12 boards
Tuck box materials
Paperboard for retail cartons, corrugated flute for anything that ships or carries weight. Board thickness is measured in points: 1 pt = 0.001 in.
How to choose
Most retail cartons are 18pt SBS. Go thinner (14-16pt) for very small, light cartons and thicker (20-24pt) for tall or heavier ones. Choose kraft for a natural look, CCNB to lower the cost of large runs, and E-flute when the box ships on its own or carries real weight. Not sure? Leave the board blank in the quote form and we recommend one.
See also choosing carton board thickness.
8 boards
Paperboard
Folding cartons that sit on a shelf
DefaultSBS paperboard, coated one side (C1S)Bright white virgin-fibre board with a smooth printing face. The standard for cosmetics, supplements and retail cartons.14pt16pt18pt20pt24ptInside printingSBS paperboard, coated two sides (C2S)Coated inside and out, for boxes printed inside.14pt-24ptBudgetCCNB (clay-coated news back) recycled boardWhite coated face, grey recycled back. Lower cost for food and household cartons.16pt-24ptNatural productsKraft paperboard (natural brown)Unbleached brown board. Natural look; prints darker, white ink available on request.14pt-24ptRecycled requestRecycled paperboardBoard made with recycled fibre, with the same print face as standard paperboard. The recycled share is confirmed with your quote.16pt-24ptPremiumMetallized board (silver or gold)Mirror-silver laminated board; printed colours turn metallic, white ink blocks the shine.16pt-20ptPremiumHolographic boardRainbow-pattern laminated board for cosmetics, vape and collectibles.16pt-20ptPremiumBlack board (dyed through)Black all the way through, so edges and folds stay black; pairs with foil.16pt-24pt
4 boards
Corrugated flute
Boxes that ship on their own or carry weight
ShippingE-flute corrugated, whiteThin corrugated for mailers and heavier cartons; prints well on a white liner.about 1/16 in fluteShippingE-flute corrugated, kraftBrown corrugated for mailers.about 1/16 in fluteHeavy shippingB-flute corrugatedThicker corrugate for heavier mailers.about 1/8 in fluteRetail + shippingF-flute micro-fluteVery thin corrugate that still folds like a carton: crush resistance with tuck-box looks.about 1/32 in flute
ReferenceCompare all 12 boards side by side
| Board | Thickness | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBS paperboard, coated one side (C1S) | 14pt16pt18pt20pt24pt | Bright white virgin-fibre board with a smooth printing face. The standard for cosmetics, supplements and retail cartons. | Default |
| SBS paperboard, coated two sides (C2S) | 14pt-24pt | Coated inside and out, for boxes printed inside. | Inside printing |
| CCNB (clay-coated news back) recycled board | 16pt-24pt | White coated face, grey recycled back. Lower cost for food and household cartons. | Budget |
| Kraft paperboard (natural brown) | 14pt-24pt | Unbleached brown board. Natural look; prints darker, white ink available on request. | Natural products |
| Recycled paperboard | 16pt-24pt | Board made with recycled fibre, with the same print face as standard paperboard. The recycled share is confirmed with your quote. | Recycled request |
| Metallized board (silver or gold) | 16pt-20pt | Mirror-silver laminated board; printed colours turn metallic, white ink blocks the shine. | Premium |
| Holographic board | 16pt-20pt | Rainbow-pattern laminated board for cosmetics, vape and collectibles. | Premium |
| Black board (dyed through) | 16pt-24pt | Black all the way through, so edges and folds stay black; pairs with foil. | Premium |
| E-flute corrugated, white | about 1/16 in flute | Thin corrugated for mailers and heavier cartons; prints well on a white liner. | Shipping |
| E-flute corrugated, kraft | about 1/16 in flute | Brown corrugated for mailers. | Shipping |
| B-flute corrugated | about 1/8 in flute | Thicker corrugate for heavier mailers. | Heavy shipping |
| F-flute micro-flute | about 1/32 in flute | Very thin corrugate that still folds like a carton: crush resistance with tuck-box looks. | Retail + shipping |
Flute thicknesses are typical industry figures; paperboard calipers are the ranges we print.