In today’sfast-paced consumer market, packaging has grown out of its traditional role as a mere box or container for products. Now, the design captures consumer attention, influences purchasing decisions, and elevates brand image.
Businesses can choose from a myriad of packaging options, but one solution that is gaining market momentum is Folding Cartons Australia. This highly versatile and cost-effective packaging solutions allows businesses to showcase their brand uniquely.
Manufactured with paperboard, folding carton packaging are highly sustainable, allowing companies to reduce their environmental impact and meet modern consumer needs.
With the growing demand, understanding the basics of folding cartons can give brands a competitive advantage. Here is how they leverage folding cartons’ benefits to enhance any brand image and attract customers.
Unique containers
Folding cartons serve as containers for items and products has many uses. They protect them from the surrounding environment, showcase the brand, and simplify product shipping.
The materials for these come in paperboards of different types, like for instance coated unbleached kraft (CUK), non-bending chipboard, and premium grade solid bleached sulfate (SBS).
Today, worldwide industries have used folding cartons in various ways to package and sell their products to their customers. The pharmaceutical industry, for instance, has used folding cartons for its medical packaging needs and to protect drugs, medicines, and otherproducts from contamination.
As expected, folding boxes are changing, with businesses continuing to innovate their design and how they use it. This is one essential way to stay updated in the industry to deliver better and more relevant product experiences to clients and customers.
There are four main types of substrates used as materials in folding cartons: Unbleached Kraft Paperboard, Bleached Kraft Paperboard, cycled Paperboard and micro-flute corrugate.
Kraft paperboard
The Kraft paperboard is the most commonly used substrate in folding carton packaging.
It comes from virgin-wood pulp for printing receptivity. They can also be treated with a used substrate for use in liquid and food packaging. The use of unbleached, usually softwood pulp results in good tear resistance and the greatest stiffness and strength.
Typical uses include consumer electronics packaging, beverage carriers, dry food packaging, hardware packaging, and packaging for powdered detergents and soaps.
Solid beached sulfate
The Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) is the highest quality and most expensive paperboard substrate. It is produced from bleached virgin wood pulp and has high whiteness, brightness and light stability.
SBS is typically used in high-end packaging, where the impact and quality of the printed image are essential. It is also used in food packaging to ensure taste protection. Common uses are health and beauty packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, and frozen foods.
CRB
CRB is generally made from a blend of recycled newsprint, old corrugated containers and mixed secondary paper. Its fibers are often 100% recycled with 35% or more of the content considered “post-consumer.”
It is comprised of as many as eight or more layers of material with the top ply made of bleached or semi-bleached fibers. A variety of machines are used in its manufacture including fourdrinier, cylinder and hybrid forming systems.
Microflutes / netpack
Microflutes are a light weight yet durable corrugated board available in a wide range of flute and liner combinations to meet your exact requirements. it is generally used in high-end folding carton packaging in which strength and stiffness are essential.
Netpak uses an innovate process which allows it to print directly on an F-flute carton or the new N-flute white coated board. The result is outstanding and brings about a definitely much more cost-effective solution.
Statistics
Studies show that the folding carton packaging market in 2023 was valued at USD 148.47 billion. It is expected to reach USD 186.09 billion by 2028. (Mordor Intelligence)
The steady growth of the folding carton market underscores how it’s an industry that brands must not overlook in the years to come.One in three customers would rather choose sustainable packaging when shopping online. (WWF Singapore)
Sustainable options
This highlights how popular sustainability advocacies have become. Businesses must now begin offering sustainable packaging options, such as folding cartons, for their eCommerce customers to meet changing customer demands and expectations.
Also given that folding cartons are designed with paperboard, businesses can expect a significant return on investment (ROI). Likewise, this product packaging aspect can also prolong brand engagement as customers repurpose them for daily use, such as storing valuables.
Trends
Fiber-based packaging (like folding cartons)is one better alternative than to plastic packs in many end-use sectors. Sustainable folding cartons offer businesses environmentally friendly packaging without compromising quality or strength.
The industry is prioritizing digitalization in packaging and supply chain processes. Many brands nowinclude QR codes in their packaging. This enables customers to scan them for additional product information.
This one smart packaging feature delivers valuable details like manufacturing processes and nutritional value, enhancing the overall customer experience.
Automation and robotics
Automation and robotics are becoming staples in the carton landscape. (Packaging Strategies). Likewise, artificial intelligence (AI) is making its way into the packaging industry as well.
These cutting-edge technologies allow businesses to reduce production times, improve efficiency, and deliver greater value to their clients and customers.
Meantime, folding cartons are so popular these days in the industry because they provide businesses with the following benefits.
Easy customization
Making custom folding cartons is straightforward because the medium is highly versatile. For instance, folding cartons for cosmetics can feature different coating types to convey sophistication in their branding.
On the other hand, food packaging folding cartons, such as cereal boxes, may adopt vibrant colors and captivating visuals to grab children’s attention along grocery store aisles. All of these trends are slowly becoming in the industry.
Environmentally friendly
Paper folding cartons are excellent packaging choices for brands wanting to become more environmentally friendly.
Concerns about the durability of this paper-based packaging are unfounded, as these cartons remain sturdy while minimizing waste since brands can design them from a single sheet.
Cost-effective
Paperboard is a cost-effective alternative to glass or metal for packaging. Since producing high orders of folding cartons is so simple, it’s an economical option for businesses looking to minimize expenses without compromising quality.
The cost of sustainable packaging is also low, which is excellent for companies that want to be more eco-friendly on a budget.
Space-efficient
Folding cartons are lightweight packaging options that are easily stackable, which makes transport and shipping much easier.
The efficient use of space, especially with reverse tuck folding carton boxes, allows companies to optimize packaging density and reduce logistical costs by accommodating more packages per trip.
