Cartons Styles
02 Slotted Boxes
Slotted cartons are the most common type of cardboard box. They’re the sort you’re most likely to use when moving house and are also used for transporting a huge range of products.
These boxes are made from one piece of cardboard, and have a manufacturer’s joint – a pre-glued or stitched section which holds the body of the box together. The carton will also have top and/or bottom flaps for the user to close, with packing tape, staples, or hot melt adhesive (as used in glue guns).
The ‘slotted’ name comes from the fact that when the boxes are flat, there are small slots cut between the flaps which allow everything to fold effectively. These boxes are usually shipped flat or knocked down, which makes them easy to store
03 Telescopic Boxes
This style of box is commonly used for products like shoes. It consists of two or three separate sections which slide over each other. Sometimes the parts overlap completely; sometimes there is a distinct lid or base.
The shoebox shape is just one type of telescopic carton. We can also make versions that aren’t rectangular, such as octagonal boxes 0350, 0351 and 0352.
04 Folders and Trays
This carton style is usually made from one piece of cardboard, folded to form the bottom, sides and lid (if there is one). Examples of this type include pizza boxes and crate-style boxes for fruit. Folders and trays are quite versatile – some versions have cutouts, handles and locking tabs. They’re usually provided flat with no glue or stitching and can even be folded around a product before sealing.
05 Slide-Type Boxes
This type of carton is made up of a combination of a liner, and a sleeve which slides over the top. Each piece is usually one strip of card folded enough times to make a square shape with two openings.
Like a matchbox, the openings in the liner are a different side to the openings in the sleeve. This stops the contents falling out.
The sleeves from this category can also be used with other types of carton.
06 Rigid Boxes
Rigid or bliss-style boxes are made from three different pieces. The body of the box forms the bottom, lid and two of the sides, but there are also two separate end pieces. These usually need to be stitched or attached onto the box by the customer.
Once the ends are attached these boxes are very sturdy, hence the name.
07 Ready-Glued Cases
These cartons come in a range of shapes and sizes. The one thing they have in common is that they’re supplied pre-glued and simply need to be unfolded or have the base locked together before they’re ready to use. For this reason, they’re also known as ‘self-erecting’ boxes.
This style is really useful if you want to use your boxes quickly, with minimal effort.
The top of these boxes is sometimes the same as a slotted carton – see 02.
09 Interior Fitments
These pieces aren’t boxes in themselves, but sections that are designed to go inside to break up the interior, add additional protection or strength, or act as void fill. Types of fitment include dividers, partitions, pads and tubes.
