In today’s highly competitive packaging world, choosing the right paperboard grade is one of manufacturers’ most critical decisions. Whether you are a brand-new entrepreneur planning to introduce a new product to the market or an experienced retailer redesigning your product packaging, you must familiarize yourself with paperboard grades. These materials are a breakthrough for custom boxes and packaging, as sustainability is now one of the most important principles in the contemporary world.
Therefore, it is time to take a closer look at the paperboard more closely and investigate three essential grades that can change your packaging approach.
Paperboard vs. Cardboard
| Feature | Paperboard | Cardboard |
| Thickness | Thinner, usually less than 0.030 inches | Thicker, made from multiple layers |
| Flexibility | Lightweight and more flexible | Stiffer and rigid |
| Common Uses | Custom packaging, food boxes | Cardboard shipping boxes, storage boxes |
| Printing Quality | High-quality printing and finishing | Limited print quality |
| Eco-Friendliness | Often recyclable and eco-friendly | It can be recycled but is less versatile |
Popular Paperboard Grades
Here are three different types of paperboard grades that packaging manufacturers are using:
- Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS)
Regarding paperboard grades, none shouts ‘luxury’ more than the Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS). Made from bleached virgin wood pulp, SBS has a smooth surface suitable for high-quality printing. Printed boxes with logos, from bright colors to complex patterns, stand out on SBS.
Why Choose SBS?
- Perfect for Branding: SBS has excellent printing quality, so it is preferred for mailer boxes used in subscription services.
- Ideal for Food and Cosmetics: Its non-stick surface is ideal for designing luxury confectionery and skin care product containers.
- Durable Yet Elegant: SBS combines strength with aesthetic appeal, improving the appearance of your brand.
Consider how some of the most satisfying unboxing experiences feel—this material accomplishes that well. For clients whose business requires demanding rigid material packaging or for those who need corrugated packaging boxes that are still stylish, SBS is your go-to company.
- Folding Boxboard (FBB)
Folding Boxboard (FBB) is the basis of the packaging industry. It provides the best combination of lightweight and strength. It comprises several layers of chemical and mechanical pulp; FBB is mainly used for its flexibility.
Why FBB Stands Out
- Lightweight Yet Sturdy: FBB has enough strength even when the fabric is very light, making it suitable for different products.
- Superior Printability: Its top layer is created to have outstanding graphics and is, therefore, suitable for printed boxes with logos.
- Great for Various Industries: The company excels in pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and beauty products.
If your brand is all about style and substance, FBB is your brand hero. It is the one to turn to for an attractive, light, but very effective mailer box.
- Clay Coated News Backboard (CCNB)
CCNB stands for Clay Coated News Board, a cost-efficient and recyclable material used in the packaging sector. It is manufactured from recycled fibers and contains a clay-coated surface on one side suitable for printing, which makes the backside rough for strength.
Why Choose CCNB?
- Affordable and Sustainable: CCNB is biodegradable and produced from recycled paper, making it economical for any company.
- Print-Friendly Surface: Clay coating gives fine and clear prints, which are suitable for printed boxes with logos and other designs.
- Lightweight yet Durable: CCNB is less strong than corrugated or kraft materials but can be used for lightweight products.
- Recyclable and Eco-Conscious: Its recycled content provides less negative environmental impact, as is the trend in the modern world.
Common Uses for CCNB
- Cosmetic or apparel products which have no heavy load to carry require packaging at the retail level.
- Packs for dry merchandise or small items, such as customized boxes and bags
- Papers such as pizza or bakery boxes (when lined).
Innovative Applications of Paperboard in Packaging
To make the most of these paperboard grades, let’s explore some creative packaging solutions:
- Subscription Box Services: Add SBS with a rigid material for an upgraded unboxing experience.
- E-commerce Brands: For cheap but still environment-friendly cardboard shipping boxes, always go for the CRB.
- Food Packaging: FBB is ideal for frozen food cartons and ready-to-eat meal packaging.
Why Paperboard Packaging Is the Future
In a world where initial impressions are crucial, packaging is more than a cover; it is your brand’s ethos. Focusing on paperboards in their various grades will hit every note on the sustainability and functionality scale.
Customers with conscience prefer products made from paperboard, such as CRB and URB. SBS or FBB uses high-quality print in its printed boxes with logos. This is particularly evident with mailer boxes for subscription services and corrugated packaging boxes for delicate items. There is always a paperboard grade to fit each specific requirement.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right paperboard grade is no longer just a matter of packaging material selection; it is a matter of brand communication. Whether you need an expensive, environmentally friendly, or cheap paperboard, there is always a grade for it. Remember to blend these materials with good designs and functional structures to improve the customer experience.
So, which paperboard grade are you drawn to? From the glossy and minimalist SBS to the green FBB, the all-around FBB, or the CCNB, the right decision will turn your packaging into a statement.
Are you unsure which material is best for your packaging and product? Contact one of Custom Divine Boxes’ customer representative specialists—we’re here to help you find the perfect solution!