How to Differentiate Between Rigid Cartons and Folding Cartons

Many technical terms are used for cardboard-based boxes worldwide in the packaging and retail industry. In general, rigid cartons refer to rigid boxes used in the premium packaging of valuable products. The main aim of this packaging type is to grab the attention of the customers who are willing to pay an additional amount just because of the mesmerizing packaging of the product appropriate according to various events. It saves them effort and time. Moreover, this kind of packaging is expected to last many years, offering alternate use and post-sales use to the customers while reminding them of the brand and the product every time they look at it.

On the other hand, the folding cartons are the retail and packaging boxes more focused on cost-effectiveness and retail solutions. They are creative and functional but not over the top like the former type mentioned here. Please read the article further to understand these box types and how their impact can be increased.

Rigid Cartons

These are sturdy boxes crafted from durable material created to last for a long time. Because of this reason, rigid boxes have sustained their looks and structure for many years, reminding customers of the brand. The rigid cartons are relatively more expensive. Because they have a strong structure, the printers and the packaging companies bother adding meticulous finishes and details. Sometimes this intricate decoration also involves labor work. In such scenarios, the order cost goes up. It also becomes difficult to fold and collapse these boxes and cost-effectively ship them.

This further increases the order cost for the clients. But, despite this, the return in terms of the benefit of these boxes is very high and unmatched. The printers and packaging companies develop various sizes of rigid cartons to tackle the needs of different clients.

Another technical term is used for rigid boxes in many packaging sectors worldwide. It includes ‘set-up boxes,’ which represent the premium products to their target market demographics in the marketplace. Did you know the thickness of these boxes can be up to times the thickness of regular boxes? Are exterior fabric or materials added to these boxes to make them appear as elaborate as their original client demand? All this, along with the labor-intensive decoration and accessories added to these boxes, increase their weight and sometimes make them unable to fold or collapse. As a result, they are shipped in their existing condition to the target audience despite the raised rates.

Rigid Carton Formation

When preparing the carton sheets of chipboard, the lines that define dye cutting and printing are made ready. These lines are finalized after receiving the final dimensions from the forum. Most processes are either done by machine or hand or various combinations of the two, depending on the manufacturer. Once done, the lines are folded to assemble the box. Sometimes the packaging companies use a self-adhesion tool like tape to make the box stay assembled till the work is concluded. The outermost layer of these boxes with the visual content is called a wrap.

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It is glued to the outer layer of the box. Materials like leather, fabric, wood, high-grade paper, etc., are used as the wrap. It can be plain or textured according to clients’ preferences. In the case of handmade boxes, this wrap is loosely fitted, but in machine-made boxes, this wrap is fit tightly against the boxes. Most companies demand their wraps to fit loosely around the boxes even when crafted ion machines. It allows them to demonstrate these boxes as handmade ones and get better returns and gains.

Rigid Carton Types

Most rigid cartons have two parts, namely a lid and a base. Business entities order these boxes in versatile custom shapes like heart-shaped, aster or star, hexagonal, crescent, V-shaped, etc. The industry uses the lid styles of these boxes to differentiate them from one another. Because of their lids, they are given distinct names, which have become their identity in the marketplace. Let us read about a few;

1. Telescope Cartons 

These boxes are often used in the apparel industry and those sectors which need representation as worthy products. The salient feature of these boxes is that the lids’ height and the base are the same. Thus, when the lid is put on the base to cover, it covers the entire length of the base. It adds to the security of the boxes by encompassing the product in double walls. However, it becomes difficult to detach the lid from the base, for which we add thumb notches or thumb cuts to the lids. It makes pulling them up a convenient task.

In another variation, the lid height is slightly shorter than the lid height. These boxes are called partial telescope lids. The lid covering the base is often referred to as the box lip in such boxes. A shoebox is one example of these boxes. An additional neck in some boxes prevents the box lid from sitting on the base. This neck is now being highlighted in contrasting colors to give the boxes a unique color-blocking appeal.

