Are corrugated boxes the same as cardboard boxes?

Although commonly used interchangeably by people outside the box industry, cardboard boxes are not the same as corrugated boxes. Cardboard boxes are made of a variety of pulp paper. For example, stiff chipboard is typically used to make a shoe box. Thinner chipboard is used in folding cartons such as a toothpaste or cereal box. Both of these are cardboard boxes.

Corrugated boxes are stronger. They are made of a combination of flat linerboard glued to a fluted medium. Both the linerboard and the fluted board are made of sturdy kraft paper called containerboard. This is the same kraft paper used in grocery bags.

Corrugated boxes can be used as shipping boxes that carry multiple cardboard boxes. Cardboard boxes are not strong enough to be shipped by themselves. They need to be packed in corrugated shipping boxes.

Wertheimer Box manufactures corrugated shipping boxes. Wertheimer Box can design and manufacture custom and standard sizes of corrugated boxes in various styles. With more than 80+ years in the corrugated industry, Wertheimer Box collaborates with many different types of manufacturers who need packaging for their products.

Can you manufacture the corrugated box, POP display, or corrugated tray I need?

Yes, we can produce corrugated boxes, retail displays, and trays of all sizes, styles, and colors. We can also print your branding on your box, tray, or display case. What’s more, we understand the requirements of carriers and retail stores to help you be successful in shipping your product to your markets.

What are the different types of corrugate?

There are many different types of corrugate.

Single Face boards are fluted (corrugated) medium and a single sheet of flat linerboard glued together. Single wall or double face is similar but it has two sheets of liner board, one on each side of the fluted medium. Double wall has three sheets of liner board that are glued to two fluted board. Triple wall has four sheets of liner board glued to three fluted boards. Triple wall is less common but extremely strong. You can ship watermelon in a triple wall box.

Furthermore, the corrugated medium comes in different flute sizes:

  • E flute (1/16th inch): very fine flute, folds more easily; good for die-cuts and printing
  • B flute (1/8th inch): great rigidity, stacking strength, and printing surface; crush resistant
  • C Flute (3/16th inch): more cushioning ability; typically used for shipping cases

Double wall often uses a combination of B and C flutes for a 1/4-inch thickness. This B-C double wall makes a good box for bulky and heavy items, such as cans of paint.

The people at Wertheimer Box are experts who can help you obtain the right type of corrugate for your product and brand.

What are other names for corrugate?

Combined board, corrugated fiberboard, and corrugated board are other names for corrugate. Cardboard is not a name for corrugate.

Is corrugate always brown?

No, Wertheimer Box can produce all types of colored boxes and finishes. For example, we can manufacture and print many colors on the traditional brown corrugate, called kraft board.

We can also provide white board. Oyster white board is made with an off-white color, while bleach white is brighter. Bleach white is often used with our four-color printing process to achieve brighter colors.

Furthermore, unique finishes such as water-resistant and grease-resistant applications to the board are available. These applications are usually applied when the board is being made.

The color, the finish, and the printing you choose will be dictated by your product, your brand, your budget, and your carrier.

Are there standard box types and sizes?

We have stock size boxes. If a stock size box is all you need, we can easily provide stock sizes. However, we are experts in providing custom boxes to fit your unique products. Perhaps your product will be showcased on a shelf. Maybe you need a die-cut insert in your box or display. Or perhaps your carrier requires a box liner inside your shipper. See some examples of box types.

We are familiar with the special sizing and packaging requirements mandated by UPS, FedEx, Costco, Walmart, Target, Amazon, and others. We’ll make certain that your products will fit and/or stack on your pallets, and we’ll help ensure that they safely arrive at their final destination.

Is my order too small? Too big?

No. No order is too big or too small for Wertheimer Box. We have a 303,000-square-foot facility, extensive equipment, and the expertise to help you. Our philosophy is that we serve every customer regardless of size. That’s because we understand that your “small” order of 100 boxes or more is not “small” to you.

We’ve also helped our customers with their business growth. Investigate our WEcommerce Packaging Solutions™ for retailers selling online. Or read a story about a local Kansas retailer that now ships throughout the nation.

What kind of turnaround time do you need?

Of course, we prefer some lead time to deliver your custom order. However, we’ve been known to produce boxes within a very short turnaround time—as soon as the next day.

NOTE: Supply chain issues and increased demand have impacted this time frame because of the global pandemic. In some circumstances, we may recommend that you order your custom packaging several weeks in advance of your need.

We have a dedicated sales force, structural design team, and customer service representatives ready to meet your needs. Plus, we have our own corrugator to produce boards with a short turnaround. What’s more, we run 15 high-capacity machines—the majority of which perform multiple elaborate steps. The customized layout of our plant also gives us great flexibility and efficiency.

Do you make your products in the USA?

Yes, our corrugator is located in Wisconsin. Our headquarters and manufacturing plant is in McCook, IL, a Chicago suburb. We not only make all our products in the USA, but we’re also able to cost-effectively and efficiently serve you—no matter where you’re located in the USA.

Are corrugated boxes recyclable?

Yes! Nearly 80% of corrugated boxes are recovered for recycling. Additionally, we recycle 100% of our corrugated trimmings. We are certified to the Sustainable Forest Industry Initiative (SFI) for Responsible Fiber Sourcing. Read all about our corrugated sustainability initiatives.

Jeffery Kucera, Director of Product Development, and Jeff O’Boyle, Quality Assurance Manager, contributed to this article.

Doug Wertheimer

Since 2004, Doug Wertheimer has been the owner and president of Wertheimer Box, Corp. Under his tenure, the company has more than tripled in size. Doug grew up in the corrugated packaging industry and has 40+ years of experience in packaging solutions. He majored in history at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Wertheimer Box manufactures custom, printed corrugated boxes and corrugated point of purchase displays as well as standard boxes and packaging.

Get More Industry News Like This

Welcome to the Wertheimer Family! We'd like to keep you up to date with industry changes and news. Subscribe to receive our occasional news, updates and articles direct to your in-box.

Complete This Form to Subscribe