3, 5 OR 7 PLY?

"Ply" is the number of paper layers in the corrugated board. More layers make a stiffer, stronger box that stacks higher and protects heavier goods, at a higher price. Picking the right ply avoids paying for strength you do not need, and avoids boxes that crush in transit.

What the layers are

Corrugated board is made of flat papers (liners) and wavy papers (flutes) glued between them:

• 3 ply — two liners and one flute
• 5 ply — three liners and two flutes
• 7 ply — four liners and three flutes

Which ply for which job

• 3 ply: light products, retail and e-commerce mailers, inner cartons, display boxes
• 5 ply: most shipping cartons — moderately heavy goods, boxes that are stacked in a warehouse or truck
• 7 ply: heavy and industrial goods, machinery and auto parts, export cartons that travel far and stack high

Flute size matters too

The height of the flute changes how the box behaves. Taller flutes cushion and stack better; narrow flutes (such as E flute) give a smoother surface that prints sharply and folds neatly. Our plant runs narrow-flute and E-flute corrugation machines alongside the 3 ply / 5 ply line, so we can match the flute to the job.

Ply is not the whole story

Two 5 ply boxes can differ a lot in strength, because the paper inside them differs. The paper's GSM and bursting factor decide the final strength — see our BF, GSM and bursting strength guide. Tell us what you pack, its weight and how the boxes travel, and we will suggest the ply and paper.

How to order

Call or WhatsApp us on +91 99998-11449 with the box size (length × width × height), ply, print and quantity, or the product you need to pack. We reply with a quote, make the boxes at our Faridabad plant and deliver within 24 hours of dispatch being agreed.