5 Ways To Make Sure You Save Costs On Corrugated Boxes

Corrugated boxes are one of the most versatile modes of packaging. In 2017, the global corrugated boxes market was worth US$ 107.8 billion and is expected to grow at a rate of 4.3% annually. With its unique blend of cushioning and structural rigidity, corrugated boxes are indispensable when it comes to storage, bundling or shipping.

Therefore, knowing the estimated price of the corrugated box allows brands to plan ahead.

There is a wide variety of corrugated boxes available in the market and their cost varies depending on different parameters such as:

• The thickness of the board 
• Dimensions of the box 
• Type of flute 
• Type of joints
• Box compression strength 
• Moisture content 
• Bursting strength
• Number of plies 
• Weight of CFC 

Furthermore, the price increases when the corrugated boxes are being customized. The type of printing and the number of colours also determine the costs. These corrugated boxes can also be laminated for additional protection.      

5 Ways to Reduce Costs on Corrugated Boxes

With some research and wise planning, brands can save a lot on corrugated boxes. Since so many parameters determine the costs of a corrugated box, getting an estimate can be challenging. 

Here are five ways in which brands can cut down the costs of corrugated boxes.

1. Simplify your Requirements

In many cases, brands may stick to the packaging solutions developed long ago. Taking a step back and looking at the true requirements of the present is a good way to cut down costs. As products evolve, the packaging should too. 

For instance, if the primary packaging comes with void fills, then the secondary or tertiary packaging may not need cushioning. Moving to a thinner and more rigid corrugated box for secondary packaging can help reduce costs. 

Furthermore, you can also reduce the number of sizes of boxes needed. So, it is a good idea to check how much packaging is truly needed for shipping and transportation. Excess packaging not only increases packaging costs but also increases shipping costs.

If you are using corrugated boxes for primary packaging, then printing costs is another parameter you can reduce. Corrugated boxes are used as primary packaging for products such as bicycles, televisions, computer monitors, laptops, electrical components and more. See if you can reduce the number of colours, or shift to cheaper printing technology.

For instance, in the case of consumer durables, the aesthetics of the packaging is not considered important as ease of handling. With some research, you can understand what aspects of your product packaging are important and invest more in those parts.

2. Research Available Options

It is a good idea to extensively look at different options that are available and weigh their pros and cons. Once you understand your requirements, you may find that you may not require an expensive box, but one with a lower cost will do just fine. 

You can research different sizes available in the market to check if they meet your requirements. You can look up the prices of the new boxes to see how much you can save. These will help you expand your budget in a more productive direction and customize the boxes. Customization allows you to increase brand awareness, add safety and warning labels, and even add handling instructions. 

3. Optimize Dimensions

If you are using corrugated boxes as secondary packaging, then maybe you can save a little by bundling differently. Perhaps, you can stack the products differently, or make use of alternative void fill.  

For example, in the case of Neolite, our team customized corrugated boxes to stack their products in a more space-efficient manner. This meant that the products were safe from any damages as well.  

4. Use Standard Structures

Custom sized boxes are more expensive than standard ones. Corrugated box manufacturers have standard sizes and styles of corrugated boxes. These boxes are commonly used by brands for packaging and fulfil the general requirements. 

Corrugated boxes in these sizes. They come in both single-walled and double-walled variants and have sizes ranging from 3” x 3” x 3” to 40” x 48” x 36”. The availability of the sizes varies depending on the vendor. Also, there are multiple styles of boxes that are available. These include self-locking, telescopic boxes, regular slotted containers and so on. 

5. Include Plans for Packaging in Product Planning

One of the best ways to minimize the cost of corrugated boxes is to integrate the plans for packaging in the product planning phase. You can check how optimizing the primary packaging can help save on secondary and tertiary packaging too. 

Final Thoughts

Corrugated boxes are a staple packaging solution for almost all industries: food, pharmaceuticals, and other fast-moving consumer goods. When you explore possibilities, you gain insights on how much you have to spend on the packaging. Moreover, knowing the approximate costs also allow you to pick the vendor who’s offering fair pricing. 

It can help you optimize your present packaging solutions. You can also understand the cost of customization. It's paramount to have knowledge of these different parameters. It makes you aware of how these boxes are priced, giving you an upper hand at negotiating. 

Therefore, it allows you to make better decisions, save costs and optimize your present packaging solutions.

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