Single, double or triple flute cardboard? What do you need?

There’s no denying it: cardboard is a key material for logistics managers. Robust, ecological, biodegradable, light and versatile, it combines all the good points at a very affordable price. It takes up very little space and can be stored flat, which saves a lot of space in warehouses.

Another advantage is that more and more suppliers are offering ecologically designed cardboard boxes, which are perfectly in line with environmental protection.

Cardboard seems to be the perfect packaging material. However, in order to protect your products in your parcels, it is crucial to choose the right cardboard flute for your packaging. The flute is the thickness of the cardboard and has a direct impact on its strength, so it is essential to take it into account.

When to use single flute cardboard?

A flute is made up of a flat paper, a corrugated paper and then another flat paper. It is possible to assemble several layers: the more flutes there are, the thicker and more resistant the cardboard is. This is called double flute or triple flute.

Single flute is thethinnest thickness of cardboard and is ideal for packing light and shock-resistant products during shipment and storage. For example, you can use it to send clothes or bed linen.

This single-flute cardboard is generally sufficient for small e-commerce orders delivered under low-risk transport conditions (road or urban) and is also preferred for low-value items.

Beware: some products, even if they are light and not very sensitive to shocks, may be subject to particular risks that could damage them, such as humidity, damage, extreme temperatures, etc. Choose a cardboard package that is adapted to these specific conditions in order to properly protect your products that are sensitive to these risks.

When to use double flute cardboard?

Double flute board is 50% stronger than single flute board and is ideal for protecting fragile products or products that are too heavy for single flute. Double flute board can withstand up to 40kg.

Other advantages of double flute cardboard are that it is more resistant to moisture and temperature fluctuations. It is strong but light and can also be used for storage. If you want to store your products for a medium period of time, this cardboard packaging is the right choice.

Double flute cardboard is used to pack, for example, books, decorative objects, small household appliances, crockery, etc. For the most fragile products, a good wedge will be necessary to maximise protection inside the package.

When to use triple flute board?

Despite its light weight, triple flute board is 30% stronger than reinforced double flute. It is the strongest and most protective type of board. It is 14 mm thick and contains a 4 mm baffle against impact and puncture. It also incorporates an additional reinforcement and a 5 mm shock absorber. This allows it to protect the contents of the box in the event of an impact or blow resulting from a collision.

Thanks to its triple thickness, it is resistant to shattering, humidity, temperature variations and vertical compression. Strong and resistant, it can be reused, making it even more economical and ecological.

It can carry heavy loads of up to 500 kg, making it perfect for palletisable crates, or for transporting very heavy products (household appliances, furniture, etc.). It is also used for removals.

Its triple wall thickness protects very fragile objects: electronic products, works of art, bottles, etc. Because of its characteristics, triple flute cardboard is recommended for difficult transport, export and long-term storage.

BONUS: Key criteria for choosing your cardboard packaging

The flute of your carton is an important criterion to consider when selecting your packaging.

There are also other elements to consider when making the right choice:

• The size and volume of your products: choose the right size and volume to pack your products with the right amount of packaging. If your carton is oversized for your products, they will move around inside and get damaged. You will then have to compensate by using more cushioning. This may make your shipment heavier, increase the price of the shipment and generate unnecessary waste.
• The nature of your products: some goods are particularly sensitive to heat, cold, humidity, etc. Others may pose a risk if they are broken or spilled during transport (damaging other goods, releasing toxic substances, etc.). To guarantee their integrity, you should give priority to specific packaging solutions. There are, for example, insulated cardboard boxes for foodstuffs or pharmaceuticals. You can also find cardboard boxes specifically for bottles.
• The need for cushioning: If your products are very sensitive to shocks, you may want to add cushioning material to the package. This will protect them better. Remember to choose a package size that allows the cushioning material to be easily integrated into the package. There are also cardboard packages with integrated cushioning.
• The need to add value to your products: cardboard packaging is also available in white (single, double and triple flute), for enhanced and neat shipments.
• Your need for customisation: Packaging plays a key role in the customer experience and corporate image, and suppliers now offer the option of changing the shape of the carton, adding a logo, a message, etc. Find out more about the possibilities of customising your carton packaging!
• Environmental impact: Cardboard is by nature an environmentally friendly material. You can go even further by opting for recycled, recyclable, bio-based, sustainable and/or eco-designed cardboard boxes. They are just as strong and efficient, but reduce the carbon footprint of your shipments a little more.

Choosing the right thickness of cardboard is essential to protect products during shipping, transport or storage. The more fragile or heavy a product is, the more protection it needs and therefore the thicker the packaging. Now you know when to choose a single, double or triple flute cardboard.

Key points to remember:

• The flute is the thickness of the board;
• The more flutes, the thicker and more robust the packaging board;
• Adapt the size and thickness of the cardboard to your products to better protect them.