If you manage shipping for your company, online store, or warehouse, you've certainly encountered a recurring question: what type of cardboard is most suitable for packaging my products? The answer isn't always obvious, as there are multiple types of cardboard with very different characteristics, strengths, and uses.
In this guide, we explain in detail each type of cardboard used in packaging — from cardboard board to triple-wall corrugated cardboard — so you can make informed decisions and optimize both product protection and packaging costs. If you already know what you need, you can go directly to our size finder to find your box.
Why is it important to choose the right type of cardboard?
Choosing the wrong cardboard can have direct consequences for your business: damaged products during transport, unnecessarily high shipping costs due to over-packaging, or an unprofessional brand image. A purchasing manager who understands the differences between types of cardboard can reduce incidents, improve customer experience, and save money. If you want to delve into how packaging impacts your company, consult our guide on cardboard packaging as a competitive advantage for your business.
Key factors to consider are mechanical resistance (how much weight it can withstand), cushioning capacity (impact protection), grammage (weight per square meter), and, of course, cost.
General classification of cardboard types
Packaging cardboard types can be classified into four main families based on their structure and composition. Before delving into each, it's worth remembering that cardboard is just one part of your product's packaging system:
- Cardboard board: thin and smooth cardboard, single-ply.
- Solid board: several pressed layers without inner corrugation.
- Corrugated cardboard (or wavy cardboard): structure with one or more wavy layers between flat liners, providing strength and cushioning.
- Micro-corrugated cardboard: a variant of corrugated with a very fine flute, ideal for presentation packaging.
Let's look at each in depth.
Cardboard board: what it is and what it's used for
Cardboard board is a thin cardboard, generally between 300 and 600 g/m² in grammage, formed by a single layer of pressed fibers. It's the material found in cereal boxes, cosmetic packaging, pharmaceutical cases, and small food packaging.
Main characteristics of cardboard board
- Grammage: between 300 and 600 g/m².
- Structure: single-ply, without inner corrugation.
- Surface: smooth, suitable for high-quality printing (offset, digital).
- Resistance: low to medium. Does not support heavy loads or stacking.
Most common uses
Cardboard board is primarily used for primary presentation packaging: cosmetic boxes, medicine cases, dry food packaging, and point-of-sale displays. It is not suitable for transport packaging, as it does not offer sufficient impact protection. If you want to learn about this material in depth — types of cardboard board, finishes, and applications — we have a complete guide on cardboard board.
Corrugated cardboard: the king of transport packaging
Corrugated cardboard — also called wavy cardboard — is the quintessential material for shipping boxes and logistics packaging. Its structure combines flat layers (called liners) with wavy layers (called flutes or channels), creating a sandwich-like structure that offers an excellent balance between strength, weight, and cost. For an in-depth technical analysis (strength tests, regulations, flute types), consult our article dedicated to what corrugated cardboard is and how it's manufactured.
Types of corrugated cardboard by number of flutes
The most important classification of corrugated cardboard is based on how many wavy layers it has:
Single wall
Formed by one outer liner + one flute + one inner liner. It is the most common for standard shipping boxes. It offers good protection for light to medium weight products (up to approximately 15-20 kg). It is the usual cardboard for affordable shipping boxes that you receive at home when shopping online.
Double wall
Formed by two outer liners + two flutes + one intermediate liner. Significantly increases stacking strength and impact protection. It is used for heavy products (up to 30-40 kg), fragile items that need maximum protection, and for boxes that must withstand stacking on pallets during transport and storage. It is the cardboard you will find in our moving packs to protect the most delicate items.
Triple wall
With three wavy layers and four liners, triple-wall cardboard offers maximum strength. It is used for heavy industrial packaging, machinery, engine parts, and maritime export where transport conditions are more demanding. It can support loads of more than 50 kg. If you work with these types of volumes, consult our catalog of large and giant cardboard boxes and our guide on pallet-sized large boxes.
Flute types by size
In addition to the number of layers, the flute size influences the properties of the cardboard:
- A-flute (large): ~4.8 mm height. Maximum cushioning, ideal for fragile products.
- B-flute (medium): ~2.5 mm. Good balance between strength and flat surface for printing.
- C-flute (intermediate): ~3.6 mm. The most versatile, combining cushioning and crush resistance.
- E-flute (micro): ~1.2 mm. Very smooth surface, excellent for printing. Used in micro-corrugated and presentation packaging.
Solid board: strength without corrugation
Solid board is made up of multiple layers of cellulose pressed together, without any wavy layer. The result is a rigid, dense, and heavy sheet that offers high compression resistance.
Characteristics of solid board
- Grammage: between 700 and 2,000 g/m² or more.
- Structure: multi-ply pressed, no corrugation.
- Rigidity: very high. Does not bend easily.
- Cushioning: low. Does not absorb impacts like corrugated.
When to use solid board?
