The Right Material for Every Product and Budget
Eight core substrates covering every product format, price point, and sustainability goal. Pick the right one before your first quote and avoid expensive re-runs.
- FSC-certified supply chain
- Free physical sample available
- 48 hr material recommendation
- Verified recycled content
The Materials We Print On
From premium SBS for cosmetic boxes to FSC-certified kraft for sustainable brands. Every substrate has a job to do.
- 12pt to 24pt available
SBS Board (Solid Bleached Sulfate)
Premium white paperboard with a bright clean surface. The industry standard for product packaging that needs full color print and premium feel.
Best ForCosmetics, luxury goods, food packaging
Bright WhiteFood SafePrint ReadyPremium FeelBuild rigid boxes - 14pt to 24pt available
Kraft Paperboard
Natural brown unbleached paperboard. The choice for brands that want a recycled look and a verified sustainable supply chain.
Best ForEco brands, artisan food, craft positioning
Recycled ContentBiodegradableFSC CertifiedBuild kraft boxes - 3 mm
Corrugated E-Flute
Thin corrugated at 3 mm. Light weight with strong crush resistance. The default for printed mailer boxes.
Best ForMailer boxes, ecommerce shipping, fragile items
LightweightStrongRecyclablePrint ReadyBuild mailer boxes - 3.5 mm
Corrugated B-Flute
Standard corrugated at 3.5 mm. Heavy duty crush resistance for shipping cartons and stackable boxes.
Best ForShipping cartons, heavy products, stackable applications
Heavy DutyStackableRecyclableBuild shipping cartons - 1.5 mm to 4 mm
Rigid Chipboard
Dense greyboard from 1.5 mm to 4 mm. The structural core of premium rigid setup boxes.
Best ForLuxury packaging, electronics boxes, gift sets
Premium FeelRigidHeavyWrappableBuild rigid boxes - 14pt to 24pt available
CRB (Clay Coated Recycled Back)
Recycled paperboard with a clay coated white front. The cost effective choice for full color printed folding cartons.
Best ForSustainable brands, folding cartons, retail packaging
RecycledWhite SurfacePrintableAffordableExplore eco options - 14pt to 20pt available
Duplex Board
White on one side, grey on the other. The most cost effective option for short run printed packaging.
Best ForMid-range packaging, retail
AffordablePrintableLightweightBuild product boxes - 18pt to 24pt available
Holographic Board
Paperboard with a metallic reflective surface. Used for premium and seasonal packaging that needs to catch the eye.
Best ForPremium products, seasonal gift packaging
Metallic ShinePremiumUniqueEye CatchingBuild display boxes
How to Choose Your Material
Four questions get you to the right substrate before you ever request a quote.
Start with the job
A retail carton that ships inside a mailer can use lighter paperboard. A box that travels alone needs corrugated strength.
Match the brand feel
SBS and rigid chipboard read as premium. Kraft signals natural and artisan. CRB and duplex keep costs lean for high volume retail.
Plan for weight and travel
E-flute carries light products, B-flute handles heavier stackable loads, and rigid greyboard protects fragile premium items.
Weigh the eco goal
FSC kraft and recycled CRB lead on sustainability. We verify recycled content and chain of custody through our supply chain.
Material Comparison
A quick reference for the eight materials we use most often. Every number is based on standard US commercial print runs.
| Material | Best For | Min Order | Price | Eco |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBS Board | Cosmetics, luxury | 100 units | $$$$ | FSC available |
| Kraft | Eco brands, artisan | 50 units | $$$$ | Recycled content |
| Corrugated E-Flute | Mailer boxes | 50 units | $$$$ | Recycled content |
| Corrugated B-Flute | Shipping cartons | 25 units | $$$$ | Recycled content |
| Rigid Chipboard | Luxury, electronics | 50 units | $$$$ | Partial |
| CRB | Sustainable folding cartons | 500 units | $$$$ | Recycled content |
| Duplex Board | Cost-effective retail | 500 units | $$$$ | Partial |
| Holographic Board | Premium, seasonal | 250 units | $$$$ | No |
Prices are relative. Exact cost depends on quantity, size, and finish. Get a real quote.
Sustainability Backed by Paper, Not Just Claims
We source FSC-certified kraft and CRB with verified recycled content. That means your packaging can carry legitimate eco claims your customers can trust, not greenwashing.
- FSC chain of custody documentation on request
- 80 to 100 percent post-consumer recycled content on CRB
- Unbleached natural kraft requires less processing and water
- Soy and water-based inks available across all substrates
Questions About Choosing a Material
The questions buyers ask most when picking a substrate for a custom box.
Which material should I choose for full color printed retail packaging?+
SBS board gives the brightest, most accurate full color print and a premium hand feel. If you want a lower cost option with a printable white front, CRB or duplex board print well for most retail cartons.
What is the most sustainable packaging material you offer?+
FSC certified kraft and CRB are the strongest eco choices. Kraft is unbleached and uses less processing, while CRB carries 80 to 100 percent recycled content with a printable clay coated front.
When should I use corrugated instead of paperboard?+
Use corrugated whenever the box ships on its own. E-flute suits printed mailer boxes under 5 lbs, and B-flute handles heavier shipping cartons and stackable loads. Paperboard suits retail cartons that ship inside an outer box.
How thick should my material be?+
Thicker stock means a sturdier box and a more premium feel, at a higher cost. Lightweight products do well on 14pt to 16pt board, most cosmetics and supplements use 18pt, and heavy or luxury items move up to 24pt board or rigid greyboard.
Can I see the material before I commit to a full run?+
Yes. We produce a single physical sample of your final design on your chosen material for a flat fee that credits toward your first production order.
Will you recommend a material for me?+
Yes. Tell us your product category, order volume, and budget on the quote form and we recommend the right substrate, thickness, and finish, plus a free 3D mockup within 48 business hours.
Where to Go Next
Pair the right material with the right box style and finish for a complete packaging spec.
Not Sure Which Material Fits?
Tell us about your product. We recommend the right material based on your category, volume, and budget, plus a free 3D mockup within 48 business hours.