The Difference Between Corrugated and Traditional Cardboard

Before we get into the differences between corrugated and traditional cardboard, let’s look at what they have in common. Both corrugated and traditional cardboard are made from paper fibres, which means they are biodegradable and recyclable. However, it is important to note that each type is used for a different purpose.

Corrugated Cardboard

Corrugated cardboard is the most common type of cardboard today. Corrugated board consists of two outer flat sheets called linerboard that are fused together with an inner fluted layer. This gives strengthens the material and makes it resistant to crushing. 

Corrugated cardboard can be easily molded into different shapes, sizes, and thicknesses, making it versatile enough to be used in a wide range of packaging materials. 

This type of cardboard is also far lighter than traditional cardboard, which means it can significantly reduce shipping costs. The lightweight, strong structure of corrugated cardboard makes it an ideal material for packing boxes.

Some of the industries that use wholesale corrugated packing boxes include:

• Food and beverage
• Retail
• Cosmetics
• Pharmaceuticals

Traditional Cardboard

The biggest difference between corrugated and traditional cardboard is that traditional cardboard is bulkier and not as easy to work with or use in smaller-scale packing operations. Businesses wouldn’t use traditional carboard to package small items such as office supplies because the carboard would be too thick to efficiently turn into a modest-sized box. It is also difficult to open without aid from a knife or scissors. In fact, traditional cardboard is more ideal for point-of-sale display units and packaging larger items such as appliances that require thick, sturdy materials to protect them during transportation.

The long fibers used to make traditional cardboard give it a high biaxial strength, which means that the material can withstand substantial force without tearing. High durability makes it perfect for protecting large or heavy items during storage or shipment. Because of this quality, traditional cardboard is also often used in building projects where the material needs to be heavy-duty and stable.