4 Popular Paper Grades Used Readily in Packaging

If your business has stepped into the world of custom packaging, you might soon come across words like paper grade. It is important to get a hold of such terminology so that you can get the most effective and relatable type of custom packaging boxes.

In simple words, the paper grade is determining the suitability of the paper after classifying them based on paper weight. Paper grade also determines how well writing and printing are supported on such boxes.

With a piece of good knowledge about paper grades, you can jump onto the most relatable custom packaging concerning your products.

Each paper grade serves a purpose and the 4 most used paper grades are given below:

Folding Box Board (FBB):

A folding box board or FBB is a thick material made with a combination of mechanical materials, chemicals, and processes. These sets of events help to derive a material with multiple layers, providing durability and strength to the packaging board.

The chemical layer of this paper is bleached, it unleashes an exceptionally smooth and favorable surface for high-quality printing. The folding box board works like a canvas for brands, during product packaging, many amazing designs and patterns can be printed easily using machines.

A folding box board is also very sturdy making it highly compatible for packing products related to the cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical industries. Custom packaging boxes made out of a folding box board are comparatively thicker and stiffer making it more feasible for keeping delicate products safe for a long time.

Clay Coated News Backboard (CCNB):

First up is the “clay coated news backboard”, it is also known as the CCNB cartons. A clay-coated news backboard has the noticeable word new in it, it because these packaging boards are derived from a mix of recycled newspaper. Some other materials included in the mixture are old corrugated boards and other different types of paper.

The clay-coated news backboard (CCNB) is no doubt a very affordable and cost-efficient option to choose out of other paper grades but it carries some drawbacks to it.

A CCNB packaging board is highly water-absorbing which makes them not a good option for moisture-sensitive products. If your brand deals in water-resistant products, CCNB might be the best option for you. Foldable carton packaging is a custom box style normally made out of this paper, it is widely used to carry dry goods.

It is a less popular and convenient option to choose by brands as CCNB graded paper can’t carry heavy weighted and liquid products. The custom packaging boxes made out of CCNB are mostly used to pack dry foods like pet food, biscuits, detergents, beans, or noodles.

Solid Bleached Sulfate Board (SBS):

Next up is a solid bleached sulfate board or an SBS board. This paper grade is the epitome of product packaging. These boxes are very similar to folding box boards but with SBS, the fibers from the materials are first chemically pulped and then bleached. This series of events helps to convert the bleached pump into boxes efficiently.

After the packaging boxes are ready, the inside and outside of the box have white surfaces due to bleaching. These boxes are like a plain white canvas ready for the artist (brands) to use all their creativity on.

These boxes are very convenient if any brand wants to add high-quality printing options on their custom packaging boxes. These special processes include; spot UV printing, embossing and debossing, customized foil stamping, and many more.

An SBS packaging board can have used to make packaging boxes for many brands but the industries that use it the most are- the tobacco industry and the food industry.   

Natural Kraft Or Coated Unbleached Kraft (SUS or CUK):

Lastly, comes the natural kraft (SUS) or the coated unbleached kraft (CUK). These packaging materials are a great choice for brands trying to incorporate environmentally sensitive packaging. A SUS board is made with 100% recycled materials.

Every brand that wants to embrace an eco-friendlier packaging style can opt for custom CUK packaging. This type of paper grade can be used to prepare custom food packaging boxes. Being recyclable, these boxes are non-toxic.

Another interesting trait of these boxes is their resilience and hardness. Packaging boxes make out of a CUK paper grade are tear-resistant making them compatible to pack heavy beverages. Due to the application of kaolin on the surface, a natural kraft board easily supports different types of printing.

Take Out Message:

We hope that our blog was helpful to clear out any confusion about which packaging box to choose. Now that your brand has good knowledge about the paper grade, you can acquire exceptional custom retail packaging with different printing options and unique product styles. Place your order at a trusted custom packaging supplier such as Kolaxo Packaging USA which is capable of providing you with the most exceptionally printed custom boxes for your marvelous products.