Think paperboard is just thick paper? Well, you’re right! Kind of…. Hold onto your boxes, because we’re about to unfold the truth about this packaging staple! At Case Paper, we’ve been in the paperboard business since 1943, so we may know a thing or two about it.
The Basics of Board
Paperboard is paper’s gym-loving cousin – buffer, stronger, and ready to lift whatever heavy stuff you throw at it. Or, rather, place in it. Don’t throw your products. Unless they’re a ball. Then you should throw them. We digress — Whether you’re packaging cosmetics that need to look fabulous, food that needs to stay fresh, or tech products that need protection, paperboard is your go-to material.
Some standards note that paperboard is a paper product with a grammage (meaning density, essentially) exceeding 200 grams per square meter. Some others state that the density must exceed 220 grams per square meter, or even 250. No matter how you slice it, paperboard is a thicker paper product designed to be durable, foldable, and rigid.
This is often achieved through a few methods. Where “paper” is thin, and usually a single layer, paperboard is often constructed of multiple layers (multi-ply paperboard), or single layer products that are produced to be thicker and denser.
There are a range of other factors that make each paperboard distinct, as well.
For example, what type of fibers are being used? For example, fibers from hardwood trees are often shorter and thinner. This tends to make them less strong, but can result in a smoother paper that prints well. Softwood fibers are longer and have higher tear resistance, making them a more intuitive choice for packaging that needs to be durable. Still, with proper treatment, either category can work well in a range of situations. Some paperboards use both fibers to great effect, while some just use one type. There are also recycled fibers, virgin fibers, bleached fibers, and of course dietary fibers—but those dietary fibers are more present in foods like shredded mini wheats or celery.
Then, there’s coatings. Some paperboards use a thin clay coating. Others use plastic-based coatings. Some use metallized films, plant-based barriers, or new coatings—there is constant innovation in the space, after all. Some coatings aid durability, some provide moisture resistance, some just look really shiny and cool.
There are also different methods of layering different substrates, coatings, and more. We could go on—but in short, paperboard may seem simple, but it’s more than just thick paper.
Meet Our Star Players
At Case Paper, our paperboard lineup has options for every project. Here’s a look at some of our premium offerings:
For Heavy-Duty Performance
CKB and CKB Carrier from Stora Enso deliver unmatched durability for glass bottles and demanding applications. With superior tear resistance and moisture handling, these boards keep your products secure no matter the conditions. This is an example of a board with a fiber structure designed to be exceptionally tough, so it can handle heavy products.
For Versatile Folding Cartons
GPI’s comprehensive family includes:
- PaceSetter™ for lightweight efficiency
- PearlKote™ for premium surface quality
- OmniKote™ for exceptional printing
- AquaKote™ for superior wet-strength performance
These each feature a different structure, as well. For example, PaceSetter™ is designed with sustainability in mind. That means the fibers selected are all recycled. Then, an additional coating is added to optimize this board for printability. Fun fact: boards that are made of recycled fibers and coated are often called “Coated Recycled Board” (CRB for short). Pretty apt name, if you ask us.
For Sustainable Excellence
Pro FBB Bright from Metsä Board offers eco-friendly performance through innovative lightweighting technology, giving you more cartons per ton while reducing environmental impact. FYI, lightweighting is a fancy term for when you construct something while trying to minimize materials used, thus ensuring a ‘lighter weight’ in the final product. Another FYI, FBB stands for “folding boxboard.”
For Brilliant Color
Proto® from Sappi is a Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) paperboard that features lower basis weights in higher calipers and superior surface qualities that make your graphics pop while keeping distribution costs down. SBS boards are made with bleached, virgin fibers, and are relatively rigid and ink-absorbent, making for great high-end packaging where an image needs to pop.
For Premium Aesthetics
Invercote Creato from Iggesund delivers exceptional printability on both sides with patented coating technology for outstanding lightfastness and folding performance. This board is a multi-layered Solid Bleached Board (SBB). That means it uses fresh fibers from both hardwood and softwood (different types of wood, if you hadn’t guessed!). Hardwood fibers comprise the outer layers, ensuring smoothness and printability, while the inner layer of softwood fibers enhances strength and flexibility.
For Certified Sustainability
Stallion™ FSC® combines bright white shade and smooth runnability with trusted environmental certification. It’s available in C1S and C2S—meaning coated on 1 side, or coated on 2 sides. This paperboard helps you say “neigh” to inferior packaging!
For Extra Impact
Alta™ Board provides the bulk and strength needed to make your packaging stand out, perfect for displays and premium applications. It is also a favorite for book covers—a testament to its durability!
Why Choose Our Paperboard?
- Versatility that Puts Swiss Army Knives to Shame
- Food packaging? Check!
- Cosmetics? You bet!
- Tech products? Absolutely!
- Cannabis containers? We won’t tell your parents!
- Making a cool foldable hat? We don’t know much about fashion, but sure why not.
- Sustainability that Makes Mother Nature Smile All our locations with converting and warehouse facilities are FSC®, SFI, and PEFC certified. We’re so green, trees give us high-fives!
- Quality That’s No Joke (Though We Love Jokes) From Iggesund Invercote Creato‘s outstanding aesthetic properties to CMPC GC1‘s refrigerator-ready performance, our boards are ready for anything.
- Converting Capabilities that Convert Skeptics With seven lo-CASE-tions across the U.S., we’re always On the Case to cut, sheet, or convert your paperboard to exactly what you need.
Get On Board with Case Paper
Whether you need paperboard that’s:
- Whiter than a polar bear’s wedding dress
- Stronger than your morning coffee
- More sustainable than your neighbor’s compost bin
- Or all of the above…
We’re here to help you choose the perfect paperboard for your project. Give us a call at 1-888-CASE-1ST or visit our sample request page. Our team is standing by, ready to help you navigate the wonderful world of paperboard – and yes, we’ll throw in the paper puns for free!
When you need paperboard that performs as good as it looks, Case Paper is On the Case. Because in a world full of options, we’re here to help you think outside the box.
