In the world of packaging, choosing the right box design can greatly impact the effectiveness and efficiency of your packaging process. An industry standard that has made this process significantly simpler is FEFCO. The European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers (FEFCO) has created a set of standardized box design codes known as FEFCO styles. This blog post aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of what FEFCO styles are and how they function.
What is FEFCO?
FEFCO is an acronym for Fédération Européenne des Fabricants de Carton Ondulé, or the European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers. It is an organization that represents the interests of the corrugated industry across Europe. One of their major contributions to the industry is the introduction of a standardized code system for different styles of corrugated and solid board boxes, commonly referred to as FEFCO styles.
What are FEFCO Styles?
FEFCO styles represent a universally recognized system of reference codes, which are used to standardize the wide range of different box designs that exist. This standardization allows for easier communication about box designs between manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers across the globe. They have been categorically divided into a series of design groups from 01xx to 09xx, each group representing a type of box or accessory.
The Different FEFCO Styles
Let’s delve into the various categories of the FEFCO styles to understand what each one represents.
- 01xx – Commercial Rolls and Sheets: These refer to basic forms of paper that can be further transformed into other types of packaging materials.
- 02xx – Slotted-type Boxes: This category includes standard box designs, the most common of which is the 0201 style. This style consists of a one-piece blank where the two outer flaps (usually the lengthwise flaps) meet in the center of the box when folded.
- 03xx – Telescope Type Boxes: These boxes are made of more than one piece and are usually a combination of two slotted-type boxes.
- 04xx – Folder Type Boxes and Trays: These are usually made from one piece of board that is creased, slotted, and folded to form a box without the need for stitching or taping.
- 05xx – Slide Type Boxes: Consisting of several pieces of liners and sleeves sliding in different directions into each other, these are commonly used for tall and narrow products.
- 06xx – Rigid Type Boxes: These boxes are made in multiple pieces of board that are glued, stitched, or taped together, and are not collapsible or foldable.
- 07xx – Ready Glued Boxes: Delivered flat-ready glued, these boxes can be erected by a simple folding operation.
- 08xx – Interior Fitments: These include all kinds of inserts, dividers, and fixed or removable fittings.
- 09xx – Special Designs: These codes are assigned to unique or innovative packaging designs that do not fit into any of the other categories.
Conclusion
FEFCO styles offer a universal language for box design, making it easier to communicate, produce, and order packaging worldwide. These standardized codes allow manufacturers and consumers to accurately describe and understand the type of box they are dealing with, which ultimately leads to improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the packaging industry. Understanding FEFCO styles is thus essential for anyone involved in packaging, logistics, and related fields.
