Corrugated packaging is a durable, cost-effective, and versatile packaging material that’s made from 3 or more sheets of corrugated fibreboard (also known as containerboard). Corrugated boxes are made from a flat material called linerboard and a medium, which is paper that’s formed into flutes and glued between liner boards.
Who Invented Corrugated Packaging?
Corrugated packaging as we know it goes back more than a century, born from the need to package and store goods for a longer period.
In 1856, Healey and Allen, two Englishmen, secured a patent for the first known use of corrugated paper. Using two fluted rolls, the corrugated paper was fed through a hand-cranked machine, creating fluted paper lining that could be placed in hats.
But corrugated paper for hats is one thing, and corrugated packaging for transporting products is completely different. An American named Albert S. Jones is responsible for this combination and was the first person known to use corrugated paper to wrap fragile items like bottles and other easily breakable goods in a similar way that corrugated packaging is used today.
How is Corrugated Packaging Made?
The process for creating corrugated packaging hasn’t changed much since its humble origins in the 1850s.
With corrugated packaging, two sheets of flat paper known as liners or linerboard, are glued to a corrugated inner material called fluting.
Together, these distinctive layers are stronger than they would be if they were used separately. If you look closely at corrugating packaging, you can see a type of weave pattern. This is what adds structure and stability to the packaging.
Different fluting can be used to make different sizes of the arch in the material, creating a result that is structurally superior to many other types of packaging and is a great option for products that need to be handled and packed carefully.
Curious about more details? We dive deeper into the corrugated packaging process and different flute grades in our ultimate guide to corrugated packaging.
Why Use Corrugated Packaging?
- Stronger than Cardboard: Safe, sturdy, and protective, corrugated boxes are stronger than cardboard, so you can feel confident that whatever you put inside will stay safe and sound. Corrugated packaging is also crushed and pressure resistant.
- A Wide Range of Sizes: Corrugated packaging is available in a wide range of sizes. Although it’s strong, it’s also lightweight, making it a great fit for nearly any type of product that needs to be protected but without the added weight.
- Can Be Broken Down and Reused: Corrugated boxes can be broken down and stored easily or transported without affecting the structural integrity of the packaging.
- Good for the Environment: The packaging material itself is made from recycled and renewable materials, such as Kraft, making them an eco-friendly packaging option that consumers will appreciate.
Choose a Trusted Corrugated Packaging Box Manufacturer
At Alpha Packaging, our decades of combined experience, coupled with our deep knowledge of the custom packaging process across a variety of industries allow us to provide you with full-service packaging design and printing services.
From choosing the right packaging material for your product to designing a look that captivates your audience and elevates your brand, trust the professionals at Alpha Packaging to deliver an end result that’s so powerful and so compelling, that you’ll want to buy your own product!
If you’re interested in learning more about how corrugated packaging may be the right choice for your packaging and shipping and fulfillment needs, or you’d like to consult with us on crafting the perfect design to showcase your product, we’d be delighted to work with you.
Even if you’re not sure what type of packaging you need for your product, get in touch with us. Our experts will take the time to understand your vision and your needs and work with you to craft packaging that perfectly expresses all those points in one artistic creation.
Contact us today to learn more about our extensive printing and packaging services and get a free, no obligation quote for all your custom packaging needs.