Box materials compared.
You choose two things for every box: the board and its thickness. Paperboard is measured in points, corrugated in flutes, rigid board in millimetres, and 18 pt white paperboard, E-flute and B-flute are the standards.
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See my priceEvery board, every thickness
| Board | Family | Thicknesses | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| White paperboard | Folding cartons | 14 pt (As thick as a business card), 16 pt (A little sturdier), 18 pt (Most popular), 20 pt (Firmer, for heavier products), 24 pt (The thickest standard board) | Most retail cartons: supplements, cosmetics, candles, candy and small goods. 18 pt is the standard; go thicker for heavier products. |
| Natural kraft | Folding cartons | 16 pt (A little sturdier), 18 pt (Most popular), 20 pt (Firmer, for heavier products), 24 pt (The thickest standard board) | Natural, organic and handmade brands: a brown paper look, printed in dark inks. |
| Recycled paperboard | Folding cartons | 18 pt (Most popular), 24 pt (The thickest standard board) | Brands that want a recycled box. Not for direct food contact. |
| Black paperboard | Folding cartons | 20 pt (Firmer, for heavier products) | Luxury and gift boxes: deep black inside and out, best with foil or white ink. |
| Metallic silver board | Folding cartons | 18 pt (Most popular), 20 pt (Firmer, for heavier products), 24 pt (The thickest standard board) | Cosmetics, electronics and holiday boxes: every color prints over a silver shine. |
| Gold board | Folding cartons | 18 pt (Most popular), 20 pt (Firmer, for heavier products), 24 pt (The thickest standard board) | Gift, holiday and premium launches: the whole box gleams gold under your print. |
| Holographic board | Folding cartons | 18 pt (Most popular), 20 pt (Firmer, for heavier products), 24 pt (The thickest standard board) | Cosmetics, candy and limited editions: a rainbow face that shifts as the box moves. |
| White corrugated | Mailer and shipping boxes | F-flute (1/32″ · micro-flute), E-flute (1/16″ · 32 ECT), B-flute (1/8″ · 32 ECT), C-flute (5/32″ · 32 ECT) | Mailer, subscription and printed shipping boxes: bright full-color print that ships safely. |
| Kraft corrugated | Mailer and shipping boxes | E-flute (1/16″ · 32 ECT), B-flute (1/8″ · 32 ECT), C-flute (5/32″ · 32 ECT), Heavy-duty (C-flute · 44 ECT), Double wall (BC · about 1/4″ · 48 ECT) | Natural-look mailers and shipping boxes, printed in dark inks. |
| White wrap | Premium rigid boxes | 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm | Gift boxes, cosmetics and electronics: your full-color print wrapped over rigid board. |
| Black wrap | Premium rigid boxes | 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm | Luxury presentation boxes: black paper, best with foil. |
| Kraft wrap | Premium rigid boxes | 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm | Natural-look gift boxes printed in dark inks. |
Points, flutes and millimetres
- Paperboard points: one point is a thousandth of an inch. 14 pt is about as thick as a business card, 18 pt is the retail standard, and 24 pt is the thickest standard carton board.
- Corrugated flutes: F-flute is 0.8 mm and prints like a carton; E-flute (1.6 mm) is the mailer standard; B-flute (3.2 mm) is the shipping standard; C-flute (4 mm) adds cushion; heavy-duty 44 ECT board and BC double wall (about 1/4 inch) are for heavy loads.
- Rigid board: 1.5 to 3 mm greyboard; 2 mm is the gift box standard.
White ink on kraft, black and metallic boards
Light colors print bright on white board on their own. On kraft, black, silver, gold and holographic boards, a white ink layer goes under them so they stay bright; our prepress team builds it and emails you a one-page proof.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard thickness for a folding carton?
18 pt (about 350 gsm) white paperboard. Go to 20 or 24 pt for heavier products or a sturdier feel.
What is the difference between E-flute and B-flute?
E-flute is 1.6 mm thick and is the standard for mailer boxes; B-flute is 3.2 mm thick and is the standard for shipping boxes.
Does a kraft box print in color?
Yes. Kraft prints in full color; light colors get a white ink layer underneath so they stay bright on the brown board.