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Historically, classification of paper, board, and cardboard has been based on grammage. White cardboard and coated board (commonly known as "copper card paper") are two widely utilized materials in print production. Despite sharing the term "card," they differ significantly in application, manufacturing process, and appearance. This section examines these differences through macroscopic and microscopic perspectives to clarify their respective characteristics and usage scenarios.
1. Functional Differences
White cardboard is a thick, rigid paper grade with high basis weight and stringent requirements for whiteness: Grade A ≥ 92%, Grade B ≥ 87%, and Grade C ≥ 82%. When whiteness exceeds 90%, the surface appears notably bright, even glossy. It is primarily employed in printing business cards, certificates, invitations, covers, calendars, and postal cards.
Coated board features high surface smoothness, gloss, uniform coating, and rapid ink absorption. The coating itself has a whiteness exceeding 90%, making it highly suitable for high-fidelity color reproduction. Applications include premium business cards, posters, photo albums, garment tags, and luxury cosmetic packaging.
2. Manufacturing Process Differences
White cardboard emphasizes thickness, stiffness, burst resistance, and surface smoothness (excluding embossed variants). The surface must be free of defects such as streaks or spots, with no warping or deformation. Prior to 1992, much of the white cardboard used in foreign-invested enterprises and hotels in China was imported. The emergence of Ningbo Zhonghua Paper Industry shifted this dynamic by introducing domestically produced alternatives using bleached chemical wood pulp, advanced equipment, and modern techniques. These domestic products match imported quality at significantly lower costs and now dominate the market.
Coated board achieves its lustrous finish through surface coating followed by supercalendering. The coating is evenly applied, producing a bright white, reflective surface. Coated boards are classified as single-coated or multi-coated; the former is often referred to simply as coated paper.
3. Visual and Structural Differences
Due to differing processing methods, the surfaces of white cardboard and coated board exhibit distinct characteristics. Both sides of coated board are printable, featuring high smoothness, flatness, and gloss. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM, 1000× magnification) reveals similar microstructures on both sides, with minimal roughness variation.
In contrast, white cardboard has a bimodal surface: one side is smooth and reflective, comparable to coated board, while the reverse resembles copy paper-matte and non-reflective. SEM analysis shows that although the particle morphology on the smooth side resembles that of coated board, the reverse side displays heterogeneous particle distribution and pronounced roughness.
In summary, white cardboard and coated board serve different market segments due to their structural and functional distinctions. White cardboard remains dominant in the board segment. With growing environmental awareness and regulatory changes-such as China's transition from a "plastic restriction order" to a full "plastic ban" effective January 1, 2021-single-use plastics like straws, utensils, and blenders are being phased out. By 2040, disposable plastic products are expected to largely disappear from consumer markets. This shift, coupled with rising eco-consciousness and consumption upgrading, drives demand for sustainable, cost-effective base materials in end-user packaging. The substitution of paper for plastic has become an irreversible trend, opening new growth opportunities for the paper industry.