It is mainly used as a separator between products inside a box, as corner reinforcement, as a rigid base for light pallets, and in the manufacture of folders, binders, and rigid luxury packaging (jewelry boxes, premium electronics, etc.).
Micro-corrugated cardboard: presentation packaging
Micro-corrugated cardboard is a variant of corrugated with a very fine flute (E or F type, 1-1.5 mm). It combines the lightness and good printing surface of cardboard board with superior strength thanks to its corrugated structure.
It is the option chosen by many e-commerce brands for their custom shipping boxes, as it allows for high-quality direct printing (logos, full-color designs) while maintaining corrugated protection. If you have ever received a package from a premium brand in a full-color printed box, it was probably micro-corrugated. Self-assembling die-cut boxes are often made with precisely this material.
Comparative table: types of cardboard for packaging
To facilitate your choice, here is a comparative table with the main characteristics of each type of cardboard:
| Cardboard type | Indicative grammage | Resistance | Cushioning | Printing | Main use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardboard board | 300-600 g/m² | Low | Minimal | Excellent | Cases, cosmetic and pharmaceutical packaging |
| Solid board | 700-2,000+ g/m² | High (compression) | Low | Good | Separators, reinforcements, rigid packaging |
| Micro-corrugated (E/F) | 400-600 g/m² | Medium | Medium | Very good | Branded e-commerce boxes, displays |
| Single-wall corrugated | 500-800 g/m² | Medium-high | High | Limited (flexo) | Standard shipping boxes (up to 20 kg) |
| Double-wall corrugated | 800-1,200 g/m² | High | Very high | Limited | Heavy, fragile products, stacking |
| Triple-wall corrugated | 1,200-1,800 g/m² | Very high | Maximum | Basic | Heavy industrial, maritime export |
How to choose the right cardboard for your product?
The choice of cardboard type depends on several factors. Here are the key questions you should ask yourself:
1. How much does your product weigh?
For light products (less than 5 kg), single wall is sufficient in most cases. For medium-weight products (5-20 kg), single wall with a high grammage or a C-flute is recommended. For heavy loads (more than 20 kg), you will need double wall or even triple wall.
2. Is it fragile?
Fragile products (glass, electronics, ceramics) need maximum cushioning. Opt for A or C-flute with single wall, or double wall for valuable items. Always supplement with interior filling material (bubble wrap, polyethylene foam, or paper shred). If you are also debating between a box and an envelope for your light shipments, our comparison of cardboard boxes vs. shipping envelopes will be useful.
3. Do you need good printing?
If your priority is a box with quality printed design (logo, corporate colors, product information), choose micro-corrugated or cardboard board. Standard corrugated only allows low-resolution flexographic printing.
4. Are you going to stack the boxes?
If your boxes are going to be stacked on pallets for storage or transport, you need cardboard with high vertical crush resistance (ECT - Edge Crush Test). Double wall offers the best performance for stacking.
Difference between corrugated cardboard and wavy cardboard
One of the most frequent questions is: are corrugated cardboard and wavy cardboard the same thing? The short answer is yes. Both terms refer to the same material: a cardboard with a structure of wavy layers between flat liners. "Corrugated" comes from the English word, while "wavy" directly describes the shape of the inner layers. In the professional sector, they are used interchangeably.
Confusion often arises because cardboard board (which has no corrugation) is sometimes incorrectly called "cardboard." To avoid misunderstandings, remember: if it has inner waves, it's corrugated/wavy; if it's smooth and thin, it's cardboard board.
Recycled cardboard: sustainability without losing strength
More and more companies are looking for sustainable options for their packaging. The good news is that recycled cardboard can offer very similar performance to virgin fiber cardboard, especially in single-wall and double-wall grades.
Corrugated cardboard is one of the materials with the highest recycling rate in Europe (over 85%). By choosing boxes made with certified recycled cardboard (FSC, PEFC), your company contributes to the circular economy without sacrificing the protection of its shipments. At Telecajas, we work with recycled and recyclable materials throughout our cardboard box catalog.
Conclusion: choose wisely, pack better
Knowing the types of packaging cardboard allows you to make smarter decisions as a purchasing manager, logistics manager, or online store owner. Each type of cardboard has its function: cardboard board for presentation, single-wall corrugated for standard shipments, double-wall for heavy or fragile products, and micro-corrugated when you need to combine protection with brand image.
At Telecajas, you will find all these types of cardboard in a wide variety of sizes and formats, with fast shipping throughout the peninsula. Visit our complete box catalog, use our size finder to find exactly what you need, or discover where to find cardboard boxes according to your area. We serve Madrid and Valencia with 24-hour delivery.
Now that you know the types of cardboard, the next step is to choose the right box. Consult our selection of cardboard boxes, flap boxes for storage and shipping, or self-assembling boxes for e-commerce. For a complete overview of all materials, read our packaging materials guide.
