions: the farther the product must travel, the stronger the box
should be of cardboard to protect it properly.

These are our general recommendations when choosing a cardboard quality based on the
volume and weight of the product.

Below we explain in more detail each of the 6 qualities you will find in PCB.

Quality # 1 - 1 Wave (Micro Plus) + Weight 360–370g / M 2

This cardboard quality combines 1 very small wave corrugated paper (the 1.5mm
E-channel) with 2 plain paper weights between 360-370g / m 2.

As we explained in this post, the paper weight is the weight (in grams) of a sheet
per square meter (g / m 2). The greater the weight of a paper, the more
resistant it is and the more security it offers to corrugated cardboard. The
quality of 1 wave (micro plus) is ideal for packaging and packaging of small
products and in which a good presentation is important. For example, perfumes,
food products or fashion accessories. Its small wave makes it much easier to
print on this type of cardboard  than on larger wave cards.

This quality is an ideal alternative to cardboard boxes or compact cardboard, a material
widely used in small format packaging. The micro plus corrugated cardboard is
as light as the cardboard but much more consistent. And you also have it
available in brown kraft and white.

Quality # 2 - 1 Wave (3mm Plus) + Weight 405g / M 2

This cardboard quality combines 1 small wave corrugated paper (the B-channel of
about 3mm) with 2 plain paper weights of 405g / m 2. It is therefore a slightly
stronger quality than the previous one, but it is still a little thick
cardboard. What can you use this type of cardboard for? For packaging and
packaging a little larger and stronger than the previous ones, but in which you
still need a good presentation.

For example, it is an ideal cardboard quality to send several perfumes or
accessories for fashion: having more products, the cardboard has to be somewhat
more resistant, but it maintains almost the same lightness and good image that
you get with the 1 micro wave cardboard plus.

This cardboard quality is only available in brown kraft boxes.

Quality # 3 - 1 Wave (5mm) + Weight 370g / M 2

This cardboard quality combines 1 medium-wave corrugated paper (the C-channel of
about 5mm) with 2 plain weights of 370g / m 2. This cardboard therefore
combines a wave superior to the previous qualities with a fairly light paper.
This cardboard quality is very versatile, and especially suitable for all types
of packaging intended to transport rather small, rather light and not very
fragile products. It is not the most resistant cardboard but it supports a
standard transport very well, and it presents an excellent value for money.

Quality # 4 - 1 Wave (5mm Plus) + Weight 445–495g / M 2

The reinforced version of the previous quality. This cardboard quality presents 1
layer of corrugated paper with the same C wave of 5mm as the previous quality,
but this time combined with 2 plain papers of a higher weight, specifically
between 445–495g / m 2.

This quality is indicated for the transport of medium weight products and of an
already considerable volume. It is made of high quality papers that give the
cardboard a great resistance to the inclemency of the transport, such as
humidity, bumps, etc. In addition, the 5mm wave is already an interesting wave
that contributes a considerable thickness.

This quality is available in kraft box brown and white.

Quality # 5 - 2 waves (BC) + weight 605g / m 2

This cardboard quality has 2 layers of corrugated paper with a 6.5mm BC wave ,
combined with 4 plain heavyweight papers, specifically 605g / m 2. It is an
already very resistant quality, which offers high shock resistance throughout
the package. It is a quality indicated for medium-weight products that need
superior protection to the standard, either because of the fragility of the
product, or because of the accident or the distance it travels.

Available only in brown kraft boxes.

Quality # 6 - 2 Waves (Plus) + Weight 800–818g / M 2

This is the superior quality, the toughest of all and the reinforced version of the
previous quality. This cardboard presents 2 layers of corrugated paper with a
6.5mm BC wave, combined with 4 very heavy paper, specifically 800–818g / m 2.

This quality of cardboard box offers a very high resistance to all eventualities :
humidity, bumps, stacking, impacts ... It is the perfect cardboard to pack and
transport heavy and large volume products that need to travel well protected.

Available in brown kraft box and white.

We hope we have helped you calculate the quality of a cardboard box with more criteria,
and that now you have clearer your options when choosing the perfect packaging
for your products.