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Packaging 101
Q: Can I use corrugated in conjunction with other materials?
A: Absolutely. We're happy to design a solution using any of a number of kinds of foam, packing dunnage, corrugated build-ups, plastics, sealed air buffers, clamshells, solid fibre, molded pulp, or any other kind of bizarre material you can think of. If it's not something we supply we're happy to source for you, and if it's something you need assembled we can do that, too.
Q: What are industry-standard tolerances?
A: Our industry defines our tolerance as a sixteenth of an inch. This is determined by the machinery and materials we produce with. ISO demands that all measuring implements be objectively verified annually.
Q: What are the common flutes?
A: Flute is a standardization of board thickness determined by the height of the board's medium. Most common are C-flute, the slightly smaller B-flute, and the two combined to make BC doublewall. Less common are A-flute (larger than C), E-flute (smaller than B), and microflute. Quincy has access to the uncommon but wonderfully versatile EB doublewall, which is the same size as C-flute and offers a great printing surface, product protection and insulation, and packaging strength.
Q: Do I need tooling to run a box?
A: No, not necessarily. Most standard (box) cartons require no special tooling at all. Most scores and slots can be applied inline with printing and gluing in a single operation.
Q: What is ECT vs. Mullen?
A: ECT (Edge Crush Test) is a designation of board "strength" specifically designed for stacking. ECT sheets will contain a high percentage of recycled content (often 100%). Mullen is a designation for board designed for burst strength. This material contains more virgin fiber and tends to make more abusable boxes. Bottom line: If you're packing the box overfull of ball bearings and shipping commercial carrier, you want Mullen. If you're stacking boxes of paper towels 5-high, ECT is perfect for you.
Q: What's the difference between a sheet plant and an integrated?
A: Integrated companies manufacture paper into corrugated (and, often, trees into pulp into paper). They specialize in high-volume accounts. A sheet plant converts corrugated sheets into packaging (boxes, pads, trays, etc.). As with Quincy, sheet plants specialize in competitive prices with a high level of service.
Q: What is "medium"?
A: Medium is the fluting in the center of the corrugated sheet. It can be identified by it's wavy appearance and is usually sandwiched between sheets of liner board.
Q: What is ISTA testing?
A: International Safe Transit Association certification provides economic and environmental benefits by preventing product damage and over-packaging during the physical distribution of products as a result of creating, advocating and providing performance testing standards, training, education and certification.
What can I coat corrugated with? Can it be made waterproof?
A: It's possible to waterproof sheets by coating them 100% in wax, but it's neither common nor inexpensive. Water resistance, though, is a common and relatively simple procedure achieved by coating the sheets before we convert them. Coatings are also available for grease resistance, FDA approval, skin packaging, abrasion resistance, and others.
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