Printed corrugated boxes and branded transit packaging
Printed Corrugated Boxes
Printed corrugated boxes carry weight, stack in transit and protect the product through courier and pallet networks, with your branding printed on the board. We make them to your dimensions in single wall or double wall board, with kraft or white liners, as slotted cartons, lid and base boxes, crash-lock boxes and counter display units. Send your dimensions, contents and quantity for a quotation.
- Board
- Single wall (E, B, C) or double wall
- Liners
- Kraft or white
- One colour to full colour, inside or out
- Minimum order
- 50 boxes
Overview
Strength first, then the print
Corrugated board is made from a fluted paper layer glued between two flat liners. The flute works like a series of arches: it resists crushing, cushions the contents and gives the box its stacking strength. That is why corrugated is the material of transit packaging, and why it is chosen whenever a box has to carry weight or survive a distribution chain.
A printed corrugated box is the same structure with your brand on it. For simple logos and one- or two-colour designs, the print goes straight onto the kraft or white liner. For photographic or full-colour artwork, a printed paper sheet is usually laminated onto the fluted board, which gives print quality close to a folding carton on a box with corrugated strength. We recommend the method that suits your artwork and quantity.
Many searches for cardboard boxes are really for corrugated boxes; cardboard is the everyday word for both corrugated board and heavy paperboard. If your product ships, carries weight or needs cushioning, corrugated is usually the right answer. If it sits on a shelf and print quality matters most, a folding carton may suit better.
We supply printed corrugated boxes made to your dimensions rather than plain stock cartons. If your requirement is plain boxes in standard sizes, a packaging distributor will usually serve you better, and we are happy to say so.
Structures
Corrugated box styles
Corrugated styles are often described by FEFCO code, the European standard for box designs. Tell us the code if you have one, or describe how the box should open and we will match it.
Slotted cartons (FEFCO 0201)
Four top and four bottom flaps that meet in the middle and are taped shut. The standard printed shipping carton.
Box style
Roll-end tuck front mailer boxes
One-piece die-cut boxes that close without tape. The branded postal box for e-commerce.
Read the style guideBox style
Corrugated lid and base boxes
A separate lid over a tray, for heavier gift sets, hampers and presentation shipments.
Read the style guideBox style
Crash-lock bottom boxes
A pre-glued base that locks as the box is opened out. Quick to pack and strong under weight.
Read the style guideBox style
Counter display units
Printed corrugated trays and display boxes that hold product at the till or on a shelf.
Read the style guideBoxes with a posting slot
Corrugated boxes with a die-cut slot for collection, feedback or ballot-style use at events and in stores.
Sizing
Sizing a corrugated box
Give us the internal dimensions the contents need, length × width × depth in millimetres, including any insert, divider or padding. Corrugated board is thick, so the external size can be several millimetres larger on each side than the internal size, and more again on double wall. We state both on the dieline.
For slotted cartons, length and width are the opening and depth is the height of the box. If the box is going on a pallet or into a shipping outer, tell us the pallet or outer size and how many boxes should fit, and we can size to suit.
If boxes are stacked in a warehouse or on a pallet, tell us how high and how heavy each box is when packed. Stacking strength depends on the board grade, the flute and the box proportions, and it is one of the main reasons to choose double wall.
Materials & finishing
Flutes, walls and liners
Board thickness and strength depend on the flute, the number of walls and the liner papers. Thicknesses below are approximate and vary by mill and board grade; we confirm the board on your quotation.
| Specification | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| E flute (single wall) | About 1.5 mm | Fine flute with the smoothest print surface. For lighter products, retail-ready boxes and printed mailers. |
| B flute (single wall) | About 3 mm | The general-purpose shipping board, with good crush resistance for everyday e-commerce and trade shipments. |
| C flute (single wall) | About 4 mm | Taller flute with more cushioning and stacking strength, for bulkier products. |
| Double wall (BC or EB) | About 4–7 mm | Two fluted layers for heavy, fragile or high-value contents and boxes that are stacked or handled repeatedly. |
| Liners | Kraft, white-top or mottled | Kraft liners give a natural brown surface; white-top liners give brighter, truer colour. The liner papers also affect the board's strength. |
Finishes
- Water-based varnish
- Matt or gloss lamination on printed sheets
- Foil blocking
- Spot UV
- Inside printing
Options
Options you can specify
Printing
- One- or two-colour print on kraft
- Full-colour print on a laminated sheet
- Inside printing
- Handling marks and product information
Structure
- Hand holes
- Tear strips
- Die-cut windows
- Posting or dispensing slots
Inserts
- Corrugated dividers and partitions
- Platforms and cut-out holders
- Foam for fragile items
- Bottle and jar dividers
Formats
- Delivered flat for assembly
- Retail-ready trays with tear-away fronts
- Counter display units
- Multi-pack outers
Applications
Where printed corrugated boxes are used
Branded transit packaging
Printed slotted cartons and mailers for e-commerce and trade shipments, where the box is seen on arrival.
