Packaging Glossary
Understand packaging terminology and specifications
corrugated
- ECT
- Edge Crush Test - measures the compression strength of corrugated board. Higher ECT = stronger box. Common values: 32 ECT (standard), 44 ECT (heavy-duty).
- Mullen
- Mullen Burst Test - measures the bursting strength of corrugated board. Expressed in pounds per square inch (PSI). Alternative to ECT.
- Flute
- The wavy layer between two flat liners in corrugated board. Flute types: B (1/8"), C (3/16"), E (1/16"), F (micro). Double-wall uses combinations like BC.
- RSC
- Regular Slotted Container - the most common box style. All flaps are the same length, meeting in the center when closed.
- Kraft
- Brown paper/cardboard made from wood pulp. Natural, unbleached appearance. Most common and cost-effective material for corrugated boxes.
flexible
- Gauge
- Thickness measurement for stretch wrap and films, measured in mils (thousandths of an inch). Higher gauge = thicker = more protection. Common: 60, 80, 90, 100 gauge.
rigid
- 28-410
- Neck finish specification for bottles/jars. First number (28) = thread diameter in mm, second number (410) = thread pitch. Common finishes: 24-410, 28-400, 28-410, 33-400.
logistics
- OTIF
- On-Time In-Full - percentage of orders delivered on the promised date with the correct quantity. Key metric for supplier reliability.
- LTL
- Less Than Truckload - freight shipping for loads that don't fill an entire truck. More economical than FTL for smaller shipments.
- FTL
- Full Truckload - freight shipping for loads that fill an entire truck. Most economical for large shipments.
general
- MOQ
- Minimum Order Quantity - the smallest number of units a supplier will produce or sell. Higher MOQs often mean lower per-unit prices.
- Food-Safe
- Packaging that meets FDA requirements for direct food contact. Must be made from approved materials and manufactured in certified facilities.
- FSC
- Forest Stewardship Council - certification for sustainably sourced paper/wood products. Ensures responsible forest management.
- Recycled Content
- Percentage of material made from recycled materials. Post-consumer recycled (PCR) comes from consumer waste; post-industrial recycled (PIR) comes from manufacturing scraps.