Glossary of Packaging Terms

A

A Flute – The thickest commonly used corrugated flute, typically measuring about 5 mm, or approximately 3/16 to 1/4 inch thick. With approximately 33 flutes per linear foot, A flute provides excellent cushioning and crush resistance, making it suitable for fragile products.

Absorbent Pad – A moisture-absorbing pad placed inside food, medical, or other packaging to capture excess liquid, help prevent leaks, and protect product integrity.

Antistatic Foam – Protective foam engineered to help reduce the buildup of static electricity around sensitive electronic components and devices.

APSTAR – A brand of high-precision industrial equipment used in corrugated packaging production for flexographic printing, rotary die cutting, and box gluing.

Automation – The use of machinery, controls, robotics, and integrated systems to perform packaging processes with reduced manual intervention. Packaging automation can improve throughput, consistency, safety, and productivity while reducing labor requirements and operating costs.

Automatic Case Erector – Packaging equipment that automatically forms flat corrugated cases into open boxes ready for product loading. Also called a case erector.

B

B2B – Business-to-business; describes products or services sold by one business to another business rather than directly to a consumer.

B2C – Business-to-consumer; describes a business that sells products or services directly to the end consumer. Also called D2C, or direct-to-consumer, in many applications.

B-C Flute – A double-wall corrugated construction combining B and C flutes. At approximately 1/4 inch thick, B-C flute creates a strong container suitable for bulky or heavy products.

B Flute – A corrugated flute approximately 3 mm, or 1/8 inch, thick with about 47 flutes per linear foot. B flute provides good puncture and crush resistance while allowing sharp die-cut edges. It is frequently used for boxes, interior pads, partitions, and dividers.

Bagging Equipment – Machinery designed to automatically or semi-automatically place products into bags and, depending on the application, seal, label, or otherwise prepare the package for distribution.

Banding – The process of securing products, cartons, or loads together using a narrow band of material.

Barrier Film – Flexible packaging film engineered to limit the passage of oxygen, moisture, light, aromas, or other environmental factors that could affect a product.

Basis Weight Testing – Measurement of the weight of paper or paperboard cut to a standardized size. Basis weight can help indicate material thickness and durability and can affect print quality, finishing options, production, cost, and package appearance.

Bin Box – An open-top corrugated container used for storage or merchandising. Smaller bin boxes may sit on shelves or counters, while larger versions may be used as floor displays or dump bins.

Bleach White – A bright white containerboard that can produce brighter-looking printed colors. Compare to oyster white.

Blister Packaging – Packaging in which a product is held inside a formed plastic cavity or pocket, typically sealed to a backing material. Common applications include consumer products, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and small components.

Bubble Wrap – Flexible protective packaging consisting of air-filled bubbles designed to cushion products against shock, vibration, and impact during handling and shipping.

C

CAP (Controlled Atmosphere Packaging) – Packaging or storage in which the concentration of gases surrounding a product is regulated to help maintain freshness, quality, or shelf life.

CapEx – Capital expenditure; funds used to purchase, upgrade, or improve long-term assets such as packaging machinery and automation systems.

Cardboard – A general term for single-layer paperboard made from thick paper pulp. Cardboard does not contain the fluted medium found in corrugated material.

Case Packer – Equipment that automatically or semi-automatically loads products into cases, cartons, trays, or other secondary packaging.

Case-Ready Packaging – Packaging designed so a product can move from a processor or manufacturer to a retailer with little or no additional preparation before merchandising.

Case Sealer – Equipment that closes and seals corrugated cases, commonly using pressure-sensitive tape or hot-melt adhesive.

Case Stacker – A type of floor or retail display in which cases of products are stacked within a merchandising structure.

Center Special Slotted Container (CSSC) – A corrugated box with inner and outer flaps of different lengths. The design can help protect products from box-cutter damage while providing a strong, stackable container.

C Flute – A corrugated flute approximately 3.2 to 4.2 mm, or about 11/64 to 3/16 inch, thick with approximately 40 flutes per linear foot. C flute balances cushioning and stacking strength and is widely used for shipping containers, food packaging, retail displays, and regular slotted containers.

Chipboard – A single-layer paperboard without a fluted medium, commonly used for cereal boxes, toothpaste cartons, shoe boxes, and other folding cartons.

