Blog - Your Expert Guide to Single Wall Cardboard
Understanding the difference between single and double wall cardboard boxes, as well as their strength and durability, can help you to choose the best packaging materials to suit your requirements. Our expert guide covers everything you need to know for shipping success.
In e-commerce, single wall cardboard is often the go-to choice for packaging products like clothing and books. It provides sufficient protection for items that aren’t overly heavy or fragile, making it ideal for a wide range of shipping needs. Single wall cardboard is also typically 100% recyclable, and when sourced from FSC-certified forests, it can be an eco-friendly packaging option for businesses.
Single wall cardboard offers several advantages that make it a preferred choice for many e-commerce and retail businesses:
- It can be made from recycled or responsibly sourced materials and is fully recyclable.
- It is highly versatile and available in various sizes to suit a wide range of packaging needs. At Tidmas Townsend, we stock sizes from 14x4x4 to 18x18x6.
- Single wall cardboard boxes are cost-effective, particularly in high-volume packing, and can be purchased in large quantities for bulk discounts. They can be flat-packed and stacked efficiently to optimise warehouse and shipping space.
- They are highly customisable, not only in size but also in their ability to be printed with attractive, eye-catching branding or messaging.
Comparing single and double wall cardboard is important to understand how they stack up for your packaging needs. The differences between these two types of cardboard can impact the strength, durability, cost and suitability of different products:
Strength and Durability: Single wall cardboard offers a good balance of strength and flexibility but double wall cardboard, composed of two layers of corrugated sheets instead of one and an additional liner board between them, provides enhanced durability and resistance to crushing. This makes it ideal for protecting bulkier products.
Thickness: Single wall cardboard typically has a thickness of around 3 mm, whereas double wall cardboard is 7mm or more. The added thickness of double wall cardboard results in greater rigidity and cushioning for the products encased inside.
Cost-Effectiveness: Single wall cardboard is generally more cost-effective, especially for high-volume shipping of lighter items. Double wall cardboard, while more expensive, offers superior protection, potentially reducing the risk of damage and returns which can be cost-saving in the long run.
Typical Uses: Single wall cardboard is best suited for shipping everyday items which don’t require extra protection, while double wall boxes suit heavier or more fragile items such as kitchen appliances, glassware and bulkier electronics.
Assess Product Type: First, consider the products you’ll be shipping. For fragile electronics or other valuable items, double wall cardboard provides added protection against damage. Single wall cardboard, on the other hand, is suitable for everyday products like clothing or books.
Assess Weight and Fragility: Evaluate the weight and fragility of your products. As a rule of thumb, single wall cardboard is ideal for items up to 15 kg, while double wall cardboard offers the extra strength needed for products from 15 kg and up. However, this should be considered in light of the product being packed and the protection it requires, too.
Packaging Solutions: To further safeguard your items, consider additional packaging materials such as bubble wrap, foam inserts or air cushions. These can complement single wall cardboard, ensuring that your products arrive safely while still keeping costs down.
A Top Tip from Our Experts
“It’s very important to consider what happens with a box once it’s been packed too. Think: how and where is it being sent? This will heavily influence the type of box you use.
“For some of our customers who are shipping expensive machine components, delicate health industry products, or car parts overseas, a heavy-duty, double wall board with a stitched finish is essential as international shipping means multiple handling points.
“For less delicate or inexpensive items, a cost-effective single wall board will suffice.” Scott Newman, Sales Director at Tidmas Townsend
Each box is crafted from high-quality, FSC-certified, 100% recyclable cardboard, ensuring durability while remaining lightweight, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The pure craft outer helps to secure sealing tape instantly and the convenient four-flap design is simple to put together, making them suitable for both professional and domestic use. Watch our helpful video below to see some examples of our range.
Explore our range of single wall cardboard boxes to find the perfect fit for your products. For personalised advice or to request a quote, contact Tidmas Townsend today.
Single wall cardboard typically has a thickness of around 3 mm. This makes it lightweight yet sturdy enough for shipping a variety of products, providing a balance between protection and cost-efficiency.
Are single wall cardboard boxes strong enough for my items?
Single wall cardboard boxes are strong enough to hold items up to a certain weight, generally up to 15kg, depending on the specific quality and grade of the cardboard. They are suitable for everyday shipping needs but may not be ideal for extremely heavy or fragile items.
How eco-friendly is single wall cardboard?
Single wall cardboard is highly eco-friendly, often made from recycled materials and fully recyclable after use. Opting for cardboard with certifications like FSC further ensures that the material is sourced responsibly, aligning with sustainable business practices.
How high can you stack single wall cardboard boxes?
Depending on the weight of the contents and the quality of the cardboard, you might want to avoid stacking a large number of single wall cardboard boxes. Double wall cardboard is recommended if high stacking is required.
