It may be a surprise but when it comes to packaging, folding cartons are a huge industry on its own – more than $100 billion.
Nowadays, the folding carton is one of the most common types of consumer packaging in the world. In fact, this packaging is held in high regard as a cornerstone of the industry.
History of Folding Cartons
It all started back in the 1800s. These products were originally made by hand and held together with items such as string and pins. It seems silly now considering their low cost, but back then were only used for expensive items like jewellery.
Believe it or not, mass production of folding cartons were first created by accident! It started with careless setup of a machine that ended up cutting through material. That gave the workers at Robert Gair Company an idea – use one machine to both print and cut packaging products.
Folding cartons quickly grew in popularity, leading to the massive use of them to this day.
Materials & Usage
The main material for constructing folding cartons is paperboard. It is a thick paper-based material, thicker than a regular sheet of paper (over 0.30mm), and is capable of holding a shape when folded.
Paperboard is created with the intention of creasing and some versions even have crack-resistant properties.
At the factory, we fold and glue the edges, after which the boxes are shipped flat to the consumer . These boxes are easy to assemble and commonly come in one piece.
There are various uses and finishings for folding cartons. Depending on your needs, you can use white, Kraft, or food grade paperboard. Add a metallic finishing for an extra pop! Furthermore, add a varnish or glossy/matte lamination for extra protection.
Folding cartons have unlimited uses across multiple industries.
Whether you’re in the food, gift, retail, tourism industry – it doesn’t matter! Folding cartons are perfect for packaging products of all sizes and can also help market your business.
Use this packaging as a way to promote your product and company with decorative features like windows, ribbon pull tabs, and more.
Advantages
If you’ve been keeping up-to-date with our Instagram account (shameless self-promo), then you already know what we’re going to expand on!
The advantages of folding carton packaging are endless, but there are a few that stand out above the rest. Here are some of our favourites:
- Printing Capabilities – due to the flexibility and nature of the material, printing techniques are no issue. They can withstand any pressure, which means endless customisation options and clean graphics. By using 4 colour process, we can guarantee crisp text and design
- Rigidity & Freedom of Structure – paperboard is available in various weights or thickness levels so you can be confident that your products will have protection. Furthermore, unique shapes are not a problem to fully showcase your products.
- Unlimited Detail Options – foil stamping, embossing, debossing, lamination, spot UV coating, and that’s not even all! We have everything at your disposal to create the perfect box box for you.
- Eco-Friendly – we make sure to minimise any environmental impact by using pulp made of recycled material, and also recycle any scraps that are leftover after the cutting process
Don’t take our word for it though – see for yourself! Check out our folding carton section to see some of our past work.
When you’re ready, shoot us a message to get a quotation! We can’t wait to speak with you.
