Boxes: A Universal Packaging Method

Practically every industry uses boxes made from linerboard. Boxes are the most universal type of packaging available because they are sturdy and economical, and protect products before, during and after shipment.

How Are Boxes Made?

When linerboard is shipped to a converting plant (where boxes are made), it goes into a large machine called a corrugator. Here an accordion-like inner section is formed from a different kind of paper (corrugating medium) and glued inside two pieces of the linerboard to make what is then called corrugated boxboard. Another machine, called a printer-slotter, cuts the boxboard to the desired size and shape and in the same operation prints the advertising message or brand name of the product on the unfolded boxes.

In today's competitive environment where graphics play a major role, linerboard is often preprinted in as many as nine colors before being converted to boxboard.

Making Linerboard

Wood comes into the mill in three forms: longwood (tree-length logs), short-wood logs and wood chips. The logs and chips may be stored or used immediately. Wood chips are stored in modern outside storage facilities.

Logs must first be debarked before being chipped. This is done in giant revolving barking drums where the bark is knocked off the logs as they tumble and pound against one another. The logs are fed into a chipper where knives on a huge spinning disc cut them into pieces the size of quarters. The chips are then screened for size: chips too large are rechipped and those that are too small are burned for fuel.