Packaging Guides

Packaging Materials

Understand paperboard grades, thickness options, corrugated flute choices and the practical trade-offs behind export-ready paper packaging.

Paperboard packaging material referencePaperboardSBS, FBB, CCNB and coated boardCorrugated Board packaging material referenceCorrugated BoardFlute choices for shipping protectionRigid Box Materials packaging material referenceRigid Box MaterialsGreyboard with wrapped paperSpecialty Papers packaging material referenceSpecialty PapersTexture, metallic and decorative papersSelection Guide packaging material referenceSelection GuideMatch material to product and budget

Material Options

Common Packaging Materials

Compare print quality, strength, cost and suitable packaging applications.
SBS / FBB / Ivory Board material sample

SBS / FBB / Ivory Board

190-400 gsm / 0.25-0.60 mm

Advantages
Smooth surface, excellent print clarity, good stiffness
Limitations
Lower moisture resistance
Best For
Folding cartons, cosmetics, personal care, food packaging
CCNB material sample

CCNB

210-400 gsm / 0.30-0.60 mm

Advantages
Cost-effective, good rigidity, easy to convert
Limitations
Surface not as smooth as SBS
Best For
Folding cartons, inner boxes, product packaging
Kraft Paper material sample

Kraft Paper

70-300 gsm

Advantages
High strength, tear resistant, eco-friendly look
Limitations
Surface is rough, lower print definition
Best For
Bags, wraps, mailers, eco packs
Art Paper / Coated Paper material sample

Art Paper / Coated Paper

80-300 gsm

Advantages
High whiteness, excellent color reproduction
Limitations
Lower stiffness
Best For
Premium printing, catalogs, wrapping, labels
Corrugated Board material sample

Corrugated Board

E / B / C / BC / F flute

Advantages
Strong cushioning, high compressive strength
Limitations
Bulkier, less printable surface
Best For
Shipping cartons, mailers, protective packaging
Greyboard material sample

Greyboard

600-2000 gsm / 1.0-3.0 mm

Advantages
High rigidity, smooth and stable structure
Limitations
Not moisture resistant
Best For
Rigid boxes, book covers, game boards, photo frames
Specialty Paper material sample

Specialty Paper

100-300 gsm

Advantages
Unique texture, premium feel, brand enhancement
Limitations
Higher cost
Best For
Luxury packaging, invitation cards, high-end boxes
Metallic / Holographic Paper material sample

Metallic / Holographic Paper

60-150 gsm

Advantages
Eye-catching metallic shine and high visual impact
Limitations
Fingerprints, higher cost
Best For
Festival packaging, cosmetics, promotional gift boxes
Tissue / Wrapping Paper material sample

Tissue / Wrapping Paper

17-40 gsm

Advantages
Soft, lightweight, decorative and protective
Limitations
Low strength
Best For
Wrapping, interleaving, gift presentation
Recycled Paperboard material sample

Recycled Paperboard

200-600 gsm

Advantages
Eco-friendly, recyclable, cost-effective
Limitations
Surface specks and color variance
Best For
Folding cartons, inserts, trays, secondary packs

Quick Comparison

Material Specifications & Use Cases

MaterialCommon SpecsSurface FeelPrintabilityStrengthCostSustainableTypical Applications
SBS / FBB / Ivory Board190-400 gsmVery smooth5/54/5$$YesFolding cartons, cosmetics, electronics
CCNB210-400 gsmSmooth4/54/5$YesInner boxes, general cartons, retail packaging
Kraft Paper70-300 gsmRough / natural3/54/5$YesBags, mailers, wraps, eco-friendly packaging
Art / Coated Paper80-300 gsmSmooth / glossy5/53/5$$YesCatalogs, brochures, premium wrapping
Corrugated BoardE / B / C / BC / FTextured3/55/5$-$$YesShipping cartons, mailers, protective packaging
Greyboard600-2000 gsmSmooth3/55/5$$YesRigid boxes, book covers, photo frames
Specialty Paper100-300 gsmTextured / embossed5/53/5$$$YesLuxury packaging, invitations, premium boxes
Metallic / Holographic Paper60-150 gsmGlossy / metallic5/52/5$$$NoCosmetics, gifts, promotional packaging
Tissue / Wrapping Paper17-40 gsmSoft2/51/5$YesWrapping, interleaving, gift packing
Recycled Paperboard200-600 gsmSlightly rough3/53/5$YesInserts, trays, eco cartons, secondary packs

