A no nonsense guide to packaging terminology

• 0100: Commercial rolls and sheets made from single-faced corrugated material.
• 0200: Slotted-style boxes made from a single piece of material with a glues, stitched, or taped joint, featuring a top and bottom flaps. These boxes are typically shipped flat.
• 0201: A standard regular box with outer flaps that meet at both the top and bottom, designed for sealing.
• 0300: a telescope-style box consisting of multiple pieces, often featuring a removable lid.
• 0400: Folder-style boxes and trays made from a single piece of board, usually featuring hinges and interlocking tabs.
• 0500: Boxes with multiple pieces or liners that slide into each other from different directions.
• 0600: Rigid-style boxes made from two separate pieces stitched together before use. These are generally large, industrial-sized boxes.
• 0700: Die-glued cases made from a single piece, shipped flat and ready for use with simple assembly.
• 0900: Interior fitments such as liners, partitions, pads, and dividers. These can be glued into the design or remain as separate items.

Note: All of the above styles are part of the FEFCO box style guide. See FEFCO for reference.

• 19″ Rack: A standardised frame or enclosure with a panel that measures 19 inches wide. See “rack unit” for more details.
• 3i / 3R / ROTO X: A series of SKB cases designed for military and marine use, offering water and dust resistance with an IP67 rating. See “IP Rating” for more details.
• 3PL: Third-party logistics – a company providing outsourced logistics services. The term originated from military termonilogy.

• Abrasion Resistance: The ability of a material to withstand damage caused by repeated rubbing, scuffing, or scratching.
• Across Flute: A measurement standard for Correx® and other fluted materials, taken perpendicular to the flute direction.
• Adhesive: A substance applied to bond two surfaces together.
• A-Flute: The thickest type of corrugated flute, featuring 33 flutes per linear foot and a thickness of approximately ¼ inch.
• Air Freight: Goods transported by air. Packaging preparation ahouls consider item sensitivity, weight, dimensions, centre of gravity, and internal air humidity.
• Allocated Inventory: Materials designated for specific future production orders, requiring additional stock to fulfill other orders.
• Aluminium: A lightweight, conductive, reflective, and non-toxic metal commonly used in packaging.
• Anaerobic Digestion: A method of treating biodegradable waste to reduce landfill gas emissions.
• Angel Hair: Thin strands of packaging material that may remain on finished products.
• Anti-scruff Bicell: Bicell sheets laminated with non-woven or spunbound fabrics on both outer surfaces, protecting items with polished or decorative finished from damage during transit. See “Bicell” for more details.
• Antistat: A specialist distributor of anti-static packaging solutions.
• Antistatic: A protective packaging solution designed to prevent static discharge, protecting sensitive items inside.
• Artwork: Visual designs, such as logos or images, provided for or created by packaging designers to be printed on packaging.
• Assembly: The process of combining parts and components to create a finished product.
• Astraboard: A strong yet lightweight polypropylene material commonly used inside cases.
• ATA: Air Transport Association – an organisation promoting air travel safety, including case and packaging specifications.
• Attenuate: To reduce the force, strength, or intensity of something. Vibration-sensitive products may require attenuation in packaging.
• Automotive: Refers to the car manufacturing and parts supply industry.
• AZOTE®: A brand of high-quality polyolefin foams manufactured by Zotefoams®. These odourless, flexible, strong, lightweight, and water-resistant foams are widely used in protective packaging.

• Backing Liner: A compressible paper material that compensates for surface irregularities during sealing. This material, typically made of pulp or news board, is attached to the liner to enhance appearance, improve water resistance, and provide additional strength.
• Banding: A process where a banding machine secures multiple items (such as packaging boxes) to make them easier to handle. It is also known as strapping.
• Barrier Material: A type of packaging material designed to prevent the passage of gases, moisture, and other environmental factors.
• Basline Performance: A reference point for industry standards used to compare future performance measurements over time.
• Barcode: A machine-readable code, often used as a serial shipping container code, that helps identify items for tracking by companies.
• Beacon: A network of recognised fast-growing businesses.
• Beers Tray: A collapsible corrugated tray with glued corners, which folds flat during manufacturing for efficient storage and shipping.
• B-Flute: A type of corrugated flute with lower arch heights and more flutes (47 per linear foot), offering a thickness of 1/8 inch.
• Bevel: An angled edge of a container’s structure that is not at a 90-degree angle to the container’s faces. Bevels are typically used to round off edges for safety.
• Bicell: A brand of plastic sheet material that services as a high-quality alternative to Correx®.
• Bins, Storage: Containers used for storing hardware and small parts, available in materials like plastic, recycled plastic, or corrugated cardboard.
• Biodegradable: A substanjce that can be broken down by bacteria and other organisms, avoiding pollution and being environmentally friendly.
• Bitmap: A type of digital image made up of individual pixels, which can result in large file sizes and a potential loss of quality when resized.

