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What are Cereal Boxes Made of?

January 30, 2025

According to a study, the cereal market is growing fast, and the market volume will be expanding around in the coming years. The cereal market is about to touch US$25.35bn in 2029. Ever wonder what makes a cereal box tick? You know, those sturdy homes for our favorite breakfast treat? Well, the star of the show is usually cardboard. It's tough enough to keep those crunchy flakes safe but still light enough for us to carry with ease. And the best part?

These cardboard are recyclable, which makes them an eco-friendly option. These sturdy, recycled packaging for your cereal boxes is a plus. You know, cereal boxes have come a long way! It's not just about keeping your favorite flakes safe anymore. Today, they're a canvas for creativity and a reflection of our changing world. First off, science is playing a bigger role than ever.

Research is showing us that compostable materials are the way to go. Think about packaging that disappears back into the earth. It is pivotal to note that a cereal box has to be chosen wisely as it determines how presentable and safe your product will be. To make it stand out on the retail shelves you will also be establishing a great brand reputation.

What Are Custom Cereal Packaging Made of?

Companies augment to several new strategies for the effective manufacturing of cereal packaging. However, it is substantial to note that each brand of cereal prioritizes sustainable packaging practices. Our company has been the pioneer in promoting sustainability. The market is rapidly growing as the cereal industry is all in the rage. As back in 2018, people in America spent 8.5 billion dollars on purchasing RTE ready-to-eat cereal, which is much higher than any other breakfast food.

That's why we use food-grade and FSC certified materials to give long-term storage to delicate cereals. The best thing is that we laminate the cereal on the box's surface with eco-friendly coatings like gloss, matt finish and an aqueous coating to make it resistant to moisturization, tears and wear, sunlight and heat. Let's have a look at the materials options in detail.

List of Materials Popular For Packaging

Kraft papers are one of the perfect materials for food packaging. as it's the food-graded packaging. Kraft paper is a considerable choice for designing custom cereal boxes because of its important characteristics. Kraft is the best yet highly enthralling packaging that's also eco-friendly. It's made with wooden chips and brings no toxicity to your cereals. If you are looking for made-up cereal boxes, here are materials that could be used.

Kraft paper is 100% eco-friendly.
It can be recycled and reused.
Kraft paper packaging is lightweight and easy to ship
Kraft Paper also gives an earthy feel
Kraft is robust in resisting harmful environmental elements

Cardboard Paper Packaging

Cardboard paper is one of the impeccable choices for creating stunning empty cereal packaging. Here are the reasons to pick cardboard or cardstock for food boxes.

It's food-grade packaging that has no side effects on the food items. It goes through die-cutting as per the shape of a cereal box. Cardboard comes with plain surfaces, so it's also quite easier to print as it has a white surface and can adopt several colors. Cereal box design can be taken into consideration and it gets die-cutting.

Likewise Kraft cardboard paper is eco-friendly and recyclable as well. Cardboard packaging is sturdy and can withstand handling pressures and environmental factors as well. In addition, you will be able to get decor for cardboard paper bringing beautiful finishings.

Corrugated

You can get shipping of food items like cereals in the best way. Especially cereal manufacturers have corrugated material for shipping. The manufacturers ship plain cereal boxes flat as corrugated material is designed in a way with thick corrugated flutes.

Shipping of food items, especially cereals, is a challenging thing for cereal manufacturers.

This material has the sheer strength to handle a large number of flat cardboard cereal boxes. This packaging can effectively handle traveling traumas and is suitable for inventory stores as well. Thus, cereals are shipped in actual condition from the doorsteps to end users. It's not something to be used with cereal box material, but prepared cereal packaging can be transported through it.

The Cereal Boxes Making Process

Now, creating a cereal box is not as simple as it might seem. First, those eye-catching designs get printed, ready to grab our attention at the store. Then, giant sheets of cardboard are transformed into boxes, folded and glued with precision. The boxes can be altered as per your cereal box design and you will get exceptional and secure packaging.

After the assembling of the box, cereal gets packed inside as it snugly fits within like a bug fits in a rug; these are air-tightened and sealed. The freshness is kept intact. This way, the production goal is to create a practical yet sturdy cereal box. It is, of course, tailored to perfection for a super appealing feel.

Regular Dimensions of Cereal Boxes

Type	Height (in)	Width (in)	Depth (in)
Single-Serve/Mini	4.7–6	3.1–4	1.6–2
Regular	9.8–12	5.9–7.9	2–2.8
Family Size	12–14	7–9.8	2.4–3.5
Large Family Size	14–16	7.9–9.8	2.8–4

Why Cardboard Reigns Supreme?

So, why all the cardboard love? Well, cardboard is the most astounding and reliable material for the job. It's quite durable and a fantastic option for packaging cereal. This material is quite handy to store. It's easy on the retail shelves and pantries as well. These are extra mindful of the environment; there's a kraft paper, and it's also biodegradable, making it a greener option. From a strong functional eco-conscious choice, it's popular, and also its counterpart stays on top when it comes to reduced carbon footprints.