2. Tray Sleeve Cartons 

These boxes have two main variations. In one variation, the lid encompasses the base like a sleeve and is open-ended from both sides like a matchbox. The cover is closed from three sides like a shell in the other variation, and customers can only slide out the base from one side. The jewelry companies often use the latter box style. We also add handles to these boxes to beautify them and make them appear grander on the retail shelves.

Products are revealed by pulling out the base in a sliding motion. Internal trays and inserts made from foam and cardboard are added to the base for the security of the products. Sometimes other items like mini cushions are added to make product display mesmerizing, for example, when displaying watches, etc. These boxes are categorized as two-piece boxes. They are sometimes called shell-slide or shell boxes when enclosed from three sides.

3. One-Piece Rigid Cartons 

There are a few styles or layouts in the rigid cartons which are one-pieced. It means that their lids and base are joined together using various means and are not detachable. These boxes look highly classy and impressive and have the power to convince and influence others into buying products. Most brands use this packaging style during the holiday season to target a niche market willing to pay the premium price against impeccable packaging.

Also Read About: The Untold Advantage of Using Custom Sleeve Boxes

Sometimes the lids of the boxes hinge on the base. As a result, they remain attached to it. This lid extends the base and is creased to create a lid. In other scenarios, it is attached separately to the base structure. This attachment is permanent, and the closure is managed by using magnetic strips, via manufactured accessories like ribbons and buttons, or by manipulating the natural gravitational force.

Rigid cartons are all about luxury. They are created to offer a hard-to-forget unboxing experience for the clients. The boxes are decorated using all types of accessories like balloons, etc. It may also include a personalized message or card and a device to play music and lights. However, the opening and closing mechanisms must be kept simple when creating these boxes. Complicated closures take the excitement as every recipient wants to dig into their packages after receiving them.

These cartons are very different from the other folding cartons, which are described in detail below;

Folding Carton Types

In this article, we will go through a few types of folding cartons so that our readers can get a better idea of the options available to them. The following boxes will highlight how our clients can use these boxes in different ways. It will also make the readers aware of the personalization techniques applied to these carton types. As the name suggests, these boxes are collapsible and mostly shipped flat. Let’s read more about them;

Tuck Cartons

These boxes package various types of products. They are also used as mailers and subscription boxes. Many business entities have selected these boxes as their retail boxes for beverages. Many others have chosen them to display the biscuits and cookies in various parts of the world. The add-ons like window patching make these boxes an ideal appeal for different domestic products. They are also suitable for small SKUs of perfumes but require socially engineered trays. These trays are available in traditional and recyclable cardboard.

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Flaps are added to these boxes to keep dust away from the products and add more security to the products packaged inside. as a salient feature, they have seams on sides and provide a convenient and quick set-up on standard machinery for filling and assembly.

Seal End

These boxes have a side seam. These one-piece cardboard-based boxes offer an ideal packaging tool for fragile and small SKUs. Most highlighters and blushes are securely packaged in these boxes and come with features like protective flaps and die-cut windows in custom boxes. These boxes are perfect for products that need a retail display.

The best part about these boxes is their assembly, which hardly takes more than a few seconds. The sealed or closed ends ensure that the products do not slide out when displayed on the retail shelves. Because of their defensive ends, they are readily used by the companies providing frozen food, candies, etc. Most cereals are packaged in these box types.

Multipack Cartons

Whenever our clients demand retail cardboard boxes with impressive impact, we suggest these cartons as they increase the product’s visual appeal on the retail shelves. These boxes also refer to the beverages, liquid holders, and carriers that offer attractions and functionality to customers. These carriers and cartons help protect the beverages and products, help with their marketing and advertising and increase the usability for the customers. In some variations, they come with a cling style for food packaging protection and controlled visibility.

In other variations, they are fully enclosed with economic and packaging-friendly styles. At ClipnBox, we add handles to these boxes to help carry them easily and offer portability to our customers. These carriers in basket shapes have a broad customer reach and instantly catch attention.

Strength Cartons

We provide material with improved compression and customized solutions to meet the protective needs of the products. These cartons come with internal trays and boxes which help package individual parts and accessories. These unique trays minimize the bumping and movement of products packaged inside.

