7 kinds of paper introduction in packaging industry

In the packaging industry, various types of paper may be used. Below, TopWon will introduce seven different types of paper used in the packaging industry:

Art Paper

Art paper, also known as coated printing paper, is made by coating a layer of white slurry on the base paper and then calendering it. The surface of the paper is smooth with high whiteness, minimal shrinkage, and excellent ink absorption properties. It is mainly used for printing covers and inserts of high-end books, color prints, various exquisite product advertisements, brochures, product packaging boxes, labels, etc.

Matte art paper, compared to glossy art paper, does not reflect light as much. While the colors printed on matte art paper are less vibrant than those on glossy art paper, the images are more delicate and upscale. The graphics and pictures printed have a three-dimensional feel, making this type of paper widely used for printing magazines, advertisements, scenic pictures, exquisite calendars, portrait photography, etc.

Cardboard

Cardboard is an ideal material for making high-end packaging boxes due to its good hand feel, ideal color and dot transfer conditions, and stiffness and surface strength, which are reasons designers choose it. Depending on the requirements of different packaging boxes, designers can select and design various types of cardboard.

(1) White Cardboard

The characteristics of white cardboard include not only high whiteness but also soft luster, elegant and noble appearance, and during printing, dots transfer well, achieving a fairly high level of tonal range and color reproduction. Designers often use white cardboard for gift boxes, cosmetic boxes, wine boxes, tags, and other high-end products.

(2) Glassine Cardboard

Glassine cardboard is produced by applying a glass-like finish to the surface of white cardboard. This paper has extremely high surface glossiness and a smooth hand feel, providing a visual effect that surpasses even UV-coated cardboard or art paper. Products made from this cardboard are very eye-catching. Designers often use glassine cardboard for pharmaceutical and high-end cosmetic packaging boxes.

Board Paper

Board paper is a layered structure paper with grammages ranging from 220g/m², 240g/m², 250g/m²… to 400g/m², 450g/m², offering a wide range of choices. This paper has certain stiffness and surface strength, especially coated white board paper, which has a surface coating preventing ink penetration, requiring less ink while ensuring good image and dot transfer. However, its drawbacks include poor flatness and slower printing speeds; another disadvantage is that compared to cardboard, it feels significantly rougher.

Corrugated Board

The most commonly used corrugated board itself is quite dark in color, so when selecting printing colors, it’s essential to consider using highly saturated and strongly colored inks (such as bright red) to avoid significant discrepancies between the printed and desired colors. Viscosity of water-based ink is one of the main indicators to control in corrugated board printing, affecting the color status during printing. This kind of paper can make Corrugated display stand.

Corrugated board is applied in display racks for food, clothing, sports goods, IT products, daily necessities, car accessories, music, books, and other industries.

Kraft Paper

Characteristics: High strength, good toughness, and excellent tear resistance.
Applications: Commonly used for shopping bags, envelopes, packaging liners, etc.

Specialty Paper

Characteristics: A wide variety, including moisture-proof paper, fireproof paper, colored paper, etc., customized according to specific needs.
Applications: Specific scenarios such as food preservation packaging, safety packaging for flammable items, etc.

Grey Board

Characteristics: Relatively hard texture and economical price.
Applications: Book covers, file folders, display racks, and other applications requiring certain hardness support.

In summary, there are many types of paper used in the packaging industry, and the above seven are the common ones.