With the growing popularity of online shopping, delivering purchases in pristine condition is very important for a business’s reputation. This is why choosing between corrugated and cardboard packaging for your business can play a vital role in customer satisfaction. While both options for packaging have their own merits, there is a reason most businesses opt for corrugated boxes.
In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between cardboard and corrugated packaging and why you should consider choosing the latter for your business.
Difference Between Cardboard vs. Corrugated Packaging
The main difference between corrugated and non-corrugated boxes is their structure. Corrugated boxes comprise three layers of cardboard, i.e., a wavy or corrugated inner layer sandwiched between two smooth outer layers. This structure in corrugated boxes provides more durability and strength when it comes to packing products.
On the other hand, cardboard packaging is made with a simpler one-layer design without any corrugations. These boxes easily deform when subjected to weight and are not sturdy or durable enough to survive rough handling.
Advantages of Corrugated Boxes
Now that you’ve learned the key difference between corrugated vs. non-corrugated boxes let’s discuss why choosing corrugated packaging over conventional cardboard ones is more beneficial for your business:
Maximum Protection
Corrugated boxes are much stronger than your average cardboard ones. They are multi-layered, and the corrugated structure provides incredible strength and support, which will protect your product from rough handling during delivery. This type of packaging is ideal for heavy or fragile items that are more likely to get damaged during the shipping process.
Corrugated shipping boxes are also extremely durable. The material is tear-resistant and keeps the moisture and bacteria in the external environment from reaching your product. This can be especially useful when packing food that has to withstand long shipping periods.
Easy to Customize
Since corrugated boxes have a smooth outer layer, you can use them for printing high-quality graphics and branding. While cardboard boxes can also be easily customized, the multi-layer structure of corrugated packages serves as a better canvas for printing. This means any eye-catching visuals like your company logo or the product’s information on the packaging will be legible.
Since cardboard boxes often deform during shipping, there is a high chance that the package print and design will also be damaged. This will waste all your marketing and branding efforts.
Recyclable and Biodegradable
If you are someone who finds corrugated boxes to be more wasteful since they have more layers of material than cardboard, we have good news for you. Corrugated boxes are both recyclable and biodegradable. This means that they can help minimize your business’s carbon footprint, just like cardboard.
The main benefit you get with corrugated packaging is that since it doesn’t get damaged during shipping, customers can easily fold the box and pack it away for later use. This may win your business some brownie points from eco-conscious customers.
Wide Range of Size and Design
Another thing about corrugated boxes is that they can come in multiple shapes, sizes, and styles. The corrugated structure allows you to create some difficult shapes that aren’t possible with single-layered cardboard. Since the material is durable, you can also add extra features like handles, dividers, etc.
This versatility of corrugated packaging material allows it to be used for various products and industries. Whether you need small boxes for delicate jewelry, compartment boxes for chocolates, or even large boxes for bulky machinery, these boxes are the perfect solution.
Cost-effectiveness
With the level of protection and customization they provide, corrugated packaging may seem like an expensive choice for a business. But it’s important to keep in mind that while the upfront cost of these boxes is more than cardboard, they will save you more money in the long run.
This is because cardboard boxes are more susceptible to damage during shipping. As a result, more customers will want to return their purchases, costing you return charges and your business reputation. In fact, 73% of survey participants reported they wouldn’t buy from a brand again after getting a damaged package. With corrugated boxes, you can stop worrying about these things and save money.
Stacking for Efficient Storage
Besides protecting your products, these boxes are also designed for efficient storage and stacking, which can greatly benefit warehouses and retail spaces. This means you can stack multiple boxes on top of each other without compromising whatever is inside.
Along with better storage and efficient inventory management, the stacking ability of these boxes is so good that you won’t even have to worry about bumpy roads. The corrugated build will prevent them from toppling over.
Why Cardboard Boxes Aren’t Worth It?
If you still think cardboard boxes are the way to go for delivering packages for your business, here are all the things that could go wrong with these boxes:
- Heavy, fragile items will most likely get damaged during transit.
- Objects with sharp corners will tear through the thin packaging.
- The box will be easily crushed when other heavy boxes are stacked on top of it.
- If the package is kept in a humid and dirty warehouse, the box will lose its shape and integrity.
- Since the box won’t adequately protect the products inside, you’ll have to deal with increased returns and refunds.
- Due to its weak structure, any printed marketing on the front of the box may fade, misprint, or tear.
- The one-layer material won’t allow for unique packaging shapes or extra features like dividers, handles, etc.
All these disadvantages may not seem like a big deal at first, but they will significantly affect the trust consumers have in your brand. In the long run, this can have negative effects on your brand’s reputation.
Final Verdict
Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of both cardboard and corrugated packaging, corrugated packaging comes out as the clear winner with more benefits. It’s more durable, stackable, and has better support properties than cardboard. While cardboard may have a cheaper upfront cost, it isn’t worth damaging your business reputation.
If you’re ready to take a step towards better and more reliable packaging for your business, make sure to check out Lansbox Packaging Factory. We’re one of the leading corrugated box manufacturers and are known for our wide range of packaging options well-suited for various industries.
