23/07/2025
Imagine walking through the familiar aisles of a supermarket. Amid a wide array of colors, materials, and forms, paper packaging appears on nearly every product, playing a vital role in protecting goods and conveying brand information.
From toothpaste boxes, butter cookie cartons, Tet gift boxes, and Mid-Autumn mooncake boxes to large corrugated cartons containing televisions and refrigerators, all are designed to simultaneously meet requirements for functionality, aesthetics, and consumer experience.
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Content may be shared for reference with proper attribution to Newlifepack.
Each type is constructed from different paper-based structural materials with varying thicknesses, rigidity, and configurations, corresponding to specific requirements in functionality, aesthetics, and cost for particular applications.
This article provides a clear and systematic overview of the three common paper packaging categories mentioned above. It serves as a useful foundation for those beginning in the fields of packaging, printing, and product design, or for anyone seeking essential knowledge about the role and applications of paper packaging in everyday life.
Folding Carton is the most widely used paper packaging format in the consumer packaging industry, extensively applied across sectors such as FMCG, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and fast-moving consumer goods. Familiar products including toothpaste boxes, soap cartons, confectionery boxes, medicine boxes, and cigarette packs are typical applications of Folding Cartons.
With its lightweight structure, sharp print quality, and high flexibility in structural and graphic design, the Folding Carton effectively fulfills three essential requirements: providing appropriate product protection, delivering necessary product information, and clearly communicating brand identity at the point of sale.
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Folding Cartons are typically produced from paperboard materials with low to medium grammage, depending on the required level of product protection, packing method, and brand positioning. Commonly used paperboard types include:
In addition, Folding Cartons may utilize other paperboard grades depending on structural design and practical application requirements. Overall, these materials share common characteristics: lightweight structure, ease of die-cutting and folding, and efficiency in packing, transportation, and retail display.
Folding Cartons play an important role in the consumer goods industry thanks to their flexible structure, cost optimization, and sharp print quality. This packaging type is widely applied across various sectors, particularly in the following segments:
Folding Cartons effectively meet requirements for printing technical information, usage instructions, and quality management standards in the pharmaceutical sector.
With the ability to incorporate surface finishing effects such as foil stamping, spot UV coating, and embossing, Folding Cartons enhance perceived value in the mid-range and upper mid-range segments.
Folding Cartons are used for products requiring secondary packaging, supporting both protection and display.
Thanks to effective structural forming and the integration of paper inserts, Folding Cartons are suitable for small-sized products.
With design flexibility and cost efficiency, Folding Cartons are used for marketing campaigns, special edition products, or large-quantity gift programs.
Corrugated Box is a packaging solution specifically engineered for product protection, warehousing, and transportation throughout the supply chain.
With strong mechanical performance, cost efficiency, and high recyclability, Corrugated Boxes serve as a primary packaging solution in global logistics systems, particularly across the electronics, home appliances, food, e-commerce, and export sectors.
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Corrugated Boxes are manufactured from corrugated board, consisting of a fluted medium positioned between linerboards, forming a rigid structure with high compression strength. This construction makes them suitable for products with substantial weight or bulky dimensions.
Depending on protection requirements and product dimensions, flute types are selected to balance durability and cost efficiency.
| Flute Type | Approximate Flute Height | Key Characteristics | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Flute | ~4.5 mm | High cushioning performance, good resilience | Heavy-duty shipping cartons, shock-resistant packaging |
| C Flute | ~3.5–4 mm | Balanced rigidity, good compression strength | Standard shipping cartons, commercial goods |
| B Flute | ~2.5 mm | High stacking strength, smoother surface than A flute | Smaller boxes, packaging requiring stable stacking |
| E Flute | ~1.5 mm | Smooth surface, lightweight, suitable for offset printing | Food boxes, pizza boxes, gift boxes |
| F Flute | ~0.8 mm | Ultra-thin, very smooth surface, sharp print detail | Premium small boxes, mini gift boxes, refined design packaging |
Depending on protection requirements, corrugated board can be manufactured in the following structures:
| Structure | Layer Composition | Strength & Characteristics | Packaging Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-layer (Single Wall) | 1 fluted medium + 2 linerboards | Suitable for light to medium-weight goods. Provides good stacking strength under standard warehouse conditions. | Dry food, consumer goods, domestic e-commerce shipments |
| 5-layer (Double Wall) | 2 fluted mediums + 3 linerboards | Significantly increased compression strength. Reduces the risk of deformation during long-distance transportation. | Electronics, small and medium home appliances, container export goods |
| 7-layer (Triple Wall) | 3 fluted mediums + 4 linerboards | Designed for heavy loads, strong impact resistance in sea freight and high stacking conditions. | Industrial machinery, heavy mechanical equipment, oversized cargo |
Corrugated Boxes are not merely shipping containers; they represent a critical technical component within the broader ecosystem of supply chain operations and brand development. Depending on the intended purpose, their applications can be categorized into three primary pillars:
This is the core function of Corrugated Boxes — protecting goods during storage, transportation, and export.
Thanks to the compression strength of the fluted structure, Corrugated Boxes help minimize risks of deformation, impact damage, and stacking pressure throughout road transport, sea freight, and international container shipping.
Within this category, two common formats are widely used:
When laminated with offset-printed or metalize outer paper and enhanced with surface finishing techniques, Corrugated Boxes can achieve a high aesthetic standard suitable for display and gifting purposes.
In the context of sustainability and increasingly stringent environmental requirements, Corrugated Boxes present a more environmentally responsible alternative to many traditional materials.