Clamshell – A typically thermoformed package consisting of two connected sections that fold together around a product.

Club Pack Display – A pallet-style retail display commonly used in warehouse clubs, supermarkets, and other large-format retail environments.

Coextrusion – A manufacturing process that combines multiple layers of different materials into a single film to provide engineered properties such as strength, sealability, and barrier performance.

Cold Chain – A temperature-controlled supply chain used to maintain specified conditions during storage, handling, transportation, and delivery.

Combination Board – Corrugated material that combines multiple flute types, such as E-B or B-C, to achieve specific strength, cushioning, thickness, or printing characteristics.

Consumables – Packaging materials regularly used and replenished during production, such as film, tape, labels, bags, strapping, adhesives, and cushioning materials.

Containerboard – Heavy paper-based material used to manufacture corrugated packaging. Corrugated board typically consists of linerboard bonded to a fluted medium. Also called fiberboard in some applications.

Contract Packaging – Outsourcing packaging operations such as assembly, kitting, labeling, filling, or packing to a third-party provider.

Conveying System – Equipment used to move products or packages between stages of a packaging or production line.

Corrugated – A packaging material typically constructed from two flat linerboards bonded to a fluted medium. The resulting structure provides strength and cushioning while remaining relatively lightweight.

Countertop Display – A small, portable merchandising fixture designed to sit on a counter, table, shelf, or checkout area.

CSSC – SEE: Center Special Slotted Container.

Cushioning – Protective packaging materials designed to absorb shock and vibration and reduce the likelihood of product damage.

Cutting Die – A manufacturing tool that identifies where corrugated material is cut, scored, or perforated. Also called a tooling die.

D

D2C – Direct-to-consumer; describes products sold directly to the end customer rather than through a traditional intermediary.

Damage Reduction – Packaging improvements designed to reduce breakage, crushing, scratching, moisture damage, and other product failures during handling, storage, and transportation.

Debossing – A finishing technique that presses a design into the surface of packaging to create an indented or recessed image. Contrast with embossing.

Die – A manufacturing template. A cutting die defines where packaging material will be cut or scored, while a printing die or plate determines where ink or graphics will be applied.

Die Cut – A cut, crease, perforation, opening, handle, window, or other feature produced using a custom cutting die.

Die-Cut Tray – A custom-shaped open corrugated container created using a cutting die. Die-cut trays can incorporate folding lines, interlocking tabs, cutouts, and other structural features.

Digital Printing – A printing process that applies computer-generated graphics directly to packaging material without traditional printing plates. It can provide fast setup and flexible customization, particularly for shorter production runs.

Direct Thermal Label – A heat-sensitive label that produces an image when exposed to heat from a compatible printer and does not require an ink ribbon.

Display Tray – A corrugated tray designed to merchandise products directly on a retail shelf or display.

Double-Wall Containerboard – Corrugated material consisting of two fluted mediums and three linerboards for additional strength and protection.

DSC – A partial telescope design-style container with a cover.

Dump Bin – A large, open-top floor display used to hold and merchandise loose or packaged products.

Dunnage – Material used inside or around a package to immobilize, cushion, separate, or protect products during transportation.

E

E-B Flute – A double-wall corrugated material combining E and B flutes. The smoother E-flute surface can support higher-quality printing, while the combined structure provides additional shipping strength.

E Flute – A thin corrugated flute approximately 1 to 1.5 mm, or roughly 1/32 to 1/16 inch, thick with approximately 90 flutes per linear foot. Its smooth surface supports high-quality graphics and compact packaging applications.

Eco-Friendly Packaging Practices – Packaging strategies designed to reduce environmental impact. Examples can include right-sizing packages, reducing unnecessary materials, using recyclable or responsibly sourced materials, minimizing non-recyclable components, improving transportation efficiency, and designing displays that can also serve as shipping containers.

ECT – SEE: Edge Crush Test.

Edge Crush Test (ECT) – A test that measures how much compressive force corrugated board can withstand while standing on its edge. ECT is especially relevant to stacking strength. Ratings are commonly expressed as values such as 32 ECT or 44 ECT.