Cost Level: $ = Low, $$ = Medium, $$$ = High. Rating 5/5 = Excellent, 4/5 = Good, 3/5 = Fair.

Corrugated Protection

Corrugated Flute Guide

Choose flute structure by cushioning, stacking strength and printing requirements.
Corrugated flute type comparison
Flute TypeThickness (mm)Key CharacteristicRecommended Use
F Flute0.8-1.0Ultra-thin, fine profilePremium folding cartons, cosmetics, electronics
E Flute1.0-1.5Thin profile, good printabilityRetail packaging, printed cartons
B Flute2.5-3.0Good cushioningShipping boxes, general packaging
C Flute3.5-4.0Good cushioning and stacking strengthShipping cartons, e-commerce boxes
A Flute4.5-5.0Thick, high cushioningHeavy-duty packaging, industrial use
EE Flute1.4-2.0Double E, thin and strongPremium packaging, high-quality printing
EB Flute2.2-3.0E + B, strong with printabilityRetail transportation, display packaging
EC Flute3.4-4.0E + C, balanced strengthE-commerce, medium heavy-duty boxes
BC Flute5.5-6.5B + C, extra strongHeavy items, industrial shipping boxes
AB Flute6.5-7.5A + B, very high cushioningLarge loads, machinery, appliances
AC Flute7.5-8.5A + C, high compression strengthIndustrial packaging, palletized goods
AA Flute9.0-10.0Double A, maximum cushioningExtra heavy-duty, export packaging

Application Match

Choose Materials by Packaging Purpose

Start with how the package will be used, then confirm board thickness, print surface, structure and shipping requirements before sampling.
Recommended MaterialsCommon starting points by product packaging type.
Folding Cartons packaging material recommendation

Folding Cartons

SBS / FBB / Ivory Board, CCNB, Coated Paper

210-350 gsm
Rigid Boxes packaging material recommendation

Rigid Boxes

Greyboard, Chipboard, Specialty Paper

600-2000 gsm
Corrugated Mailers packaging material recommendation

Corrugated Mailers

Corrugated Board, E / B / C Flute

1.5-6 mm
Paper Bags packaging material recommendation

Paper Bags

Kraft Paper, Art Paper

100-200 gsm
Labels & Stickers packaging material recommendation

Labels & Stickers

Art Paper, Synthetic Paper, Coated Paper

80-150 gsm
Inserts packaging material recommendation

Inserts

Greyboard, Recycled Board, Corrugated Inserts

600-1200 gsm
Selection MethodUse these checks to avoid overbuilding or under-protecting the package.
Product Weight material selection factor1

Product Weight

Use material thickness and strength that can safely protect your product.

Printing Requirement material selection factor2

Printing Requirement

Choose a printable surface for your artwork complexity and color needs.

Surface Finish material selection factor3

Surface Finish

Consider gloss, matte texture or specialty finish for brand value.

Shipping Method material selection factor4

Shipping Method

Match cushioning and compression resistance to the shipping route.

Sustainability Goal material selection factor5

Sustainability Goal

Select recyclable, FSC or recycled materials where possible.

Budget material selection factor6

Budget

Balance appearance, protection and cost target before sampling.

Print-first retail packsChoose SBS / FBB or coated paper when color accuracy and shelf appearance matter most.
Structure-first premium boxesUse greyboard or chipboard for rigidity, then add specialty wrap paper for brand finish.
Shipping-first protectionUse corrugated board by flute type and route, especially for export and e-commerce orders.