The Ultimate Guide to Packaging and Corrugated Sheets

There are many kinds of sheets in the packaging industry. Packaging Sheets sold in the market are cardboard corrugated sheets, paperboard sheets (chipboard/cardboard), matboard sheets, cardboard honeycomb sheets, paper sheets, plastic corrugated sheets, poly sheets, magnetic sheets, fiberboard sheets, plasterboard sheets, plywood sheets, fire-rated board sheets, cloud foam sheets, or metal sheets. The selection of the right type of packaging sheet depends on the packaging product requirements and the purpose of the sheet's usage. 

The most commonly used sheets in packaging are cardboard corrugated sheets, paperboard (chipboard) sheets, cardboard sheets, paper sheets, plastic sheets, and plastic corrugated sheets. 

In this article, we will be only discussing different types of Corrugated Cardboard Sheets (Corrugated Pads), Chipboard Sheets, Cardstock Sheets (Cardboard Sheets), Paper Sheets, and Plastic Corrugated Sheets. 

Corrugated Cardboard Sheets (Corrugated Pads):

Corrugated cardboard sheets are known for their thickness and strength, they are used as separators, for decorations, signs, arts, protection of the product in packaging boxes, making a corrugated box, and thus have versatile uses. They are best used for the protection of the product in shipping, moving, and storage.

Corrugated sheets are also called Corrugated Pads. Corrugated sheets are made of corrugated fiberboard, which has two smooth, flat outer kraft paper layers called liners, and in between is a wavy, fluted corrugated layer of thick kraft paper called flute. 

There are different types of corrugated sheets. Corrugated cardboard sheets are made of different types of flutes. These different types of corrugated flute sheets are used to make Single Face Corrugated Sheet, Single Wall Corrugated Cardboard Sheet, Double Wall Corrugated Cardboard Sheet, Triple Wall Corrugated Cardboard Sheet, Four Wall Corrugated Cardboard Sheet, Five Wall Corrugated Sheet. To know more about different types of Corrugated Cardboard Sheets please read Guide to Different Types of Corrugated Cardboard Sheets blog

 

Colored Corrugated Cardboard Sheets:

Colored corrugated cardboard sheets are widely used in the market. They are available in yellow, pink, blue, green, purple, orange, red, white, kraft, and black.

Below are the uses of Colored Corrugated Sheets:

• Colored corrugated sheets are used to make colored shipping boxes, colored mailer boxes, colored easy-fold millers, colored reverse-tuck corrugated boxes, colored multi-depth boxes, colored file storage boxes, colored pizza boxes, colored corrugated bins, colored corrugated trays, colored mailing tubes (square or triangle), and colored corrugated displays.
• They are used as colored dividers to protect the product damage in transit or storage
• They enhance the aesthetic packaging of the product. Black-colored sheets and boxes give the product packaging elegance.
• Colored corrugated sheets are also used for painting, decorating, printing, labeling, and to create crafts.
• They are also used for making signs and decorative sheets to draw attention during holidays, weddings, award ceremonies, conferences, invitations, inaugurations, school events, sale events and parties.
• They are used to make gift boxes, calendars, paintings, postcards, home decor, shelving, or DIY projects. 

Honeycomb Corrugated Sheets:

Honeycomb corrugated sheet is made of top layer of kraft paper sheet, middle layer of series of hexagonal cells(which look like honeycomb) and bottom layer of kraft paper sheet. Honeycomb corrugated sheets are used to fill voids between the products to prevent damage from scratching, chipping, bruising while shipping heavy items. They are lightweight, extremely strong, and can be recycled and reused. They are sold in pallets. They can be cut easily with a knife or a cutter. Honeycomb corrugated sheets can be used for protecting the furniture with padding, as corner protectors, and void fillers. Honeycomb Corrugated Sheets are also used to make corner guards, edge protectors, wedges to protect the products.

Fanfold Corrugated Sheets:

Fanfold corrugated sheets are corrugated sheets packed with continuous corrugated sheets folded at regular intervals(custom partitions), which can be cut easily with a cutter.. They are used to make custom-size corrugated sheet wrapping of the product. Fanfold corrugated sheets can also be used to make boxes on demand; it is less expensive than buying bulk custom boxes. However, the boxes made from fanfold corrugated sheets require strapping, gluing, or taping.

Chipboard Pads (Chipboard Sheets): 

Chipboard pads can be thick or thin, non corrugated (non fluted core) fiberboard sheets made from wood pulp or synthetic resin that are completely compressed. They are available in different sizes and can be customized to different shapes. They can be easily folded. It can be reused and recycled. It is lower in quality of paper and thus is cheaper than using cardstock or corrugated sheets. They are used for artwork, decorations, photo frame supporters, DIY projects, cup holders by the food industry, pallet pads, edge protectors, and cartons. They are used in the packaging industry as dividers or as supporters in garment folding by the textile industry. They are also used as inserts in mailers and envelopes to give strong support to fragile products or photos. The most commonly used chipboard pads are kraft chipboard pads. 

