Premium Packaging Materials for Shipping Boxes

Why Shipping Materials Matter?

To make a good decision about what type of box material you should use, we recommend that you take into consideration the following factors for protecting your products, enhancing the presentation of your brand, and obtaining the greatest overall cost savings in the long run. There are numerous materials available for use in the manufacture of packaging containers, and some may be better suited than others for your application. With Premium Custom Shipping Boxes, all of our container materials are sourced and produced entirely in the United States, making it easy to ensure that you are getting a steady supply of consistently high-quality materials and that they comply with all industry standards. They are built from the finest materials for durability along with an aesthetic appeal and for providing an elevated experience for products.

Shipping Box Materials

Every Type Of Packaging Box Material We Provide Has Been Chosen To Meet The Actual Shipping, Branding, And Environmentally-Friendly Requirements Of Each Customer's Specific Application.

Corrugated Flute Types

Our custom corrugated shipping boxes are manufactured using only top-quality corrugated box material created for many different uses, ranging from lightweight fulfilment to heavy-duty shipping and large custom shipping boxes. We have a variety of fluted/corrugated grades that can be used across a variety of industries and applications, from the light-weight fulfilment of e-commerce to the heavy-duty shipping of oversized custom boxes. If you’re looking for durable boxes for everyday shipments or reinforced packaging for your biggest and heaviest products for your business, you can trust that corrugated cardboard material provides reliable performance, as well as being lightweight and recyclable. Therefore, corrugated cardboard is deemed to be the perfect option for businesses that need a dependable level of protection, scalability, and sustainability.

Flute Type	Thickness	Best For	Common Uses
E-Flute	1/16"	Lightweight, excellent surface	Retail boxes, cosmetics
B-Flute	1/8"	Good stacking strength	Food packaging, displays
C-Flute	3/16"	Common shipping material	Shipping boxes, RSC containers
BC-Flute	1/4"	Extra protection	Heavy items, industrial products

Mailer Box Materials

While taking a custom packaging design revolution in our hands, this is how we deliver custom design boxes that drive success.

Chipboard Thickness Options

Thin chipboard is great for lightweight product packaging or products that want to show off their aesthetics rather than be very durable. Thin chipboard comes with a smooth surface for excellent printing - especially for cosmetic packaging, apparel boxes and promo pack when branding and shelf presence are essential. It's easy to fold, and economical. Great for sleeves, inserts, and light carton use where you don't need high strength. Medium-thick chipboard has an excellent balance of durability and flexibility. They are usually used for items in the retail packaging industry when bulk shipping or handling is required to keep items in good condition. Medium-thick chipboard can be used for electronics accessories, boxed goods, subscription packages.

Thickness	Stifness	Suitable For
0.6mm - 0.8mm	Standard	Common eCommerce and apparel
1.0mm - 1.2mm	Premium feel	Cosmetics, jewelry, and luxury items
1.5mm - 2.0mm	Rigid structure	High-end retail, subscription boxes

Sustainable Material Options

While Taking A Custom Packaging Design Revolution In Our Hands, This Is How We Deliver Custom Design Boxes That Drive Success.

Recycled Content

The sustainable certifications through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) provide companies that are sustainability conscious, with an array of environmentally friendly materials that also have a level of assurance regarding their sustainable sourcing.

The FSC certification signifies that the raw materials used to manufacture these shipping packaging boxes and mailers are all items that have been harvested from forests managed in accordance with the principles of social, environmental, and economic sustainability.

Thus, using recycled and FSC-certified materials not only demonstrates a company's commitment to responsible sustainable sourcing but also provides uniform material performance and packaging reliability from production run to production run.

Quality & Compliance

The options are boundless for products to gift packaging! Whether you need boxes with elegant curves or innovative folding techniques.

US-Made Materials

Using materials manufactured in the U.S. allows us to have a greater level of quality assurance, shorter lead times, and faster delivery times than using the same materials produced in other countries. In addition, this creates less variability between different batches of products.

ASTM/TAPPI Standard

Adhering to the recognized guidelines established by ASTM and TAPPI for testing and performance of packaging materials. These standardized guidelines provide assurance that the materials used to make our corrugated boxes are manufactured with the highest level of quality and strength.

Material Sourcing

Our staff will work with the customer to identify and provide the appropriate material to meet their specific needs while ensuring that the materials used in the production of their packaging maintain quality, consistency, and compliance throughout the production process.

