Two Papers, Two Personalities
Most folding cartons are built from one of two paper grades: white cardboard (SBS board) or coated paper (art paper). Although they look similar on the shelf, the two differ in stiffness, print quality, cost and finishing behavior. Understanding these differences helps you avoid overpaying for premium board — or under-specifying for a luxury unboxing moment.
White Cardboard (SBS Board): Strong, Stiff and Print-Ready
White cardboard is made from 100% bleached sulfate wood pulp and finished with calendering or embossing. It is thick, bright and highly resistant to folding fatigue.
Key Properties
- Weight: 250g/㎡ – 400g/㎡
- Surface: clean, smooth, bright white
- Stiffness: high, excellent folding endurance; minimal stretching — creases cleanly
- Grades: blue-white C1S/C2S board, white-back coated board, grey-back coated board
- Finishing: ideal for lamination (gloss/matte), hot foil stamping, embossing and UV
- Cost: higher than coated paper
Best Applications
Premium gift boxes, cosmetic boxes, phone and electronics boxes, tags, paper bags, book covers, cigarette packs and children’s books. In the high-end consumer packaging segment, white cardboard accounts for about 65% of usage.
Coated Paper (Art Paper): Smooth Surface, Exceptional Print
Coated paper is base paper coated with white pigment and super-calendered to a mirror-smooth finish with outstanding ink reproduction — the surface of choice for photo-rich, color-critical artwork.
Key Properties
- Weight: 128g/㎡ – 300g/㎡
- Surface: smooth and glossy; high color saturation, sharp detail
- Types: single-sided (C1S) and double-sided (C2S) coated
- Weakness: moisture-sensitive — curls in environments above 60% humidity
- Cost: medium
Best Applications
Coated paper is usually used as face paper laminated onto grey board for rigid boxes, rather than as a self-supporting carton board. Common face paper weights are 128g, 157g and 200g — 157g is the industry default because it wraps box corners cleanly and lies flat on grey board. It is also used for posters and light packaging.
White Cardboard vs Coated Paper: Comparison
| Factor | White Cardboard (SBS) | Coated Paper (Art Paper) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical weight | 250–400g/㎡ | 128–300g/㎡ |
| Stiffness | High — self-supporting cartons | Lower — usually laminated on board |
| Print quality | Very good | Excellent, photo-realistic |
| Creasing/folding | Excellent, no cracking | Good; needs care on heavy weights |
| Finishing | Lamination, foil, emboss, UV all work well | Excellent for lamination and foil |
| Moisture resistance | Good | Poor above 60% humidity |
| Typical use | Folding cartons, rigid box frames | Rigid box face paper, posters |
| Cost | Higher | Medium |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose white cardboard when…
- Your carton must stand on its own (folding carton with tuck ends or auto-lock bottom)
- You need a crisp, crack-free crease on the fold line
- Your product is heavy or needs shelf rigidity (electronics, cosmetics sets)
Choose coated paper when…
- You need photographic print quality as a rigid box face paper
- You’re wrapping grey board frames and want smooth corners
- Budget matters and the board will be supported by a grey board core
Production Steps for Your Folding Carton
Design → CTP plate making → sheet-fed offset printing → surface finishing (optional lamination, foil, UV) → die-cutting & creasing (print side up, pressed from outside in) → gluing & folding.
FAQ
Can coated paper be used as a standalone carton?
For lightweight retail cartons, heavier coated paper (250g+ with C2S coating) can work, but white cardboard gives better rigidity and cleaner creases for most self-standing boxes.
What is the best face paper weight for a rigid box?
157g coated paper is the industry standard — thick enough to wrap corners smoothly, thin enough to laminate flat.
Do you offer FSC-certified paper?
Yes. FSC-certified white cardboard and coated paper are available for eco-conscious brands. See our certifications.
Get a Free Quote
Xilong Packaging has produced custom folding cartons and rigid gift boxes since 2000, with in-house printing, die-cutting and gluing lines. Contact us for material recommendations and a free quote within 24 hours.