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It’s Not Cardboard, It’s Corrugated

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The terms cardboard and corrugated are often used interchangeably, but in packaging, they mean very different things. Cardboard is a catch-all term used by consumers, while corrugated and chipboard each have specific material definitions and applications. Knowing the difference helps buyers choose the right packaging solution and avoid costly mistakes.


Corrugated: Material and Products

Corrugated material is built from at least three layers: an inside liner, an outside liner, and a fluted medium in between. Additional layers can be added to improve compression and stacking strength. This structure makes corrugated ideal for protective and high-strength packaging.

Products Made with Corrugated

Corrugated is available in natural kraft brown or bleached white. The brown color often leads consumers to mistakenly call it “cardboard.”

Kraft vs. White Corrugated Material: Making the Right Choice

Chipboard: Material and Products

Chipboard (sometimes called paperboard) is manufactured by pressing small wood particles with resin under heat and pressure to form a smooth, rigid sheet. While it is lightweight and inexpensive, it does not provide the same compression or stacking strength as corrugated.

Products Made with Chipboard

  • Folding cartons for small, lightweight goods

  • Dividers and partitions

  • Inserts and sleeves

Chipboard is commonly used in retail-ready cartons for cereal, cosmetics, and lightweight consumer goods. Like corrugated, it typically appears in white or brown, reinforcing the consumer misuse of the word “cardboard.”

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Why the Difference Matters

Using the wrong material for packaging can affect cost, product safety, and supply chain efficiency. For example:

  • Corrugated is essential when structural strength and stacking are required (shipping boxes, displays, bulk distribution).

  • Chipboard works when lightweight retail packaging is sufficient (folding cartons, retail sleeves).

  • Referring to corrugated as “cardboard” may cause confusion when sourcing from suppliers who distinguish between the two.

Selecting the right supplier also matters — not all packaging providers manufacture or stock both corrugated and chipboard. Working with one that does ensures consistent quality, efficiency, and fewer inventory issues.

custom printed corrugated box, full overlap box, die cut handles, beverage packaging
custom corrugated mailer boxes, roll end tuck top (RETT) with cherry locks and dust flaps, folding cartons, golf and sporting goods packaging

Corrugated Box

Folding Carton (Chipboard)

Work With Brown Packaging

At Brown Packaging, we help businesses choose between corrugated, chipboard, and other packaging materials based on product needs, cost goals, and supply chain requirements. Whether you need protective shipping boxes or retail-ready cartons, our team can guide you through every step. Contact Brown Packaging today to get started.


References

  • Fibre Box Association. (2023). Corrugated Material Basics. Retrieved from https://www.fibrebox.org

  • Paperboard Packaging Council. (2023). Chipboard and Folding Carton Applications. Retrieved from https://paperbox.org

  • Soroka, W. (2016). Fundamentals of Packaging Technology (5th ed.). Institute of Packaging Professionals.

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Innovations in Corrugated Box Design for Fragile Products
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Innovations in Corrugated Box Design for Fragile Products

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Corrugated Packaging: What is it Made of and Is It Recyclable?
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Impact of Recycled Fiber Content on Corrugated Box Durability

Incorporating recycled fiber into corrugated board is essential for sustainability goals, but it directly affects the mechanical properties of packaging. Understanding how fiber composition influences durability allows packaging engineers to strike the right balance between performance and environmental impact. Fiber Strength and Recycling Cycles Virgin Fiber: Longer, more intact cellulose fibers that offer superior tensile and compression strength. Recycled Fiber: Shorter fibers due to repeated processing; reduced bonding potential and stiffness. Fiber Degradation: Each recycling cycle shortens fibers, leading to diminished ECT and burst resistance. Mechanical Trade-Offs High Recycled Content: Lower material cost and improved sustainability metrics, but reduced edge crush strength and puncture resistance. Mixed Fiber Blends: Commonly used to maintain performance while increasing recycled content. Moisture Sensitivity Recycled fibers tend to absorb and retain more moisture, accelerating loss of stacking strength in humid environments. Sizing agents and moisture-resistant coatings can partially offset this effect. Testing Protocols ASTM D685: Standard practice for conditioning paper and paper products before testing. TAPPI T410: Grammage testing to verify consistency in basis weight. Long-Term Compression Testing: To monitor creep and compression loss over storage periods. Application Guidelines Use higher recycled content in light-duty e-commerce boxes where high stacking strength isn’t required. Retain virgin outer liners for high-performance applications like industrial goods or long-distance freight. References ASTM International. (2014). ASTM D685-14: Standard practice for conditioning paper and paper products for testing. ASTM International. https://www.astm.org/d0685-14.htmlTechnical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry. (2013). TAPPI T410 om-13: Grammage of paper and paperboard. TAPPI. https://www.tappi.org/content/store/shared/T410.htmlFibre Box Association. (2023). Corrugated recycling and performance considerations. Fibre Box Association. https://www.fibrebox.org (714)300-0650 request@brownpackaging.com Most Recent Posts: Categories: Subscribe To Our Newsletter By submitting your information, you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. Sustainable Packaging Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Relevant Posts

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