Sara Greasley

Sara has been in the packaging industry for over 15 years, not only on the design and manufacturing side, but also as a packaging buyer. She has intimate knowledge of all facets and perspectives of the custom packaging industry.

What are the Proper Names for Different Packaging?

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”

Standard Rigid Box with Lid

These boxes are made into box form at the factory and cannot collapse or ship flat

Rigid Box with Gold Foil Paper Wrap

This rigid box has a die-cut insert

Rigid Box with Hinged Lid and Velvet Wrap

Rigid Boxes can utilize all sorts of materials to wrap and beautify the box.

Classic Fancy Rigid Box Shoe Box Example

Pretty Pink Rigid Box

Here is a classic fancy shoe box.

Folding Cartons

Folding cartons are, arguably, the most common type of box that the average consumer is exposed to the most often.

Unprinted Folding Carton

Here is an example of a basic, unprinted folding carton

Fancy Folding Carton

A folding carton can be fancy and elegant

Folding Carton with a Matte Finish

A matte finish often gives a wholesome and natural impression to a product.

Folding Cartons Ship Flat

Folding cartons are shipped to the packaging buyer folded down (flat)

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.

Corrugated Box

This is a typical corrugated box sometimes called a “shipper box”

Corrugated Board Up Close

This board is fluted, the distinguishing characteristic of corrugated boxes.

Plain Corrugated Retail Box

This box could have graphics printed on it to make it suitable for retail shelves.

Corrugated Retail Box

Corrugated retail boxes are commonly used for heavy products such as TVs

Master Packs Ready to Be Shipped to Stores

Each corrugated shipper contains multiple units of packaged retail product.

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.

Various Styles of Blister Packs Packaging

Thermoform Packaging (Blister Packs)

There are many varieties of thermoform packaging in the retail market.

There are many varieties of thermoform packaging, but most of the time they are blurred into one family with the loose term: blister pack.

Typical Blister Packs

Face Seal (Left)

Full Face Seal (Right)

Blister Packs.

Clamshell

Clamshells fold over a product and snap shut with ease.

The following would be considered blister pack alternatives, Skin Packaging and Stretch Paks®

Skin Packaging

The plastic film of the skin packaging completely covers and protects oddly shaped products.

Stretch Pak®

Stores like Costco love Stretch Pak packaging.

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.

Stand-Up Pouches

Often used for food, these multi-layer bags keep products fresh.

Stand-Up Pouches (sometimes called Barrier Bags) (multi-layer, very commonly used with food or perishable products)

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)

Woven Poly Bags

Woven poly bags are extremely strong and durable, perfect for heavy contents.

Woven Poly Bag Up Close

On this bag of rice the unique woven texture is easily visible.

For more information on woven poly bags, look here.

Home Textile Bag

This style of bag can easily be used for cosmetics, apparel, textiles etc.

Home Textile and Garment Bags (pillow bags, apparel bags, cosmetic bags, kits, etc.)

Header Bags (single layer, mostly for non food or non perishable items, these would be hung from the header hang tab in retail stores)

Header Bag

This single layer bag is both economical and ideal for rack hanging.

Head back to

How to Buy Packaging 101 Part 1 – Introduction

if you haven’t finished reading it yet. 🙂

3 Responses

Rudy Halimun says:

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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.

Reply
Zakeer Ahmad Baig says:

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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.

Reply
1. Sara Greasley says:
  
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  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!
  
  Reply