What Is Corrugated board?
Updated · Vorex Packaging
Corrugated board is a packaging material made from a wavy fluted paper layer glued between flat liner sheets, which makes it stiff, light and cushioning. It is what most people mean by cardboard, and it is used for shipping boxes, mailer boxes, displays and any packaging that needs to protect products in transit.
The fluted layer, called the medium, works like a row of arches that resist crushing and absorb shocks. Liners on each side carry the print and add strength.
Main constructions
- Single-face: one liner and one flute, often used as a wrap.
- Single-wall: two liners and one flute, the standard for most boxes.
- Double-wall: two flutes and three liners for heavy or stacked loads.
What buyers should specify
- Flute size, such as E-flute for printed mailers or B-flute for more protection.
- Strength, usually as an ECT or burst rating.
- Liner color, typically brown kraft or white.
- Print method and finish.
Corrugated boxes are widely recyclable in curbside programs in the USA and Canada when they are not combined with heavy plastic, though local rules vary. For retail shelves where looks matter most, paperboard cartons are sometimes a better fit.
Questions
Is corrugated board the same as cardboard?
In everyday speech, yes. Most people say cardboard when they mean corrugated boxes. In the packaging trade, cardboard is a loose term, so suppliers distinguish corrugated board, with flutes, from paperboard, which is a single solid sheet.
What is the strongest type of corrugated board?
Double-wall and triple-wall boards with larger flutes and stronger liners give the most strength. The right choice depends on product weight and shipping conditions, and a higher rating than needed adds weight and cost.
