Corrugated packaging specifications: paper grades, grammages, flutes, sizes and MOQ
This page brings together the specifications the Auto Boxes plant produces: five liner grades and one fluting medium, grammages from 105 to 250 gsm, and five flute types covering 3-ply and 5-ply board, together with minimum order quantities, printing processes and lead times for each type of order.
Paper grades and grammages
All values apply to both boxes and sheets. Minimum orders can be adjusted to the size and specification of each order, so please check with our team before ordering.
This table lists every grade and grammage we produce. For grammages not listed, availability depends on the raw materials in each production run, so please confirm with our team before specifying them on your purchase order.
| Grade | Full name | Paper shade | Available grammages (gsm) | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KA | Kraft A | Golden yellow | 125 · 150 · 185 · 230 | Liner |
| KH | Kraft H | Earth brown | 150 · 175 · 200 · 250 | Liner |
| KI | Kraft I | Light brown | 125 · 150 · 185 | Liner |
| WS | White Surface | White top | 140 · 170 | Liner |
| KK | Kraft K | Dark brown | 125 · 150 · 185 | Liner |
| CA | Corrugating Medium | Light brown | 105 · 125 · 150 · 185 | Fluting medium and inner liner only |
Where CA can be used CA is used as the fluting medium and can also serve as the inner liner. It is not used for the outer liner or for printing, as the paper is not made to take ink or to withstand external wear.
Different grades for outer and inner liners A single board structure can combine different liner grades. This suits orders that need a specific surface quality on the visible side, while the inner liner uses a grade that keeps costs under control. Tell us which side is visible, and our team will propose a grade combination that meets the required strength at a suitable cost.
Grade properties and how to chooseFlutes and board structures
| Flute | Flute height | Flutes per foot | Ply | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | 1.0 mm | 90–96 | 3-ply | Small boxes and print work that requires fine detail |
| B | 3.0 mm | 47–50 | 3-ply | General boxes and retail packaging |
| C | 4.0 mm | 39–43 | 3-ply | Shipping boxes and stacked loads |
| BE | 4.0 mm | Two flutes combined | 5-ply | Orders that require both strength and good print quality |
| BC | 7.0 mm | Two flutes combined | 5-ply | Heavy products, high stacking and export |
| 2-ply sheet (single face) | Per selected flute | Per selected flute | 2-ply | Wrapping and external cushioning. Cannot be formed into boxes. |
Specifying flutes on your purchase order BE and C flutes are both 4 mm thick, so thickness alone is not sufficient to start production. A complete specification must state the flute type, which also determines the number of plies: E, B and C flutes are 3-ply structures, while BE and BC are 5-ply structures.
Cost between flutes B and C flutes are priced at a similar level, as both are charged by the actual area of the sheet. 5-ply structures cost more because they use more paper.
Flute properties and performance in usePrinting processes
| Printing process | Maximum colors | Minimum order | Lead time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flexo | 4 colors | 500 pieces | 10–14 business days | High volumes, logos and text |
| Offset | 6 colors (CMYK plus spot colors) | Approximately 2,000 pieces | Approximately 20–30 business days | Full-color artwork that requires high sharpness |
| Digital | 4 colors (CMYK) | 1 piece | 10 business days | Low volumes and designs that change with each run |
Printing notes
- Printed sides Boxes can be printed on one side or both. The minimums in the table are based on one-side printing, and two-side printing changes the price, production steps and minimum order. Please state this when requesting a quote, so that the quotation does not need to be revised later.
- Color matching Specify Pantone numbers or send a color sample for matching. Printing directly on corrugated board has a registration tolerance of approximately 1.5 mm under international norms, so designs with closely spaced lines should allow for this from the design stage.
- Artwork files .AI and .PDF files with all fonts embedded are preferred, as vector files scale without loss of quality and carry no additional layout charge. If no vector file is available, a .PNG file at 300 DPI or higher can be used.
- Printing plates and cutting dies These are a one-time cost, and repeat orders of the same design carry no further tooling charge. The price depends on the size and complexity of the design and is stated on the quotation case by case.
Minimum order quantities
| Order type | Minimum order |
|---|---|
| Unprinted regular slotted boxes | 300 pieces |
| Printed regular slotted boxes | 500 pieces |
| Custom die-cut boxes | 500 pieces |
| Offset-printed boxes | Approximately 2,000 pieces |
| Brand-printed mailer boxes, sizes 00 · 0 · A · B | 5,000 pieces per size |
| Mailer boxes in other sizes and specifications | 1,000 pieces per size |
| Large export packaging components | 100 sets |
| Special assembly work | 100 pieces |
| 2-ply corrugated rolls | 40 kg |
| 3-ply and 5-ply corrugated sheets | From 300 meters |
Basis for the figures Minimums for printed boxes are based on one-side Flexo printing, our standard process. Special printing, particularly printing on both the inside and outside, changes both the minimum and the price and is assessed case by case. Minimums and lead times for Offset and Digital printing are estimates. Offset printing is arranged through a partner press, and our sales team confirms the actual figures for each order.
Typical reference figures The figures in the table apply to typical orders and can be adjusted to the size and specification of each order. If you need a smaller quantity, our team reviews it with production case by case, and in many cases the order can be scheduled together with other production or the terms adjusted to suit.
How sheet minimums are calculated The sheet minimum is based on one machine run. For the same ordered length, large sheets yield fewer pieces than small sheets.
