Welcome to the strategy intensive and error-prone packaging world! Even an expert in the packaging industry experiences new problems every day. In this series of articles, we will provide some tips on producing effective packaging from three very different perspectives, design, materials, and artwork. Now, a look at materials and structural engineering:

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The size and function of your product in part determines what materials may be necessary. Above are a few common weights and types of corrugated board used in paper packaging. For more information, click here.

Structural engineering and materials specification go hand in hand in their respective roles in presenting and protecting packaging contents. Factors to consider in selecting packaging materials include method and ease of print, protective and preservative qualities, and environmental sustainability.

For the latter, in recent years recycling post consumer waste into corrugated board and printable cardstock has become an economic panacea in China. In fact, the CEO of one corrugated board maker was named China’s richest woman in 2007 (for more information, click here).

Good structural design should fully protect package contents, while using the minimum necessary packaging materials. Some of the common tests used to confirm the structural integrity of corrugated boxes and their transport cartons are:

  • Burst test (Mullen test)
  • Edge Crush test
  • Drop test
  • Compression test
  • Vibration test

For more information on testing the transport-efficacy of packaging, visit the International Safe Transit Association at http://www.ista.org

For more information on the common flute size and thickness of corrugated board, click here.