Embossing – A finishing technique that raises a design outward from the surface of packaging, creating a tactile, dimensional appearance. Contrast with debossing.

Endcap Display – A merchandising display positioned at the end of a retail aisle. It may sit on shelving, hang from merchandising fixtures, or stand independently on the floor.

End-of-Line Automation – Equipment used during the final stages of a packaging operation, such as case packing, case sealing, labeling, conveying, palletizing, stretch wrapping, and strapping.

EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) – A lightweight rigid foam used for cushioning, insulation, and temperature-sensitive packaging applications.

E-Commerce Packaging – Packaging engineered for products shipped directly to consumers through parcel distribution networks. Important considerations can include protection, right-sizing, dimensional weight, sustainability, returns, and the unboxing experience.

Equipment Integration – Connecting packaging machinery, conveyors, robotics, controls, and related technologies so they operate together as a coordinated system.

F

FBA – 1) Fibre Box Association, a North American corrugated packaging trade association. 2) Fulfillment by Amazon, a service through which eligible third-party sellers store products in Amazon fulfillment centers for packing and distribution.

F Flute – An ultra-thin micro-flute corrugated material approximately 0.8 mm, or about 1/32 inch, thick with roughly 125 to 128 flutes per linear foot.

Fabricated Foam – Foam that is cut, shaped, laminated, or otherwise fabricated into components designed to cushion and protect specific products.

Fiberboard – A heavy paper-based material used to manufacture corrugated packaging. SEE: Containerboard.

Finishes – Treatments or coatings applied to packaging to enhance appearance or performance. Examples can include matte or gloss coatings, spot varnishes, foil, embossing, debossing, and moisture-resistant coatings.

Five-Piece Folder (FPF) – A corrugated folder constructed with five panels and scored for folding. It is often used for long, flat, or narrow products.

Flexible Packaging – Packaging made from flexible materials that change shape when filled or handled, including bags, pouches, films, and wraps.

Flexographic Printing – A high-speed relief printing method that uses flexible printing plates and fast-drying inks. Flexographic printing is widely used for corrugated packaging, labels, films, and other packaging applications and is typically economical for larger production quantities.

Floor Display – A free-standing merchandising display often positioned in aisles, near entrances, or at the ends of retail aisles.

Flow Wrapper – Equipment that wraps products in flexible film and seals the material around them in a continuous horizontal packaging process.

Foam-in-Place – A protective packaging process in which foam expands around or near a product to create customized cushioning.

Foil Stamp – A metallic or decorative design transferred onto packaging using heat and pressure.

FOL – SEE: Full Overlap Slotted Container.

Folder Container – A corrugated box or package that is folded along score lines and secured by flaps, tabs, tape, or other closures.

Form-Fill-Seal (FFS) – An automated process that forms packaging material into a package, fills it with product, and seals it within an integrated system.

Four-Corner Tray – A corrugated tray with four pre-glued corners for fast assembly. It can function independently or as a lid in a telescope-style package.

FPF – SEE: Five-Piece Folder.

Freight Optimization – Reducing transportation costs through packaging improvements such as right-sizing, material reduction, pallet optimization, and improved load efficiency.

FSDU – Free-standing display unit. SEE: Floor Display.

FTD – SEE: Full Telescope Design-Style Container.

Full Kick Display – A narrow, approximately 48-inch-tall corrugated merchandising display. Also commonly called a power wing display.

Full Overlap Slotted Container (FOL) – A slotted corrugated box in which the top and bottom flaps overlap, providing additional strength for heavy, fragile, or demanding applications.

Full Telescope Design-Style Container (FTD) – A two-piece container in which a separate lid vertically covers the full depth of the base.

G

Grade – The construction and strength classification of corrugated board, including characteristics such as linerboards, fluted mediums, and performance specifications.

Gravity-Fed Display – A retail display with a sloped or vertical configuration that allows products to move forward or downward as items are removed.

H

Half-Kick Display – A merchandising display similar in width and depth to a full kick or power wing display but approximately half the height.

Half-Slotted Container (HSC) – A corrugated container with bottom flaps similar to an RSC but an open top. HSCs are often used for storage, collection, or applications requiring easy access.

Heat Sealing – Using controlled heat and pressure to bond thermoplastic packaging materials together.

