9 Representative Paper Types Used in Packaging Production

If you’re considering custom box production, you probably already know that there are many different kinds of paper to choose from. Ivory, Royal Ivory, CCP, SC Manila... with names that are hard to remember and papers that look similar at first glance, how should you decide which one to use? We’ve prepared an explanation of 9 representative paper types most commonly used in packaging production, so let’s go through them one by one.

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Why you should know about paper when producing packaging

When producing packaging, choosing the right paper is extremely important for several reasons.

First, each paper has a different texture. Smooth, rough, soft — the unique texture of each paper greatly affects the overall feel of the box. Other factors to consider when choosing paper include basis weight, thickness, and smoothness.

First, “basis weight” refers to the weight of the paper. Paper thickness is, more precisely, the height of a single sheet, and micrometers (µm, 1/1000 mm) are used as the unit. In general, if you want to judge how sturdy a paper is, you need to check basis weight and thickness together.

Lastly, “smoothness” refers to how flat and even the surface of the paper is. The higher the smoothness, the more evenly ink will print on the paper. By selecting the exact type you need from among these different papers, you can achieve the intended result for your packaging.

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Types of paper and their uses

1. SC Manila

• Features: A paper with a white front and gray back, often called “thick drawing paper” at stationery stores. Because it is made with more than 95% recycled paper it offers good cost performance.
• Uses: Since it is inexpensive but has somewhat uneven print-side smoothness and whiteness, and the back is not white, it is mainly used for bulk orders of simple packaging rather than premium product packaging. It cannot be used for food packaging.

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2. Ivory Board

• Features: Similar to SC Manila, but the back is almost white. Likewise, because it has a high recycled fiber content it is relatively cost-effective.
• Uses: It improves some of SC Manila’s drawbacks, but overall has similar characteristics, so the uses are also similar. However, because the back is almost white, printing on both sides is possible.

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3. Royal Ivory

• Features: Among industrial papers, this is one of the most premium and versatile. Because it is made from 100% pulp, it has excellent smoothness and a luxurious feel. It has a slight yellowish tone, with a smooth front and rough back, and either side can be used as the front depending on the purpose.
• Uses: It is suitable for food products such as chicken and cookies, as well as premium packaging for cosmetics and more. Since it is relatively more expensive, print quality is excellent.

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4. CCP

• Features: A product with a very high-gloss surface; if the packaging production process is not handled by an experienced team, the paper may crack.
• Uses: Optimized for photo album production, and also widely used for cosmetic and pharmaceutical packaging.

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5. Kraft

• Features: One of the strongest industrial papers and usually brown in color. Since it is made from softwood-based pulp, it has excellent toughness and strength. There are also versions produced in white.
• Uses: Because it is made from 100% pulp, it can be used for food packaging, and since it resists moisture, it works well for bundled beer packaging or frozen pizza boxes.

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6. New Eco Black

• Features: As the name suggests, this is black paper. It contains 40% chlorine-free bleached recycled pulp and offers good price competitiveness relative to its quality.
• Uses: It is suitable for various finishing processes such as letterpress printing, folding, and die-cutting, making it useful for producing book covers, business cards, cards, menus, tags, shopping bags, and more.

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7. Old Mill

• Features: Both sides feature an elegant felt texture. Even though it is uncoated paper, it is stable and easy to offset print on, and its high bulk makes it well-suited for post-processing such as letterpress or embossing. It is also an eco-friendly, biodegradable product.
• Uses: It works well for envelopes, business cards, catalogs, and more, and is also great for brand packaging that takes advantage of the luxurious feel of its felt texture.

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8. Earthpack

• Features: An eco-friendly paper made from 100% sugarcane byproducts. Compared with other papers of the same basis weight, it has better thickness, and because it is unbleached, it has a natural color.
• Uses: It can be used for food packaging as well as most other applications, and is especially often used for paper straws, paper cups, calligraphy, and craft paper.

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9. Acopack

• Features: A premium uncoated paper known for its soft touch and natural print color reproduction. It is an eco-friendly product made with chlorine-free bleached pulp, and comes in 10 different basis weights.
• Uses: It is ideal for giving a premium feel to notices, postcards, pamphlets, calendars, and envelopes.

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Worried about making the wrong choice?

Box production usually involves ordering a large number at once, from hundreds to thousands of units. So if you have no experience and choose an unsuitable paper at the start, you can end up in a very difficult situation. At Packative, one-on-one consultation with packaging experts helps you get the right paper recommendation based on your intended use, and handle everything from design to production in one place.

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