• Blank: A flat, cut, and scored piece of corrugated board that is prepared for assembling into a box.
• Bleached Pulp: Pulp that is whitenened through an oxidising treatment, often using hydrogen peroxide or a reducing agent like sulfur dioxide.
• Blister Packs: A packaging format where the product is moulded, usually clear, and heat-sealed to a foil blister card to secure and protect the item. These packs are designed to be tamper-proof.
• Blister Packaging: A type of packaging that holds a product between paperboard and a clear plastic bubble or dome to protect it.
• Blow Moulding: A manufacturing process used to shape plastics, involving extrusion, injection, or injection stretch blow moulding. In this process, plastic is forced into a mould to take its shape.
• Board: A thick, heavy sheet of paper, including variations such as cardboard, fibreboard, and containerboard.
• Board Grade: A classification given to corrugated board based on three factors: the weight and type of the outer liner, the type of flute, and the weight and type of the inner liner. Find out more about corrugated board grades here.
• Bonding: The process of joining pieces of foam or plastic together using glue or heat to create a specific shape or thickness, depending on the materials and intended use.
• Bondline: A distributor specialising in anti-static packaging products.
• Bott: A manufacturer or aluminium cases.
• Box Plant: A facility equipped to convert corrugated board into packaging, but lacking a corrugator, so they cannot product the board themselves.
• Boxes, Paper: Packaging made from corrugated paperboard, laminated recycled paperboard, or folding cartons, including partitions and inserts.
• Boxes, Plastic: Various types of plastic containers, including tote boxes, and food storage containers, made from a wide range of palstic materials.
• Branding: A name, design, and symbol that distinguishes and identifies a company or product.
• Break Pack: A large transit container, such as a corrugated case, that is used to transport bulk goods.
• Bubble Pack: A cushioning material made by trapping air between two layers of plastic, used to protect fragile items during shipping.
• Burst, Pack: A type of packaging designed to hold pre-measured amounts of lubricants.
• Burst, Damage: The term used when packaging containers rupture or “burst” due to excessive pressure, such as when bpxes at the bottom of a stack are crushed by the weight of those above them.

• CAD (Computer-Aided Design): A form of electronic design automation that involves interactive engineering drawings and the storage and retrieval of design files.
• CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing): Typically used alongside CAD, CAM is a computer-based technology that facilitates the control of production equipment. It provides data to manufacturing machines to ensure the desired outcome is achieved.
• Capacity: The total volume inside a container for holding a specified quantity of product.
• Caps: These are end closures used to seal packaging. For instance, a plastic end cap may be applied to secure the contents of a corrugated mailing tube. Caps can also refer to protective foam or cushioning materials that cover product ends for added safety during shipping.
• Carry-on Approved: Refers to luggage or cases that adhere to airline size and specification guidelines for carry-on items.
• Carton: A container typically made from paperboard or corrugated fibreboard, commonly called a box.
• Carton Board: A stiff, thick board that offers moderate to high compression strength and moisture resistance. Unlike cardboard, carton board is solid and lacks fluting.
• Case Making: Creating standard case designs using a computer-controlled setup.
• Case Sealer: A manufacturing tool designed to close and seal the flaps of a box using glue, tape, or staples.
• Castors: small wheels that swivel to allow for smooth movement, often installed on transit cases.
• CC (Cubic Centimetre): A unit of volume measurement where one cc equals approximately 0.0338 ounces.
• CDA (Confidential Disclosure Agreement): Also known as an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement), this legal contract defines the terms for protecting confidential information between two businesses.
• C-Flute: A widely used grade of corrugated material known for its strong crush resistance, excellent prinatebility, and robust stacking strength. C-Flute has 39 flutes per linear foot and a thickness of 3/16 inch.
• Chemical Block: A type of foam designed to resist chemical exposure (e.g., Zotefoams).
• Chop Edge (or Chops): Refers to the length of a sheet or board.

• Clay Coat: A fine layer of kaolin is applied to corrugated board to enhance its printing surface. It is commonly used on unbleached or natural Kraft paperboard.
• Clean Room: An assembly and packaging service conducted in contamination-controlled environments following anti-contamination protocols.
• Closed Loop System: An industrial process to achieve zero waste by reusing, recycling, or composting all surplus materials.
• Closures: Techniques or devices used to seal packaging. In corrugated packaging, closures may involve tape, staples, glue, strapping, or self-locking mechanisms (e.g., crash lock boxes).
• CNC Routing: A precision cutting process that uses a computer-controlled router to cut materials, often for creating accurate foam packaging.
• Coatings: Specialised coatings are applied to corrugated board for various purposes, such as waterproofing, anti-abrasion, anti-corrosion, and Pantone colour matching.
• Cobb Test: A test measuring the amount of water a material’s surface absorbs over a specific period (e.g., Cobb60 or Cobb180 for 60 or 180 seconds, respectively).
• Coldset PVA: An adhesive that becomes liquid when heated above 60°C but solidifies when cooled to around 20°C.
• Collapsible: Refers to totes or corrugated boxes that can be folded flat (flat-packed) for easier bulk transportation.
• Conductive: Conductive packaging shields items from electrostatic discharge by directing static charges along the container’s outer surface (see “Faraday Cage” for more details).
• Containers, Hinged Lid: Storage containers with attached hinges lids.
• Containers, Shipping: Strong containers are designed to withstand the rigors of shipping, storage, and handling.
• Contract Packaging: A service that provides complete packing solutions, including supplying containers and staff to pack products for shipment.
• Countertop: Retail display units designed for placement on countertops, similar to shelf-ready and POS displays.
• Converter: A company that transforms raw materials into finished products, such as Correx® totes or Plastazote® foam inserts.
• Conversion: See Converter.
• Copolymer: A polymer that combines two distinct monomers, forming a material with a consistent repeating chain pattern.
• Copolymer Resin: A durable, flexible, and transparent plastic resin.
• Cores: Strong cardboard tubes around which products like tape, paper, or plastic are tightly wound and commonly used in industrial and packaging applications.
• Corner Blocks: Foam padding designed to safeguard product corners during transit.
• Correx®: A rigid, extruded twin-wall plastic used in various packaging applications, also commonly found in estate agent signage.
• Corriflute: A type of corrugated plastic, also known as Correx®, Polyflute, or Coroplast.
• Corriplast: Also known as Conductive Correx®, this material shields products from static electricity.
• Corrispool: A cardboard spool used for winding products such as wires.
• Corrispring: An eco-friendly cardboard alternative to foam and polystyrene cushioning materials.
• Corrugated: Material shaped into parallel ridges and grooves for added strength.
• Corrugated Board: Also called cardboard, it consists of one or more fluted paper layers between outer and inner liners.
• Corrugator: An industrial machine that merges different paper types to create corrugated fibreboard sheets.
• Corrust: A specialised anti-corrosion coating that protects metal products during storage and transit.
• Corstat: A carbon-based coating applied to corrugated cardboard, commonly used for anti-static protective coating.
• CQV (Commissioning, Qualifying, and Verifying): A process ensuring machinery and systems are thoroughly tested before new or revised packaging lines are implemented.
• Cradle: A corrugated cardboard insert or fitting used to secure items within an outer box for shipping.
• Crash Lock: A box or carton design where the base locks together without needing tape using an interlocking system.
• Cratering: Small, bubble-like imperfections that appear in the coating of paint or dye.
• Crazing: The appearance of fine cracks beneath the surface of plastic or within glass layers.
• Creasing: Defined fold lines are created using a steel strip and groove system that ensures precise folds on paperboard.
• Creep: The gradual deformation of a material when subjected to prolonged stress.
• Crush: An edge crush test (ECT) measures a corrugated board’s resistance to compressive forces across its cross-direction.
• CSI: A project development and operational services company specialising in the corrugated packaging industry.
• Cushioning: Protective materials designed to protect fragile or sensitive items during transit.
• Cushioning Bicell: Also known as foam-laminated board, this material combines cushioning support with anti-abrasive properties to shield products from shock, impact, and vibrations.
• Cushioning Curves: Graphs illustrating how a specific packaging material performs under various impact conditions.
• Cycle: Refers to the number of uses a reusable packaging container can endure in a multi-trip system.

