Cardboard materials have a diverse background that comprises many decades. With the various positive traits, cardboard boxes have become a universal packaging solution for all types of products either they are fragile and need protection or need to be presented elegantly. Having the tensile fibers, it is easy to give this material desired shapes. Customized inserts and dividers are also a vital part of their product safety. These boxes come in different colors and sizes for a distinction from the competitor brands. Multiple customization techniques also give them a personalized look to stay tall in the market. Some most popular techniques to personalize them are die-cutting, embossing, gluing, scoring, perforations, and foiling. The rest of the charm is added by the modern printing technologies that support the latest color schemes like CMYK to make displayed content more vibrant. Finishes like gloss, matte, and UV coatings look pretty awesome when giving the print a shiny and smooth look.
Cardboard has remained the first preference of all brands for the past couple of centuries. Cardboard boxes are nowadays providing businesses a lot of benefits because of their multiple positive traits. They come in different thickness levels for better product protection, and the GSM of the cardboard determines it. Here is the complete procedure to check the GSM required for the cardboard and the ways to check their effectiveness.
Calculating cardboard GSM
GSM is the abbreviation of Grams per Square meter and tells about the number of materials present per square meter. The GMS of custom cardboard boxes determines the safety level of products. There is a general formula to calculate the GSM of cardboard required for reliable packaging. It could help to carry the weight of packaged items perfectly. Usually, it starts from the 200 GSM and ranges up to 1000 GSM depending upon the product requirements. It is obtained by multiplying the weight of the sample in grams to 1000 and then dividing the obtained value with the area of the sample at per centimeter square. In general, a 250 and 350 GSM cardboard box can carry 50 and 100 lbs. weight, respectively.
Edge crush test
Just like calculating the GSM of cardboard packaging, there are several different tests that are performed to evaluate their effectiveness. A common problem faced by the cardboard boxes for moving is the crushing of side edges during the loading and unloading on the transportation. A commonly seen aspect in the factory warehouses is the stacking of various packaged items over each other to save space. These values are measured in pounds but are also noted in the ECT unit. Values are measured for a point where the edges are unable to sustain in their original condition. In case of having durability, the edge crushing will be resisted for longer durations. Therefore, compromising not on the quality will only be helpful to pass this test.
Bursting strength test
It is also known as the Mullen test and is used to check the bursting strength of the custom printed cardboard boxes UK. It directly relates to the GSM chosen for the packaging. In this aspect, mainly, the weight carrying ability of the packaging is checked by inserting the different items in them. Usually, some additional weight is also added to check the effectiveness under different circumstances as brands also launch the offers to provide something extra with the regular products. Usually, it is also checked with the help of a Mullen tester that is also called the bursting strength tester. It is specifically done for the products that are going to be shipped in the different regions of the world.
Puncture resistance test
Products packaging is not safe from the very first stage of their manufacturing process. Custom cardboard boxes having the different products inside are continuously lifted with hands to shift them to the other places. This process is repeated many times before the product reaches the hands of customers. There is a possibility that a hole creation on any wall of the packaging because of the harsh lifting. Moreover, it can also have a cut by colliding with any sharp object. Manufacturers give special attention to this aspect by increasing their fat or taking other similar essential factors. A separate tester is used for the puncture resistance. It has a solid arm and ahead to check the effectiveness.
Environmental resistance
Resistance of the cardboard boxes for moving is also tested against the different environmental conditions along with the other essential factors. Some most influencing factors that can mutilate the quality of the products and the packaging is moisture, temperature variations, and dust. Humidity levels kept changing in the air, and it can specifically cause damage to the products when they are shipped through the water ships. For this purpose, a corrugated sheet is also sandwiched between the two different external sheets. A Cobbs test is held to check the resistance against the humidity. You can call it the most vital aspect that needs to be given special attention for secure product shipping.
Vibration and compression test
Vibration or compression tests are also held to check the effectiveness of custom printed cardboard boxes UK under the severe conditions. Products feel a lot of vibration even on the conveyor belt at the manufacturing plant when they are getting the final labeling. Similarly, the severe types of shakes also try to influence the quality of products during the shipping in the transportation means. A shock test machine is used to check this aspect. Similarly, the compression resistance is also checked so that there should be no need to worry about when a lot of air pressure is applied to them in the aircraft shipping. Artificial weight is also applied to them with the help of a compression-resistant machine in the lab.
It was the complete guide about checking the GSM for cardboard boxes and the different ways to check their effectiveness. All these tests are held prior to the shipment of packaging and its commercial usage. All these tests are held in the labs by the manufacturers free of cost as they are committed to providing the best packaging solution to their clients.
