Sustainable Packaging
Corrugated Boxes
- Regular slotted Container (RSC)
- Half Slotted Container (HSC)
- Full Overlap (FOL)
- Roll End Tuck Top (RETT/Mailer)
- Additional Box Styles
- Corrugated Inserts
Folding Cartons
- Straight Tuck End (STE)
- Reverse Tuck End (RTE)
- Full Seal
- Auto Bottom
- Chipboard Inserts
Pouches
- Stand Up
- Lay Flat
- Gusseted
- Retort
- Block Bottom
- Sachets
- Additional Pouch Styles
Stock Packaging Products
- Corrugated Packaging
- Shipping Boxes
- Chipboard Packaging
- Edge Protectors
- Mailers (Kraft)
- Kraft Tape
- Kraft Paper
- Fully Customizable
- Wide Product Selection
- Recyclable
- Biodegradable
- Compostable
- Environment Friendly Print Options and more
- Fully Customizable
- Wide Product Selection
- Recyclable
- Biodegradable
- Compostable
- Environment Friendly Print Options and more
- Fully Customizable
- Wide Product Selection
- Recyclable
- Biodegradable
- Compostable
- Environment Friendly Print Options and more
Recyclable, Biodegradable, and Compostable Packaging
Biodegradable packaging is made from materials that naturally break down over time through the action of microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi, without leaving harmful residues. This type of packaging is designed to decompose in the environment, helping to reduce waste in landfills and minimize pollution. Typically made from natural or plant-based materials like paper, cornstarch, or bioplastics, biodegradable packaging offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional packaging by returning to nature without damaging the ecosystem.
As sustainability becomes a top priority for businesses and consumers alike, compostable and biodegradable packaging are now essential components of eco-friendly practices. With increasing regulations and growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products, companies must adapt to greener packaging solutions to remain competitive and compliant. The shift toward sustainable packaging is no longer optional—it’s a necessity for businesses aiming to meet modern expectations.
At Brown Packaging, we specialize in providing tailored packaging solutions that not only meet industry standards but also promote environmental responsibility. From retail compliance to government regulations, we work closely with clients to create packaging that balances performance, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring your brand stays ahead in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Recyclable, Biodegradable, and Compostable Packaging
As sustainability becomes a top priority for businesses and consumers alike, compostable and biodegradable packaging are now essential components of eco-friendly practices. With increasing regulations and growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products, companies must adapt to greener packaging solutions to remain competitive and compliant. The shift toward sustainable packaging is no longer optional—it’s a necessity for businesses aiming to meet modern expectations.
At Brown Packaging, we specialize in providing tailored packaging solutions that not only meet industry standards but also promote environmental responsibility. From retail compliance to government regulations, we work closely with clients to create packaging that balances performance, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring your brand stays ahead in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Our custom structural design services allow us to minimize material use without compromising protection. By optimizing the design for strength and efficiency, we help you reduce excess packaging and the environmental costs associated with waste. Smarter packaging design means a lower carbon footprint overall.
With CAPE software, we optimize pallet configurations to maximize space and load efficiency. This results in fewer trips and lower fuel usage during transportation, reducing your carbon footprint. By making the most of every pallet, we help you achieve more eco-friendly logistics.
We offer digital samples, eliminating the need for multiple physical prototypes, which reduces waste and energy use in production. By creating virtual models, we help you save resources while speeding up the design process. This eco-friendly approach helps minimize the carbon footprint of packaging development.
We focus on eco-friendly production processes that minimize waste and reduce energy consumption. By using sustainable materials and optimizing manufacturing efficiency, we help lower the carbon footprint of your packaging. This commitment to sustainable production ensures a smaller environmental impact from the start.
Our lightweight and efficient packaging solutions help reduce transportation emissions by maximizing space and minimizing weight. By designing packaging that is easy to transport, we help your business cut down on fuel consumption and overall shipping costs, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint.
We design packaging with durability and reusability in mind, extending the useful life of each product. By creating packaging that can be used multiple times before disposal or recycling, we help reduce waste and conserve resources, contributing to a smaller environmental footprint.
We prioritize sourcing materials from local suppliers to reduce transportation distances and emissions. By keeping production and distribution close to home, we help cut down on the environmental impact associated with long-distance shipping. Local sourcing ensures a more sustainable and efficient supply chain.
We offer packaging made from eco-friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable materials that reduce reliance on virgin resources. By using sustainable materials, we help decrease the carbon emissions associated with material extraction and production. This ensures that your packaging has a smaller environmental impact from the very start.
Interested In Sustainable Packaging Solutions?
