Paperboard Grades

Our last post focused on a variety of paper types and brief descriptions of what each type of paper offers. This post will be focused on different paperboard grades. Paperboard is a type of paper but generally thicker than printer paper and is commonly used in a variety of packaging applications. We will be focusing on Chipboard, cardboard, and new board variations because of their uses in the packaging industry.

Chipboard- Chipboard is made from 100% recycled fiber and is the lowest cost paperboard. Chipboard is not suitable for printing and offers poor folding qualities. Chipboard often contains several blemishes from impurities of using recycled paper. They are commonly used for setup boxes, partitions, backings, flat boards, and other applications where folding and presentation are not critical. There are also different types of chipboard that have their own individual uses.

1. Bending Chipboard- A slightly better grade of chipboard that is still primarily made of recycled fiber. There is enough quantity of good fibers to allow the chipboard to be bent. Bending chipboard is often used when strength and appearance are not paramount. Bending chipboard cartons are generally the most affordable bending boxes available.
2. Lined Chipboard- Offers a white face liner that helps to improve the appearance of the board. Still an affordable type of paperboard, but can be used for retail settings because of the improved appearance.

Newsboard- Newsboard is a low-grade board commonly composed of recycled newspaper. Newsboard is often used in a variety of mailers and mailing cartons.

Cardboard- Probably the most common paperboard and used in a variety of applications and industries. Cardboard is a generic term often used to refer to all types of paperboard. In the packaging industry, people are commonly referring to corrugated cardboard when they ask for cardboard containers. Corrugated boxes come in thousands of sizes, shapes, and strengths. Corrugated fiberboard is made from cellulose fibers. The cellulose fibers are formed into two sheets of paper referred to as liners. These two liners are then glued to a rigid inner medium referred to as fluting. The three pieces combined together create a stronger board then what they would be individual. We just described a single-walled corrugated box. There are also double and triple wall corrugated boxes.

Aside from a stronger box structure, the fluting can also help to provide insulation. The airflow in between the rigid structure of the fluting can help to insulate the contents inside. Corrugated boards and boxes are an incredible material that plays a large role in the world we live in today. We will be offering a variety of posts in the future to explain the benefits and advantages of corrugated boxes.

These are only a couple of paperboard grade that is used in packaging the products in the world we live in. There are several interesting facts and features of paperboard that can be covered in the future.