Overview & Specifications
What Are Corrugated Shipping Boxes?
Corrugated shipping boxes are cartons made of corrugated board: a fluted paper layer glued between flat liners. The most common style, the regular slotted container (RSC), has four flaps top and bottom, with the outer flaps meeting at the center when closed.
Corrugated Shipping Boxes sit in Shipping & Logistics Packaging.
What it has to do
What a Shipping Carton Has to Do
A shipping carton has to carry its load, survive stacking, fit the contents and identify the shipment. Each need below is matched to how it is met.
01
Carry
Carry the Load
Board strength is set by the packed weight. Common grades include 32 ECT single wall and 44 or 48 ECT double wall; the grade is confirmed per order.02
Survive
Survive Stacking
Cartons in a warehouse or on a pallet carry the weight of those above. ECT rates the board's resistance to edgewise compression; how a finished box stacks also depends on its dimensions, construction, humidity and load, so stacking is confirmed per specification.03
Fit
Fit the Contents
Inside dimensions follow the packed product, with dividers for several units, so items do not move.04
Identify
Identify the Shipment
Logo, handling marks and product codes are printed on the outside panels.
Single Wall vs Double Wall
Single wall uses one fluted layer; double wall uses two, for heavier loads and higher stacks. The table compares them.
| Attribute | Single Wall | Double Wall |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | One fluted layer between two liners | Two fluted layers, three liners |
| Common grade examples | 32 ECT | 44 or 48 ECT |
| Typical use | Ecommerce and lighter cases | Heavy, bulky or stacked freight |
| Weight of the box | Lighter | Heavier |
| Strength for your load | Confirmed per order | Confirmed per order |
Corrugated Shipping Boxes Specifications
Corrugated Shipping Boxes are specified around the packed load, the wall, the flute and grade, and the print. Review the specifications below to plan the carton.
| Specification | Available Configuration |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Corrugated shipping carton |
| Category | Shipping & Logistics |
| Style | Regular slotted container (RSC) |
| Dimensions | Custom inside L × W × D, built around the packed product |
| Wall | Single wall or double wall |
| Flute | Selected for load and print, such as B, C, E or combinations in double wall |
| Strength Grade | ECT or burst grade set by load and stacking, confirmed per order |
| Interior | Dividers, partitions or inserts where required |
| Outside print, from one color to full color | |
| Closure | Tape or other sealing per carrier and load |
| Starting Price | From $1.25 / unit; final price depends on size, wall, grade, print and quantity |
| Minimum Order | 500 units |
| Standard Production | 7 days from approved proof |
| Rush Production | Available on request |
| Shipping | Ships flat, USA and worldwide |
What Size Corrugated Box Do I Need?
Measure the packed contents: length, width and depth, plus any dividers or fill. Record the packed weight and how high cartons will stack. Final dimensions are set on the approved dieline.
| Measurement | What to Record |
|---|---|
| Contents | Inside length, width and depth needed |
| Weight | Packed weight per carton |
| Stacking | Cartons stacked on top, in storage or on pallets |
| Units | Number of units and any dividers |
Inside Dimensions First
Carton sizes are set by inside dimensions. Give the inside size the contents need, not the outside size.
What to Check Before Bulk Production
Review a sample packed with the real contents and closed as it will ship. Record the approved wall, flute, grade and print on the signed-off sample. Where a sample shows a problem, review the cause, revise the specification and confirm it on another packed sample.
| If the sample shows | Cause to review |
|---|---|
| Sides bulge when packed | Size and contents |
| Carton crushes in stacking | Wall, flute and grade against load |
| Units knock together | Dividers or inserts |
| Print smudges on kraft | Print method and ink on the liner |
Seven days covers standard production from approved proof once the specification is confirmed; delivery timing is confirmed separately, so count back from the date you need stock.
