If you need to buy packaging boxes, here is our right guide for you:

A packaging box is very versatile. It has different volumes, styles, and types that are essential in one’s buying decision. Learn more below.

The packaging box volume, style, and type you require should match your needs. Volume is the number of packaging units, while style is your packaging’s shape and look. Type is the packaging kind you need.

If you know the kind of packaging you require, the whole procedure of buying packaging boxes starts. The best way is to check what your competitors are utilizing.

What packaging types are competitors using?

The type of boxes your competitors use should matter in your buying decision. It would be best if you aimed for a unique and customized packaging. If your competitors are using rigid boxes, you can consider using folding boxes. There is a distinct benefit in using unique packaging for your products. Some of the benefits include;

• Improvement in product perception from the consumer’s eyes
• Product protection
• Affordable
• Easy to ship
• Consistency with the brand’s environmental impact and social values

There may be cases where competitors choose to use the same packaging type as you. Thus, it is better to select different packaging from them and customize it. The more unique your packaging is, the higher the chances of you gaining the necessary market attention.

Types of Packaging 

There are four main categories of packaging available in the market. They include;

• Bottles/ Tins/ Jars/ Containers
• Plastic Thermoform Packaging
• paper Bags
• Boxes

Types of Packaging Boxes

Boxes are the most common packaging type present in the market. There are three common types of boxes. They include;

• Rigid boxes: The boxes are also known as Set-up boxes; they are firm paper-based boxes that consist of high-thickness chipboards.
• Folding cartons: They are also known as paperboard cartons or paperboard boxes. The box type allows for flat-folding for shipping purposes.
• Corrugated boxes: They are also known as cardboard boxes, combined boards, corrugated boards, and corrugated fiberboards. The box type is one of the most durable and sturdy presents.

Flexible Packaging or Bags

There are four standard bag types, they include:

• Paper Bags
• Woven Poly Bags
• Poly Bags 
• Stand-up pouches (AKA SUP, Barrier Bag)

Polybag refers to any single-layer bag that manufacturers make from plastic film. Manufacturers often make the bags from a wide range of plastic films.

The stand-up pouch is new in the flexible packaging industry. It is a polybag type that manufacturers laminate with different plastic films, at least two or three. The films contribute to various bag attributes, such as barrier protection and overall strength. Stand-up pouches can offer outstanding protection from product spoilage and oxidation. 

Paper bags are just bags that manufacturers make from paper. Some of the most common examples include; gift bags and grocery bags. Woven poly bags’ most typical use is in bulk products like soil, dog food, and rice.

Plastic Thermoformed Packaging

Manufacturers make the packaging by molding plastic into a specific size and shape shell. Manufacturers then glue them into a paperboard piece. The plastic thermoformed is available in various styles and forms. Common names include skin packaging, face seal, trapped blister, clamshell, and blister pack.

Bottle/ Jars/ Containers/ Tins

Manufacturers can make the category from glass, plastic, or metal, and it comes in various sizes and shapes. The most common packaging in this category is stock packaging instead of custom packaging.

Selecting the Right Packaging Style

After deciding on the packaging type, the next step should be the style. Here are some ways you can use to select the best style for you:

• Look through websites where you can find various packaging styles. For example, search for rigid box styles if you want a rigid box.
• Search google images for packaging styles. You can do so by first keying in the packaging type, like paperboard boxes. Then, save the images of the packaging you like. You can also use the images to communicate the style you want with the packaging manufacturer.
• Check online and retail stores like Amazon for ideas. Save the photos and choose the style that you like.
• If you still cannot find the right style, you can choose to sketch it yourself. You can also ask for your manufacturer’s help selecting the right packaging style design.

Decide on volume

Packaging volume is an essential part of your buying decision. Different companies have varying minimum order quantities. The higher the quantity, the cheaper an order will be for you. Furthermore, manufacturers with a higher minimum order quantity are more attractive.

Some other factors that should influence your volume decision include;

• Anticipated product movement condition
• The available number of retailers who are ready to buy your products
• Available preorders that require fulfillment.
• Speculative or proven sales expectations
• Warehouse excess packaging requirements.

Retail Environments

You must know what online markets or retail stores demand and expect of your packaging choice. For instance, Costo and Walmart have several requirements and restrictions that dictate the size, style, and type of packaging.

Therefore, consider your retail or online environment’s requirements before you buy a packaging.

In addition, some retail stores that have limited shelf space may influence the volume decision. In some cases, the retail stores may need you to develop your shelf space. Thus, the volume of packaging you use for display should matter a lot.

Online market stores like Amazon can also impact your packaging decisions. Amazon has a unique set of rules when it comes to packaging. They include packaging durability and consumer expectations. The expectations from the online stores can help in determining the best packaging for you.

Considerations in sustainable packaging

Some consumers may have environmentally conscious packaging needs. Sustainable packaging is currently a growing concern among the retail markets, governments, and consumers. 

Furthermore, the phenomenon is dominant because of the gigantic social media influence. Therefore, consider your consumer’s needs before you decide on your packaging type, volume, and style. If the consumers prefer sustainable packaging types like corrugated boxes, use that box type.

The Production of Modern Corrugated Packaging

The Corrugator

A corrugator is a set of machines designed to bring together three, five, or seven sheets of paper to form a single, double, or triple wallboard in a continuous process.

The 3 key stages:

• Corrugating the flutes and gluing to a single liner
• Gluing the outside liner to make a rigid board
• Cutting the board to the desired size

Three sheets of paper (containerboard) are unrolled simultaneously on the corrugator: the inner liner, the outer liner, and in the middle, the medium (also called fluting).

The medium sheet is given a “wave”. This corrugation is obtained by pressing the sheet under heat through grooved metal rolls. This operation gives the paper its fluted shape in the single facer.

Starch is applied to the tips of the flutes on one side, the outer liner and the inner liner are glued to the tips of the corrugated medium sheet of paper from the outer and the inner side respectively.

The Corrugated board comes out of the corrugator as a flat board sheet.

Converting of the corrugated board

The converting of the corrugated board includes all processes of transformation from a flat board to a finished product (mainly packaging). These processes consist of printing, die-cutting, folding and gluing (taping or stitching).

Different operations are carried out based on the customer’s specifications and according to the type of packaging.

The converting process varies according to the type of packaging.

Printing

Whatever the type of packaging, printing on corrugated sheets is always possible.

The flexographic print process is commonly used for printing on corrugated. In recent years digital direct print is entering the market offering new possibilities.

Printing can be done « in-line » or « off-line ».

Die-cutting, folding, gluing

Most of the corrugated containers are manufactured on the Flexo-Folder-Gluer (FFG) machines which are combining printing, die-cutting, folding, and gluing. Those processes can be also performed on separate machines.

The packaging is then palletized and ready to be shipped flat to the customer.

Conclusion

Your buying decision should matter on various aspects of packaging boxes, such as type, volume, and style. Also, some consumer expectations and online or retail store requirements play an essential role in packaging decisions.