HFFS (Horizontal Form-Fill-Seal) – Automated equipment that forms flexible packaging, fills it with product, and seals it while the package moves primarily in a horizontal direction.

Hot-Melt Adhesive – An adhesive applied in a molten state that bonds as it cools. It is commonly used in automated case and carton sealing.

HSC – SEE: Half-Slotted Container.

I

Induction Sealing – A non-contact sealing process that uses electromagnetic induction to bond a foil-based liner to a container opening.

Inflatable Packaging – Air-filled protective packaging, such as air pillows or inflatable cushioning, used to cushion products or fill empty space.

Inside-Outside Printing – Printing graphics on both the interior and exterior surfaces of corrugated packaging. Designs may use different numbers of colors or linerboard finishes on each side.

Insulated Shipper – Packaging engineered to help maintain specified temperature conditions for temperature-sensitive products during distribution.

Interior Packaging – Components placed inside an outer package to strengthen, separate, immobilize, or protect products. Examples include pads, partitions, tubes, and custom corrugated or foam inserts.

International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) – An organization that develops standardized testing protocols used to evaluate packaged-product performance throughout distribution.

Inventory Management – Planning and controlling packaging inventory to maintain material availability while reducing excess stock, storage requirements, and working capital.

J

JIT – SEE: Just-in-Time.

JIT Inventory Management – An inventory strategy that aligns material deliveries more closely with actual customer requirements to reduce excess inventory and storage.

JIT Manufacturing – A manufacturing strategy in which materials or products are produced when needed rather than being manufactured significantly in advance.

Just-in-Time (JIT) – A supply-chain approach designed to align manufacturing or inventory replenishment more closely with demand.

K

Kemi Board – A premium clay-coated white-top containerboard designed to provide a smooth, bright surface for high-quality graphics and finishes.

Kitting – Combining multiple products, components, or packaging materials into a single set for manufacturing, fulfillment, distribution, or sale.

Kraft Paper – The familiar natural brown paper commonly used for corrugated linerboard, paper bags, and other packaging applications.

L

Label Applicator – Manual, semi-automatic, or automatic equipment that applies labels to products, containers, cartons, or other packaging.

Lamination – Combining two or more material layers to achieve desired appearance, strength, barrier, or performance characteristics.

Lidding Film – Flexible film used to seal the opening of a tray, cup, or container. Lidding can be engineered for properties such as barrier performance, breathability, peelability, or resealability.

Linerboard – A flat paperboard layer used with fluted medium to manufacture corrugated material.

Litho Lamination – A process in which high-resolution graphics are offset printed onto paper and the printed sheet is then laminated to corrugated material. Also called litho labeling.

Load Containment – The ability of packaging materials and systems to keep a palletized load stable and secure during handling, storage, and transportation.

M

Machine Stretch Film – Stretch film engineered for application with automatic or semi-automatic stretch-wrapping equipment.

Mailer Box – A self-locking corrugated shipping container frequently used for e-commerce, subscription products, promotional kits, and direct-to-consumer shipments.

MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) – A packaging technology that modifies the mixture of gases surrounding a product inside a sealed package to help preserve freshness, quality, or shelf life.

Material Optimization – Evaluating packaging materials, dimensions, grades, gauges, and designs to achieve required performance while reducing unnecessary material and cost.

Metal Detection – Inspection technology used to identify metal contaminants in packaged products, particularly in food and other controlled production environments.

MIC – Multicolor ink on corrugated; a term associated with high-capability corrugated printing systems capable of applying multiple ink colors and converting corrugated material in an integrated process.

MRA – Moisture-resistant adhesive used in corrugated packaging exposed to humid or changing temperature conditions.

MRO – Maintenance, repair, and operations; products and supplies used to maintain facilities, equipment, and everyday business operations.

Mullen Board – Corrugated board specified to meet a particular burst-strength requirement.

Mullen Test – A test that evaluates the amount of pressure required to rupture or burst corrugated board. It is particularly relevant to puncture and rough-handling resistance. Compare to Edge Crush Test.

O

On-Site Packaging Services – Packaging management, inventory, equipment, technical, or related support provided directly at a customer’s facility.

One-Piece Folder (OPF) – A corrugated folder manufactured as one piece, stored flat, and assembled along score lines. It is commonly used for books, artwork, printed materials, and other flat products.

