There are a lot of different types of packaging out there and all have specific names and terms associated with them.
Many people are unsure about the correct names for packaging. This makes things difficult for them when they are trying to ask for specific packaging but don’t know what it’s called.
The following guide is not designed to be a comprehensive listing of all packaging types or styles, it is simply here to help people identify and learn the names of some of the basic categories of common packaging.
Rigid Boxes (Also Called Set-Up Boxes)
Again, this is not a definitive selection of rigid boxes, these are merely but a few examples to give you a visual idea of what is meant by the term “rigid box”.
Rigid Boxes tend to be used as packaging for more expensive items as there is often some (or even a lot) of hand labor involved. These boxes do not fold down or collapse for shipping or storage; once they are erected into box form, they stay that way, hence the name “Rigid Boxes”
Folding Cartons
Folding cartons are, arguably, the most common type of box that the average consumer is exposed to the most often.
For more detailed information check out this article on folding cartons
Corrugated Boxes
Corrugated boxes can be used as both shipper boxes (master packs) and as retail packaging.
For a more in-depth look at corrugated boxes click here.
For a gallery of different corrugated box styles and their names, check this out.
Thermoform (Blister Pack)
Thermoform refers to, essentially, a clear molded piece of plastic that is custom-formed to hold a product. A backing card made of paperboard that contains the graphics and marketing information is then added. Thermoform not only protects well, but offers a full or partial view of the packaging contents to the customer.
The following would be considered blister pack alternatives, Skin Packaging and Stretch Paks®
For a pretty thorough article about thermoformed packaging (blister packs etc), be sure to click here.
Bags (Flexible Packaging)
Bags used as retail packaging, also referred to as “flexible packaging”, can be made of paper or plastic and can be single layer or multi-layer (lined). Sometimes the term “Co-Extruded” is used but only in reference to plastic (not paper) bags.
The subject of flexible packaging is incredibly varied and complex. But here, classifying “bags” into just a few popular and common categories will be more useful for most people who are seeking flexible packaging and need to know the basic names.
To see the different stand-up pouches styles, see this article.
Woven Poly Bags (very strong bags used for heavy products generally over 25 lbs or more, i.e. bird seed, gravel, pet food, soil, etc)
For more information on woven poly bags, look here.
3 Responses
Dear Sara,
I am the owner of Rhinoc Corporation doing packaging design, have one US patent for VIANA Stevia packaging http://www.vianastevia.com and am interested in your blog howtobuypackaging.com.
If you have no objection, I would love to send you one pack sample for your collection and need your help with the category.
Appreciate if you could accept my connect request on LinkedIn, thanks.
I am into the frozen fish wholesale business. I need packaging materials in huge quantities for fish exports.
I want to set up on our own for the purpose of fish exports – a small packaging unit for making corrugated boxes to pack fish and a small low-density polyethene unit to wrap the fish.
Our volume size is about 10kg/box for small size fish and 20kg/Box for large fish.
Please guide me on how to proceed or to whom I should consult for better guidance forward.
Hi Zakeer, sounds like you have your desired packaging idea, this is great! In order for the corrugated boxes to perform, I would seek a corrugated manufacturer who already does business with a company that is simliar to yours. That company will understand how the corrugated materials need to perform in order for it to not fall apart from excessive moisture or enviromental conditions. There are several ways to treat corrugated to keep it from falling apart. When you find those factories, ask what suggetions they may have and compare them to each other to ask additional questions (this is part of vetting a supplier). You may come across a company that doesn’t know but has a significant design and testing facility to figure it out. This factories or typically much larger and will seek to help only if you have an annual volume of business that is desirable to them, so be careful or you may get slapped with a design bill! Just be upfront and layout your expectations and talk about expenses for discover if any in the begining of conversations. Good luck!