What is the Difference Between Corrugated Boxes and Carton Board Boxes?

Admin   09 May 2025 | 04:25 AM

While using the word ‘cardboard’ some people may be referring to corrugated boxes or carton board boxes, but these are two different materials; then what is the difference between the two? When you are deciding on the right packaging to use in order to ship your products, it is crucial in this process to know what material you are actually using and the advantages that come with it.

What is corrugated board?
 

A corrugated board can be defined as a material that is made up of the liner board and the kraft paperboard. The multilayer one has two liner boards thicker than the other two and is located outside of the layers while the middle layer is fluted with consistent reoccurring air pockets between it and the next layer.

The open cells that are on the inside are in fact good for shock absorbing and the material also does not get damaged easily when roughly handled. The corrugated board exists as one of the most used packaging materials globally by individuals and companies for delivering products. This is because this material is one of the most effective and efficient when applied each time one is transporting goods through a transit channel.

Another advantage of a corrugated board is its flexibility in a way that more thickness can be added depending on the intended strength. You can also print on the corrugated boards in order to incorporate attributes like brand name, logo, or company details such as ‘Fragile’. But, as for the large and complex detailed patterns, it is almost impossible to print them on a corrugated board because of the rough surface.

What is carton board?
 

Carton board is the term that is used to refer to an enclosed packaging material made of paperboard and in most cases corrugated fiberboard. It is particularly renowned for its strength and inflexibility, and therefore widely used in packaging. It is often thought of as cardboard, however, cardboard is a heavy type of paper created in different levels of durability/ density. It is a broad term that commonly refers to paper like materials that are generally thicker than paper. Cartonboard is less difficult to print on compared to corrugated board since there are no ridges on the paper and it is thinner than corrugated board; hence easier to manage by the printing machines.

Corrugated boxes vs carton board boxes
 

Although corrugated board and cardboard may seem like interchangeable products, they are two very distinctive materials that offer advantages for different applications, but which one is the appropriate packaging material for you to employ?

When it comes to choosing a commercial packaging that does not have to accommodate for heavy items, the best to use are carton board boxes since they can be printed on, they are lightweight, visually appealing, and are not cumbersome. They can also be used for transporting small, flat, low-weight items through mail services like DVDs, books, and documents.

Corrugated board on the other hand is the most appropriate material to use when sending out shipping boxes, and any other large packaging requirements. This type of box has a great strength and is very durable making it ideal for shipping and stacking ( as these boxes can endure some rough handling and can also support the weight of other boxes if need be especially where they are stacked in a depot before they are shipped or delivered.)