• Deceleration: The level of shock a product can endure without sustaining damage, measured in G’s (see G-force for more details).
• Deckle: The width of the board being processed on a corrugator machine.
• Decorative: Refers to the visual elements such as colour and print applied to enhance packaging aesthetics.
• Demo Case: Also called sample cases, these are used to present products during sales pitches.
• Density: The mass of a gas, liquid, or solid substance measured in grams per cubic centimetre.
• Desiccant: A drying agent, like calcium oxide or silica gel, controls humidity within sealed packages.
• Design: Packaging design includes drawings, specifications, templates, and prototypes that outline how the packaging will be constructed.
• Die: A specialised manufacturing tool custom-made to cut or shape materials in a press.
• Die Cutting: A process where a die stamps precise scores and cuts into materials like corrugated board to create specific packaging designs.
• Digitisation: The act of converting information into a digital format.
• Dimensions: The measurable size of a package, typically described in length, width, and height.
• Direct Food Contact: Describes materials that come into direct contact with food. Standards for this are regulated by the FSA (Food Standards Agency).
• Displays: Retail product displays, often made from corrugated material, are designed to promote specific items. See POS (Point of Sale) for more details.
• Disposal: The end-of-life process for packaging, including recycling, recovery, composting, or reuse.
• Distributors: Agents who supply products to retailers. Unlike manufacturers, distributors primarily resell products rather than produce them.
• Dividers: Devices used to separate sections within a container. They are available in plain, scored, or interlocking designs and can provide cushioning and protection.
• Dolly: A wheeled platform designed to hold and transport heavy objects easily.
• Double Wall Board: A corrugated material composed of two layers of fluting, potentially with varying flute sizes, to enhance strength.
• Drawing: A technical illustration created by designers or engineers, often included with CAD specification sheets.
• Drop Test: A test designed to evaluate packaging durability by dropping it from a set height to ensure the contents remain undamaged.
• Dump Bins: A POS display where products are loosely heaped inside the bin to encourage customer interaction.
• Dunnage: Materials used within containers to protect goods from moisture, contamination, and damage. They are also used to separate products during in-plant handling.
• Duplex: A paperboard featuring two layers, often with a coated exterior for improved water resistance. Commonly used for disposable cups, plates and pharmaceutical packaging.

• E-Commerce: Commercial transactions conducted via the Internet.
• E-Commerce Packaging: Packaging specifically designed to protect products during transit from the online retailer to the buyer.
• E-Flute: A corrugated material known for its superior crush resistance and smooth surface, enhancing print quality. E-flute has 90 flutes per foot and is 1/16th of an inch thick.
• Egg-Box Foam: This foam features a flat side and a grooved, egg-carton-like side. It is often used in protective case lids and for soundproofing in recording studios.
• Electrostatic Decay Rate: The rate at which an electrostatic charge dissipated, measured according to MIL-B military standards.
• Emboss: Raised lettering or designs on packaging achieved through pressure dies, printing presses, or rollers.
• EMC: Stands for electromagnetic management coupling, which refers to cases or products designed to control electromagnetic energies.
• Emulsions: A water-soluble acrylic coating that becomes water-resistant once dried.
• End Caps: Foam cushioning that protects products inside corrugated packaging.
• Environment Agency: A government organisation that regulates environmental concerns, including waste management.
• EPS (Expandable Polystyrene): A closed-cell, rigid, lightweight foam known for its excellent thermal insulation and impact resistance, widely used in packaging and construction.
• Ergoline: A popular presentation case brand produced by Rose Plastic.
• ESD (Electrostatic Discharge): The sudden release of static electricity when two objects touch.
• ESD Anti-Static: A coating that prevents static electricity from entering a package.
• ESD Shielding: A conductive material that resists electrostatic charge to protect the contents inside.
• Estimate: A cost assessment prepared by an estimator based on materials, manufacturing, and quantity requirements.
• Ethafoam: A lightweight yet semi-rigid packaging foam with medium density and flexibility.
• Euro Box: A durable storage and handling container with standardised dimensions for warehouse compatibility.
• Euro Container: See Euro Box for more details.
• Euro Fix (EF): A specialised tote box produced by SSI Schaefer, designed for compatibility with warehouse systems.
• Evazote®: A closed-cell cross-linked ethylene copolymer foam that is tougher and more resilient than Plastazote® and offers chemical resistance.
• Exmel: A distributor of anti-static packaging products.
• Exocase: A brand of protective cases known for water resistance and customisable dimensions.
• Explorer: A brand of military-grade protective cases manufactured in Italy, similar to Peli cases.
• Extrusion: The process of shaping plastic materials by forcing them through a mould under heat and pressure.
• Extrusion Profiles: Shaped plastic products created via extrusion are available in solid or hollow configurations, excluding sheet or film.