Lead times by stage
| Stage | Lead time | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
| Quotation | 3–5 business days | Receipt of complete information |
| Delivery date confirmation | Within 24 hours | Order confirmation |
| New production requiring new tooling | 10–14 business days | Artwork approval and deposit payment |
| Repeat production with existing tooling | 7–10 business days | Order confirmation |
| Urgent orders | 3–7 business days, assessed case by case | Artwork approval and deposit payment |
| Offset printing | Approximately 20–30 business days | Artwork approval and deposit payment |
| Digital printing | 10 business days | Artwork approval and deposit payment |
| Complex structures requiring a sample | 14–21 business days | Receipt of the brief |
Size range and conditions to review first
We produce boxes and sheets to your specified dimensions. The table below lists the cases in which size affects the structure and cost. Reviewing these conditions before sending a brief reduces quotation revisions.
| Case | Effect on the order |
|---|---|
| Very small boxes | Produced on the die-cutter for crisp fold lines and an accurate shape, which adds a cutting die cost |
| Boxes taller than 800 mm or flat blanks wider than 1,500 mm | The paper roll width must be confirmed with production before the price and delivery date are confirmed |
| Boxes with a flat blank wider than the converting machine | Produced as a joined box, which adds one joint and an assembly charge |
| Die-cut work with holes or vents | The minimum gap between cutting rules is 3 mm |
| Cut-to-size sheets | Cut to the size you use. Extra-large sizes are confirmed with production first |
| Corrugated rolls (2-ply) | Standard width 48 inches, approximately 40 kg per roll. Other widths on request |
Stating size on your quote request State the size as width × length × height, and whether the dimensions are internal or external. The internal size is the space your product must fit. If the box size has not been decided, send the product dimensions and our team will calculate a suitable box size.
How to measure a box: internal or external dimensionsCertifications and export requirements
Plant certifications
| Certification | Scope |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001:2015 | Our quality management system, covering every production stage |
| FSC Chain of Custody | Certifies the origin of the paper. The FSC claim is stated on the invoice when you order FSC material. |
Export requirements Corrugated packaging is outside the scope of ISPM-15, which applies to wood packaging, so it does not require fumigation before export.
Production conditions to review before ordering
Grades for higher grammages
The maximum grammage varies by liner grade. Liners above 185 gsm are available only in KA, up to 230 gsm, or KH, up to 250 gsm. If your specification lists another grade at a higher grammage, our team will propose an alternative grade of equivalent strength.
Tooling life and storage
Printing plates and cutting dies are a one-time cost and typically last 50,000–100,000 impressions, depending on care. Tooling with no repeat order for one full year is disposed of under the storage procedure of our ISO 9001 system, and later orders are charged for new tooling at cost. If tooling is damaged by our machines, we repair or replace it for as long as we continue to supply you.
Optional extras for boxes
Boxes can be ordered with a moisture-resistant coating for continuous exposure to moisture, such as cold storage or outdoor areas, at additional cost. Windows, hand holes and tear strips can be added to your design. Describing how the box will be used on site helps our team propose a cost-effective option from the first round.
Information required for a quote
Five details allow us to price the order: the size as width × length × height, stating internal or external dimensions; the quantity required and your monthly order plan, if available; the product and its weight per box; printing details, including the number of colors and the printing process; and any special requirements, such as export, FSC or test criteria.
Additional details that help us assess the order more accurately include the stacking method, the number of stacked layers, storage conditions and the required delivery date.
Delivery
Slotted and standard die-cut boxes are delivered flat in bundles to save storage space and freight costs, and are formed at your packing line as needed. For assembled and protective packaging with inner components, you can choose our ready-to-use assembled box service, in which we assemble the box and its components before delivery. Two joining methods are available: glued, for a clean seam suited to consumer goods and branded boxes, and stitched, for higher strength suited to heavy-duty industrial boxes and sea freight. We deliver nationwide. Freight is estimated by destination and quantity and stated on the quotation, or you may arrange collection from our Bang Pakong plant.
Design services
Structural and die-line design is free and is carried out by our Technical Service team for every box order. For graphics, if you have production-ready vector files such as .AI or .PDF with embedded fonts, our team places them on the box. New graphics or logos designed from scratch are charged according to the scope of work, and the fee can be credited against your first production order.
Files and storage
We cannot produce from Word or PowerPoint files, or from images taken from the internet. We do not hold finished goods in stock for customers, so finished goods must be collected or delivered on the agreed schedule.
Product groups that use these specifications
FAQ: specifications
Availability depends on the raw materials in each production run. Send the grammage and quantity you need, and our team will check it against the production run before confirming. In many cases, a similar grammage we already stock provides the required strength without waiting for a new material run.
No. The essential details are the size, the quantity, and the product with its weight. If the grade, grammage and flute have not been decided, our team will propose a suitable specification with the quotation.
No. For repeat orders of an unchanged design, there is no further charge for printing plates or cutting dies, and the lead time is reduced from 10–14 to 7–10 business days, provided the tooling is still on file. Tooling is kept for one year from the latest order.
Yes. Every box order requires Print Master approval before production. The Print Master is the document that shows the die-line, print positions and full specification of the order. You review and confirm it, and the lead time begins after this step. Complex structures include an additional step, in which we produce a sample box for you to test with your product.
Grades, grammages and flutes are the same for both. The difference is the unit for minimum orders: boxes are counted in pieces, 3-ply and 5-ply sheets in meters and 2-ply rolls in kilograms. Some optional extras, such as moisture-resistant coating, apply to boxes only.
Request a quote for your specification
Share the size, quantity and the product to be packed, and our team will send a quotation within 3–5 business days of receiving complete information. If the specification has not been decided, describe the product and how it is shipped and stored, and our team will compare the options for you first.