7 Types of Cardboard for Packaging: Which One Should You Use?

Why Cardboard Type Matters

You've probably used cardboard boxes without thinking much about what they're made of. But choosing the wrong type means damaged goods, customer complaints, and money wasted on returns.

The right cardboard protects your products, keeps shipping costs reasonable, and makes sure boxes don't collapse during transit. Here's what you need to know.

1. Single Wall Corrugated Board (3-Ply)

This is the most common type you'll see. It has one layer of fluted (wavy) paper between two flat liner boards.

Best for:

• Lightweight products (up to 10-15 kg)
• Local deliveries within the city
• Electronics, clothing, books, cosmetics

Price range: ₹15-35 per box (depending on size)

Single wall works for most small businesses. If you're shipping sarees, phone cases, or packaged foods locally, this is your default choice.

2. Double Wall Corrugated Board (5-Ply)

Two layers of fluting with three liner boards. Much stronger than single wall.

Best for:

• Medium to heavy products (15-25 kg)
• Interstate shipping
• Fragile items like glassware, ceramic, appliances
• Stacking in warehouses

Price range: ₹30-70 per box

The extra layer costs more but prevents crushing during long-distance transport. If your boxes travel by truck from Mumbai to Delhi, double wall is worth it.

3. Triple Wall Corrugated Board (7-Ply)

Three layers of fluting. Heavy-duty protection.

Best for:

• Very heavy products (25-50 kg)
• Industrial parts, machinery components
• Export shipments
• Products that need wooden crate alternatives

Price range: ₹80-150+ per box

Most small businesses won't need this unless you're shipping heavy equipment or exporting. Triple wall can replace wooden pallets in some cases, saving you money on export packaging.

4. Kraft Paperboard (Chipboard)

Solid cardboard without fluting. Thinner and stiffer than corrugated.

Best for:

• Product packaging (not outer shipping boxes)
• Rigid boxes for gifts, sweets, mithai
• Shoe boxes, medicine boxes
• Inserts and dividers inside corrugated boxes

Price range: ₹5-20 per box (smaller sizes)

This is what you see in retail packaging. It looks cleaner and prints better than corrugated, but doesn't protect as well during shipping. Use it for the inner box, with corrugated on the outside.

5. White Coated Duplex Board

Paperboard with a white coating on one or both sides. Smooth finish.

Best for:

• Retail-ready packaging
• Product boxes that sit on shelves
• Premium gift boxes
• Food packaging (cakes, sweets, bakery items)

Price range: ₹8-30 per box

The white surface is perfect for printing your brand logo and product details. Many D2C brands use this for unboxing experience. But you still need a corrugated outer box for shipping.

6. Solid Fibreboard (Greyboard)

Dense, heavy cardboard made from recycled paper. No coating.

Best for:

• Book binding, hardcover backs
• Gift box bases
• File folders and dividers
• Backing boards for notepads

Price range: ₹10-25 per sheet

Not used much for shipping, but useful if you're making rigid packaging in-house or need stiff dividers.

7. Honeycomb Board

Lightweight corrugated with hexagonal (honeycomb) fluting instead of the standard wave pattern.

Best for:

• Replacing thermocol/styrofoam
• Eco-friendly protective packaging
• Void fill for large boxes
• Corner protectors

Price range: ₹40-80 per sheet

This is newer in India but growing because it's recyclable and lightweight. Good if you want to market your packaging as sustainable.

How to Choose: Quick Decision Guide

Product weight under 10 kg + local delivery → Single wall corrugated

Product weight 10-25 kg + interstate → Double wall corrugated

Fragile + long distance → Double wall minimum

Need branded packaging → Duplex board inside, corrugated outside

Want eco-friendly cushioning → Honeycomb board

One More Thing: Flute Size Matters Too

Corrugated boards come in different flute sizes (A, B, C, E, F). C-flute is the standard — good balance of strength and cost. We'll cover this in detail in another post.

The Bottom Line

Most small businesses shipping products up to 15 kg within India should start with single wall C-flute corrugated. Upgrade to double wall when shipping heavier or fragile items long distances.

Don't overspend on triple wall unless you genuinely need it. And remember: the box is the first physical touchpoint with your customer. Damaged boxes create bad first impressions.

Browse our range of single wall and double wall corrugated boxes at PackingMaterials.in to find the right fit for your products.