• Fabrication: The process of manufacturing or constructing an item.
• Falling Dart Impact: A traditional method for testing the impact strength of plastic materials.
• Faraday Cage: An enclosure made of conductive material or mesh that blocks electric fields.
• Faro: A digitisation device used to scan small objects and create precise computerised versions for packaging design.
• Fatigue: The weakening of materials caused by repeated stress or impact.
• Feasability Study: An experimental analysis of processes or equipment to determine achievable outcomes and needed resources.
• FEFCO: The European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers, a non-profit organisation representing the industry.
• FEFCO Case Codes: A standardised set of design patterns used in the corrugated packaging industry.
• Fibre: Moulded pulp materials used in packaging.
• Finish: The final coating or print applied to the packaging can include custom colours or protective finishes like Corrust anti-corrosion coatings.
• First Drop: The initial impact test performed during the packaging evaluation. Packaging may withstand the first drop but may fail after repeated impacts.
• Fittings: Various fixtures, often made of galvanised steel or plastic, are added to cases, including handles, locks, catches, and castors.
• Flatbed Die Cutting: A method for cutting, creasing, and embossing sheet materials by pressing a die onto a flat surface.
• Flat Pack: Packaging that is shipped flat to reduce transport costs.
• Flight Case: A custom-built, durable case commonly used in broadcasting and performance industries.
• Flood Coat: Applying a solid colour or dye across an entire surface.
• Flute: The wavy, central layer in corrugated board that provides strength and rigidity.
• Flute Direction: The orientation of the flute, either vertical or horizontal, which determines the structural strength of the corrugated board.

• Foam: A material created by trapping gas pockets within a solid substance. Common types include CPS foam, polystyrene, and polyurethane.
• Foam Lining: A foam layer inside a case designed to cushion and protect its contents.
• Folding Carton: A paperboard carton that is printed, laminated, cut, folded, and flued, then shipped flat to be filled and sealed by the retailer. An example is a cereal box.
• Forme: Also known as a cutting forme, this metal tool scores cardboard for die-cut designs.
• Fosber: an American manufacturer of corrugated machinery.
• FSA: The Food Standards Agency regulates food safety and hygiene in the UK.
• FSDU: Free-standing (or floor-standing) display units for retail product presentation.
• Fulfilment: A service that includes third-party warehousing and inventory management to efficiently store, pack, and dispatch products.

• G-Force: A measurement of acceleration that creates a sensation of weight, expressed as force per unit of mass.
• Gloss: A reflective coating applied to packaging that enhances colour contrast and provides a shiny finish.
• Glued: A process where a box is folded and adhered by machines to convert flat materials into a finished product.
• GSM: An acronym for grams per square metre, a measurement of paper density.

• Halogenated Compound: Synthetic or naturally occurring compounds containing halogens, often found in plastic polymers.
• Hand Erect: Packaging assembled manually, typically used for intricate designs.
• Hand Platen: A machine that scores, creases, and die cuts corrugated board.
• Hand Holes: Cut-out sections in packaging designed to facilitate easier handling.
• Hanging Tabs: Adhesive or integrated tabs allow products to hang in their packaging for retail display.
• Hardigg™: Injection- and rotational-moulded protective cases designed to transport delicate equipment safely. See also Pelican™ for more details.
• HDPE: An acronym for high-density polyethylene, known for its stiffness, crack resistance, and chemical durability, commonly used in blow moulding.
• Heat-Seal: A process that bonds two or more materials using controlled heat and pressure.
• Hermatic Seal: An airtight, leak-proof seal ensuring no air or moisture can enter.
• Hinged End Cap: A foam end cap with a foldable design that cushions products without requiring adhesives.
• HIPS: High-impact polystyrene, a cost-effective, durable plastic that is easy to fabricate.
• Hofbauer: A European manufacturer specialising in extrusion blow-moulded cases.
• Hot-Melt Adhesives: Also called hot glue or HMA, this solid adhesive liquifies when heated for bonding purposes.
• HPX Resin: A high-performance polypropylene copolymer material used in Peli Storm Cases™.
• Hybrid Pack: Packaging that combines corrugated materials with recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET).

