Packaging Function and Performance

Corrugated serves several functions:

• Protection

  A shipping container must be able to carry a product safely from the producer to the end consumer.

• Storage

  A box is a convenient repository and offers a safe method for storing merchandise or contents until sold.

• Identification and Advertising

  When printed, a shipping container identifies its contents, while also serving as an advertising billboard for the product when it's in transit, in storage, or on display.

• Point-of-Purchase Display

  Increasingly, containers act as point-of-purchase displays, especially in warehouse stores. These displays help both sales associates and consumers understand product features and benefits.

• Cost Efficiency

  Corrugated packaging provides the best performance for the price of any packaging material and can even reduce the costs of handling, storing, and transporting a product.

Variables that impact box performance include:

• Product characteristics, such as size, shape, weight, fragility, value
• Distribution characteristics, such as shipping method, storage temperature and humidity, pallet pattern and stacking height, handling method, storage time
• Packing methods, such as case erecting method, automated packing equipment, product moisture content, pallet configuration
• Box manufacturing, such as degradation or crushing during corrugating or finishing, combined board warp
• Box design, such as box style, overlapping flaps, corner posts, dividers
• Raw materials, such as containerboard specifications, adhesives