Material Selection Guide

How to easily choose box materials based on what you are shipping: You can quickly find out what material is recommended based on your shipping needs by using the table below.

What are you shipping?

Recommended Material Type

You must determine what materials will be employed when packing items (what will be packed, how items will be delivered, and how much protection and aesthetics are to be included with packing).

Lightweight clothing

Single wall C flute/0.8 thick chipboard

Lightweight clothing, including T-shirts, soft accessories, and any item that does not require heavy-duty packaging, can be packaged in single-wall corrugated cardboard or kraft board mailers.

Fragile electronics

Double wall BC flute

Double-wall corrugated cardboard packaging provides additional strength and resistance to crushing and, more importantly, provides added protection against movement within the shipment boxes.

Heavy-duty industrial equipment

Triple wall

It is important to use either double or triple wall corrugated material to package heavy or bulky industrial products, so that they are able to withstand the maximum weight and stacking forces, as well as be shipped long distances.

High-End Cosmetics

Kraft Chipboard - White, 1.2mm thick

Both chipboard rigid material and the premium double-wall corrugated material with superior printing are excellent options for luxury cosmetic packaging due to their solid construction, high-quality surface for printing, and excellent aesthetics.

Food products

B flute with food-safe liners.

Food-grade corrugated cardboard and coated paperboard are two material options that are widely used to protect food products while meeting all necessary handling and safety regulations.

Get Started with Your Shipping Box Selection Today!

You have already done your part by formulating an amazing product, let us do our part by creating a unique custom packaging material. Have a look at our collection of boxes and find the right fit for your needs!

Shipping Box

Heavy-duty corrugated walls are designed to keep your products safe throughout every mile of the trip!

Mailer Box

By providing a marketing powerhouse on each delivery, unique visuals represent your brand visually.

Printing Services

Scalable packaging solutions that provide access to printing capabilities when you want them.

Frequently Asked Question

We've answered all the common questions you may have before ordering a custom box.

What is the difference between cardboard and corrugated?

Although cardboard and corrugated are often thought of as the same thing, they are quite different. Cardboard is composed of a single layer of thick paper, commonly referred to as paperboard. It is most commonly seen on many cereal boxes as well as greeting card packaging; it is lightweight and does not provide much protection. Corrugated material consists of three distinct layers an inner liner, an outer liner, and a "flute" (wavy corrugation) layer that is between the two liners.

Should E, B, or C flute be selected?

The flute is the thickness of the corrugated box walls, and your choice will depend on your specific needs:

E-flute (1/16"): is suitable for high-end printing and retail boxes due to the thin and sleek appearance combined with exceptional crush resistance.

B-flute (1/8"): serves as a good middle ground when shipping smaller and heavier items due to its high resistance against punctures.

C-flute (11/64"): represents the standard size used in traditional shipping boxes; it provides superior cushioning and stacking strength for all general-purpose shipping needs.

What is the best material for heavyweight shipping materials?

For heavy and/or fragile products, we suggest using double-wall or triple-wall corrugated cardboard. Double-wall and triple-wall corrugated consists of two or three layers of flutes stacked on top of each other. It is also important to choose boxes with a high ECT (Edge Crush Test) rating; we recommend choosing a box with at least a 44 ECT rating to help support the weight of the product during shipping and transportation.

Are environmentally friendly materials as strong as traditional ship materials?

Yes, they are. Advances in modern engineering have allowed us to develop sustainable packaging materials from recycled fibers that have the same Bursting Strength and ECT values as traditional virgin-material packaging products. In fact, there are many applications where switching to sustainable packaging does not compromise any of the packaging's structural properties or its protection capabilities.

What is the difference between digital printing and offset printing for my boxes?

Digital printing is best for small to medium-sized orders due to its speed and lack of plate expense. Additionally, digital printing provides superior color accuracy and lower per-unit cost in higher volume orders. Conversely, offset printing is the typical printing method for wholesale orders as it provides the best possible color accuracy and cost per product in larger quantities.

Can I print on the inside and outside of my custom box?

Absolutely! Printing on the inside of your box provides an opportunity for you to enhance the customer experience. You can include information about your company, social media handles, and bright colors that surprise and delight your customer once they open their package.

Request a Shipping Material Sample or Get a Price Quote.

For all of your custom shipping box needs, get quality and sustainability with us.

Premium Materials for Custom Shipping Packaging