• Immersion: A testing process for a case’s water resistance in which the case is submerged in water at a depth of one metre for one hour.
• Impact Strength (or Resistance): The ability of a package to endure mechanical shock without damage.
• Imperial: a system of traditional units of measurement, which the Metric system has largely replaced.
• Inert: Describes something that does not react, move, or resist, essentially having no active properties.
• Injection Moulded Case: A case manufactured using the injection moulding process. See Injection Moulding for more details.
• Injection Moulding: A manufacturing process where heated and softened plastic is injected into a cool mould to take shape.
• Ink Jet Printing: A printing technique in which tiny ink droplets are sprayed onto a surface to form text, numbers, or images.
• Inline: Refers to die-cutting equipment that also includes printing capabilities, allowing the packaging to be cut and printed in one continuous operation.
• In-Line Wheels: A feature on Peli Storm cases that facilitates easier movement of larger cases.
• In-Mould Labelling: A technique where pre-printed labels are placed inside the mould before the plastic is injected, eliminating the need for post-production decoration.
• Inside / Outside View: A package is often designed with the internal view in mind first, while the artwork or print is applied to the external view.
• Integral Hinges: A case design in which the hinges are part of the single, moulded piece, combining the two components and hinge into one efficient moulding process.
• Integrated: A production system where raw materials (such as corrugated cardboard) and the finished product (like boxes) are made in the same plant.
• Internal Dimensions: The measurements of the interior of a case or box, typically including width, depth, and height.
• Inter-Stacking Pattern: A design in which cases have interlocking grooves on the top and bottom, allowing them to stack on one another securely.
• Inventory: The goods or materials a business keeps for resale or use in its operations.
• IP Rating: A classification system used to indicate how effectively a case or enclosure protects against dust and water intrusion.
• ISO: Stands for the International Organisation for Standardisation, a global body that defines international standards.
• ISO 14001: An environmental management system that provides a framework for companies to manage and improve their environmental performance.
• ISO 9001: Certification that a company meets the requirements of the ISO 9001 standard, which focuses on maintaining consistent quality and meeting custom expectations.
• ISTA: The International Safe Transit Association, a non-profit organisation that helps businesses identify effective packaging and shipping solutions through testing procedures.

• Jigsaw Packs: Foam cushion packaging is designed to interlock when placed together, creating a secure and stable fit.
• JIT (or Kanban): A streamlined manufacturing system that ensures a steady flow of materials for contracted businesses. Under this system, the supplier maintains agreed-upon stock levels, ready for immediate or same-day release upon customer request, with minimum stock levels ensuring the availability of required quantities.

• K470: A lightweight and durable aluminium protective case, approved by the ATA. See Zarges for more details.
• Kanban: A Japanese-origin manufacturing system that uses scheduling to manage the supply chain through an inventory control system.
• KD: Short for “knocked down”, referring to boxes or cartons that are shipped or stored flat.
• Kiss Cut: A type of die-cutting where only the top layer of material is cut, leaving the bottom layer intact.
• Kit Skip: A type of packaging or case used by sports teams to transport their equipment, typically made of aluminium.
• Korrvu: A packaging method that uses film within corrugated outer materials to secure products during shipping.
• Kraft: Brown paper or paperboard made from unbleached wood fibres during the pulping process, produced from virgin pulp.

• Labels: Small information documents attached to objects. They are commonly used for packaging barcodes, shipping details, and production information.
• Label Panel: The designated area of a container where labels are applied. This section often holds invoices or documents securely within protective wrapping.
• Laminate: a protective film applied to packaging to improve durability, appearance, or functionality.
• Laser Etching: a process that uses lasers to engrave designs, patterns, or text into materials such as foam.
• Layer Pad: A rigid separator used in ESD packaging to divide layers and protect static-sensitive components. See Corstat for more details.
• LD: An abbreviation for “low density”, typically referring to foam materials.
• Lead Time: The period between placing an order and the customer receiving their packaging or products.
• Lid: A removable or attached cover designed to enclose the contents of a container or box.
• Light-Weighting: The process of designing packaging to use less material, reducing weight, costs, and environmental impact.
• Liner: A paper material used in corrugated board construction. The corrugated board has an inner and outer liner, with the outer liner usually being higher quality for improved print finishes.
• Line-Side: Packaging designed for use alongside production lines, often involving totes and containers that deliver components for assembly.
• Lithography: A printing technique that uses plates to create high-quality prints on flat surfaces.
• Litho Laminated Print: This is a premium print finish in which a printed and coated press sheet is applied to the corrugated board before the die-cutting process.

• Machine Erect: A type of packaging designed to be fully or partially assembled by a mechanical machine.
• Manufacture: The large-scale production of goods using machinery and/or manual labour.
• Material: The substance from which an item is made.
• Materials Handling: A system designed to manage the storage, movement, and retrieval of materials in manufactuirng and distribution, often involving bins, totes, and similar equipment.
• Matte Finish: Also known as a flat finish, this coating style has no gloss or shine.
• Max Case: A brand of durable cases commonly used in military and marine sectors, certified to IP67 standards. See IP Rating for more details.
• Maxibag: A type of presentation or demonstration case manufactured by Hofbauer.
• Metric: A modern system of measurement used as an international standard.
• Minibag: a compact presentation case from Hofbauer, ideal for small samples.
• Mission Critical: Refers to an essential activity, device, or service crucial to operations. Failure of this element can significantly disrupt an organisation, such as in military equipment.
• Mitraset: An EMC rack mount case designed to provide comprehensive protection against static. See EMC for more details.
• MLT: Stands for manufacturing lead time, which is the total duration from the start of production to its completion. This includes setup, processing, inspection, and preparation times.
• MM: A metric unit of measurement equal to one-thousandth of a metre.
• Mobile Design: A process where a designer visits the customer site to digitally capture product dimensions when the item cannot be moved or transported.
• Monomer: A chemical compound that reacts to form a polymer.
• MOQ: Short for minimum order quantity, referring to the smallest number of units a supplier will sell in a single order.
• Mould Seam: A vertical groove or line created where two halves of a mould meet, also called a parting line.
• Multipoint Gluing: A technique where the adhesive is applied at multiple points on the packaging, allowing for complex designs. See Crash Lock Boxes for more details.
• Multi Trip: Packaging designed for repeated use over multiple shipments or deliveries.
• Multi Up: A printing method where presses are configured to produce multiple designs or shaped simultaneously, improving efficiency and reducing costs.

