Safe and secure packaging is essential to ensure product protection while offering customers an impressive display. To keep the products protected, the right packaging materials are chosen considering the custom dimensions. Adequate cushioning materials are utilized to absorb shocks and vibrations during storage, handling, or shipping.
Paperboard has become quite popular for product packaging over the past few years as it is eco-friendly. The paperboard packaging can be customized according to product needs, brand requirements, and customer preferences to make the product prominent on retail or online platforms. To know more about the paperboard packaging, let’s have a look at the article below:
What is Paperboard Packaging?
Paperboard packaging is a versatile solution crafted using durable paper-like material for various applications including food, beverage, cosmetics, etc. Paperboard holds great strength as the thickness of the material ranges from 12 pt. to 24 pt. to ensure product protection during storage, handling, or transit. It has a smooth surface for high-quality printing of brand logos, artwork design, and other elements. Paperboard packaging can be personalized in custom dimensions using a brand logo, artwork design, and other branding elements to attract the target customers.
What do we mean by Paperboard Grades?
Paperboard grades are the different types of paperboard, holding specific characteristics to make them perfect for a wide range of applications. The grades are determined using the following imperative factors:
- Raw Materials: using virgin or recycled wood pulp and its bleaching process.
- Production process: Method used to manufacture paperboard including printing, laminating, and finishing.
- Surface treatment: Type of coating applied on the surface of paperboard.
- Thickness and weightage: Depends on the required strength and rigidity.
What is the difference between Paperboard and Cardboard Packaging?
The following table mentions the difference between Paperboard and Cardboard Packaging:
|
Features |
Paperboard Packaging |
Cardboard Packaging |
|
Definition |
A versatile material with brilliant printing and finishing surface for various applications. |
Strong and rigid material, mostly used for heavy-duty packaging or shipping purposes. |
|
Structure |
A single thick layer of paper fiber creates a visually appealing product packaging. |
Hold three layers with two outer layers called liner boards and a fluted inner layer called corrugation. |
|
Flexibility |
Flexible for easier folding, creasing, and shaping according to product designs. |
Lacks flexibility due to the inner fluted layer. |
|
Printability |
Suitable for high-quality graphics and design. |
Limited printability. |
What are the major types of Paperboard Grades in Packaging?
Following are some major types of Paperboard Grades in Packaging:
Clay Coated News Backboard (CCNB)
Clay Coated News Backboard (CCNB) is a duplex paperboard. It has two different sides:
- The white clay-coated side is coated with a layer of kaolin clay, which holds a smooth surface for high-quality printing.
- The brown or gray new back side is manufactured using recycled paper pulp to give the paperboard an organic brown outlook.
In this type of paperboard, recycled papers are gathered and passed through a procedure to remove impurities. The fibers are then transformed into a sheet using a papermaking machine. Kaolin clay is applied on one side of the paperboard and after the drying process, it is passed through a series of rollers to smoothen the surface. This gives a high-quality printing surface and is considered best for various finishing techniques. CCNB is relatively affordable as manufactured using recyclable materials. This is mostly used for cereal packaging, cosmetic boxes, shoe boxes, etc.
Folding Box Board (FBB)
The Folding Box Board is used for the production of folding cartons of various paperboard grades. These are the flat sheets that are folded and glued to create strong box structures. Fiber Box Board is manufactured using wood chips or recycled paper. These are transformed into a pulp slurry to create a sheet of wet paperboard. The sheets are then pressed to remove excess water. Heated cylinders are used to speed up the drying process. The sheets are then pressed through rollers to smoothen the surface and make it ideal for premium printing.
Folding Box Board can be creased, folded, and glued to create boxes in custom dimensions. It can be customized using various finishing, coatings, or laminations to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the boxes. These are mostly used for food or beverage packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, cosmetic packaging, etc.
Solid Bleached Sulfate Board (SBS)
SBS is a premium paperboard grade known for its versatility and brilliant quality. The material is achieved through the bleaching of virgin wood pulp. This removes lignin and impurities to create a brilliant white surface. The manufacturing process begins with the collection of high-quality wood, which is then passed through the chemical process to separate wood fibers. The bleached pulp is then transformed into a sheet using a paper machine. The sheets are then pressed through rollers and coated with a layer of pigment or clay to elevate the surface properties. SBS is an ideal choice for folding cartons used in food packaging, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other consumer goods. SBS is mostly used for folding cartons in food packaging, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other consumer goods.
Natural Kraft OR Coated Unbleached Kraft (SUS OR CUK)
Natural Kraft OR Coated Unbleached Kraft (SUS OR CUK) is known for its great strength and organic brown color. The manufacturing process involves the chipping of wood logs using a chemical process at high temperatures to collect the wood fibers. This is known as the kraft process. For CUK, the pulp is passed through bleaching to achieve the desired brightness. The collected wood pulp is then mixed with water to form a slurry and then a sheet. The sheet is dried to transform into the paperboard. For CUK, A layer of clay is applied on the surface to improve smoothness, texture, and printability.
Kraft is popular for its strength, durability, and sustainability. This is more cost-effective than other packaging materials and gives a rustic outlook to the product packaging. Natural kraft or CUK is mostly used for food packaging, industry packaging, or shipping boxes.
What Finishes are Used for Paperboard Packaging?
There are many types of finishes used for paperboard packaging, but the common ones are:
Matte Finish
A matte finish gives your paperboard packaging a sophisticated outlook with a non-reflective surface. It holds a soft and smooth surface to keep the packaging professional. This is prone to fingerprints or smudges. The matte finish is suitable for a wide range of applications including luxury, food, pharmaceuticals, etc.
Gloss Finish
The gloss finish makes your packaging luxurious and eye-catching with a reflective surface. The high-gloss coating is mostly cured using UV radiation. It holds vibrant colors and crafts a protective layer against scuffs or smudges. This helps the brand stand out on retail store shelves or online platforms.
Embossed Finish
The embossed finish is used to create elevated designs on the surface of the paperboard packaging. This gives the two-dimensional design a three-dimensional effect with the addition of depth and texture. Embossing is mostly used for high-end products including mobile phones, perfumes, and cosmetics.
Spot UV
Spot UV finish applies UV coating on specific areas of the design to make the matte and coated areas contrast attractive to potential buyers. This type of finish enhances the durability factor and focuses on the important elements of the design. This improves customer engagement and elevates the overall brand experience.
Foil Stamping
Foil stamping uses heat and pressure to transfer a thin layer of foil onto the surface of paperboard packaging. For this type of finish, a custom metal die is prepared with the desired design. The heated die is pressed on the foil to transfer the design to the paperboard surface. Foil stamping could handle the tough shipping process. This is mostly used for luxury products and gift packaging.
Why We Need to Know about Types of Paperboard Grades?
The knowledge of paperboard grades is imperative to make you understand the different levels of strength and durability. The selection of the right paperboard grade minimizes the chances of damage and makes your product reach safely to the customer’s destination. The cost of the paperboard varies with the varying levels of rigidity. Different paperboard grades have different textures and printability capacities. This helps the brands make effective decisions to satisfy their product needs and impress the target audience.
Where to get Paperboard Packaging?
To get Paperboard packaging, hire a leading packaging supplier offering cost-effective packaging solutions at affordable prices. Box Agency is a leading packaging company, that holds a great set of professionals to efficiently design for your premium goods. We have no compromise on the quality of materials as our focus is to support sustainability. We allow our clients to discuss their requirements and get the paperboard packaging desired to satisfy their product needs. So, place your order now at low minimums and enjoy being progressive.
