In the packaging and printing industry, paper is the core material. Different types, materials and properties of paper directly determine the texture and cost of the product. Many practitioners are often confused by categories such as double grey board, white card paper and coated paper. This article briefly analyzes the characteristics and uses of commonly used papers, and combines knowledge points such as paper weight and environmental paper to help everyone quickly select the right paper.
I. Common Core Paper Types and Characteristics for Packaging and Printing
The core categories of commonly used papers each have their own focuses. You can choose based on your own needs. The details are as follows:
White cardstock: The top choice for high-end packaging
White cardstock is mainly made of pure wood pulp, featuring a firm texture, a bright white surface, excellent stiffness and folding endurance. It is suitable for various printing processes such as offset printing and hot stamping, and offers high color fidelity. Commonly used paper weights range from 250g to 400g. The 250g-300g weight is ideal for cosmetic boxes and handbags, while the 350g-400g weight is perfect for hard box gift boxes. Its advantages include good texture, but the disadvantage is a relatively high cost. It is available in single-sided and double-sided grades.
2. Coated Paper: The Preferred Choice for High-Quality Printing
Coated paper, also known as coated art paper, features a smooth coated surface with high gloss and uniform ink absorption. It offers rich and vibrant printing colors, making it an ideal choice for posters, brochures, and packaging box cover paper. Made from a blend of wood pulp and grass pulp, it is available in both single and double-sided varieties. Common weights range from 105g to 250g. Lower weights are suitable for flyers, while higher weights are preferred for gift box cover paper. It is important to note that coated paper has poor water resistance and should be laminated for outdoor use.
3. Double Gray Board Paper: High Cost-Performance Support Paper
Double gray board paper (gray card paper) is made from waste paper pulp and grass pulp. It is low in price and has good stiffness. It is mainly used for inner packaging supports, inner linings of gift boxes, inner layers of shoe boxes, etc. It is not suitable for direct printing of exquisite graphics and text. The paper weight ranges from 250g to 1000g. The higher the weight, the stronger the support. There are also environmentally friendly types that meet the standards of environmentally friendly paper and are suitable for scenarios where costs need to be controlled.
4. Coated kraft paper: Specialized for heavy-duty packaging
Coated kraft paper is made from wood pulp and has a smooth surface after coating, which makes it both tough and smooth. It is wear-resistant and tear-resistant, making it suitable for heavy-duty packaging and transportation scenarios such as corrugated boxes and express delivery boxes. The commonly used paper weight is 200g-300g, and it can be simply printed with logos. The cost is lower than that of white card paper and coated paper. Its core advantages are high strength and strong durability.
5. Food-grade Paper: Specifically for Food Packaging
Food-grade paper meets the requirements for food packaging paper, free of harmful substances, safe and environmentally friendly, with water and oil resistance. The paper material is made from food-grade wood pulp and complies with environmental paper standards. Common types include food-grade white card paper, kraft paper, and oil-proof paper, suitable for high-end food boxes, snack bags, and fried food packaging respectively. When purchasing, it is necessary to confirm the test report.
II. Core Skills for Selecting Paper
Choose based on purpose, weight, process, and cost. The key points are as follows:
1. Determine the purpose
Use coated paper for exquisite printing, white card paper for high-end packaging, double grey board paper for inner support, food-grade paper for food packaging, and coated kraft paper for heavy-duty transportation.
2. Matching Gram Weight
The gram weight of paper is positively correlated with its thickness. There is no need to blindly pursue high gram weight: for promotional leaflets, choose 105g-128g coated paper; for small gift boxes, select 250g-300g white cardstock; for heavy-duty packaging, opt for paper weighing 350g or more.
3. Compatible Printing Processes
White card paper and coated paper are compatible with a variety of printing processes. Double grey board paper and coated kraft paper are suitable for simple printing. Special processes require prior confirmation of compatibility.
4. Balancing Cost and Environmental Protection
When the budget is limited, a combination of "double grey board + face paper" can be adopted. For those who pursue environmental protection, recycled and eco-friendly paper can be chosen. This way, both cost-effectiveness and brand image can be taken into account.
III. Common Misconceptions in Paper Selection
Misconception 1: The higher the grammage, the better the quality of the paper?
Not necessarily. The core of paper quality lies in the material and manufacturing process. A low grammage pure wood pulp paper may be better than a high grammage grass pulp paper. Choose according to your needs.
Misconception 2: Can coated paper and white cardstock be used interchangeably?
No. Coated paper is mainly used for high-quality printing, while white cardstock is more suitable for packaging support and texture. They have different uses and cannot be used interchangeably.