Choosing the board is the most important decision in a box specification, and a common mistake is to choose out of habit instead of by the load.

What the plies mean

• 3-ply: single-wall board, one fluted layer between two liners.
• 5-ply: double-wall board, two fluted layers.
• 7-ply: triple-wall board, three fluted layers.

Each extra layer adds strength and thickness.

Choose by the load

3-ply suits lighter goods. 5-ply is stronger and copes better with heavy and stacked loads. 7-ply is the solution for the heaviest and largest packaging.

What to consider

• the weight of the packed goods,
• stacking height and how long the boxes are stored,
• the transport: parcel, pallet, sea or air,
• how roughly the box will be handled.

You can also write the ECT or BCT value into the order, so that the strength is measurable and not a matter of opinion.

When 7-ply pays off

7-ply is extremely strong: resistant to puncture, impact and the heavy pressure of stacking. It is used in heavy industry and in sea and air transport. For lighter goods a lower grade is usually the more sensible choice.

Read about our 7-ply and heavy-duty packaging, the guide to buying boxes from Poland and our wholesale terms. Send your specification through our home page and we will propose the board.