Folding Carton Vs Rigid Boxes: Which One Should You Choose?
- By brownpackaging
- May 11, 2022
- 3:28 pm
There are numerous ways to package your products. However, not every way is the most practical approach to packaging your products. As a result, you should always look to weigh your options between alternatives to maximize the best outcome.
For example, folding cartons and rigid boxes basically serve a similar purpose in protecting, displaying and promoting your products. Nevertheless, they are quite different with their own strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, your decision on which packaging option to choose should be based on your product plans, budget, and business goals.
Quick Overview: Folding Cartons Vs Rigid Boxes:
What is A Folding Carton?
A folding carton is often built out of thin paperboard or fiberboard material that is cut and designed into a foldable box. Folding cartons can be designed with any graphic design, shape or dimension. Typically, folding cartons are designed to hold lightweight, durable, small, or cheap items.
Here are some common types of folding carton box styles:
• Straight tuck end boxes (STE)
• Reverse tuck end boxes (RTE)
• Auto bottom boxes
• Full seal end boxes
• Tuck top boxes
• And many more…
Folding cartons can be customized to fit your products needs with inserts, window cutouts, partitions, or whatever the case maybe. In addition, you can print out your folding cartons with multiple techniques such as flexography, digital, and lithography.
Folding Carton Benefits
• Cheaper in costs: folding cartons are less complex and are generally made with cheaper material than rigid boxes.
• Storage space efficient: cartons have the flexibility of folding flat, which makes it ideal for storage purposes.
• Lower logistics costs: with lightweight material and a flat structure, cartons are cheap in overhead for shipping and handling.
• Faster to produce: typically, the simpler the packaging product is the faster it is able to be produced.
Folding Carton Disadvantages
• Less product protection: the material used to create folding cartons are thinner compared to rigid boxes.
• Product set-up required in fulfillment: packagers usually have to fold the carton into its form.
• Cannot hold heavy or fragile items: this type of box is not recommended in holding fragile or heavy items.
Common Folding Carton Applications
• Food snacks
• Cereal
• Small electronic devices and accessories
• Soda packs
• Medicine
• Consumer goods (small)
• Sports accessories
• Nutrition and supplements
• Ink cartridges
What is A Rigid Box?
Rigid boxes are made of thick 36 to 120pt board overlaid with printed paper wrap that can be printed with a custom design. The box’s structural integrity, sturdiness, and strength give many the perception of a superior or high-end product. Ultimately, these boxes are designed to hold fragile items, heavier items compared to folding carton, and expensive products.
Here is the list of the most common rigid box types:
• Two pieces
• Collapsible/Foldable
• Match/Slide
• Book
• Hinged/flip lid
• Shoulder/neck
Many companies that want their products to feel superior, often make the investment in purchasing custom rigid boxes. Custom rigid boxes can be made with cushion, leather, ribbons, magnetic closures, and many other lavish features.
Rigid Box Benefits
• Higher perceived product value: rigid boxes provide customers with more confidence due to your investment in the products packaging (display and promotion)
• Product set-up is easier in fulfillment: these boxes are delivered in their box shape, which will require less labor in fulfillment.
• Superior product protection: these boxes provide extra protection compared to other boxes.
Rigid Box Disadvantages
• More expensive to make: the cost of materials and effort to make rigid boxes is substantially more than a folding carton.
• Slower to Produce: these boxes are more complex, which often result in slower production.
• Higher logistics costs: these boxes are not as logistic friendly as cartons.
• Requires more storage space: boxes have to be stacked and cannot lay perfectly flat like a foldable box.
Common Rigid Box Applications
• Gift boxes
• Cosmetic and beauty set boxes
• Medical devices
• High-end and luxury products
• Jewelry
• Smartphones and computers
Our Recommendation: What Should You Choose Folding Carton or Rigid Box?
We recommend you pick the right package solution that aligns most with your product plans, budget, and business goals. Folding cartons and rigid boxes have a similar purpose but are designed for to hold different products. To help you weigh your options more be sure to know what you’re purchasing by carefully looking at the advantages and disadvantages of each product.
If you are interested in folding cartons, rigid boxes, or packaging solutions for your business, then contact Brown Packaging today.
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