A U profile is quoted per meter because it is produced continuously and cut at the end, but a U meter is not comparable to an L meter. It carries roughly half again the board of an L profile, and the wall, the leg and the paper grade all move the price independently. Comparing two quotes without those three stated is not a comparison.
What drives the price of a meter
Board consumed is the first factor: a U profile has three faces, so it uses more board per meter of edge covered than an L of the same leg and wall. That is why a U quote looks higher per meter.
Wall thickness is the second. Because cost tracks fibre content, going from 3 mm to 5 mm on the same inner width is a visible step, larger than the step from 40 mm to 50 mm legs.
Paper grade and facing are the third: kraft against recycled, natural against white, plain against printed. Print adds a plate charge once, then a modest per meter cost.
Specification at a glance
The table shows which variable moves the price and by how much in relative terms. It is directional, not a price list, because the absolute figure depends on quantity and destination.
| Variable | Effect on price | Effect on the part |
|---|
| Wall up | Stepped increase | Resists cutting and crush |
| Leg longer | Moderate increase | Spreads load, more board |
| Inner width up | Increase | Fits a thicker panel |
| White facing | Small increase | Cleaner look at unpacking |
| Print | Plate once plus small increment | Brand or item code |
| Short cut lengths | Higher per meter | Ready for the line |
Per meter, per metre of edge, per piece
The honest comparison for a buyer is cost per metre of protected edge. For an L profile that is the same as the meter price; for a U profile covering three faces it is also the meter price, but it replaces two L profiles in some positions.
Per piece is useful on the packing line but useless for comparison unless the cut length is stated. Ask for both: price per meter and the bundle conversion.
Quantity, freight and the landed number
U profiles are bulky. A container fills by volume, so the loading plan affects the landed cost as much as the price per meter. Short cut pieces nest worse than long lengths and cost more to ship per meter.
Freight is often a larger share of landed cost than the board for this product. Ask for the meters per container for the construction you are considering rather than extrapolating from a different size.
Questions buyers ask before ordering
Why is a U more expensive per meter than an L?
It has three faces instead of two for the same meter of edge, so it uses more board.
Do you quote per meter or per piece?
Per meter, with the bundle count converted to pieces at the cut length.
What is the cheapest way to cover an edge?
The thinnest wall and shortest leg that survives handling, in the longest length your line can use.
Does print add much?
A plate charge once per design, then a small increment per meter.
How many meters fit in a container?
It depends on the size and cut length. We will calculate the loading rather than estimate it.
Send the panel thickness, leg length and wall you need to mona@hengnicepacking.com and we will quote the U profile that fits.
