When shipping high-value, fragile, or oversized cargo, choosing the right crating solution is essential. Whether you’re transporting fine art, machinery, or equipment for a trade show, the difference between custom crates and standard crates can impact everything from logistics to product safety.
At Colorado Industrial Packaging (CIP), we build both custom wood shipping crates and standard wooden shipping crates, helping businesses across industries—from building materials to medical devices—ship with confidence.
Custom Crates: Tailored for Precision and Protection
Custom crates are engineered for custom sizes, weights, and transit environments. Whether you’re shipping glass, steel, art, or sensitive electronics, custom designs offer the exact specification needed for a snug, secure fit.
Benefits of Custom Crates:
- Designed to exact length and dimension
- Ideal for irregular shapes, heavy goods, or delicate items
- Options for foam inserts, dunnage, plywood lining, or oriented strand board (OSB)
- Compatible with pallet jacks, forklifts, and casters for easy handling
- ISPM 15-compliant for international export—meets ASTM International and customs requirements
Custom crates also support add-ons like stretch wrap, shrink wrap, and screw-secured lids, enhancing protection during long-distance or high-risk shipments.
Standard Crates: Efficient for Everyday Shipping
Standard crates are pre-built, available in fixed dimensions, and ideal for businesses that ship uniform products. These crates are cost-effective, simple to order, and often in stock for fast turnaround.
Common Use Cases:
- Palletized boxes or tubes
- Commercial cardboard box shipping
- Items that don’t require exact fit or special bracing
- Warehousing with standard pallet and cart systems
Although they don’t provide the same level of security as custom builds, standard crates are ideal for durable items with consistent specs.
Material Options: Built for Durability and Reuse
We build crates using high-quality hardwood, plywood, oriented strand board, or lumber, depending on load type and warehouse storage conditions. Our designs are also made for reuse, supporting eco-conscious companies focused on recycling and minimizing packaging waste.
Whether you’re shipping plastic, metal, or fragile items, CIP offers crates compatible with pallet systems and material handling equipment like pallet jacks and forklifts.
FAQs: Crating Solutions with Colorado Industrial Packaging
Q1. What is ISPM 15 and why is it important for shipping crates?
Ans: ISPM 15 is an international standard requiring heat treatment of wood for export. It prevents pest transmission and ensures your crate is customs-compliant.
Q2. Can custom crates be reused?
Ans: Many of our wooden shipping crates are designed for multiple shipments and include reinforced features like casters, screws, and interior bracing for long-term use.
Q3. How do I know if I need a custom crate?
Ans: If your item is fragile, valuable, oversized, or irregularly shaped, a custom crate ensures a snug fit and better protection during transport.
Q4. Do you offer military or trade show crate options?
Ans: Absolutely. We provide custom wood crates built for military-grade equipment, trade shows, and other specialized shipping environments.
Q5. What materials do you use for crate construction?
Ans: We use a variety of wood products including plywood, hardwood, and oriented strand board—all meeting strength and compliance standards.
Get Started with Colorado Industrial Packaging
At CIP, we’ve built crating solutions for businesses in every industry. Whether you need custom sizes, ISPM 15-certified wood, or durable shipping crates for sensitive items, we deliver on time and to spec.
Contact us today to request a quote or learn more about our crating services in Aurora and Colorado Springs. Let’s protect your product and strengthen your supply chain—crate by crate.