What is Paperboard Used For

Introduction

Paperboard is a strong, renewable, and incredibly versatile material. Made from plant fibers through pulping and pressing, it is thicker and sturdier than regular paper and can withstand greater pressure and impact. Unlike flexible printing paper, paperboard provides both structural support and excellent printability, making it essential for packaging, display, and printing industries.In this article, we’ll explore the main uses of paperboard and why it has become a preferred material across so many sectors.

The Application of Paperboard

Paperboard has a wide range of applications—from shipping boxes to retail packaging and promotional printing. Different grades of paperboard are designed to meet different functional and visual requirements. Below are the main ways paperboard is used in the packaging and printing fields.

Packaging

Shipping and Transport Packaging

In logistics and transportation, the main role of paperboard is protection. Corrugated board—made from linerboard and fluting paper—is the most common material for shipping boxes due to its excellent compression strength and cushioning performance.

Single-wall corrugated board is ideal for e-commerce boxes and lightweight parcels.

Double-wall or triple-wall corrugated board provides higher durability and is used for heavier goods such as appliances, furniture, or machinery.

At Golden Paper, our Kraft Liner Board is a popular choice for shipping and heavy-duty packaging. Made from 100% virgin wood pulp, it offers high burst strength, great stiffness, and superior moisture resistance, ensuring your products stay protected throughout transport.

Product Packaging

Product packaging not only protects goods but also represents your brand image. Paperboard is widely used because it is easy to print, cut, laminate, and customize for different products.

Food Packaging:

Cereal boxes, pizza boxes, burger boxes, and bakery boxes often use Coated Kraft Board (CKB). This paperboard has a clean white surface, excellent stiffness, and oil- and moisture-resistant properties—making it perfect for food containers, beverage packaging, and cold-chain delivery boxes.

Electronics Packaging:

For devices like phones or computers, multi-layer paperboard with reinforced fluting or padding materials is used to absorb shocks and prevent compression damage during transport.

Cosmetics Packaging:

Premium cosmetic boxes often use Ivory Board or High Bulk Ivory Board. These paperboards have a smooth, elegant surface suitable for foil stamping, embossing, and UV printing, adding luxury appeal to the packaging.

Pharmaceutical Packaging:

Medicine boxes are typically made with high-quality white paperboard, which ensures clear printing, accurate information, and durability for everyday handling.

At Golden Paper, we supply a full range of food-grade, industrial-grade, and premium packaging boards to meet diverse market demands—from daily consumer goods to luxury brand packaging.

Specialty Packaging Needs

As packaging technology evolves, paperboard can be treated to meet specialized requirements.

Moisture-Resistant Packaging:

PE Coated Paper is commonly used for food, beverage, and frozen packaging. Its polyethylene coating effectively blocks moisture, keeping packages strong and dry.

Depending on your product needs—whether for hot drinks, cold beverages, or general takeaway use—you can choose between single PE coated cup paper or double PE coated cup paper for better insulation and protection.

These examples show how functional and customizable paperboard packaging can be. Golden Paper can tailor paperboard options based on your specifications—offering different grammages, layers, and coatings to create the best solution for your packaging needs.

Printing

Paperboard isn’t just for packaging—it also plays an important role in printing and brand presentation. Its stiffness and smooth surface make it ideal for high-quality printing and post-press finishing processes.

Brand Promotion and Printed Materials

With excellent printability, paperboard is often used for product boxes, brochures, catalogs, and posters.

For example, Coated Art Paper is a popular choice for premium printing thanks to its smooth surface and excellent color reproduction. It delivers high-resolution images, making it ideal for marketing materials and luxury packaging.

Meanwhile, Folding Box Board (FBB) combines strength and aesthetics, allowing for double-sided printing, lamination, and foil stamping. It’s commonly used for gift boxes, business cards, stationery, and pharmaceutical boxes.

These materials not only enhance visual impact but also make the product more durable and user-friendly—perfect for both practical and promotional applications.

Displays and Presentations

In retail stores, supermarkets, and exhibitions, paperboard is widely used for display stands and POP advertising boards.

Corrugated or card-based displays are lightweight, low-cost, and easy to assemble, while still maintaining strong visual appeal.

Duplex Board with Grey Back and Duplex Board with White Back are ideal for such uses, offering great stiffness and print performance.

Golden Paper provides a variety of cardboard thicknesses and sizes for promotional displays, retail panels, and point-of-sale materials—helping brands achieve a high visual impact at an affordable cost.

Creative and Design Applications

Thanks to its flexibility and formability, paperboard is also favored in creative industries. Designers use it to make gift boxes, photo albums, art projects, and model prototypes.

High-density rigid paperboard can be precision-cut into custom shapes and combined with foil stamping, embossing, or laser effects for a premium look.

Black Paper Board and Color Board Paper are popular for high-end stationery, packaging, and craft projects, providing an elegant matte texture and excellent opacity.

Conclusion

From shipping and product packaging to premium printing and creative design, paperboard is everywhere. Its strength, versatility, and eco-friendly nature make it a cornerstone of the modern sustainable packaging industry. At Golden Paper, we offer a comprehensive range of paperboard products to meet your packaging and printing needs. Contact us today for samples or a quotation—we’re here to help your business grow with quality paperboard solutions.