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Packaging Terms & Glossary
Packaging has its own language. This glossary explains the terms buyers, warehouse teams, manufacturers and shipping departments run into when comparing boxes, bags, tape, protective packaging, stretch film and freight requirements.
Definitions are written for practical use. When a term affects product selection or shipping performance, we have included a link to a deeper Packaging HERO guide.
Glossary Topics
Browse Packaging Terms by Topic
Corrugated Box Terms
Terms used to describe corrugated construction, box strength, dimensions and styles.
Corrugated Fiberboard
A packaging material made from one or more fluted sheets attached to flat linerboards. The combination creates a lightweight structure commonly used for shipping boxes, mailers, sheets, pads and partitions.
Flute
The wave-shaped paper layer between corrugated linerboards. Flute profile affects thickness, cushioning, stacking performance, print surface and the amount of material used.
Learn more in Types of Corrugated Flutes (A, B, C, E, F) and Their Uses.
ECT — Edge Crush Test
A test used to measure how much compressive force corrugated board can withstand along its edge. ECT is commonly used when evaluating stacking and compression performance, but the finished box also depends on dimensions, design, board construction, storage conditions and how the load is handled.
Mullen Test
A burst-strength test that measures the pressure required to rupture corrugated board. It evaluates a different characteristic than ECT, so the two ratings should not be treated as direct equivalents.
Burst Strength
The resistance of paperboard or corrugated board to rupture under pressure. Burst strength is one part of evaluating packaging performance and does not by itself determine how much weight a finished box can safely hold.
Box Compression Strength
The ability of a finished box to resist crushing when force is applied from the top. Actual performance can be affected by box dimensions, board grade, stacking pattern, humidity, storage time and the way weight is distributed.
RSC — Regular Slotted Container
One of the most common corrugated shipping-box styles. The outer flaps meet near the center when closed, while the inner flaps are shorter. RSC cartons are widely used because they are efficient to manufacture, ship flat and close with tape or other compatible sealing methods.
FOL — Full Overlap Box
A slotted corrugated box where the outer flaps substantially overlap when closed. The additional corrugated material can provide more coverage across the top and bottom than a standard RSC and may be useful for certain heavy or concentrated loads.
Multi-Depth Box
A corrugated carton with additional score lines that allow the box height to be reduced before closing. A multi-depth carton changes height; it does not change the carton length or width.
Single-Wall Corrugated
Corrugated board made with one fluted medium between two linerboards. It is widely used for general shipping cartons, but the correct board grade depends on the package, product and distribution environment.
Double-Wall Corrugated
Corrugated board built with two fluted mediums separated by an additional linerboard. Double-wall construction is commonly considered when a package needs more rigidity or stacking performance than an appropriate single-wall construction provides.
Triple-Wall Corrugated
Corrugated board using three fluted mediums. It is used for demanding applications where a heavier corrugated structure is required, including some large, heavy or industrial shipments.
Inside Dimensions
The usable interior dimensions of a carton, typically expressed as length × width × depth. Inside dimensions are the dimensions most useful when matching a box to a product.
Use the Shipping Box Sizes Guide for sizing help.
Right-Sizing
Selecting packaging that fits the product and protection requirements without unnecessary empty space or excess material. Right-sizing can affect material use, packing efficiency, dimensional weight and shipping cost.
Bag & Film Terms
Common terms used when comparing poly bags, sheeting and stretch film.
Mil
A unit of thickness equal to one-thousandth of an inch. Poly bags and sheeting are commonly described by mil thickness. A higher mil means a thicker film, but thickness alone does not describe every performance characteristic.
Gauge
A thickness designation commonly used for films. Because gauge conventions can differ by product type, compare the actual manufacturer specification rather than assuming two products with similar terminology perform the same way.
LDPE — Low-Density Polyethylene
A flexible polyethylene commonly used for bags, liners, sheeting and other packaging films. Its exact properties depend on resin formulation, thickness and manufacturing process.
LLDPE — Linear Low-Density Polyethylene
A polyethylene resin widely used in stretch film and other flexible packaging. Film properties can vary substantially by resin blend, manufacturing process and intended application.
Gusset
A fold built into the side or bottom of a bag that allows it to expand when filled. Gusseted bags are useful for products with more depth or volume than a flat bag can comfortably accommodate.
Flat Poly Bag
A flexible bag made without expandable side gussets. Flat bags are commonly used for parts, components, food-contact applications where appropriate, documents and other products that do not require additional bag depth.
Reclosable Bag
A bag with an integrated closure designed to be opened and closed repeatedly. The closure can be useful for organizing parts, samples, kits and products that require repeated access.
Poly Tubing
Continuous polyethylene film formed as a tube and supplied on a roll. Users cut the tubing to the required length and seal the open end or ends, making it useful when product lengths vary.
