It’s common for people to use the word “cardboard” when referring to any type of paper packaging materials.

However, for the professional packaging industries, the effective material used, are corrugated cartons.

So what’s the difference between the two? Although the two materials look similar, corrugated cartons are more durable than cardboard boxes, alleviating the worry that your products will be damaged during shipping.

Read further to learn more about the differences between cardboard vs. corrugated cartons to enhance your packaging efforts.

When selecting the right packaging materials to ship your products in, it’s important to know what type of packaging you’re actually getting. If not, you may not be embodying your brand as well as you may have believed.

Cardboard typically refers to a thick paper stock or heavy paper-pulp. You can see this type of material used for cereal boxes or greeting cards. Although corrugated cartons are made with some cardboard, it’s important to know that these materials are not the same.

Corrugated is made up of three layers of paper that include an inside liner, an outside liner, and fluting with a ruffled shape, which runs in between the two. This type of material enhances the packaging process for the following reasons:

In conclusion, while the differences may seem insignificant at first, it should be easy to see that cardboard is better left for items such as cards and cereal boxes.

Corrugated, on the other hand, is the packaging material of choice for shipping boxes.

When formed into boxes, corrugated sheets are ideal for shipping because they are very strong and durable, and are easily recycled.