Advantages and disadvantages, types of cardboard boxes for storing things

A cardboard box is one of the universal storage areas for a variety of things. It protects the contents from damage and is convenient for transportation.

And these are not the only advantages of cardboard boxes. When chosen correctly, these products will help you properly organize the storage of things indoors.

We'll talk about cardboard boxes for storing things in this article.

Pros and cons of using cardboard boxes

Cardboard storage boxes have their pros and cons. Advantages:

1. Strength. Cardboard boxes are equipped with stiffening ribs. They give the product greater strength and protect it from negative external influences.
2. Ease. Cardboard boxes weigh little, so they are convenient for transporting things or storing them, moving them from place to place.
3. Possibility of decoration. Even the simplest and most unremarkable cardboard box can be decorated: apply paint, a design or some decorative elements to it.
4. Low price compared to products made from other materials.
5. Environmental friendliness. Cardboard boxes can even be used for storing food, since such packaging is harmless to humans.Even when exposed to high temperatures, cardboard will not change its physical and chemical properties over time.

These practical and inexpensive products have few disadvantages:

1. Good moisture absorption.
2. In terms of strength, a cardboard box is inferior to products made of plastic and other hard materials.

Cardboard is a material that is constantly being modernized and improved. Therefore, the main disadvantage of storage boxes made of this material - moisture absorption - can be corrected. It is enough to choose a product that is made of material with the addition of a special resin.

For what purposes is it used?

Cardboard boxes are used for storage and transportation a wide variety of things:

• food products, including frozen;
• building materials;
• furniture;
• drinks;
• computers;
• tools;
• manufactured goods (perfumery, household chemicals, dishes, clothing and shoes, medicines);
• tobacco products, etc.

Varieties

The cost of cardboard boxes largely depends on their type and size. There are several main types of such storages:

1. Standard. They are glued rectangular boxes. They may be without lids or have separate lids. Convenient for storage, easy to assemble, inexpensive.
2. Four valve. Another one of the most popular types of storage boxes. They have 4 valves in the lid and bottom area.

   Once assembled, they are placed on top of each other and secured with tape, staples or overlapping glue.

3. Cover-bottom. This product is distinguished by a low bottom and sides, as well as a miniature lid that covers them. Such boxes are more complex to manufacture in comparison with analogues and differ from them in price. But lid-and-bottom boxes are beautiful and convenient.They often store shoes and other products intended for sale.
4. Book. A low, wide box equipped with a flat lid that covers the contents. Most often used for short-term storage of perishable products (baked goods, ready meals, etc.). There are several types of boxes of this type: with or without handles, rectangular or more complex shapes, with windows or blind.
5. Pencil box. The shape resembles a matchbox. This quadrangular box is closed on top with a solid lid. Such products are often used for gifts or storing piece goods. These boxes are usually impressively designed, with lacquered designs, appliqué lettering, etc.
6. Archival boxes. A convenient and compact version of a cardboard box in A3 or A4 format, hidden under the lid. Such products are intended for storing documentation. They are easy to assemble and their size corresponds to standard racks in archives or warehouses. The lids on these boxes can be removable or hinged.

How to do it yourself?

You can make a cardboard box yourself with your own hands. For this, ordinary thin cardboard or corrugated cardboard is used (you can take used parts of old boxes). The main thing is that they are without drawing and in good condition.

Square version with removable lid

It is made of fragile cardboard, since parts of the product need to be easily bent.

Materials:

• cardboard;
• scissors;
• glue.

Stages of work:

1. Draw a blank (see photo). The dimensions of the bottom can be individual and depend on the dimensions of the things that will be stored in this box. The shape of the product can be either square or rectangular.
2. Draw the walls (sizes are also individual).
3. Draw lines for the ears and cuts.They will need to be folded and glued in a circle.
4. Make a lid by following steps 1-3. The dimensions of the workpiece should be approximately 2 times smaller.

This marking method is relevant if the height of the walls of the box does not exceed the size of the bottom. Otherwise the pattern will be more difficult.

