Corrugated boxes are one of the finest and most versatile modes of packaging. Around 2017, the global corrugated boxes market was worth US$ 107.8 billion and is estimated to grow at a rate of 4.3% annually since, then. With its unique blend of cushioning and structural rigidity, corrugated boxes are irreplaceable when it comes to storage, bundling, or shipping.
Thus, knowing the estimated costs of the corrugated box lets brands plan ahead.
There is a huge variety of corrugated boxes present in the market and their prices vary depending on several parameters such as:
- The board’s thickness
- The box’s dimensions
- Type of flute
- Type of joints
- Box compression strength
- Moisture content
- Bursting strength
- Number of plies
- Weight of CFC
Furthermore, the price goes up when the corrugated boxes are being customized. The form of printing and the number of colours also determine the prices. These corrugated boxes can further be laminated for additional protection.
The blog from Packman Packaging India’s top manufacturer and supplier of corrugated boxes talks about some of the most efficient ways to reduce costs on your corrugated boxes. Here are some.
Simplify your needs
In several cases, brands might stick to the packaging solutions formed long ago. Taking a step back and looking at the real needs of the present is a good method to reduce costs. As products evolve, the packaging must too.
For example, if the primary packaging comes with void fills, then the secondary or tertiary packaging might not require cushioning. Shifting to a thinner and more rigid corrugated box for secondary packaging would help reduce costs.
Further, you can also decrease the number of sizes of boxes needed. So, it is a nice idea to check how much packaging is really required for shipping and transportation. Excess packaging not just increases packaging expenses but also raises shipping costs.
If your corrugated boxes are used for primary packaging, then printing price is another parameter you could reduce. Corrugated boxes are utilized as primary packaging for products like bicycles, TVs, computer monitors, laptops, electrical components, and many more. See if you can lessen the number of colors, or move to less expensive printing technology.
For example, in the case of consumer durables, the aesthetics of the packaging is never considered as important as ease of handling. With certain research, you can understand exact aspects of your product packaging are essential and invest more in those things.
Research the given choices
It is a wise idea to extensively look at multiple choices that are available and analyze their pros and cons. Once you understand your needs, you might find that you may not need an expensive box, but one with a lower price will do just fine.
You can research several sizes available in the market to check if they fulfill your needs. You can check the prices of the new boxes to find how much you can save. These will assist you to expand your budget on a more productive path and customize the boxes. Customization lets you to enhance brand awareness, add safety and warning labels, and also, add handling instructions.
Augment dimensions
If you are using corrugated boxes for secondary packaging, then perhaps you can save a little by bundling differently. Maybe, you could stack the products differently, or make use of alternative void fill.
For instance, in certain brands packaging team customizes corrugated boxes to stack their products in a more space-efficient manner. This meant that the products stays safe from any damage as well.
Adopt standard structures
Custom-sized boxes are more expensive compared to standard ones. Corrugated box manufacturers have standard sizes and styles of corrugated boxes. These boxes are generally used by brands for packaging and fulfilling general needs.
Corrugated boxes in these sizes. They are available in both single-walled and double-walled variants and have sizes varying from 3” x 3” x 3” to 40” x 48” x 36”. The availability of the sizes changes depending on the vendor. Also, there are different styles of boxes that are available. These include self-locking, telescopic boxes, regular slotted containers, and others.
Have plans for packaging in product planning
One of the finest ways to minimize the price of corrugated boxes is to integrate the plans for packaging in the product planning stage. You can see how optimizing the primary packaging could help save on secondary and tertiary packaging as well.
Corrugated boxes are used for packaging solutions in almost every industry. It can assist you to optimize your current packaging solutions. You can also understand the expenses of customization. It is paramount to have knowledge of these several parameters. It makes you aware of the ways these boxes are priced, providing you an upper hand in negotiating. Therefore, it lets you make better decisions, save prices and optimize your current packaging solutions.
Looking for cost-effective and finest quality procurement for corrugated boxes? Packman Packaging can help you.