In retail packaging projects, paperboard is typically used to create blister cards, inserts, cartons, or sleeves. Paperboard provides structure and context, as well as an appealing design.
Here are some of the most common types of materials. We created this guide to help you understand the options you have, and we look forward to helping you find the right packaging solution for your business.
Generally speaking, the term cardboard, or just board, refers to a broad range of paper substrates that are commonly used in carded packaging. Similarly, card stock is also used to refer to paperboard or backing sheets, which are used to stiffen paperboard packaging. Some of the different types of boards include:
- Blister Cards - A blister card is a paperboard card that is decorated, coated with a sealing agent, and cut to fit into a blister. Blisters are often heat-sealed on top of blister cards.
- Cardboard: Known as depreciated paperboard, Walter Soroka defines it in the Illustrated Glossary of Packaging Terminology. We tend to be more specific with paperboard terms when we work with our partners, as some people believe it refers to corrugated boxes. Some people believe it refers to another general term.
- Chipboard: Generally made of recycled paper, is a low-grade option that can be used for padding and as a divider, but it has poor printing quality and limited strength.
- Clay-Coated Boards: These paperboards are coated with fine clay to provide a smooth, bright surface. In reality, clay-coated boards do not always contain clay, and other minerals or binding materials may be used instead.
- CCNB: Clay-coated news back is an abbreviation for clay-coated paperboard, which is used for cereal boxes. It is a popular product in the blister industry because of its use in many cereal boxes. The blister industry uses grades of this material, but for two reasons, it is less prevalent than it once was. In addition to the rising price of recycled material, CCNB's clay-coated surface is thinner and grainier than SBS, so it is difficult to print and seal blisters properly.
- Laminated board: A laminated board is composed of two or more layers of paperboard, plastic, or another sheeted material.
- SBS (Solid Bleached Sulfate): The SBS is a high-quality paperboard material that is bleached throughout, providing a clean, white appearance.
- C1S and C2S: It is shorthand for clay-coated on one side or two sides and is used when the package is a two-piece card or a folded card which seals.
- ?SBS-I or SBS-II: Both blister stocks are solid bleached sulfates.
- SBS-C: The “C” indicates carton-grade SBS materials. Carton-grade SBS materials cannot be used for blister card applications because of the difference in surface. For cartons, SBS-I or –II materials can be used. Many carton producers tried to transition from traditional carton production to blister card production years ago, but they failed because they used the same stock they used for everyday cartons. Due to the difference in composition, the venture failed.
- Caliper: This term refers to the instrument used to measure a material's thickness or the thickness of the material.
- Fluted: A heavy-duty paperboard usually used for big box store packaging, which is made up of two sheets wrapped in wavy paper.
- Linerboard: A linerboard is solid fiber and is usually a smaller size, like a 12 point. It can be made with a fourdrinier machine, resulting in different fibers and sizes.
- Point: Measurement of the inch/pound values of a material. One point is the same as 0.001 inches. In general, 20-point (20 pt.) stock is 0.020 inches thick; it can also be a bit different for each supplier.
- Window: A die-cut hole in product packaging with a film to provide product visibility.
With the above-mentioned paperboard packaging options, you are virtually limitless in design possibilities. Ketsana Pack is eager to work with you to determine the best solution for your project. Contact us to get started.
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