Corrugated boxes in the styles and grades you run
We supply corrugated boxes for shipping, storage and production lines: regular slotted cartons, the HSC box, full overlap, die-cut and printed boxes, delivered to your dock with freight in the price.
Stock sizes or made to your spec. Delivered pricing on one invoice.
Box styles and when to use them
| Style | What it is | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| RSC (regular slotted container) | All flaps are the same length, and the outer flaps meet in the middle | The everyday shipping and storage carton |
| HSC (half slotted container) | An RSC with no top flaps, so one end is open | Trays and totes, or used with a lid. See what is an HSC box? |
| FOL (full overlap) | An RSC whose outer flaps overlap the full width of the box | Heavy or rough-handled items that need a stronger top and bottom |
| Die-cut | Cut to shape with a steel-rule die | Mailers, trays, inserts, and boxes with locking tabs or handles |
Style names follow the standard definitions used across the corrugated industry.
Single wall, double wall and flute size
Corrugated board is a fluted sheet glued between flat liners. Single wall board has one fluted layer and double wall has two. Triple wall has three and goes into the heaviest bulk boxes, such as gaylord boxes.
Flute size sets the thickness of the board. Typical thicknesses are about 3/16 inch for A flute, 5/32 inch for C flute, 1/8 inch for B flute, 1/16 inch for E flute and 1/32 inch for F flute. C and B flutes are the common shipping-box flutes. The thin E and F flutes print cleanly, so they show up on retail and display boxes.
ECT or Mullen: which rating to order
Board is rated one of two ways. ECT (edge crush test) measures how well the board resists crushing on edge, which tracks stacking strength. Mullen, the burst test, measures how hard it is to punch through the board, which tracks how a single box holds up to rough handling.
| Single wall ECT | Similar Mullen grade | Suggested max per box |
|---|---|---|
| 26 ECT | 150 lb | 35 lb |
| 29 ECT | 175 lb | 50 lb |
| 32 ECT | 200 lb | 65 lb |
| 44 ECT | 275 lb | 95 lb |
Double wall: 48 ECT sits alongside 275 lb Mullen, at about 100 lb per box. These are common guideline pairings, not exact conversions. The certificate printed on your box is the final word.
How to spec a corrugated box
- Inside dimensions in inches, as length x width x depth. Length and width are the opening, with length the longer side. Depth is the height.
- Style: RSC, HSC, FOL or die-cut
- Board: single or double wall, flute, and the ECT or Mullen rating
- Print: plain kraft, white, or printed with your logo or handling marks
- Quantity per order and per month, and how the boxes should be bundled or palletized
Stock, custom and printed boxes
Stock sizes cover most shipping and usually cost less. A custom size pays off when a better fit saves void fill, trailer space or damage. Printed boxes, from a one-color logo to handling marks, are quoted to your artwork. Minimum quantities for custom and printed boxes depend on the size and the print, so we quote them case by case.
Already buying cardboard boxes or shipping boxes in bulk? Send a recent invoice, or a photo of the size and the certificate printed on the box, and we will quote the same box or a close equal, delivered.
Buying boxes, film and tape from different suppliers?
Send one recent invoice. We price each line delivered and show you the difference, line by line.
Start a free cost reviewCommon questions
What is an HSC box?
An HSC, or half slotted container, is a regular slotted box without top flaps. It is used as an open tray or tote, or with a separate lid. More in what is an HSC box?
What is the difference between ECT and Mullen boxes?
ECT measures edge crush and tracks stacking strength. Mullen measures burst strength and tracks how a single box handles rough treatment. Many shippers now order by ECT because stacking is what crushes boxes in a warehouse.
Do you sell custom printed boxes?
Yes, quoted to your size, board and artwork. Minimum quantities depend on the size and the print.
Can you match the boxes we buy now?
Yes. Send the inside dimensions, the style and a photo of the certificate printed on the box.
Do you deliver corrugated boxes outside Memphis?
Yes. We deliver to warehouses and plants in Memphis, Nashville, Little Rock, Birmingham, Atlanta, Charlotte and Columbia, SC.
Get a delivered price
Pricing comes back within two business days, with freight in the price.
Buying several things? Send one invoice for a free cost review.