A stereo is a printing plate essential for the print process. It is necessary for creating prints based on the artwork, and each job requires a specific stereo. Despite the initial cost, stereos can be reused multiple times until a change in artwork is necessary.

Dies are made up of metal strips known as “rule”. This rule is either sharpened for cutting through paperboard or left slightly dull for scoring purposes, such as the closing flaps of a folding carton. Dies are crucial for creating folds in materials like chipboard or corrugated fiberboard.

Flute refers to the wavy layer of paperboard material sandwiched between two flat linerboards in corrugated board. It is the primary component that gives corrugated board its strength and cushioning ability.

The most common flute profiles:

A-Flute is the most substantial and thickest flute profile among all corrugated flutes. It has a height of approximately 4.8mm and provides excellent cushioning and protection during shipping and handling. Ideal for heavy and fragile items such as appliances, electronics, and furniture.

B-Flute is the second most common flute profile after A-Flute. It has a height of around 3.2mm and offers good cushioning and stacking strength. Suitable for cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals.

E-Flute is the thinnest flute profile. It has a height of around 1.6mm and provides a smooth surface for printing high-quality graphics. Suitable for cosmetics, food, and electronics.

F-Flute is a specialty flute profile that has a height of approximately 0.8mm. It provides excellent printing surface and is ideal for luxury goods, displays, and point-of-purchase (POP) materials.

Understanding the different flute profiles is essential for selecting the right corrugated board for your packaging.

Typically, packaging lead time refers to the time it takes for the manufacturer to make your packaging. However, there are many other lead time components that, when combined, create the entire lead time from the moment you think you need packaging to the moment your customers are holding it in their hands.

So, basically, manufacturing lead times start once:

1. The packaging is designed and signed-off on.

2. The manufacturer gets a formal purchase order (P.O.)

3. Some kind of deposit is received or line of credit is offered.