• Nanuk: A brand known for its durable protective cases, offering IP67-rated protection. Comparable to Peli cases in terms of performance and reliability.
• NATO Part Number (NSN): A 13-digit code used to identify standardised materials of supply within NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), a military alliance.
• N Case: A budget-friendly alternative to the Smart Case (refer to Smart Case). Commonly used for showcasing product samples or presentations.
• Nesting Containers: Storage containers with sloped sidewalls that allow them to stack inside one another when empty, helping to save space.
• Nomar: A water-based, glueable coating that offers enhanced resistance to abrasion.

• Offset Litho: A mass production printing method that utilises the offset printing technique.
• Offset Printing: A printing process where ink is transferred from a printing plate to a rubber blanket or roller, then onto the printing surface. This method is ideal for multi-colour labelling.
• Ohm: A unit of measurement for electrical resistance in a material or device.
• Open Front: Commonly used to describe Correx® picking bins or parts bins in warehouses. The open front design allows easy access to contents even when stacked.
• Operational Temperature: The temperature range within which a case or packaging can provide effective protection and performance.
• Output: The number of units produced during a manufacturing cycle on a given packaging line.
• Outside View: The external appearance of a packaging design.
• Overprint: The technique of printing one colour layer on top of another.

• Packing:The act of placing items into a packaging container for storage or shipment.
• Pallets: Flat structures, often made of wood, designed to support and stabilise goods for easy transport using forklifts or pallet jacks.
• Pallet Boxes: Large industrial containers attached to or positioned on top of pallets, ideal for bulk product shipment.
• Pantone: A standardised colour-matching system widely used in printing and design to ensure consistent colour reproduction.
• Paper: A versatile material made from cellulose pulp, formed into flexible sheets through a druing process.
• Water-Resistant Paper: Paper treated with special materials to provide some protection against damage or deterioration from liquid water.
• Partitions: Dividers placed within containers to separate items and provide cushioning. They can be corrugated, scored, or interlocking in design.
• PE: An abbreviation for Polyethylene. See Polyethylene for more details.
• Peli™: A well-known brand specialising in industrial safety torches and protective cases, often considered the standard in protective case solutions.
• Pelican™: See Peli™ for more details.
• Perforations: Small, strategically placed holes in materials designed to make opening easier for consumers.
• Performance: A measure of efficiency, output, durability, or other quantifiable characteristics.
• Picking Bin: Containers that store items ready to be selected and shipped to customers.
• PICK N PLUCH™: A trademarked Peli™ product featuring pre-scored foam that allows users to customise protective profiles for tools or equipment. It’s a budget friendly alternative to custom-engineered foam, often called cubed foam.
• Pick Face: The front-facing side of a storage unit that provides direct access for warehouse order pickers.
• Pillow Pack: A type of packaging that pops into shape resembling a small cardboard pillow, often with interlocking tabs. Ideal for smaller products.
• Pin-Holding: Tiny holes that appear in a finish or film due to surface imperfections. Coating specialists use various techniques to minimise this issue.
• Plastazote®: A durable polyethylene foam formed with nitrogen cells that are closed and cross-linked, preventing the absorption of liquids and gases. Widely used for high-performance protective packaging.
• Platen/Plate: A type of press that presses one flat surface against another, commonly used for short-run die-cutting.
• Plotter:A flatbed plotting machine used in design to create prototypes and pre-production samples. It’s also useful for low-volume production of specialised products.
• Pluch Foam: See PICK N PLUCK™ for more details.

• Plywood: A strong yet thin wooden board made from multiple layers of wood veneer glued and pressed together, with alternating grain directions for added strength.
• PMS: Short for Pantone Matching System, a standardised colour-matching system widely used in the printing industry. See Pantone for more details.
• Polyethylene: Often abbreviated as PE, polyethylene is the most commonly used plastic. It is translucent, durable, and has a waxy texture. Resistant to water and many chemicals, polyethene is classified into three types: low-density, medium-density, and high-density.
• Polyethylene Foam: a durable, closed-cell foam known for its strength and chemical resistance.
• Polymer: A substance of large molecules formed when smaller molecules bond together. Polymers such as polyethylene can be either natural or synthetic.
• Polypropylene: A plastic similar to polyethylene, known for its translucency and resistance to stress cracks, is commonly used in moulding applications.
• Polystyrene: A thermoplastic material produced by polymerizing styrene (vinyl benzene). It is non-toxic offers good resistance to water and weather conditions, but has poor impact strength and is considered less environmentally friendly.
• POS (Point of Sale): Promotional displays are typically positioned near tills or checkout areas to encourage purchases.
• Postal: Packaging designed for mailing items, such as boxes and postal tubes.
• PP: The abbreviation for Polypropylene. See Polypropylene for more details.
• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Equipment designed to protect the wearer from potential health or safety risks in the workplace.
• Press and Pull Catches: Latches that remain securely closed under pressure or impact but release when a button is pressed. These are commonly featured in Peli Storm cases.
• Print: Common printing terms used in corrugated packaging are detailed in Appendix 2.
• Product Amenities: Additional features that improve user convenience, such as crash-lock boxes for easier assembly or integrated tamper-evident designs.
• PU (Polyurethane): A versatile plastic that can take various forms, including flexible foams, rigid foams, and elastoplastics.
• Pulp: A fibrous material made by chemically or mechanically separating cellulose fibres from sources like waste paper, wood, and fibre crops.
• Purge Valve: A valve that equalises pressure inside a case by allowing air to pass through while preventing dust and water from entering.
• PVA Adhesive: Short for Polyvinyl Acetate, this rubbery synthetic polymer is a thermoplastic commonly used as an adhesive.

• Q Pick: A versatile, modular system designed to meet stock storage and picking requirements.
• Quote: A document typically prepared by an Estimator or Salesperson that outlines key details such as quantity, unit prices, total cost, customer information, and item descriptions.