Stretch Film
Extensible plastic film wrapped around products or pallet loads to help unitize and contain them. Film selection depends on the load, application method, film properties and containment requirements.
See the Stretch Film Guide.
Pre-Stretched Film
Stretch film that has been mechanically stretched before it reaches the user. It can require less pulling force during hand application than conventional hand film, depending on the product and application.
Cling
The tendency of stretch film layers to adhere to one another. Cling helps wrapped layers stay together without using a separate adhesive tape.
Containment Force
The inward force applied by stretched film to a wrapped load. Adequate containment depends on the film, stretch level, number and placement of wraps, load characteristics and wrapping method.
Elongation
The amount a film can stretch relative to its original length under specified conditions. More elongation does not automatically mean a film is the right choice; load containment and application conditions matter.
Protective Packaging Terms
Terms that describe different protective functions inside and around a package.
Cushioning
Packaging used to help manage shock and impact before those forces reach the product. Cushioning may be made from foam, air-bubble cushioning, paper systems or other materials designed for the application.
Void Fill
Material placed in open space inside a package to limit product movement. Void fill and cushioning are not the same function: a material that fills space does not necessarily provide the impact protection a fragile product needs.
Blocking and Bracing
Packaging elements used to hold a product in a controlled position and limit movement inside a container. Corrugated inserts, foam structures, wood, molded components and other materials may perform this function depending on the application.
Surface Protection
Packaging used to help prevent scratches, scuffs, abrasion or direct contact with another surface. Surface protection is different from impact cushioning and may be needed in addition to it.
Air Pillows
Inflated film chambers commonly used to occupy open space inside shipping cartons. They are primarily a void-fill solution and should not automatically be treated as sufficient cushioning for fragile products.
Air-Bubble Cushioning
Flexible protective material containing sealed air cells. It can be used to wrap products, separate surfaces and provide cushioning, with performance varying by cell size, film construction, number of layers and the item being protected.
Foam Packaging
A broad family of materials used for cushioning, spacing, surface protection, blocking or insulation. Foam type, density, thickness and geometry should be selected for the application rather than treated as interchangeable.
Edge Protector
A protective component placed along load or package edges to spread pressure, protect corners and help reduce damage from strapping or stretch-film forces.
ESD Packaging
Packaging selected to help manage electrostatic risk for sensitive electronic products. Terms such as low charging, dissipative, conductive and static-discharge shielding describe different properties and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Tape & Adhesive Terms
Common terminology used when selecting carton-sealing and specialty tapes.
Pressure-Sensitive Tape
Tape that bonds when pressure is applied without requiring water, heat or another activation step. Many common carton-sealing tapes use pressure-sensitive adhesives.
Hot-Melt Adhesive Tape
Pressure-sensitive tape using a synthetic-rubber-based hot-melt adhesive system. It is commonly used for carton sealing, but actual performance depends on the tape construction, carton surface, temperature and application.
Acrylic Tape
Packaging tape using an acrylic adhesive. Acrylic systems are often considered when aging, UV exposure or a broad service-temperature range matters, but specific performance varies by product.
Natural Rubber Adhesive
An adhesive system based on natural rubber. It is used in some industrial tapes where strong initial adhesion or compatibility with difficult surfaces is needed, depending on the product formulation.
Water-Activated Tape — WAT
Paper-based carton-sealing tape with an adhesive activated by water before application. It is commonly used on corrugated cartons and is available in reinforced and non-reinforced constructions.
Reinforced Water-Activated Tape
Water-activated tape containing reinforcing fibers or filaments to increase strength compared with a similar non-reinforced paper tape.
Tack
The tendency of an adhesive to bond quickly when it first contacts a surface. High initial tack is not the same as long-term holding power.
Holding Power
The ability of an adhesive bond to resist movement or separation over time while under load. Surface condition, temperature, carton coating and application pressure can all affect performance.
For a broader comparison, use the Packaging Tape Selector.
Palletizing & Load Securement Terms
Unit Load
Multiple packages or products combined so they can be stored, handled and transported as one load, commonly on a pallet.
Load Containment
The process of keeping a palletized load together and limiting unwanted movement during handling, storage and transportation. Stretch film, strapping, edge protection and load pattern can all contribute.
Strapping
Narrow material tensioned around products, bundles, cartons or palletized loads to help unitize or secure them. Common materials include polypropylene, polyester, steel and cord-based products.
Polypropylene Strapping
Lightweight plastic strapping commonly used for bundling, carton closing and lighter-duty unitization applications. Selection should be based on the load, tension and handling requirements.
Polyester Strapping
Plastic strapping commonly used where higher retained tension and strength are needed than a typical polypropylene strap provides. It is frequently used for heavier palletized or industrial loads.
