Cardboard Boxes
The cardboard box was an invention that stemmed out of the need for a cheaper and lighter alternative to heavier, more expensive boxes and crates that were used for shipping goods. The cardboard box acts as a light, portable way to transfer goods from one place to another. Not all cardboard boxes are identical however, as they can differ in size and dimensions, as well as thickness and shape. Due to demand from buyers, cardboard box manufacturers are accustomed to producing a wide range of cardboard boxes for sale, of precise sizes and different shapes and configurations.
Corrugated Cardboard Boxes
Most cardboard boxes are corrugated, meaning they are produced by sticking outer sheets of thick paper on either side of a central layer of fluted paper. In corrugated cardboard boxes, these three layers are held together by a starch based adhesive. This process and the box that results from it can be tailored to the user’s individual needs. There are, for example, different types of fluting that can be employed. 'C' grade fluting for instance is considered to be very strong and resilient to crushing, whereas 'E' grade fluting is much more lightweight, and is best used for die cut designing and point of purchase boxes. As well as the fluting, the design of the corrugated cardboard box can also vary in regards to the construction of its walls. Single wall corrugated cardboard is the most common design, and is produced using only a single layer of fluting. However, if the box is required to store and transport heavy products, then double wall corrugated cardboard is also available. This is produced by stacking two layers of fluting on top of one another for added strength. This design is mostly employed in cardboard shipping boxes, as their reinforced design prevents the damage of any of the goods contained within them during transport.
Cardboard Gift Boxes
Cardboard boxes are used for many different purposes. Cardboard gift boxes are generally small and possess smooth surfaces for the printing of decorative designs. These can sometimes be supplied by shops when gifts are purchased, but many people choose to make and design their own custom cardboard boxes, cutting up other cardboard boxes for their construction.
Free Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes of various sizes and shapes are often employed by supermarkets and other large shops when receiving stock. When the stock has been emptied from them, many shops choose to leave the boxes under the checkouts or near the exits, so that customers can take them away as they choose. This is a common practice for those people who are moving house, as free cardboard boxes are a much more cost effective alternative to purchasing flat packed storage containers.
Custom Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard box suppliers are easy to locate on the internet, and many offer a wide range of services, both in terms of wholesale cardboard boxes and boxes purchased in smaller quantities for personal use. Customers are frequently able to specify the exact dimensions of the boxes they require, and get them produced to order. Such custom cardboard boxes are becoming more and more popular. Cheap cardboard boxes are available as well as more exotic types, such as waxed cardboard boxes. These boxes have been specially treated to make them water proof, so they are much more resilient to moisture, allowing them to be used in a wider range of environments.