• Rack Mount Case: A metal frame with multiple slots designed to hold and organise electronic equipment.
• Rack Unit: A standardised unit designed for use in flight cases or portable server enclosures.
• Rationalisation: The process of consolidating similar packaging lines to reduce inventory and improve cost efficiency.
• Recyclable: Materials that can be processed and reused instead of being discarded as waste.
• Reel: Also known as a spool or coil, this is a cylindrical device used to wind flexible materials for storage or transport.
• Registration: Marks or reference points on a print surface that ensure the correct alignment of printed designs, particularl in multi-colour printing.
• Resistance: A measure of how difficult it is for an electric current to pass through a conductor.
• Retail: The sale of products directly to consumers for personal use rather than resale.
• Retention Pack: A simple and cost-effective packaging solution that secures items in place for added protection. See Korrvu for more details.
• Reusable/Returnable: Packaging designed for multiple uses, ideal for multi-trip applications.
• RFQ: An abbreviation for Request for Quotation, a formal inquiry to obtain pricing and details for goods and services.
• Rivet: A metal fastener used to securely join materials together.
• Rose Plastic: A manufacturer of plastic packaging, established in 1953.
• Rotary Die Cutting: A die-cutting process performed on a cylindrical rotary press, often integrated with printing. This process uses solid engraved dies, adjustable dies, or magnetic plate tooling.
• Rotational Moulding: A plastic moulding technique used to create seamless, stress-free, hollow items in a single piece.
• Royal Mail Sizes: Size and weight guidelines established by Royal Mail that determine postage formats and costs.
• RSI: An abbreviation for Repetitive Strain Injury, a condition caused by repetitive movements or actions.
• Run: The total number of items produced in a single manufacturing cycle.

• Sampling: Creating a prototype for customer review and approval before starting mass production.
• Sample Case: A portable case used by salespeople to present and demonstrate their products to potential clients.
• Sealed Air: A packaging company best known for producing bubble wrap and materials like Ethaform and Stratocell.
• Seams: Methods used to join and secure packaging materials. Techniques may include glueing, taping, or stitching. For heavy-duty corrugated packaging, seams are often stitched for added strength.
• Shadow Board: A custom foam insert designed to organise tools within a case. It highlights when tools are missing or not returned to their designated spot.
• Sheet: A term used to describe raw materials such as corrugated board or Correx® sheets.
• Sheet Feeders: Facilities that produce corrugated sheets for box plants to convert into finished packaging products.
• Sheet Plant: An independent manufacturer that buys corrugated sheets from sheet feeders and converts them into packaging. Unlike sheet feeders, sheet plants do not have corrugators.
• Sheet Plant Association: An organisation that promotes best practices among member companies. It offers initiatives, training, and networking opportunities for its members.
• Shelf Life: The period during which a product remains functional or effective. In packaging, this term often refers to the durability of materials such as foam.
• Shelf-Ready Packaging (SRP): Packaging designed for retail display that arrives in an outer box that easily converts into a shelf-ready display unit.
• Shell Case: A modern alternative to traditional sample cases, often used for sales presentations.
• Shielding Layer: A conductive layer designed to block electrostatic fields, similar to the function of a Faraday cage.
• Silk-Screening: A printing technique that uses a mesh screen to transfer ink into a container. This method works on various shapes and surfaces, including closures, liners, and containers.
• Simulated Rainfall: A test to assess a case’s ability to protect its contents from liquid exposure. The test simulates four inches of rainfall per hour for 20 minutes on each side of the case.
• Single Pass Printing: A fast printing method that produces four-colour or monochrome designs in a single pass through the printer.
• Single Source: A packaging supply approach where one supplier handles a customer’s packaging needs. This method can reduce costs and simplify inventory management.
• Single-Up: A rotary die cutter designed to cut a single shape at a time.
• Single Wall: Also known as a double-faced board, this material features one fluted paper layer sandwiched between two paperboard sheets for added strength.
• SKB: A manufacturer specialising in durable travel and storage protection cases.
• SKU (Stock Keeping Unit): An identification code assigned to individual products or items to track inventory.
• SLA (Service Level Agreement): A contract between a customer and supplier that outlines the expected service standards and responsibilities.
• Sleeve: A customisable paperboard covering that slides over other packaging for decorative or information purposes.

• Smart case: A compact flight case typically used for presenting product samples.
• Sourcing: The entire process involves obtaining raw materials, from their growth or extraction to processing, including the collection and processing of recycled and reused materials.
• Spec Number: A five-digit code assigned to a design, which an oblique may follow if the design is upgraded.
• Spool: Also known as a reel or coil, a spool is a cylindrical object onto which flexible materials can be wound.
• SPRC: Scheduled Package Run Cycle refers to the time management allocated for the packaging line to produce the required units.
• SSE: Stands for Static Safe Environments.
• SSI Schaefer: A company that manufactures and supplies warehouse logistics systems, software, racking, shelving, storage solutions, and waste management equipment.
• Stack Height: Guidelines or regulations that ensure safe stacking practices for packaging.
• Stacking Corner: A reinforced plastic corner attachment for cases or packages designed to allow secure and stable stacking during transport.
• Standard 300: A standard series of presentation cases manufactured by Shell.
• Starpack: An awards programme that acknowledges outstanding innovations in packaging design and technology.
• Static Dissipative: A material or foam that safely disperses static charges, protecting sensitive items inside.
• Stereo: Also known as stereotype printing, this refers to a flexible printing plate used in flexographic printing.
• Stillage: A type of rack of pallets used to hold multiple items, commonly found in line-side and assembly environments.
• Stitched: A method where a machine uses stitching instead of glue to assemble a box, commonly used for large, heavy-duty boxes.
• Stock Holding: Another term for inventory or just-in-time (JIT) stock management.
• Storm Case™: A Peli™ branded case designed to protect expensive or delicate equipment during transport. Also referred to as Pelican™ cases.
• Strapping: The process of applying a strap to secure, hold together, and reinforce the stability of items.
• Stratocell: A low-cost polyethylene foam used for packaging that provides internal cushioning.
• Style (FEFCO): A guide for standard box designs created by the European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers.
• Supazote: A closed-cell, cross-linked ethylene copolymer foam with a soft feel and excellent cushioning properties.
• Supply Chain: A network of companies involved in producing, handling, and distributing a specific product.
• Surface Resistivity: The measure of electrical resistance on the surface of an insulated material, typically expressed in ohms.
• Suspension Pack: This is a protective packaging method in which a product is suspended between two layers of low-slip film to prevent movement and damage during transit.
• Sustainability: Using packaging materials with a longer life cycle and lower environmental impact.