Steel Strapping
Metal strapping used for demanding unitization and load-securement applications. Proper tools, edge protection and safe handling practices are important because steel behaves differently from plastic strapping.
Pallet Pattern
The arrangement of cartons or products on a pallet. Pattern, alignment, overhang, gaps and stacking configuration can affect stability and how load-securement materials perform.
Shipping & Freight Terms
Dimensional Weight — DIM Weight
A calculated shipping weight based on the amount of space a package occupies rather than its scale weight alone. Carrier formulas and divisors vary, so current carrier rules should be checked when estimating charges.
Actual Weight
The measured physical weight of a packaged shipment.
Billable Weight
The weight used to calculate a shipment charge under the applicable carrier rules. For parcel shipments, this may be influenced by both actual weight and dimensional weight.
Parcel Shipping
Transportation of individual packages through parcel-carrier networks. Size, weight, packaging geometry and carrier-specific limits can affect how a parcel is rated and handled.
LTL — Less-Than-Truckload
Freight transportation where a shipment uses only part of a trailer and shares capacity with other shipments. Charges can depend on factors such as weight, class, distance, dimensions and accessorial services.
Freight Class
A classification used in LTL freight rating. Freight classification can depend on commodity characteristics and applicable transportation rules, so the correct class should be verified for the specific shipment.
NMFC — National Motor Freight Classification
A freight-classification framework used in LTL transportation. Specific classifications and rules can change, so current information should be used when rating freight.
Accessorial Charge
An additional freight charge for a service or condition outside standard transportation, such as certain liftgate, inside-delivery, residential or appointment requirements. Applicability and pricing depend on the carrier and shipment.
Cold & Perishable Shipping Terms
Insulated Shipper
A shipping package that uses insulating materials to slow heat transfer between the contents and the surrounding environment. Insulation alone does not establish how long a shipment will remain within a required temperature range.
R-Value
A measure of resistance to heat flow through an insulating material or assembly under specified conditions. R-value is useful when comparing insulation, but it does not by itself predict shipment hold time.
Gel Pack
A reusable or disposable refrigerant pack containing a gel or liquid formulation used to help maintain cool temperatures during shipping. Pack quantity, conditioning and placement depend on the required temperature range and pack-out.
Dry Ice
Solid carbon dioxide used as a very cold refrigerant, particularly for some frozen shipments. Packages using dry ice require appropriate ventilation and must follow applicable carrier and transportation requirements.
Sustainability & Packaging Recovery Terms
Recycled Content
Material recovered from a previous use or manufacturing stream and incorporated into a new product. Recycled content is different from whether the finished package can be recycled after use.
PCR — Post-Consumer Recycled Content
Material recovered after it has been used by a consumer or other end user and then processed for use in a new product.
PIR — Post-Industrial Recycled Content
Manufacturing scrap or other material recovered from an industrial process and reused as feedstock. Definitions and reporting conventions can vary, so claims should be supported by appropriate supplier documentation.
Recyclable
Describes material that can be collected and processed through an appropriate recycling system. Actual recyclability depends on the material, package construction and whether suitable collection and processing are available in the relevant market.
Compostable
Describes a material designed to break down under specified composting conditions. Industrial compostability and home compostability are not the same, and local access to suitable composting infrastructure matters.
Biodegradable
A broad term describing material that can be broken down by biological activity under particular conditions. The term alone does not tell you how quickly the material breaks down, under what conditions or whether it meets a compostability standard.
Source Reduction
Reducing the amount of material or packaging required before waste is created. Examples can include right-sizing a carton, reducing unnecessary layers or using a packaging system that performs the required job with less material.
Custom Packaging Terms
Dieline
A flat technical layout showing where a package will be cut, scored, folded and sometimes printed. Designers use dielines to position artwork and structural features before production.
Tooling
Production equipment or custom manufacturing components required to make a specific package. Depending on the product, tooling may include cutting dies, printing plates, molds or other application-specific equipment.
Die-Cut Packaging
Packaging made by cutting material into a specific shape using a die or compatible converting process. Die-cut structures can include mailers, inserts, displays, partitions and custom corrugated designs.
MOQ — Minimum Order Quantity
The smallest quantity a manufacturer or supplier will produce or sell for a particular item or production run. Custom packaging MOQs can depend on material, setup, printing, tooling and production method.
Lead Time
The time between placing or approving an order and the product being ready to ship or deliver. Custom packaging lead times may include design approval, tooling, materials, production and transportation.
Go Deeper Than the Definition
Packaging terminology helps you understand the specification. Choosing the right packaging still requires looking at the product, packing process, storage conditions and distribution environment.
Not sure which specification matters? Packaging terminology can narrow the options, but the right answer depends on what you are packing and how it moves through your operation. Packaging HERO can help you compare materials, sizes and packaging systems for your application.
