Not too long ago, we wrote a blog post explaining what corrugated cardboard is and the benefits of using it. It is a great material used for protection while shipping. However, in this blog post we will discuss the versatility of it, and how it is slowly becoming an innovative material for manufacturing.
Digital printing technology has allowed designers to consider different materials when designing packaging. Corrugated cardboard has been used to not only protect products, but as shelf-ready packaging. Whether is laminated or printed directly on it, companies have managed to come up with great designs. Here is an example of packaging made out of corrugated cardboard. We worked with The Vibrant Vine on this project.
This material is a sustainable and inexpensive alternative for manufacturing certain products. The issue is getting over its rustic and industrial look. Though, designers have managed to create visually appealing products using cardboard. It is a very sturdy material, and if properly designed, it could offer a considerable amount of support. In fact, last year in an European election, cardboard polling booths were used in an initiative to save money. Here is an image of the booth found in BBC’s website.
Furthermore, corrugated cardboard has also been used in the manufacturing of bicycle helmets as an alternative to polystyrene foam for absorbing impact. The way it works is the airbags in the structure of the sheets absorb the energy of a collision preventing the helmet from cracking. It has been approved by european standards, and it is now in-market. In this link, you can find more information, and a video about the helmet.
In conclusion, corrugated cardboard will always be used mainly to manufacture shipping boxes, but designers are pushing the boundaries to design products using this material. Again, touching on sustainability, corrugated cardboard is an environmentally friendly material as it is recyclable, and most of the time made from recycled materials.
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