OPF – SEE: One-Piece Folder.

Outside-Inside Printing – SEE: Inside-Outside Printing.

Overwrap – Film wrapped around a product, tray, or package to provide containment, protection, presentation, or other performance characteristics.

Oyster White – A slightly off-white corrugated linerboard that can be used unprinted or as a surface for printed graphics.

P

Packaging Audit – SEE: Packaging Review.

Packaging Automation – SEE: Automation.

Packaging Engineer – A specialist who applies engineering principles to package design, materials, equipment, and distribution requirements to improve protection, efficiency, performance, and cost.

Packaging Fulfillment – Services associated with assembling, packing, labeling, kitting, or otherwise preparing packaged products for distribution.

Packaging Management Program – A strategic approach to managing packaging materials, suppliers, inventory, equipment, and processes with the goal of reducing the total cost of packaging while improving operational performance.

Packaging Review – A systematic evaluation of packaging designs, materials, specifications, printing, processes, and use to identify opportunities for cost reduction, standardization, material optimization, improved protection, or operational efficiency.

Packaging Use Assessment – An evaluation of how packaging materials are specified, purchased, stored, and consumed to identify opportunities to reduce cost, complexity, material use, and inefficiency.

Pads – Flat sheets of corrugated material placed horizontally or vertically inside a container to separate products, reinforce the package, or provide additional protection.

Pallet Display – A retail merchandising configuration designed to remain on a pallet or pallet footprint while products are displayed and sold.

Pallet Optimization – Designing package dimensions, case configurations, and stacking patterns to improve pallet utilization, load stability, warehouse efficiency, and transportation economics.

Palletizer – Equipment or a robotic system that automatically arranges and stacks cases, bags, or other packaged products onto pallets.

Paperboard Box – A folding carton or similar container manufactured from non-corrugated paperboard or chipboard.

Partial Telescope Design-Style Container (DSC) – A two-piece container in which a removable lid covers only part of the vertical depth of the base.

Partition – An interior packaging component that separates products on the same level of a container. Partitions are frequently used for bottles, jars, components, and other products requiring individual cells.

PE (Polyethylene) – A widely used thermoplastic polymer found in packaging films, bags, foam, and other packaging products.

Performance Testing – Testing that simulates conditions encountered during distribution, such as drops, impacts, vibration, compression, temperature, humidity, and pressure.

Phygital – A combination of physical and digital experiences, such as packaging or retail displays that connect shoppers to online content through QR codes or other interactive elements.

Poly Bag – A flexible pouch made from polyethylene or a related polymer and used to pack, protect, or ship products.

Poly Mailer – A lightweight plastic shipping envelope commonly used for non-fragile e-commerce products.

Polyethylene Foam – A durable, resilient closed-cell foam commonly used to protect products against shock and vibration.

Polypropylene (PP) – A thermoplastic polymer commonly used in flexible packaging, films, containers, and strapping.

Polyurethane Foam – A flexible protective foam with shock-absorbing properties commonly fabricated to cushion sensitive products.

POP (Point of Purchase) – A merchandising display or fixture positioned where consumers encounter or purchase products.

POS (Point of Sale) – Packaging or merchandising positioned at or near the location where a retail transaction occurs.

Power Wing Display – A narrow, vertical retail merchandising display commonly positioned on or alongside existing fixtures. Also called a full kick display in some applications.

Pre-Glued Auto-Bottom Box – A pre-glued corrugated container with bottom flaps designed to automatically lock or form during assembly, reducing the need for tape or manual bottom sealing.

Pre-Glued Style Container – A corrugated container in which part of the structure has been pre-sealed with adhesive to reduce assembly time.

Pressure-Sensitive Label – A label with adhesive that bonds to a surface when pressure is applied without requiring heat, water, or another activator.

Primary Packaging – Packaging that directly contains or contacts a product, such as a pouch, bag, bottle, tray, or container.

Printing Die – A custom printing plate used to apply ink, graphics, or designs to packaging material.

Protective Packaging – Packaging materials and systems engineered to protect products against hazards such as shock, vibration, compression, abrasion, moisture, or temperature during handling, storage, and distribution.