• Tamper Resistant Seal: A seal designed to be permanently damaged if tampered with, ensuring visible evidence of any attempt to open it.
• Tamper-Evident Band: A band found below screw caps on bottles, used to show if the product has been tampered with.
• Tear Strip: A strip of plastic film or cord applied to the inside of a package allows for quick and easy opening.
• Tear Tab: A portion of a tear strip that extends outward, making it easier to grip and tear open the package.
• Technobag: A range of German-designed presentation cases, injection moulded from polypropylene.
• Test Liner: A recycled liner board is used in sheet form, either homogeneous (simplex) or a combination of layers (duplex or multi-ply), with a better-quality outer layer made from recycled fibre.
• Thermoforming: A manufacturing process where plastic is heated, vacuumed or pressured into moulds to create packaging such as blister packs, clamshells, and food displays.
• Thermoplastic: A plastic material that becomes mouldable when heated and solidifies when cooled.
• Tolerance: The allowable variation in weight or measurements for a product or material.
• Tool Control: A case insert designed to organise tools with different coloured foams to indicate if a tool is missing.
• Tongue and Groove Seal: A seal that features an extended groove for a tighter and more secure life closure by fitting into a corresponding groove.
• Tote: A stackable plastic container often used for industrial purposes to hold and transport goods.
• Transit: The process of moving goods from one location to another, such as during shipping or courier delivery.
• Transit Damage:  Damage that occurs to a product during transportation.
• Travel Skips: Large aluminium cases designed for transporting sports kits and equipment. Also known as kit skips.
• Trays: Industrial packaging used to organise and display samples, components, or parts.
• Tiboelectric Charge: An electric charge generated when certain materials come into contact with others, often resulting in static electricity.
• Tri-Wall: A corrugated board made with three layers of fluted paper, offering strength, flexibility, and eco-friendliness.
• Tubes: Corrugated tubes are used for various purposes, including postal mailing, often with end caps to secure contents.
• Turkey Lock: A type of lock featuring an overlap base that does not require tape to stay closed.
• TUV SUD: A company with accredited testing facilities offering packaging testing services to assess damage risks during transit.

• Ultrasonic Welding: A manufacturing process that uses high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to join materials under pressure, creating a solid-state weld, often used for plastics.
• Un Number: A four-digit number the United Nations Committee of Experts assigned to identify a specific group of substances, particularly for transporting hazardous goods.
• Unit Cost: The total cost for a company to produce, store, and sell a single unit of a product, encompassing fixed costs, overhead, material costs, and labour expenses.

• VE (Value Engineering): A method focused on enhancing the value of goods or services by increasing their functionality or reducing associated costs.
• Varnish: A transparent ink that can be applied in gloss, satin, or matte finishes, used to protect surfaces or improve the visual appeal of a product.
• VCI (Vapour Corrosion Inhibitor): A coating that offers passive and active protection against corrosion by releasing vapours that prevent rust and deterioration.
• Vector: A graphic composed of paths defined by start and end points. Unlike pixel-based images, vector graphics can be resized without losing quality.
• Vibration, Loose Cargo: A test stimulates the stresses products may experience during transportation. It helps manufacturers develop packaging solutions that minimise damage caused by vibration.
• Vibration Sweep: A vibration test where the frequency varies in a sweeping motion, cycling from one frequency to another and back again. This is used to test the effectiveness of protective cases.
• Virgin Material: A material not processed beyond its original manufacture.
• VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory): A system where the packaging supplier monitors and maintains the customer’s inventory levels, ensuring they stay within the predefined minimum and maximum thresholds.
• Void Fill: Materials placed inside a box to cushion and secure products and prevent damage during transit. Common void fills include foam, paper, air sacks, and bubble wrap.
• Volume: The capacity or displacement of a product or packaging, indicating the amount of space it occupies or the quantity produced.
• Volume Resistivity: The ability of a material to resist the flow of electric current, measured per unit.
• Vortex Pressure Relief Valve: A valve that automatically regulates air pressure while preventing water from entering the case.

• WAG: A German manufacturer offering a variety of plastic presentation cases. See Technobag for more details.
• Warehousing: The process of storing parts or components in a designated area or facility.
• Wastage: Materials or products that do not meet the requied quality standards and are discarded or deemed unusable.
• Waterjet Cutting: A technique that uses high-pressure jet of water to cut through materials like foam, capable of created precise and deept cuts, unlike traditional routing methods.
• Weight: Refers to the density of a material. For more information, see GSM (grams per quare metre).
• Wez: A brand specialising in conductive cases and containers.
• With Flute: A measurement unit that follows the direction of the fluted layer in corrugated materials.

• Xtrabag: A lightweight plastic case from the Hofbauer range.

• Zarges: A manufacturer specialising in a variety of aluminium shipping cases and containers.
• Zotefoams®: The leading producer of lightweight polyolefin block foams. See AZOTE® for more details.