20 Apr 2012 Sustainable Packaging Corrugated Design – RSC versus FOL
Posted at 12:43h
in Sustainable Products
[caption id="attachment_3437" align="alignright" width="300" caption="FOL BOX (LEFT) AND RSC BOX"]
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Like most industries, the corrugated business loves acronyms, and these are two of the most common.
RSC Boxes
RSC stands for “regular slotted carton” and is the typical box construction that results in four flaps on the bottom box opening and four flaps at the top opening. On a rectangular box, the smaller side panel flaps are the minor flaps, and the larger, longer ones creating the box length are called the major panels. The key point distinguishing an RSC box is that the major panels meet in the middle where they are typically taped together using plastic or water-activated tape.
FOL boxes
This acronym stands for “Full Overlap,” which is what the flaps in this case do. In some cases, two panels are cut so they extend all the way to the opposite side, but in many cases all four panels are cut and designed to completely overlap. The photo above clearly shows the difference in the flap lengths on a similar size carton.
When you first call Luna Sandals and are greeted by a recording of the friendly voice of the company owner and founder, introducing himself as Bare Foot Ted, you realize you are connecting with a unique company.
Ted and many of his staff are accomplished “barefoot” runners, and it was that passion for his sport that led him to create the premier huarache style sandal. I encourage every reader to visit the 
100% RECYCLED CONTENT RETAIL CARTONS[/caption]
The term “so good it melts in your mouth” is over-hyped and so over used it has nearly lost all meaning. However, it really is an accurate description of the candy product made by one of our newest Globe Guard customers.
Barbary Brix is a San Francisco-based company that makes candy the way it used to be made before high-production equipment and cost-saving recipes became the norm. Check out the delicious assortment of unique flavors they offer on their online Barbary Brix candy store. My wife was almost immediately addicted to their “Salty Dog” flavor, and as one who enjoys nuts with his caramel, I am now a huge fan of “The Prospector.” 
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We are very quickly becoming a leading source for stock size die cut mailer boxes that can be custom printed with YOUR name, logo, return address, etc. The photos included in this post show off two of our most popular stock mailer sizes that have been custom printed to create an attractive and unique look.
What’s the benefit of utilizing a stock size?
We are able to save our customers time and money if we can avoid making a cutting die and are able to use one of the dies we already have on hand. Depending on a number of variables, a new cutting die for a mailer of this type can cost $500 to $800. What is at times even more important is that using an already made die saves time, in most cases a minimum of one week. 
I’ll put it bluntly but politely - most secondary packaging (boxes, tape, etc.) we receive from overseas is not very good. People have shared countless stories with us about boxes that smell funny, are weak, thinner than expected, don’t stack well, don’t hold up in shipment, etc. And it matters little whether the packaging originates in China, India or almost any place else on the globe.
Domestically produced boxes, even boxes like our 100% recycled content Globe Guard® boxes, are better and stronger than the vast majority of corrugated boxes that are used to ship the imported products we all purchase. It is widely accepted that when the US buyer negotiates a lower price with a foreign manufacturer, one of the areas that is most easily cheapened is the packaging used for shipping it here. 
Programs that send new or promotional product samples to the home have been around for a while, but in most cases they are directed and financed by manufacturers eager to get their products into consumers' hands.
The Conscious Box is different in that manufacturers cannot “buy” their way into your home. The products are carefully reviewed and approved for their authenticity as well as for the value they deliver to subscribers. The program is also an excellent way for consumer/subscribers to learn about and try new fair trade or eco-friendly products offered by small- to mid-size manufacturers. 
Evertune is a company that has received a lot of well-deserved applause for creating an innovation that is changing the world of music. The company’s lead product, the award-winning Evertune guitar bridge, is able to keep a guitar in perfect tune 
Today, there are few companies selling products wholesale or in brick-and-mortar retail outlets that are not also offering their products directly to consumers via the internet. This relatively new market provides tremendous sales opportunities as well as challenges because the packaging required for this type of customer seems to fall somewhere in between usual retail and wholesale requirements.
“I want something more than just a shipping box!”
That is a common request by packaging customers and design clients who understand their web customer is technically a direct retail customer who is NOT carrying his product (and packaging) home. The product is being shipped via UPS, FedEx or USPS, so the packaging needs to be more durable than what is typically found on the retail shelf level.
Sellers of green products have the additional requirement of making the packaging they are shipping into their customers’ homes as minimal and green as possible. We refer to it as being “eco consistent” when our products, marketing and packaging all communicate the same green message and standards. 
I have spent several decades in the packaging industry and almost five years specifically in the green packaging market. During that time, I have come to appreciate both innovations that may have limited appeal but solve a specific or unique problem, as well as products that may not be as newsworthy but provide a solution to a much wider group of customers.
What Is a Broad-Based Solution?
In my mind, it is a product that would have mass appeal and solve a common or very typical packaging problem. For example, when we and others began promoting 100% recycled content corrugated for shipping boxes, the concept did not win awards or grace the cover of packaging magazines, even though it could potentially benefit every single shipping box buyer and user.