Heavier products
Kitchenware, tools, automotive parts and equipment that need double wall strength and a fitted insert.
Food and drink gift sets
Hampers, bottle packs and multi-item sets with corrugated dividers holding each item in place.
Retail display
Counter display units and shelf trays that go from the delivery straight onto the shelf.
Electronics
Boxes with foam or corrugated inserts that hold the device clear of the walls.
Events and collection points
Printed boxes with a posting slot for feedback, collection or ballot-style use.
Compare
Single wall or double wall?
| Feature | Single wall | Double wall |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | One fluted layer between two liners | Two fluted layers between three liners |
| Approximate thickness | About 1.5–4 mm (E, B or C flute) | About 4–7 mm (EB or BC) |
| Best for | Light to medium products, printed mailers, retail | Heavy, fragile or stacked contents |
| Print surface | Smoother, especially E flute | Coarser; full colour usually via a laminated sheet |
| Board cost | Lower | Higher |
How to choose
How to choose your corrugated box
Start with weight and journey
Tell us what goes in, how much it weighs and how it travels: parcel network, pallet, or hand delivery. That decides the flute and whether single or double wall is needed.
Choose the style for the packer
Slotted cartons are quick to tape on a packing bench; crash-lock bases form themselves; mailers close without tape. Think about who assembles the box and how many a day.
Match the print method to the artwork
Bold logos and simple designs print well direct onto kraft. Photographic or detailed artwork usually needs a printed sheet laminated to the board.
Use inserts instead of heavier board
A well-designed divider or platform often protects better than a thicker wall, because it stops the contents moving. It can also reduce the box size.
Ask for the external size
If boxes must fit a pallet, a shelf or a courier band, give us the external limit as well as the internal size, and we will work to both.
In detail
Details worth getting right
Flute direction
Flutes should run vertically on the side walls of a box that will be stacked. That orientation gives the most compression strength and is set when the dieline is laid out.
Print on corrugated
Printing direct onto fluted board can show faint lines where the flutes sit under the liner. Bold designs hide this well; fine detail and large solid areas are better on a laminated printed sheet.
Delivered flat
Corrugated boxes are delivered flat and assembled at packing. Delivery is included on every order, and your quotation confirms the delivery address and timing.
Finished work
Corrugated Boxes we have made
Kraft board Corrugated board
Corrugated Boxes questions
Questions buyers ask
Anything not covered here, put it in the notes on your quote and we will answer it directly.
Ask on your quoteWhat is the difference between corrugated and cardboard boxes?
Cardboard is an everyday word for both heavy paperboard and corrugated board. Corrugated has a fluted middle layer between two liners, which gives it cushioning and stacking strength. For shipping and heavier products, corrugated is the right material.
Do you supply plain corrugated boxes?
Our corrugated boxes are printed and made to your dimensions. For plain boxes in stock sizes, a packaging distributor will usually be a better fit.
Should I choose single wall or double wall?
Single wall suits light to medium products and most printed mailers. Double wall is for heavy, fragile or high-value contents and boxes stacked on pallets. Tell us the contents and weight and we will recommend the board.
Can you print full colour on corrugated?
Yes. Full-colour artwork is usually printed on a paper sheet that is laminated to the fluted board, which gives sharp, even colour. Simple one- or two-colour designs can be printed direct onto kraft or white liners.
What does FEFCO mean?
FEFCO is the European code that numbers standard corrugated box designs. The slotted carton, for example, is FEFCO 0201. If you know the code you want, include it on your quote request.
What is the minimum order for printed corrugated boxes?
The minimum order is 50 boxes. Unit cost falls as quantity rises, so if you are deciding, ask for two or three quantities on your quote request.
How long does a corrugated box order take?
It depends on the board, print method, finishes and quantity. Tell us your required delivery date and our team will confirm whether the timing is achievable.
Can you add dividers or inserts?
Yes. Corrugated dividers, platforms and cut-out holders are made from the same board and are an economical way to stop products moving. Send the product dimensions and how many items go in each box.
Ready to specify your packaging?
Our team replies during business hours, 10:00–18:00 UK time.