POP displays must balance eye-catching branding with structural integrity. Inadequate load-bearing design can result in product sagging, leaning, or complete collapse, which not only risks product loss but also damages retailer confidence. By applying engineering principles, testing protocols, and correct material selection, brands can maximize display stability without unnecessary cost. Understanding Load-Bearing Capacity Static Load vs. Dynamic Load: Static load refers to the total weight a display can hold without movement. Dynamic load accounts for forces during handling, stocking, and customer interaction. Failure Modes: Panel buckling, shelf deflection, joint separation, and base collapse are the most common failure points. Material Selection Corrugated Board Strength: Flute profile (B, C, E, or BC) impacts stiffness and stacking strength. Higher ECT boards increase vertical load capacity but also affect cost and weight. Coatings and Laminates: Water-resistant coatings prevent fiber weakening in humid environments. Laminates can increase rigidity but may impact recyclability. Structural Reinforcements Double-Wall Shelving: For heavier products such as beverages or canned goods. Internal Braces: Die-cut supports hidden behind the graphic panels for increased stability. Base Skids: Distributes load more evenly to prevent floor contact wear and pallet jack damage. Design and Geometry Weight Distribution: Heavier SKUs should be placed at lower tiers to reduce tipping risk. Joint Engineering: Lock tabs, glue flaps, and interlocking slots improve structural stability. Shear Resistance: Cross-bracing and panel alignment reduce the risk of diagonal collapse. Testing Protocols ASTM D642: Measures compression strength to determine safe stacking loads. ISTA 3A & 6-Series: Simulates real-world handling, vibration, and impact. Shelf Deflection Tests: Measures how much a shelf bends under load over time. Best Practices Always design for at least 25% higher load capacity than the expected maximum product weight. Validate prototypes under realistic load and environmental conditions before production. Balance cost-to-performance ratio — over-engineering increases cost without visible retail benefit. References ASTM International. (2015). ASTM D642-15: Standard test method for determining compressive resistance of shipping containers. ASTM International. https://www.astm.org/d0642-15.htmlInternational Safe Transit Association. (2018). ISTA 3A general simulation performance test for packaged-products for parcel delivery system shipment. ISTA. https://ista.org/International Safe Transit Association. (2018). ISTA 6-Series transit tests. ISTA. https://ista.org/ (714)300-0650 request@brownpackaging.com Most Recent Posts: Categories: Corrugated Ecommerce ESD Design Display Flexible Packaging Foam Folding Carton Packaging Plastic Packaging Pouch Printing Protection Retail Rigid Box Thermoform Sustainability Subscribe To Our Newsletter By submitting your information, you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. POP Display Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Relevant Posts
Folding carton style selection directly impacts packaging line efficiency, end-user experience, and the overall cost-to-deliver. Each design offers unique advantages in terms of assembly speed, structural performance, and retail presentation. This guide breaks down common formats—Straight Tuck End (STE), Reverse Tuck End (RTE), Auto-Bottom, Full Seal End (FSE), plus specialty options—and when each is best suited to your product. Straight Tuck End (STE) Both tucks close on the same panel, producing a smooth front face ideal for uninterrupted graphics. Strengths: Clean front panel for high-impact branding. Efficient layout in certain die-cutting patterns. Smooth folding action for automated lines. Drawbacks: Not optimal for heavy contents. Lower tamper resistance compared to sealed formats. Common Uses: Lightweight retail products where appearance is critical. Reverse Tuck End (RTE) Top and bottom tucks close in opposite directions, improving material yield in specific blank layouts. Strengths: Ergonomic for hand-packing operations. Potential material savings over STE. Quick to assemble without gluing. Drawbacks: Break in front panel graphics due to tuck slit. Common Uses: Pharmaceuticals, small personal care, and dry goods. Auto-Bottom (Crash Lock Bottom) Base panels are pre-glued to lock automatically upon erection, cutting down manual assembly time. Strengths: High load capacity without switching to corrugated. Consistent bottom strength in every unit. Time savings in labor-intensive packing lines. Drawbacks: Higher manufacturing cost from extra gluing. Slightly bulkier in storage than flat-tuck styles. Common Uses: Heavier retail goods, food jars, premium candles. Full Seal End (FSE) Both ends are fully sealed with adhesive after filling, creating a strong, tamper-evident structure. Strengths: Maximum security during transport. High resistance to crushing and stacking pressure. Compatible with high-speed sealing equipment. Drawbacks: No reseal capability for consumers. Less flexible for manual, small-batch operations. Common Uses: Frozen foods, medical kits, beverage multipacks. Specialty and Hybrid Designs Sleeve Cartons – Brand-focused wraps around trays or multipacks. Gable Top – Common in refrigerated liquids; requires specialized forming equipment. 