The Difference Between Corrugated Fiberboard and Cardboard

Corrugated Cardboard Machine

Understanding the differences between cardboard vs corrugated fiberboard is an essential first step to take as you choose storage and shipping solutions. While the two materials are often referenced interchangeably, they're actually quite different from each other.

Corrugated offers some significant advantages over traditional cardboard, ensuring that your produce gets from point A to B without any issues. Read on to discover the important differences between corrugated cardboard vs regular cardboard.

What Are the Differences Between the Two Materials?

While both cardboard packaging and corrugated packaging look similar and might seem to accomplish the same tasks, they're actually quite different in structure and purpose. So when it comes down to corrugated vs cardboard, which should you be using to satisfy your packaging needs — and those of your customers? Your choice of corrugated vs cardboard will make a significant impact on customers' impressions, so it's important to understand the differences between the two shipping container types.

A cardboard carton is made of thick paper stock or heavy paper-pulp. This material is used to make a variety of products such as small containers, product packaging, and even structural support for less rigid items like notepads, inserts that keep clothing items like button-up shirts from losing shape in their packaging, and more. Products can be shipped in containers made of cardboard, but it presents a risk to retailers as the material provides little protection and also requires extra material such as bubble wrap to ensure the products inside stay safe.

Corrugated cartons are made up of a few layers of material rather than just a single sheet. The three layers include an inside liner, an outside liner, and a medium that goes between the two, which is fluted. Corrugated is a resilient material that is also light weight — an important consideration for those shipping a significant number of packages. These containers will remain sound even when exposed to shocks, moisture, and sudden temperature changes. While no container is invincible to excessive force or prolonged and harsh conditions, corrugated provides a higher level of assurance that your products will move from your warehouse to their final destination in great shape.

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• Corrugated Is More Durable

Traditional cardboard is a thicker, heavier version of paper stock or pulp. For example, a cereal box is made from cardboard. Corrugated, on the other hand, might be made with cardboard materials, but the overall design and structure is much more durable.

The biggest difference between cardboard vs corrugated fiberboard is that corrugated is made with three layers. There's a ruffled, fluted material sandwiched between the inner and outer cardboard layers, providing exceptional strength that can withstand severe wear and tear throughout the packing, storing, shipping, and retail display processes.

• Corrugated Is Better for the Environment

Corrugated is biodegradable and contains no dyes or bleaches, so it can be composted and recycled effectively. At Fruit Growers Supply, we partner with supply chain vendors who source materials primarily from sustainable forests. Unlike traditional cardboard boxes, corrugated cartons can be reused over and over again, saving you money while reducing your carbon footprint.

Single Facer Machine

• Corrugated Is Lightweight and Flexible

When considering the weight of cardboard vs corrugated fiberboard, it's important to keep the overall strength-to-weight ratio in mind. While cardboard is a lighter material in general, corrugated is going to be much more rugged at the same weight.

The ruffled inner layer offers incredible strength and flexibility while keeping the overall weight of the container down. In order to achieve the same amount of strength as corrugated, you would need to use a much heavier cardboard that wouldn't be practical physically or financially.

That's the major difference between corrugated cardboard vs regular cardboard: Corrugated is designed with the unique needs of the end user in mind, while regular cardboard is simply a means to an end. That's not to say that regular cardboard doesn't have its place; it's just not suited for heavy duty applications.

• Corrugated Is Customizable

As you learn about cardboard vs corrugated, remember that it's all about context. If you're packaging cereal, corrugated wouldn't be the right choice. If you're shipping fruits and veggies, corrugated is the best choice, by far.

When to Use Corrugated vs Cardboard

When used in the proper circumstances, both cardboard and corrugated cartons can be useful as packaging options. For example, cardboard is an efficient option when packaging lightweight products such as light clothing or thinner items (hence the cardboard-style media mailers you'd find at the post office). Depending on the item, it should be understood that the product will be subject to handling and that this won't result in damage. Carefully consider if cardboard is the right shipping material for your products.

Corrugated is used more often for packing and shipping items due to its strong and durable nature. Whereas cardboard and other materials are not impact-resistant, corrugated can withstand the rigors of moving from a warehouse to a mail processing center and ultimately to a delivery vehicle. The ability to provide cushioning for the contents inside is a significant advantage — even if the product itself is already packaged or wrapped.

If your product or brand also makes use of custom shippers or packaging, corrugated may be a better choice as it allows for just as much customization as cardboard while offering more rigidity. Die-cuts, custom opening folds and flaps, and other customization enable more unique design without risking the product contained within.

Another way corrugated packaging is used over standard cardboard material is for food packaging. This is due to the sustainability and cleanliness that it provides throughout the transportation process that brings produce to store shelves. And with the rise of online grocery shopping and meal services, companies are also using corrugated containers lined with insulating material to protect perishable goods in addition to dry ice used to keep contents cool.

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