Corrugated Packaging Glossary: 50 Essential Terms

Understanding industry terminology is essential for effective communication with suppliers, customers, and equipment manufacturers. Here are 50 key terms.

Board Components:

• Liner: The flat facing sheets on the outside of corrugated board

• Medium (Fluting): The wavy corrugated paper between liners

• Single-Face: One liner glued to corrugated medium

• Single-Wall: Fluted medium between two liners (3-ply)

• Double-Wall: Two mediums with three liners (5 or 7-ply)

Flute Types:

• A-Flute: Largest flute, ~4.8mm, excellent cushioning

• B-Flute: ~3.0mm, good crush resistance

• C-Flute: ~4.0mm, most common profile

• E-Flute: ~1.5mm, excellent print surface

• F-Flute: ~0.8mm, thinnest standard flute

Production Equipment:

• Single Facer: Makes single-face corrugated

• Double Backer: Bonds liner to single-face web

• Bridge: Accumulates single-face web between stations

• Hot Plates: Heat the board during double backer bonding

• Slitter-Scorer: Cuts and scores board to width

• Cut-Off: Cuts board to length

Quality Measurements:

• ECT (Edge Crush Test): Measures stacking strength

• FCT (Flat Crush Test): Measures cushioning

• BCT (Box Compression Test): Measures box strength

• Cobb Test: Measures water absorption

• Caliper: Board thickness

Adhesive Terms:

• Gel Temperature: Temperature at which starch gelatinizes

• Viscosity: Adhesive flow resistance (Stein-Hall seconds)

• Carrier: Pre-cooked starch that suspends raw starch

• Tack: Adhesive stickiness

• Open Time: Time adhesive remains workable

Production Terms:

• MSF: Thousand Square Feet (production unit)

• Web: Continuous sheet of paper or board

• Warp: Board curling or twisting

• Wash Boarding: Visible flute pattern on liner

• Delamination: Separation of board layers

This glossary covers English terms commonly used internationally. Local markets may use different terminology.