Choosing Between Corrugated And Rigid Boxes – Importance And Difference

‘Custom rigid boxes’ many of you may be familiarized with this relatively common term. If this is true, you must think about making them a first choice for wrapping your products.

You might have also heard about corrugated packaging boxes.  A number of retailers ensure a sustainable market appearance by using this type of packaging material.

Deciding which packaging will be best for your product is indeed difficult. If you are in, don’t worry, today we will help you define the difference between them.

Today’s article is all about defining corrugated packaging as well as custom rigid boxes by definitions, significance, and of course differences. So, read this article till the end and get a competitive edge.

1. Corrugated Boxes:

Corrugated boxes, also named cardboard boxes, are known for their characteristic strength. Such materials are environment-friendly and reusable, extremely important for maintaining the air, water, and soil quality. We relate corrugated material’s strength and durability directly with the arrangement of two layers, the fluted and the paperboard. Plane paperboard often covers the fluted surfaces, preparing the boxes for bearing heavy loads without getting compressed.

The main purpose of using this type of material is to ensure the transport of products (maintaining the supply chain), without compromising the environmental concerns.

There are various different types of corrugated boxes, the following is a short list of a few of them.

  • Regular Slotted Container (RSC):
  • Half-Slotted Container (HSC):
  • Full-Overlap Slotted Container (FOL):
  • Die-Cut Boxes:
  • Telescoping Boxes:
  • Five-Panel Folder (FPF):

1.2  Importance of Corrugated Boxes:

There are several reasons for making corrugated boxes a highly valued packaging material in the e-commerce and shipping industries.

  • It makes it possible for products to safely reach their destination, which may be a warehouse, shop, or even the buyer’s address.
  • A wide range of boxes, in terms of style and shape, are available in the corrugated type of packaging boxes, usually a result of customization thus called Custom corrugated boxes.
  • The cost-effectiveness with the eco-friendly nature of the corrugated boxes helps them stand out.
  • Its durability and strengths allow people to ship products many miles away by minimizing the risk of breakage.
  • Even in the food industry, it is the most opted packaging option as if coated with an oil coating, it keeps the food fresh and crispy.

2. Rigid Boxes:

In contrast to the corrugated boxes, the other available packaging option is rigid boxes. Set-up boxes and luxury boxes are the other name of this packaging solution. To manufacture such boxes, we use chipboard or cardboard, known for their durability and strengths. It is a high-quality packaging material that gives a luxurious feel to the items, an effective strategy to grab the reader’s attention.

Such boxes contain a base and a lid that locks boxes. The lid is usually made of shallow or lightweight chipboard or cardboard sheets; while the base is often tougher to hold the weight of the product. To help manufacturers give the luxurious appeal to their products, various coating including the oil coating, decorative paper coating, and coating with leather-like material, are some of the common techniques. The premium finishing and robust construction of rigid boxes make them the first choice of all sellers selling Jewelry, electronic gadgets, cosmetics, perfumes, and gift sets.

2.1  Importance of Rigid Boxes:

Just like corrugated boxes, rigid boxes have their own set of advantages, highlighting their significance in the packaging industry. Some of them are as follows:

  • Customers usually like such boxes due to their appealing presentation and high finish. They give an extraordinary finish to even an ordinary product, making it special for the purchaser.
  • It offers great opportunities to retailers as well as wholesalers by ensuring maximum protection to their products. This is because only a safely delivered product can help it wins the hearts of consumers.
  • With great customization and personalization options (printed rigid boxes), it is giving brands competitive benefits such as brand recognition, awareness, and publicity.
  • It enhances the customer’s satisfaction by giving excellent unboxing experiences.
  • They can easily be repurposed and used after enjoying the great unboxing experiences.
  • It acts like a bridge, connecting the customers with the brand for the long term.
  • In addition to beautifying the product, it also increases the shelf-life of all products.

3. Differences:

Hopefully, you are now very well aware of the two, most important, types of packaging. As a general note, both are great options as far as protection or environmental concern are taken into account. However, there are many contrasting points between them as well. Let’s enlist a few of them:

  • Corrugated boxes are typically known for their durability- but rigid boxes give an additional perk of high-definition finishing.
  • The cost of the former one is a bit more effective as compared to the latter, which is considered expensive and luxurious packaging of the product.
  • Corrugated material is available in many varieties, including single wall, double wall, and triple wall; whilst, rigid packaging are made of single layer of paperboard or simple cardboard often decorated with fancy covering.
  • The corrugated boxes are shipping boxes that make transportation of the product easier. Contrary to this, rigid boxes aim to give unexceptional unboxing experiences to customers.
  • The direct purchasers of the corrugated boxes are usually retailers; rather, rigid boxes wholesale is relatively a common term.

In a nutshell, the line of differences between the rigid and corrugated boxes is very clear, as each one has a specific purpose and usage. Now, it’s up to you to know which box will be the best packaging solution for your particular products.

4. Final Thoughts:

Long story short, packaging is a technique to protect products from all potential harms (internal and external)- but what about the aesthetic appeal? Simply put, if corrugated packaging is known for strength, then rigid boxes are popular due to their visual appeal. Thus, it will be the marketing strategy that will help you choose the best between the two. For added convenience, if you are planning to buy any of them or even both from a reputed brand, My Box Packaging always stands tall among all.