5-Panel Hanger – Integrated hang-tab for pegged retail displays. Custom Geometries – Hexagonal or other non-standard shapes for unique shelf presence. Decision Points When determining the best carton style, evaluate: Filling Method – Automated vs. manual. Product Handling – Fragility, stacking pressure, and in-transit vibration. Consumer Access – Single-use vs. resealable. Branding Priorities – Continuous front panel vs. cost efficiency. Speed-to-Market Goals – How quickly tooling and production can be brought online. References Soroka, W. (2014). Fundamentals of packaging technology (5th ed.). Institute of Packaging Professionals. ISBN: 978-1-930268-37-2 Twede, D., & Goddard, R. (2021). Cartons, crates and corrugated board: Handbook of paper and wood packaging technology (2nd ed.). DEStech Publications. ISBN: 978-1-60595-120-5 (714)300-0650 request@brownpackaging.com Most Recent Posts: Categories: Corrugated Ecommerce ESD Design Display Flexible Packaging Foam Folding Carton Packaging Plastic Packaging Pouch Printing Protection Retail Rigid Box Thermoform Sustainability Subscribe To Our Newsletter By submitting your information, you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. Custom Folding Cartons Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Relevant Posts
Choosing a folding carton isn’t just about the graphics or the style—it’s about how the structural design and substrate work in tandem. The right combination can optimize line efficiency, protect products during transit, and reinforce brand perception, while the wrong pairing can lead to excess costs, damaged goods, or production slowdowns. This guide explains how style and material decisions influence one another and how to align them for maximum performance. Load-Bearing and Product Weight Heavier products place greater stress on both the style and the board grade. High-Strength Pairing: Auto-bottom or Full Seal End designs with coated unbleached kraft (CUK) for beverage carriers, glass jars, or frozen food. Lightweight Retail: Straight Tuck End (STE) with SBS for cosmetics or nutraceuticals, where presentation outweighs structural load. Key Interaction: Style choice can compensate for lighter materials—an auto-bottom with medium caliper SBS can still handle moderate weight without upgrading to heavier board. Straight Tuck End (STE) Reverse Tuck End (RTE) Environmental Resistance Packaging exposed to moisture, grease, or temperature swings needs both the right style and the right coating. Cold Chain Products: FSE with poly-coated CUK to prevent panel warping in refrigerated or frozen conditions. Dry Shelf Products: STE or RTE with uncoated SBS for vibrant graphics without added cost. Key Interaction: The wrong pairing—like SBS without coating in high-humidity environments—can fail even if the style is structurally sound. Assembly Speed and Automation Line efficiency depends on how easily the style works with the chosen substrate. High-Speed Automation: FSE or STE in SBS or FBB for consistent feeding and folding with minimal score cracking. Manual Operations: RTE or auto-bottom in softer recycled FBB for easy hand folding. Key Interaction: Certain recycled boards may require adjusted creasing profiles to fold cleanly at high speeds—designers must factor this into style selection. Branding and Shelf Presence Material surface quality and structural layout work together to shape consumer perception. Premium Branding: STE in SBS for uninterrupted front panels and high-gloss finishes. Natural/Artisan Look: Sleeve or RTE in natural kraft CUK for an eco-conscious aesthetic. Key Interaction: Choosing a style with large uninterrupted panels means surface smoothness matters more, favoring higher-grade boards. Cost Optimization The most cost-effective designs balance board grade, caliper, and style complexity. Cost-Down Opportunities: Switch from STE to RTE when material yield is higher in layout, or move from SBS to recycled FBB when strength is over-specified. When to Spend More: Upgrade to auto-bottom when labor costs outweigh the savings of a simpler tuck style. Key Interaction: Sometimes a stronger style allows for a lighter material, and sometimes a higher-grade board allows for a simpler style—knowing which trade-off delivers more savings is critical. Decision Framework Define Product Constraints – Weight, fragility, shelf life, and environmental conditions. Set Line Requirements – Manual vs. automated, speed targets, changeover flexibility. Match Style to Strength – Select a structural format that supports handling and branding needs. Match Material to Style – Ensure board grade, caliper, and coatings enhance the style’s performance. Validate with Prototypes – Test under real-world shipping and retail conditions before committing to production. References Soroka, W. (2014). Fundamentals of packaging technology (5th ed.). Institute of Packaging Professionals. ISBN: 978-1-930268-37-2 Twede, D., & Goddard, R. (2021). Cartons, crates and corrugated board: Handbook of paper and wood packaging technology (2nd ed.). DEStech Publications. ISBN: 978-1-60595-120-5 (714)300-0650 request@brownpackaging.com Most Recent Posts: Categories: Corrugated Ecommerce ESD Design Display Flexible Packaging Foam Folding Carton Packaging Plastic Packaging Pouch Printing Protection Retail Rigid Box Thermoform Sustainability Subscribe To Our Newsletter By submitting your information, you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. Custom Folding Cartons Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Relevant Posts