Technical Resources
What is Flute?
Flute is the corrugated (wavy) portion of cardboard that gives cardboard its characteristic strength. It is glued to a paper liner in a wavy texture, which forms arches that are strong and perfect for packaging, displays and other applications that require strength. Multiple layers of flute can be used to increase the strength of the cardboard.
In addition to multiple layers, there are different types of flute, which range from stronger structure, but lower-quality print to high quality print, but weaker structure. While the range of flute goes form grade K to grade O, the following are the most common types of flute:
K-Flute - ≥ 5 mm
Used when structural strength is integral. Not typically used to detailed graphics that are printed directly on the board
A-Flute – 4.0 - 4.9 mm
Most widely used when structural strength is required. Not typically used for detailed graphics that are printed directly on to the board
C-Flute – 3.1 - 3.9 mm
Most widely used when structural strength is required. Not typically used for detailed graphics that are printed directly on to the board
B-Flute – 2.2 – 3.0 mm
Good print surface and strong structure. This is the most common type of flute that is used
E-Flute – 1.0 – 1.8 mm
A light, excellent print surface that shows minimal flute lines
F-flute – 0.6 – 0.9 mm
Very thin flute that allows for a very good printing surface
In order to create different strengths, thicknesses, and printing surfaces, different kinds of flute are commonly used and combined by gluing them to a single liner. When they are combined, this is called double or triple-wall construction, as you are gluing different layers of flute together.
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