Q

QP – SEE: Quarter Pallet Floor Display.

Quarter Pallet Floor Display – A merchandising display designed to occupy approximately one-quarter of a standard pallet footprint.

R

Regular Slotted Container (RSC) – One of the most common corrugated box styles. Its outer flaps meet at the center when closed and are typically secured with tape, adhesive, or another closure method.

Resealable Packaging – Packaging designed to be opened and securely closed multiple times.

Retail-Ready Packaging (RRP) – Packaging designed to move efficiently through distribution and be placed directly or quickly onto a retail shelf or display with minimal additional handling.

Returnable Packaging – Durable packaging designed to complete multiple distribution cycles rather than being discarded after a single use.

Rigid Box – A premium package manufactured from strong non-corrugated paperboard, often wrapped with printed paper, fabric, or other decorative material.

Right-Sizing – Designing or selecting packaging that more closely matches the dimensions and protection requirements of the product. Right-sizing can reduce excess material, void space, dimensional weight, storage requirements, and freight costs.

Robotic Palletizing – Using industrial robots to automatically stack packaged products onto pallets in predetermined patterns.

Robotics – Programmable automated systems used for packaging tasks such as product handling, picking, packing, case loading, and palletizing.

Roll-End Tray – A corrugated tray assembled using tabs, slots, or locking features rather than glue or staples. Roll-end trays are common in food, beverage, electronics, and e-commerce applications.

RSC – SEE: Regular Slotted Container.

S

Scoring – Compressing or creasing packaging material along defined lines to create clean, accurate folding points.

Secondary Packaging – Packaging that groups or protects one or more primary packages, such as a corrugated shipping case containing individually packaged products.

Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) – An Amazon program that allows qualified sellers to ship eligible Prime orders from their own facilities or approved fulfillment partners.

Shelf Life – The period during which a packaged product is expected to maintain acceptable safety, quality, or performance under specified conditions.

Shipper – A strong outer corrugated container used to transport products or smaller packages through distribution.

Shipper Display Tray – A package engineered to serve as both a shipping container and a retail merchandising tray.

Shrink Film – Polymer film that contracts when heat is applied, creating a tight fit around an individual product or group of products.

Shrink Sleeve – A printed polymer label or sleeve that shrinks tightly around a container when heat is applied.

Shrink Wrapper – Equipment that applies shrink film around products or packages and uses heat to create a tight enclosure.

Simulation Testing – SEE: Performance Testing.

Single-Face Board – Corrugated material consisting of one flat linerboard bonded to one exposed fluted medium.

Single-Wall Containerboard – Corrugated material consisting of one fluted medium positioned between two flat linerboards.

Six-Corner Tray – A corrugated tray with six pre-glued corners designed to reduce assembly time.

SKU Rationalization – Reviewing packaging SKUs to identify redundant, unnecessarily complex, or low-value specifications that can potentially be standardized, consolidated, or eliminated.

Slotted-Style Container – A corrugated container scored for folding with flaps on the top, bottom, or both.

Snap Bottom Container – A corrugated container with bottom panels designed to fold and lock together in a sequence. Also called a 1-2-3 bottom container.

Stand-Up Pouch – Flexible packaging incorporating a bottom gusset or similar structure that allows the filled package to stand upright.

Standard-Size Box – SEE: Stock Box.

Stock Box – A premade container manufactured in standard dimensions, typically without custom printing, sizing, or product-specific structural design.

Strapping – Applying steel, polyester, polypropylene, or another banding material around products, cases, or pallet loads to provide reinforcement and containment.

Stretch Film – Highly stretchable plastic film wrapped around products or palletized loads to stabilize and secure them during storage and transportation.

Stretch Wrapper – Manual, semi-automatic, or automatic equipment used to apply stretch film around palletized loads.

Structural Design – Engineering the physical shape and construction of packaging around product protection, manufacturing, shipping, storage, merchandising, sustainability, and user requirements.

Supplier Consolidation – Reducing the number of packaging suppliers used by an organization to simplify purchasing, invoicing, inventory management, supplier administration, and overall packaging management.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) – An organization that promotes sustainable forest management and responsible sourcing of forest-based products.

