Carton Box

What Is a Carton Box?

A carton box is made from corrugated cardboard, produced by sandwiching a wavy middle layer (the flute) between two flat paper layers (liners), and it is the most widely used primary and secondary packaging type in export and shipping. The fluted structure gives far higher impact resistance and compression strength than flat cardboard, making it suitable for pallet stacking and long-distance transport.

PAKKORA's carton box range is produced from corrugated cardboard in natural kraft brown and offered in a range of sizes, suiting applications from e-commerce shipments to industrial packaging. Its durable, stackable structure allows boxes to be safely placed on top of one another on a pallet.

Corrugated Cardboard Structure: Single Wall and Double Wall

PAKKORA carton boxes are produced in single-wall and double-wall options. A single-wall carton box is made with one flute layer placed between two liners, and is sufficient for general-purpose, medium-weight products. Double-wall boxes contain two flute layers and provide extra durability for carrying heavier or fragile products and for long-distance export shipments. The fineness or thickness of the flute profile (commonly classified by the letters A, B, C, E) determines the balance between impact absorption and print surface quality.

How Is Strength Measured?

Carton box strength is expressed industry-wide through two different test methods: the Edge Crush Test (ECT) shows how much weight a box can withstand under stacking, while the Mullen Burst Test measures the cardboard's resistance to puncture or bursting force from the outer surface. ECT value is more decisive for export shipments stacked on a pallet, while burst strength is more decisive for single-parcel transport.

Relationship to Kraft Packaging

The liner and flute layers of a carton box are generally produced from kraft paper, which is why the carton box is considered part of the kraft packaging product family. The high tear strength of the kraft liner contributes directly to the overall strength of the corrugated cardboard.

Customization Options

Carton boxes can be customized to specific needs with options such as size, printing (brand logo, product information, handling instruction symbols) and internal partition design. Internal partitions allow multiple products to be carried within the same box without touching one another.

Use on a Pallet

In export shipments, carton boxes are typically stacked on a pallet and secured with strapping or stretch film. Proper alignment of the boxes on the pallet and supporting the corners of the stack reduce the lateral shifting that can occur during transport; anti-slip rubber pads or strapping systems play a complementary role here.

Labeling and Marking

PAKKORA's carton boxes can be supplied printed with a brand logo, standard handling pictograms such as fragile, this side up and keep dry, and sender/recipient information fields. Correct marking reduces the risk of the box being held in the wrong orientation or stacked improperly during handling.

Common Mistakes

• Choosing insufficient wall strength: Choosing a single-wall box for heavy or long-route export loads increases the risk of crushing under the stack.
• Leaving empty space: Leaving a gap between the product and the box wall can allow the product to shift inside during transport and become damaged; this space should be filled with kraft paper sheets or similar void-fill material.