The height of a cereal box usually ranges from 9 to 12 inches (22.86 to 30.48 centimeters). While the height, width, and depth of a cereal box contribute to its overall size and volume, these dimensions can indirectly relate to cereal box weight. It also is perfect for consumer convenience, big enough to be substantial but not too overwhelming. If you're designing or purchasing, this is the sweet spot for most cereal products, balancing both aesthetics and practicality.

Dimension	Description
Size	Varies greatly depending on the product (family size, individual servings, etc.)
Shape	Typically, rectangular prisms exist, but variations exist.
Material	Primarily cardboard, with potential variations like corrugated or kraft paper.

Going Beyond Cardboard

While cardboard is the classic choice, there are other materials in the mix, too. Some companies use corrugated paper or rigid boards for extra protection, especially for heavier cereals or when the box needs to be extra sturdy. But no matter the material, the goal remains the same: a box that can withstand the journey from the factory to our homes without falling apart.

Food Safety First

Now, this is important: all the materials used in a cereal box must be food-grade. This means they're safe for direct contact with our food and won't compromise the quality or taste of our cereal. It's all about keeping that breakfast delicious and safe for us to enjoy.

Recycling Giving Back to the Planet

One of the coolest things about cereal boxes is that they're recyclable! Most of them are made from paperboard, which can be transformed into new products. In fact, many cereal boxes are already made from recycled paper, which is a fantastic way to reduce waste. Once recycled, the paperboard is broken down, cleaned, and given a new life, perhaps as insulation or even pet bedding.

It's integral to pick eco-friendly options, which are mostly cardboard. You will not only be protecting cereal but can protect the planet, too. These custom cereal boxes are all the rage these days. Your customer's favorite action figures and cartoon characters can be published with endless possibilities.

Cereal packaging is yet resilient, strong, stable and moisture resistant and packed in chemical-free pouches. These are then placed into cardboard boxes, which are made of lightweight chipboard that makes it an eco-friendly option.

Evolving Technology Packaging of the Future

There's technology taking cereal boxes from augmented reality beginning to pop up. Your customers will be able to scan the code for unfolding games, recipes and even nutritional information right on your phone so that it will be an interactive breakfast with your brand's cereals. Brands are getting super smart about personalization, and they are coming up with brand elements printed on labels. From plain cereal boxes to colored ones, technology has paved many ways.

Why use customized packaging for the storage of cereals? Product safety is not the sole purpose of packaging. Apart from that, customized packaging plays a vital role in building a positive brand image and optimizing sales. Here are the advantages of choosing custom-made cereal boxes:

An ideal tool to advertise business
Keep the freshness and taste of cereals for a longer period
Create brand recognition
Cost-effective packaging solution
Build positive brand and client’s relation
The best source to promote green packaging
Offer clients an unforgettable buying and unboxing experience

Sustainability Matters

Sustainability is also a big deal. We are seeing more and more brands explore things like edible packaging (yes, you read that right!) and circular packaging systems, where the packaging can be reused or recycled again and again.

The future of cereal boxes is looking pretty exciting. These are not only boxes anymore, but they refer to a blend of sophistication, and a little bit of magic for breathing in packaging. It's a great time to be a cereal lover as a manufacturer.

Preserving Freshness With Packaging

The cereal packaging material plays a crucial role which is overlooked as it has significance to preserve freshness and flavor of your product. It's up to the mark that construction requires careful engineering. It's meticulously designed to protect the delicate cereal from a myriad of threats.

Traditionally, fiberboard boxes have been the mainstay, providing a sturdy foundation. However, the inner lining is where the real magic happens. A crucial component is a barrier to moisture, preventing the cereal from becoming soggy and compromising its taste. This barrier also acts as a guardian, confining the enticing aroma of the cereal within the package while simultaneously shielding it from the intrusion of foreign odors. Furthermore, the packaging must be resealable to maintain freshness between servings.

Standards Followed For Strength

While glassine liners were once the standard, modern packaging often utilizes thin gauge high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or even coextruded with a layer of EVA copolymer. These materials offer a balance of strength and flexibility, allowing for easy opening while maintaining a secure seal.

Cereal Box Protection

Interestingly, in certain cases, a liner may not be necessary. For cereals that are less susceptible to moisture and retain their texture well in ambient conditions, a liner can even be detrimental, potentially trapping rancid aromas within the package. In such instances, either no liner or a vapor-permeable liner may be employed.

Conclusion

The selection of the optimal packaging solution requires a careful evaluation, considering ecological, economic, and social factors. A comprehensive assessment necessitates the consideration of various criteria, indicators, and evaluation methods to determine the most suitable and sustainable approach for both the product and the environment. At Print247, with attention to detail, we provide you packaging that matches your needs.

AUTHOR

Bill ‘Hogg’ Ryan

Bill is a Houston-based packaging writer with 6 years in the industry. His hands-on career began with printing machines; he has built profound expertise in custom packaging solutions across multiple sectors, including cosmetics, food, and retail. A recognized industry contributor in the State. Bill now shares insights through writing, focusing on packaging trends and innovations. In his leisure time, he can be seen riding his favorite Stallion, ‘Tex,’ or jamming to country music.