The tuck flap is one of the most versatile and secure closures for transport and storage cartons and product packaging. With various insertion systems, for example with side flaps or locking closure, you ensure that cartons really stay closed.

Your customers can also see at first glance that the package has reached them unopened. Adhesive strips and seals can provide additional security. In this way, you can make particularly sustainable use of packaging with tuck-in flaps in logistics and warehousing.

How does the classic tuck-in flap work?

Tuck-in flaps and closures based on a similar system have been around for many years. The mechanism is conceivably simple and yet secure: an extended piece of material on one side of the packaging - the flap or tongue - is inserted into a slot or loop on the other side.

With a locking closure, the front sides of the tab are slightly wider than the loop, so the closure locks into place. With other closures, the slot is slightly narrower than the insertion tab, which is why it sits firmly in the recess.

In the past, this type of closure was used for leather-bound books, for example, which were able to survive for centuries because the pages were permanently pressed tightly together without being exposed to UV light and oxygen.

Today, the tuck-in flap is used wherever things need to be closed with a flick of the wrist, for example in product packaging made of plastic and cardboard, transport and storage cartons, letter mail and envelopes, textile bags and sleeves. Wooden or metal tuck-in tabs are also used in construction, but mostly for parts that are to remain permanently connected with a perfect fit.

In our assortment you will find various cardboard packaging that can be closed with a flap and can be used several times without any problems.

Advantages of cartons and packaging with tuck-in flaps

In your warehouse, fast packing and shipping is certainly essential. That's why you, as the decision maker, rely on carton and packaging materials that are quick and easy to assemble, fill and seal.

At the same time, every shipping package should be as inexpensive as possible and equally functional. This is where tuck-in flaps score all along the line. The tuck-in flap and the slot into which it is to be inserted are part of the foldable carton.

The tab does not need to be individually cut out and attached, but is created by punching the top of the box. The slit is also already pre-cut. You fold the cardboard or shipping bag as usual and can insert the flap with a flick of the wrist.

This not only saves time, but also material. In many cases, for example, if an outer packaging still exists or the shipping bag is enclosed in a cardboard box, you do not have to resort to additional sealing materials such as adhesive tape.

In case of confidential content, the additional adhesive strip at the end of the flap also serves as a seal and makes it clear that the packaging is unopened. This gives your customers a sense of security/strong> that the goods are as good as new, personally packaged for them. Apart from this, there is no need for additional plastic or packaging material, as well as often no cushioning material.

If the insertion flap is not a locking closure, the flap can usually be opened and closed again without any problems. With a little practice, this also works with locking closures. This means that storage cartons, shipping and product packaging can be used longer and several times.

Your customers appreciate the use of cartons with insert tabs that can be used over and over again in the event of a return or reuse for their own shipments.

Instead of a carton with a seal that needs to be opened once, you are choosing packaging that permanently reduces waste. Of course, our corrugated cardboard boxes can also be recycled via paper waste.

Packaging with tuck-in flap is used in these areas

Tuck-in latches are used in every area of industry and logistics. Hardly any industry does without the intelligent closures. Everything that can be packed and shipped in cartons can also be closed with flaps.

Of course, it depends on weight and dimensions whether the closure can withstand loads. When using packaging that can be closed with flaps, it is important that the packed product is always slightly smaller than the outer packaging.

For boxes that are sealed with packing tape or strapping, the product can fit tightly without the package opening. However, if you are working exclusively with tuck-in flaps, there should be no pressure whatsoever on the packaging so that the flap is not pushed out.

We recommend using packaging with tuck-in flaps, for example, for letter mail, small and medium boxes, bottle boxes and gift boxes.

One of the great advantages of the flap closure is also that customers can immediately see on which side they can open a carton. They don't have to reach for a cutter knife.

A gift box, for example, can therefore be equipped with decorative cushioning materials inside. The products lie on top and are protected by another protective layer, for example made of paper.

When customers open the package via the tab, they see the products in the order you want them - for example, a greeting card, promotional materials, invoice, followed by the ordered goods - which are placed on decorative backing made of absorbent cotton, excelsior, styrofoam or textile packaging materials.

Acting sustainably through the use of reusable packaging

Protecting the environment is a real concern for many companies today, and resources as well as time-intensive planning of logistics and internal processes go into it. The paperless office and the elimination of printing invoices and sending catalogs is often an important step.

Sooner or later, most medium-sized companies decide to

companies to use cartons that are both recyclable and high quality. Replacing inexpensive thin cardboard boxes with single-use closures with thick-walled boxes with tuck flaps will benefit your customers as well as your logistics team.

Our cartons with flap closure can be folded at the shipping station in just a few steps and do not require additional strapping or gluing. This reduces the time employees have to spend per shipment.

This leaves more time, especially in small companies, for decorative packaging of goods, assembling shipments and communication with customers.

Cartons with tuck-in flap also offer significant advantages in warehousing. They do not have to be sealed with adhesive tape after each removal of individual products or accessories. Closing the lid and inserting the flap is all that is required.

Customers appreciate robust packaging that does not have to be disposed of after single use.

On the one hand, this reduces personal disposal costs and the cartons can be reused in the household for both private shipments and creative projects. A cardboard box with a flap often has a life of several years and is used, for example, as a storage box either at home or in the basement or sent around the world. At the end of its life, our cartons without plastic content can be easily recycled.

Wide range of cartons with flap and reusable closures

At Palamo you can design your folding carton completely individually.

In our assortment you will find many durable storage and shipping cartons at fair prices. As high-quality packaging with a wide range of uses, boxes made of double and triple corrugated board make your logistics greener and smarter.

Equipped with practical closures, they are suitable for any purpose: packing, storing, shipping. If, in addition to the tuck-in flap, a packaging tape is to be used over the closure, we recommend the use of adhesive tape with paper content and parcel tape, which can be separated from the carton for disposal without leaving any residue.

Discover boxes in many different designs and always ship in the appropriate format to keep shipping costs and material consumption low.

Conclusion: Intelligent closure with long durability

As reusable packaging, cartons and maxi letters with insert flap are particularly sustainable and robust. They can withstand long shipping distances and can be opened and resealed without damage. This makes this type of closure an advanced technology that should not be missing from any logistics operation.

FAQ

1. What is the difference between boxes with side flaps and without?

   Cartons with tuck-in flaps often have a simple lid that is held closed only by the flap. If side flaps are present, these are first inserted on the sides of the package before the lid is fully in place.

   Even without closing with insertion flap, the lid sits firmly and securely. The flap is the additional closure that guarantees secure shipping. For boxes with side flaps and flap, you can usually do without additional adhesive tape.

2. When is sealing or additional bonding of the insertion tab important?

   For many products, your customers want to be sure that their shipment really has not been opened by unauthorized third parties. This is especially important for food, beauty products and goods shipped discreetly.

   A branded adhesive seal from your company indicates that the lid and flap are absolutely intact. In this case, you should ideally also use a box with side flaps. This way, even if you lift the lid slightly, no one can see inside the package from the outside.

3. May the shipping service provider open a tuck-in flap that has not been sealed with tape?

   No, shipping service providers such as DHL or UPS are instructed to transport packages unopened. The contents only play a role if, for example, a special form such as "book shipment" or "merchandise shipment" is selected. Then nothing but an invoice may be enclosed with the product.

   In case of doubt, the service provider may check this. Shipments to foreign countries may be opened by customs. In this case, the customs employee must note that, where and when the shipment was opened and, if necessary, enclose a letter if goods were removed from the shipment as they may not be imported.

Do you have any questions about our folding cartons with flaps? Just contact us by mail or phone.