Strength cartons are given distinct looks using printing techniques and distinguished layouts that help transform these boxes into potential advertising and marketing tools. These boxes are suitable enough to meet the retail channel needs of our clients. Some cartons are developed from heavyweight material and with solid structures that add to the functionality of these boxes. Because of this quality, many clients prefer them over traditional cartons.

Corrugated Cartons

Some business entities use visual graphics to mark their products and make them stand apart from the crows. These are used for shipping as the material they are crafted with is ideal for heavyweight applications. The corrugated material combines fluted material and a back liner, adding a security cushion to the packaging.

Green Cartons

Many business entities are searching for green packaging solutions. Some are driven by customer demands, while others are making this decision to combat the deteriorating condition of the planet. We offer biodegradable material packaging material for our clients.

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The main attraction of this packaging type is that it disintegrates on its own without releasing any harmful chemicals into the air, land, or water. This material is flexible enough to shape into different cartons and display boxes and offers durability to withstand the weight. The best feature of this material includes its print-friendliness, which enables transforming the looks of the boxes.

Laminated Cartons

We offer matte and gloss lamination to our clients. Lamination provides multiple benefits to our clients. It involves using a thin, transparent plastic sheet that covers the entire visible area of the box. the glossy look reflects the light and makes the colors appear richer.

The matte lamination option minimizes the play of light and adds a sophisticated and muted look to the cartons. Applying lamination adds to the appeal of the printed colors and saves the visual content from getting smudged or damaged any time soon. Lamination works as a protective layer to the boxes keeping the graphic content and the carton in their best form for a longer time.

The Packaging Enhancing Tools For Rigid Cartons and Folding Cartons

We at ClipnBox are aware that running a business is not fictional science. Instead, it is all about trading. The business entities need to develop a product so good that their customers are ready to pay for it. However, irrespective of the market sector and industry, it is essential to remember that every business is ultimately in the education business; customers or the target demographics need to learn about the products and packaging advantages. Because of this reason, we are taking out time to help our clients understand how they can augment their returns and exposure.

Innovative Layouts

Did you know that you can add to the appeals of the packaging using the distinct styles in boxes, which are also called layouts in the industry? Some boxes are single-piece, while others are two-piece boxes selected by the clients to package, display, promote and save their products.

Special boxes have magnetic closures and other flaps that provide impressive opening and closure of boxes. Other boxes use creative 3D mesh-based custom sleeves to add design details to these boxes. There are various other means to add to these boxes. Let us read further about them;

Packaging Accessories 

The packaging accessories consist of labels and stickers. Printing and packaging companies understand the requirements of their clients to provide them with customized stickers and self-adhesive labels, which clients can use on various products. For example, a label reading ‘Sale’ cab be added to any product around the year, irrespective of packaging type. We compose impressive labels and stickers with features that uplift the products' look and packaging. Add-ins like embossing and foil stamping are used to make every eye fall on them.

According to the clients ' needs, stickers and labels are available in different shapes, colors, and dimensions. They offer a cost-effective tool for the instant personalization of products. These boxes are perfect for promotional packaging.

Material-Based Enhancements 

There is a wide stock variety for our clients in packaging material. Some material is textured, and other is plain. The textured material looks equally impressive as the plain ones. We master the art of creating unique visual content and inventive layouts using versatile materials for packaging. In the case of specific orders, we also print cartons on substrates for the attention-grabbing retail solutions.

Print-Based Enhancements 

Our color management and correction are outstanding. We use the Pantone to identify and mark every tone and shade. It helps us remain consistent in our output and win the trust of our clients. They can rely on us for color precision. We allow our clients to print in multiple colors or a specific number of colors according to their preferences. They can also opt for double-sided printing, which involves printing inside the boxes. It helps provide the customers with personalized messages, storage, and use instructions and sensitive but essential information, e.g., self-breast examination details in products for females.

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Other features include raising the visual content area to create a 3D-like look using embossing and debossing options. These features are used independently and with additional features like Spot color and Spot UV to transform the ordinary cardboard boxes into mesmerizing packaging tools.