Sustainable Packaging – Packaging designed with environmental impacts in mind. Strategies may include material reduction, recyclability, renewable or recycled content, reuse, right-sizing, improved transportation efficiency, and damage reduction.

Systems Integration – Engineering individual packaging machines, robotics, conveyors, controls, and material-handling systems to operate together as a coordinated production line.

T

Tamper-Evident Packaging – Packaging designed to provide visible evidence that a package has been opened, accessed, or altered.

Telescope Design Style – A two-piece corrugated package in which a tray-shaped lid fits over the base. The lid may cover the base fully or partially.

Tertiary Packaging – Packaging used to group and protect multiple secondary packages during bulk storage, material handling, and transportation, such as palletized cases secured with stretch film.

Thermal Transfer Label – A label printed when heat from a printhead transfers ink from a ribbon onto label material. It is commonly used when greater image durability is needed.

Thermoforming – A manufacturing process in which plastic sheet or film is heated until pliable and formed into a specific shape. Packaging applications include trays, containers, clamshells, and blisters.

Thermoformer – Equipment that forms heated plastic film or sheet into trays, packages, or other shapes. Some packaging systems combine forming, filling, and sealing operations.

Thickness – The thickness of corrugated board or its fluted medium. Common flute profiles include A, B, C, E, and F.

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) – Outsourcing logistics functions such as warehousing, distribution, transportation, or fulfillment to an external provider.

Throughput – The quantity of products or packages that a production or packaging operation can process during a specified period.

Tooling Die – SEE: Cutting Die.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) – The complete cost associated with packaging rather than simply the purchase price of packaging materials. TCO can include material, labor, equipment, freight, inventory, storage, damage, downtime, waste, and administrative costs.

Tray – An open corrugated, paperboard, plastic, or other packaging container used to hold, transport, organize, or merchandise products.

Tray Sealer – Packaging equipment that seals film or another lidding material over trays containing food or other products.

Triple-Wall Containerboard – An extremely strong corrugated construction consisting of three fluted mediums and four linerboards.

Tube – An interior corrugated component with multiple scored panels that surrounds the inside of a container to increase strength and rigidity.

U

Unboxing – The consumer experience of opening a package, including the presentation, organization, branding, and ease of accessing the product.

Unitization – Combining individual packages or products into a larger stable load for storage and transportation, commonly using pallets, stretch film, strapping, or other containment methods.

UN Testing – Testing performed to verify that packaging intended for regulated hazardous materials meets applicable United Nations performance requirements.

V

Vacuum Packaging – A packaging process that removes air from a package before sealing it to help protect the product and, in appropriate applications, extend shelf life.

Vacuum Skin Packaging (VSP) – Packaging in which flexible film closely conforms to the product and seals to a tray, board, or other substrate.

Vendor Consolidation – SEE: Supplier Consolidation.

Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) – An inventory-management strategy in which a supplier manages packaging inventory and replenishment based on agreed customer requirements.

VFFS (Vertical Form-Fill-Seal) – Automated packaging equipment that forms flexible material into a package, fills it, and seals it while the package moves primarily in a vertical direction.

Void Fill – Material placed into unused space within a shipping container to limit product movement and reduce the risk of damage.

VMI – SEE: Vendor-Managed Inventory.

W

Walker Lock Ends – A self-locking corrugated design that uses tabs and slots to secure the package without requiring conventional adhesive or stitching.

Washdown Environment – A production environment in which equipment and surfaces are regularly cleaned with water, chemicals, or high-pressure sanitation procedures. Packaging equipment used in these areas may require specialized construction.

WEcommerce™ Packaging Solutions – E-commerce packaging services designed to support direct-to-consumer packaging needs through packaging consultation, manufacturing, sourcing, and related capabilities.

Wicketed Bag – A group of flexible bags held on a wire wicket or similar system so individual bags can be efficiently opened, filled, and removed during manual or automated packaging.

Working Capital – Funds available for day-to-day business operations. Excess packaging inventory can tie up working capital, making inventory optimization an important part of packaging management.

WRA – A premium water-resistant adhesive used for corrugated packaging exposed to demanding moisture, humidity, freezing, or thawing conditions.

Numerals

1-2-3 Bottom – SEE: Snap Bottom Container.

3PL – SEE: Third-Party Logistics.