Cardstock Sheets (Cardboard Sheets):

Cardstock sheets are thicker than regular paper sheets. They are high-performing sheets that are heavier and stronger than regular paper. Cardstock sheets are also called Cardboard Sheets. Cardstock is measured in Cover weight.

It is recyclable and reused. Cardboard sheets are sold in matte, semi-gloss, or glossy form. They are best used in printing, writing, and decorating. They are used to make product boxes, business cards, brochures, postcards, invitation cards, holiday cards, envelopes, mailers, book covers, and tags. The most common cardboard sheets that are sold in the market is white.

Paper Sheets:

Paper sheets are thinner than cardstock sheets. Paper sheets come in different thicknesses. They are used for writing, printing documents, wrapping, painting, decorating, to make photographic paper, arts and crafts. Paper sheets come in different styles and sizes and are used for various purposes depending on the type of paper. 

Types of paper depend on the thickness of the Paper and Paperweight, which is measured in GSM(grams per square meter), Points, Pounds(lbs), and Cover weight. Paper weight is also called the Basis weight. The higher the base weight of the paper, the thicker the paper is. Paper selection depends on what paper is going to be used for. For example, paper used for making tissue paper has a lower paper weight (10 lbs -24 lbs) than paper used for making business cards(80 lbs -110 lbs). 

In the packaging industry, paper sheets are used for various purposes. They can be used as liners or as wrapping paper. The types of paper sheets used in this industry are diverse, ranging from newsprint paper to gift wrapping paper, colored kraft paper, butcher paper, wax paper, freezer paper, VCI paper, tissue paper, crinkle paper, poly-coated paper, red rosin paper, reinforced kraft paper, steak paper, bogus kraft paper, Tyvek paper, virgin kraft paper, anti-slip paper, and tag paper. Each type serves a unique function, making them essential in packaging.

Plastic Corrugated Sheets (Plastic Corrugated Pads):

Plastic corrugated Sheets are also called Corriflute. It has a corrugated wavy plastic sheet sandwiched between the two thin smooth plastic sheets. These plastic sheets are made of polypropylene resin. 

Below are the Qualities and Uses of Corrugated Plastic Sheets:

• Corrugated Plastic sheets can withstand dirt, grease, water, industrial fluids, oils, and solvents. 
• It can be reused and is cost-effective.
• Corrugated plastic sheets are lightweight and durable.
• Additives can be added while manufacturing plastic corrugated sheets to make it customized.
• Different plastic corrugated pads sold in the market are UV, moisture, fire, rust, and static(antistatic) resistant. They are sold in various colors and different thicknesses. In the packaging industry, 3/16” thickness plastic corrugated pad is the most commonly sold and used.
• Plastic corrugated sheets can be cut easily with a utility knife.
• They are used by various industries like packaging, automotive, construction, and real estate.
• The most common use of plastic corrugated sheets is for signs and as dividers.
• It is also used to make plastic corrugated boxes, plastic corrugated dividers, plastic corrugated bins to store and protect products from moisture.

What is the difference between Corrugated Cardboard Sheets, Chipboard Sheets, Cardstock Sheets, Paper sheets, and Plastic Corrugated Sheets?

Corrugated Cardboard Sheets:

• It comprises two smooth, flat outer kraft paper layers called liners and a kraft wavy, fluted corrugated layer in the middle. 
• It is used to make sheets, dividers, shipping boxes, bins, trays, mailing tubes, file storage boxes, mailing boxes, multi-depth boxes, and pizza boxes.

Chipboard Sheets (Chipboard Pads):

• It is made of a thick or thin non-corrugated fiberboard sheet made from recycled wood pulp or synthetic resin. It does not have a corrugated layer in the middle and is cheaper than a cardstock sheet.
• It is used for artwork, photo frame back supporters, DIY projects, pallet pads, edge protectors, corner protectors, dividers, and supporters in folding garments.

Cardboard Sheets (Cardstock Sheets): 

• Cardboard sheets are thicker than paper and are better quality than chipboard sheets.
• It is used for printing, decorating, and writing, as well as to make product boxes, business cards, branding, brochures, postcards, invitation cards, holiday cards, mailers, and tags.

Paper Sheets:

• Paper sheets are thinner than cardboard (cardstock) sheets. The type of paper sheet depends on its thickness and paper weight. The higher the paper weight of the paper, the thicker the paper sheet is. 
• It is used for making tissue paper, toilet rolls, paper sheets for letter pads, printing sheets, book paper, gift wrapping paper, colored kraft paper, butcher paper, waxed paper, freezer paper, VCI paper, tissue paper, crinkle paper, poly coated paper, red rosin paper, reinforced kraft paper, steak paper, bogus kraft paper, tyvek paper, virgin kraft paper, anti-slip paper, and tag paper.

Plastic Corrugated Sheets:

• It has a corrugated, wavy plastic sheet sandwiched between the two thin, smooth plastic sheets.
• They are used by various industries like packaging, automotive, construction, and real estate.
• The most common use of plastic corrugated sheets is for signs and as dividers.
• It is also used to make plastic corrugated boxes, dividers, and bins to store and protect products from moisture.