Packaging and shipping are essential to consumer satisfaction.  Manufacturers, farmers, retailers, e-commerce companies and logistics providers all depend on packaging to move their products from many points of origin to limitless points of consumption.

Packaging and shipping are essential to consumer satisfaction. Manufacturers, farmers, retailers, e-commerce companies and logistics providers all depend on packaging to move their products from many points of origin to limitless points of consumption.

Over the past 100 years, box makers have perfected the blend of art and science that combines high-strength paper, demanding manufacturing tolerances and appealing graphic design to form efficient and cost-effective corrugated packaging.

CORRUGATION

The first step in the box making process is corrugation, where layers of paper are brought together to form high-strength cardboard panels. This process relies on heat, adhesive and starch to align the paper raw materials in the well-known wave patterns, or fluting, that are familiar to both consumers and packagers.

Box customers also specify the raw materials to be used in their packaging, and increasingly, these customers are requiring that their suppliers use recycled materials, the same materials to be produced at Crossroads Paper. The use of recycled containerboard is fundamental to the circular economy.

FINISHING

Once the containerboard has been formed using the desired flute configuration and cut to the appropriate size, graphics are printed on the corrugated sheets according to regulatory requirements, brand-building objectives and retailer needs.

Printed boxes are then cut into their final shape using specialized equipment and glued together to ensure product safety and security.

Printing on corrugated boxes can be extremely simple, using single-color graphics, or it can include highly complex, photo-quality imagery. Likewise, corrugated packaging can be extremely simple in its shape and configuration, or it can consist of complex geometric structures designed to highlight and merchandise products in ways that are attractive to consumers and other end users.

PERFORMANCE

Boxes serve many important functions throughout the supply chain. They must protect products from external forces and potential damage. They must communicate their content to both human eyes and electronic systems so that products can efficiently and rapidly reach their destinations. They must attract consumers and satisfy the desire for interaction and connectivity to those around them.

Sophisticated systems measure the physical performance of containerboard and finished boxes, and Crossroads Paper will meet or exceed the highest global performance standards for recycled containerboard.