What are the differences between folding cartons and rigid boxes?
I get asked that a lot.
There are many differences as well as similarities between the two.
Often looking very similar, both folding cartons and rigid boxes are indeed boxes used for packaging and both are made of paperboard. Paperboard is basically thick paper that is sturdy enough to be used for packaging. The paperboard that is used for a rigid box can be as much as four times thicker than the paperboard used for a folding carton and is often referred to as chipboard (although I’ve heard some manufacturers refer to all paperboard as “chipboard”).
Folding Cartons can be collapsed to lay flat and then reassembled into box form again and again. A rigid box cannot be collapsed and must remain in box form from manufacture to end user.
While folding cartons routinely have the printing process applied directly to the box itself, rigid boxes generally have a separate wrapping of various possible materials glued to the box instead. Materials can include: leather, fabric, padding, fancy paper etc.
For more comprehensive information about folding cartons click here.
For more comprehensive information about rigid boxes click here.
Benefits of Folding Cartons:
1. Folding cartons are shipped flat for lower transportation costs
2. Generally much less expensive to produce
3. Faster to produce
Benefits of Rigid Boxes:
1. Often does not require expensive dies as used in folding carton manufacturing
2. Higher perceived product value by the consumer (expensive looking box = better quality product)
3. Rigid boxes are stronger and more durable
4. Rigid boxes usually do not require setup for product fulfillment
Both Types of Boxes:
1. Can provide for high quality of printing
2. Can display beautiful embossing and foil stamping
3. Can be made from sustainable, recycled materials
4. Can have a structural design that is as simple or as complex and elaborate as desired
This has been a part of my tutorial series called How to Buy Packaging 101. So click the link below to head back if you haven’t finished reading it yet. 🙂
8 Responses
The advice from these columns helped me launch my product line. Thanks for all the helpful articles. Renee 😀
My pleasure, Renee. Good luck with your product line!
Please I need to know how to get the Folding Boxes in sizes of 3.5″ x 4.%” tall, in Black and also in White I being looking and NOTHING I need them for my Candles
Thanks Ursula
Hi Ursula, first I would recommend a company to design the box style you are looking for. Paperboard box material comes in three basic colors: grey (100% recycled), white (some can be 30% post consumer recycled), and brown or kraft color. There are paperboards that come colored where the paper mill treats it before it gets to the printer. These paperboard are referred to as “premium paperboard” and are 3x as much more expensive. To get your box black, the most affordable way is to print it black. Contact me via contact page and I’ll email you info on the closest box printer in your area.
I am trying to determine the best packaging for a set of 12 gass pice jars, lids, sifters and labels. I have the dimensions of each individual product but am not sure the best way/size package to minimize cost and/or safety of the product. The product won’t be shipped in this box and therefore a folding carton would work fine I believe. I also will need my company logo printed on the box. I guess my questions are: What is the best way to determine the size of the box I need, can the box company determine this based on the dimensions of the individual product x 12? What is the least expensive way to accomplish this? What would you recommend for a box type?
Thank you for any guidance you can offer.
Hi Dawn, I’m having a hard time understanding your question fully, however, a glass jar should be transported or even sit on a shelf using corrugated material. How heavy is your product? A folding carton is good up to maybe 3 lbs, maybe even 5 lbs if using a thicker gauge folding carton material. Your 12 pack will ultimately need to be transported in some fashion, and corrupted is the only material that will work. The best way is to measure your 12 pack outer most dimensions, 4 rows + 3 columns, length x width x height, then give that to a box manufacturer to quote. When you select a company you’ll give them your jars for proper sizing. Ultimately the box manufacturer should give you the final dimension, however I wouldn’t use them to get a dimension if you have no intention of using that particular company. First go through the quoting process and that will make it fair for everyone involved. If you had a complicated box, or needed an insert of some kind or a display, the design does come first before the quoting. However, in this case, I would use a typical RSC (Regular Slotted Container) style corrugated box for shipping + storing on the shelf with a tapered perforation that will make it a display.
Hey I am searching for good looking monocarton boxes for high end packaged food product. I want to keep packaging ecofriendly and with good graphics printed over the packaging itself. Can you suggest me something!
Hi there. I’m not entirely sure what you mean by monocarton – do you mean a shipper box? The most eco friendly of all types of packaging is something that is paper based. Paper is the most renewable type of packaging, plus the most sustainable as well. There are a variety of different types of paper, including recycled, and different types of recycled. However, it depends on the overall environment your product will endure during the process of logistics that should dictate. Another thing to consider – will your product be refrigerated?
Printing method of a shipper box material made out of corrugated should be flexo printed. The colors plates will be an investment, however a great looking graphic covering the majority of the box will make it look like a high perceived value product.