As rigid boxes are usually made of grey board, some people refer to them as grey board boxes. Due to the super hardness and smoothness of grey board, rigid boxes can present many luxurious effects. Besides fine printing, you can also cover leather, fabric, and other surface materials to enhance their texture, and you can even engrave on gray boards, allowing you to fully express your creativity in the packaging. If you want to know more about it, you can read the following post.
Origination
The rigid box is also a packaging technology that evolved from corrugated boxes after the die-cutting machine was invented by Robert Gale’s company in 1870 (read my other article to learn more about this history). The material used for its production, grey board, is derived from strawboard (made from cereal), primarily used as a pad for sketchbooks or notepads. Eventually, people discovered that this material was suitable for packaging, and with the advancement of technology, grey boards have become an important component of packaging materials. In order to protect the environment, the grey board is commonly produced from recycled waste paper.
Process and material
Materials required for a complete rigid box include grey board, printed paper, padding material, accessories, etc.
As a basic skeleton material, the grey board is typically based on double grey board. The double grey board is composed of recycled waste paper. The thickness is typically 0.5 to 5 millimeters, while the grammage is 600 to 1500 grams, allowing it to meet a variety of design and production needs, and it is easy to process. The double grey board has a good adhesion performance and is easily penetrated by glue. Additionally, the double grey board has appropriate physical properties and is capable of providing adequate protection for products.
Printed papers are typically selected from 128g or 157g coated paper laminated on the outside of grey boards. If you want stunning effects, you may also choose gold & silver card paper or laser card paper, as well as leather or fabric for lamination, emphasizing the brand’s luxury.
By using padding material, the product will no longer shake inside the box causing damage while offering some cushioning. A variety of materials are usually used, including EVA, EPE, sponges, paper, blisters, etc.
It is common to use accessories such as magnets, mirrors, and other functional accessories, as well as ribbons, metal jewelry, and other decorative accessories depending on the type and design of the box.
Rigid boxes are manufactured by printing – surface finishing – die cutting of the printed paper – die cutting of the grey board – slotting the grey board – forming the grey board – gluing the face paper – assembling – testing – packing.
Style of rigid box
(1) Book-type box: which is composed of a shell and an inner box, the shell surrounding the inner box. The bottom of the inner box and the shell are glued together, not glued to the top part of the inner box, so it can be opened, resembling a book.
(2) Top and bottom box: by a cover box and a bottom box with an upper large, lower small structure.
(3) Double-opening box: It is composed of three boxes: an outer box on the left, an outer box on the right, and an inner box. There is symmetry in the outer box
(4) Heart shape box: The box is shaped like a heart, and the structure is primarily top and bottom.
(5) Inserted edge top and bottom box: The cover box and bottom box are the same sizes. The inside four sides of the bottom box contain equal height inserted edges so that when the cover box and bottom box are assembled, there will be no offset.
(6) Drawer box: It is very convenient to open since it has a drawer function. Simply pull out the drawer box when using the box.
(7) Leather box: PU material laminated outside the gray board, shaped like a leather box.
(8) Round box: The box shape is round or oval, which is used primarily for the structure of the top and bottom box.
(9) Hexagonal box: Box shape for hexagonal shapes, also usually used for top and bottom box.
(10) Velvet box: the outer surface of the box is velvet laminated, and the shape may vary.
(11) Display box: The box could be die-cut with the required window, the inside of the paste transparent PVC, and other materials, in order to allow the product to be fully displayed.
(13) Folding box: It is the only style of rigid box that can be packed flat during shipping, and this unique design can greatly save you shipping costs.
(14) Flip box: Similar to the structure of the top and bottom box, printed paper or metal fittings are used to connect the upper and lower boxes, allowing the boxes to be opened and closed freely.
Rigid boxes were initially used to protect products and prevent them from being damaged during transit. As people’s quality of life improves, rigid boxes are becoming increasingly exquisite in order to meet market demands. Personalized high-end packaging has a powerful appeal, but it can also enhance the image and brand value of the product, as well as increase its competitiveness. It is one of the best packaging options for a high-value product due to its ability to present a variety of luxurious effects.