Corrugated board offers high recyclability, ease of post-use processing, and alignment with corporate ESG strategies. Compared to plastic or wooden crates, carton boxes reduce weight, optimize transportation costs, and lower overall emissions.
Corrugated Boxes can also be engineered to replace certain applications previously made from plastic or foam, such as molded inserts, paper-based pallet systems, or carton crates, contributing to a greener and more sustainable supply chain.
Rigid Box represents the most premium category of paper packaging, distinguished by its solid construction, high structural stability, and superior protective performance. When combined with high-quality printing and advanced surface finishing techniques, Rigid Boxes deliver a luxurious appearance and significantly enhance the product’s perceived value.
Rigid Boxes are constructed from chipboard (cold carton) — a thick, high-density paperboard material with excellent compression strength, ensuring exceptional rigidity compared to conventional paper packaging formats. Thanks to these properties, Rigid Boxes are particularly suitable for product categories that require:
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Rigid Boxes are constructed from a thick chipboard / cold carton core, combined with an outer wrapping layer and supplementary finishing materials. Unlike Folding Cartons or Corrugated Boxes, Rigid Boxes are generally non-collapsible; they are delivered in fully formed shape and maintain structural stability throughout their lifecycle of use.
Chipboard Core
Serves as the primary load-bearing structural frame, with high grammage and thickness (typically ranging from approximately 800 gsm to over 2000 gsm, depending on the application).
Outer Wrapping Layer
Laminated over the chipboard core to create an aesthetic surface. Materials may include couche paper, ivory board, art paper, or metalize paper, depending on the design direction.
Inner Lining – optional
Paper, fabric, or velvet may be applied to enhance the perceived value and tactile experience during unboxing.
Structural Accessories – optional
Magnetic closures, pull ribbons, corner reinforcements, internal partitions, EVA / foam inserts, or paper / plastic molded trays to support, secure, and present the product effectively.
Rigid Boxes are used for product segments that require high standards of protection, brand image, and unboxing experience. With a solid structure, refined finishing capabilities, and a substantial hand feel, this packaging line is commonly found in premium and ultra-premium industries.
With a robust structure combined with sophisticated design, Chipboard Rigid Boxes not only ensure product safety but also elevate brand image and perceived value.
With the ability to create strong visual impact and enhance product value, Rigid Boxes are particularly suitable for gift sets and premium food products, especially during festive seasons or corporate gifting occasions.
With effective structural support and product stabilization, Rigid Boxes are well-suited for high-value items that require secure packaging while maintaining a premium aesthetic.
Chipboard Rigid Boxes are an ideal packaging solution for corporate gifting programs and brand events, from festive holidays and company anniversaries to client appreciation campaigns and product launches.
Thanks to flexible customization in structure, size, and design, Rigid Boxes not only ensure high aesthetic standards and finishing quality but also help businesses convey a professional, meticulous, and premium brand image.
At the point of sale (POS), Chipboard Rigid Boxes are often used for display gift sets, sample products, or special and limited editions.
A luxurious, sturdy, and visually striking design helps capture consumer attention, effectively supporting promotional activities and purchase decisions.
| Criteria | Folding Carton | Corrugated Box | Rigid Box |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Paperboard: couche, ivory, duplex, etc. | Corrugated fiberboard | High-density chipboard (greyboard/carton lạnh) |
| Structure | Typically single-layer | Multi-layer board with a fluted inner core | Solid board laminated with wrapped paper |
| Load-Bearing Capacity | Low – suitable for lightweight products | Good – primarily for shipping and protection | Very high – optimal protection, especially for high-value products |
| Protection Level | Moderate, basic protection | Strong for transportation; impact and shock resistant | Excellent, comprehensive protection |
| Weight | Lightweight | Medium | Heavy (due to high board density) |
| Cost | Lowest | Medium | Highest |
| Aesthetics | Sharp printing, versatile design options | Moderate | Premium, luxurious appearance |
| Best Optimized For | Cost-efficient mass production | Product protection during transit | Enhancing product and brand value |
| Main Applications | FMCG | Packaging & shipping | High-end product packaging, gift boxes |
Within the paper packaging ecosystem, Folding Cartons – Corrugated Boxes – Rigid Boxes are not competing options, but three solutions designed for different objectives across the product value chain.
Selecting the right packaging solution depends not only on product weight or dimensions, but also on brand positioning, distribution strategy, and the customer experience a business aims to build.
With nearly 20 years of experience in paper printing and packaging, Newlifepack operates an integrated production system supported by a technically experienced team, ready to partner with businesses in developing packaging solutions tailored to each industry and market strategy.
We are committed to delivering consistent quality, cost-optimized solutions, and enhanced brand value.
Vietnam Paper Packaging Manufacturer (since 2008)
Certifications: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, GMI, GSV, FSC, SMETA
Industrial Design · Printing · Manufacturing
▸ Tet gift boxes, mooncake boxes, gift boxes, packaging boxes, custom packaging
▸ MOQ: rigid boxes 500–1,000, corrugated boxes 1,000–2,000, folding cartons >5,000
Core strengths: Rigid Boxes & Metalized Boxes
▸ High-quality offset printing & metalized printing on KOMORI Lithrone presses – USD 2 million investment
▸ Fully integrated rigid box (chipboard box) production line, no outsourcing
▸ Perfect metalized surface achieved through roll-to-roll lamination with pressure bonding and thermal curing
▸ Signature effects: metallic knockout, drip-off / sand-like, 3D embossing, sculpted foil stamping
Consultation · Quotation · Orders
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+84 28 3790 2768 | 
+84 828 44 9999 (+zalo)
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