Cartoning Services

carton packagingYour product’s packaging is one of the first, and therefore most important, impressions you can make on customers. If your packaging isn’t making an impact on shoppers, you can bet that your competitors’ packaging will. Econo-Pak’s full-range carton services help in cases like these, successfully maximizing your brand’s potential.

What are carton services?

Cartoning is a technique manufacturers use to encase consumable and non-consumable goods in individual or bundled packaging for consumer distribution. Not only does this process facilitate product transportation and distribution, but it also combines the necessary design elements to turn shoppers into buyers. Econo-Pak brings more than 40 years of experience to the contract packaging field, so your next product is sure to stand out on the shelves. We’re trusted by organizations ranging from small, independent firms to Fortune 500 giants.

Carton service packaging

This versatile packaging method provides an efficient means to pack and ship products to distribution centers and retail outlets. Many suppliers take advantage of cartoning for reasons including:
  • Ability to work with a broad range of food product types
  • Customizable package size and design options
  • Enhanced product efficiency
  • Easy and safe sealing techniques
  • Reduced waste
  • Reduced labor costs
These benefits make cartoning a great way to distribute your products around the world.

Cartoning industries

Many industries use cartoning techniques for their distribution and retail practices. Among them are:
  • Retail outlets
  • Supermarkets and wholesale stores
  • Craft breweries
  • Beverage bottlers
  • Club stores
  • Pharmacies
  • Food vendors and services
Manufacturers in these industries consider cartoning a safe, reliable, and efficient way to conveniently ship products without risking their integrity or quality.

Cartoning machines

Several types of machines are available to form, fill, and seal your carton packages. Cartoning machines, or cartoners, come in two basic types:
  • Vertical cartoners, which pull carton blanks from a magazine and open them into carton flights vertically
  • Horizontal cartoners, also called end-load cartoners, which pull carton blanks from the magazine, open them into a horizontal flight, and fill them either manually or automatically

Carton service capabilities

Your next project is safe with us thanks to our extensive carton service capabilities, which include:
  • Running three shifts daily
  • Providing daily production updates to clients
  • Achieving quick turnaround times on all quotes
  • Offering production capacities ranging from one to 1 billion units
  • Providing full-service trial runs
  • Including more than 200 different packaging machines in our inventory
  • Working with dedicated customer care representatives
All our solutions have been certified by the FDA and the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI). We also carry certifications from New Jersey and Pennsylvania Boards of Health, the Oxford Union for Kosher Food, Bay State Organics, and the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America.

Outsource cartoning with Econo-Pak

From our facility location in Milford, Pennsylvania, we provide the safe, convenient, and cost-efficient carton services your products need. Request a quote for more information on how Econo-Pak can help with your next packaging project.  

Let's start scaling.

Is your demand outpacing your ability to package your own product? Then consider outsourcing with Econo-Pak.

With over 40 years of experience working with both small brands and Fortune 500 companies, we are capable of handling your specific dry food product.

Get in touch with our team for a fixed-price quote for your project.

Cartoning FAQs

What is the process of sealing cartons and why is it important?

Sealing cartons is a crucial final step in the cartoning process. This process typically involves the use of dedicated machines that create secure seals to ensure the safety and protection of the product inside the carton until it reaches the consumer. These machines are designed to apply the correct amount of glue each time, reducing waste and ensuring a strong seal. Proper carton sealing helps to prevent damage to the product during transit and storage, ultimately safeguarding the quality and integrity of the items inside. Additionally, efficient carton sealing can contribute to cost savings by minimizing labor requirements and reducing the risk of product loss or damage.

What are the different types of carton loaders and their functions?

Different types of carton loaders serve the purpose of efficiently and accurately placing products into cartons. One common type is the automatic pick-and-place carton loader, equipped with a machine vision system that detects product placement. These loaders typically utilize robotic technology, such as Delta robots, to pick up and gently place products into cartons. This type of carton loader is designed to replace traditional collate and load machines, enhancing efficiency and reducing the risk of jams. Additionally, some carton loaders are built with modular frames to streamline the manufacturing process and save space on the plant floor. Depending on the design, carton loaders can handle a variety of product counts and configurations, making them versatile for different packaging needs. Furthermore, certain models can accommodate bulk products using specialized feeding technology, enabling efficient packaging of various product types.

What are lock-formed cartons and glue-formed cartons?

Lock-formed cartons are a type of carton that is put together by interlocking flaps without the use of any adhesive. On the other hand, glue-formed cartons are cartons where the flaps are sealed using an adhesive. Both types are commonly used in packaging and offer different methods for assembling and sealing the cartons securely.

How does a standard carton sealer function?

A standard carton sealer starts by applying hot melt glue as cartons are conveyed into the sealing chamber. The carton is then vertically elevated within the sealer. Cartoning machines are designed to accommodate various end-load style cartons and is equipped to use the precise amount of glue required for each seal, significantly reducing glue consumption compared to conventional gluers. Additionally, it has a compact design, occupying minimal space on the production floor, which helps in reducing labor costs. Some cartoning machines can be operated either automatically or manually, providing flexibility based on the production needs.

How do top load cartoners differ from horizontal cartoners?

Cartoning machines, or cartoners, come in two basic types: Vertical cartoners, which pull carton blanks from a magazine and open them into carton flights vertically; Horizontal cartoners, also known as end-load cartoners, which pull carton blanks from the magazine, open them into a horizontal flight, and fill them either manually or automatically.

Vertical cartoners efficiently handle the packaging process by pulling carton blanks from a magazine and opening them into vertical carton flights, ready for product loading. These cartoners are commonly used for a wide range of products across various industries, ensuring seamless packaging operations.

In contrast, horizontal cartoners, or end-load cartoners, employ a different approach by pulling carton blanks from the magazine and opening them into a horizontal flight orientation. This method allows for products to be filled into the cartons either manually or automatically, catering to diverse packaging needs. Horizontal cartoners are often utilized for products like frozen pizzas, showcasing their versatility in handling specific types of goods effectively.

Both vertical and horizontal cartoners play crucial roles in the packaging landscape, offering distinct functionalities to meet different packaging requirements across industries.