Rectangular box with hinged lid

This product is easier to make than a separate one. You can use any pattern as a basis, depending on the size of the items that will be stored in the box.

Materials:

• cardboard;
• scissors;
• glue.

Stages of work:

1. Download the pattern on the Internet or make it yourself, set the necessary parameters (see photo for example).
2. Transfer the pattern to cardboard.
3. Cut the products according to the shape, make small slits along the fold line.
4. Connect the box parts with double-sided tape or glue.

Round

This eye-catching and beautiful box can be used to store craft items or cute trinkets.

Materials:

• pencil;
• ruler;
• scissors;
• cardboard;
• glue gun.

Stages of work:

1. Cut out circles from cardboard: 2 pieces with a diameter of 16 cm, 4 pieces with a diameter of 15.5 cm.
2. Cut a rectangle from cardboard with parameters 50.8 x 8.7 cm.
3. Round the rectangular shape and leave it in this position for a while.
4. Bend the rectangle into a shape and secure with glue.
5. Glue circles with a diameter of 16 cm together. Attach them with glue to the base of the rectangle.
6. Push two circles with a diameter of 15 cm glued together through the walls of the cylinder. Secure the seams with glue.
7. Glue the remaining circles together into a lid.
8. The resulting blank must be beautifully decorated: covered with plain paper or painted with bright paint, placed stickers or decorations on the lid.

The video will show you how to make a cardboard box with your own hands:

Where to buy and how to choose?

Cardboard boxes can be purchased in online stores:

• Wildberries,
• MyShop,
• Ozone, etc.

The price for cardboard storage varies from 50-700 rubles.

To choose the right box size and not waste money, There are a few general recommendations to consider:

1. You need to choose the size of the boxes based on the dimensions of the shelves on which they will be stored. In order for the container to be placed freely, you cannot buy the product close to the shelf; it is better to leave a gap of 2-3 cm.
2. It is convenient to fold and store small items in small containers, especially if they are often moved to different places.
3. Medium-sized rigid boxes made of corrugated cardboard are suitable for storing textiles and clothing. They do not deform under their own weight, even if they are loaded to the top, since they are quite spacious.
4. If the boxes will be placed on top of each other, it is important that they are not made of hard material and are approximately the same in parameters. Otherwise, the lower specimens will bend under the weight of the lower ones.
5. Large boxes are convenient to use if a special place on the floor is allocated for them.

For the cost of cardboard boxes influenced by several factors:

• raw material costs;
• product dimensions;
• costs of transporting finished products to the store or customer;
• external design of the finished product;
• circulation of the same type of product.

TOP 3

Below are popular products:

Valiant Set of folding cardboard box square BCTN-2K lavender

Beautiful and convenient folding boxes with a neat lid, 2 pieces. There are slotted handles on both sides of the product for greater ease of transportation.Boxes are designed for storing small items.

Brown corrugated cardboard (box) T22M 550x300x380 mm, 5 pcs/pack.

A set of classic 4-valve boxes in the amount of 5 pieces. Designed for storing various household items. They are easy to assemble and transport. Price: 500 rub.

VAL EX-BCTN-2S Cardboard box, folding, small, 25*33*18.5 cm, set of 2 pcs.

Another set of beautiful and compact folding boxes for storing household items. Boxes of the same size can be conveniently placed on top of each other, which will save room space. Thick cardboard will not allow the product to bend under the weight of the upper boxes. Price: 260 rub.

Useful tips

When choosing a box also you should take into account the dimensions of what will be stored in it:

1. For documents, it is better to purchase an archival box of the required size (A3 or A4). Depending on the size of the box, it can be placed horizontally or vertically.
2. A self-assembled box is suitable for storing shoes.
3. To store food, it is better to choose boxes with a transparent lid or ventilation holes. It would be good if these storage facilities were equipped with handles.
4. To store and carry heavy and large items, it is better to choose reinforced box options.

Conclusion

Cardboard boxes are convenient for storing and transporting a variety of things: from food to household items. When choosing such storage, you need to take into account the dimensions of the things that will be stored in them.