24/07/2025
In the world of packaging, selecting the right paper types is a critical decision that impacts not only visual appeal but also structural integrity, production cost, and overall brand perception. Each paper type offers unique physical and technical properties—from surface texture, thickness, and rigidity to compatibility with printing and finishing processes—making it suitable for specific packaging formats and design goals.
Whether it’s premium stocks like ivory and art paper, mainstream options such as couche and kraft, or specialty substrates like chipboard and corrugated board, each material plays a distinct role across a wide range of packaging applications, including rigid boxes, folding cartons, paper bags, tags, and food packaging.
This guide provides an in-depth overview of the most commonly used paper types in today’s packaging industry, with detailed insights into their specifications, strengths, limitations, and real-world use cases—helping businesses, designers, and production teams make informed material choices for every packaging project.
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Couche paper is a coated wood-free paper known for its smooth, glossy (or matte) surface, which is achieved by applying a fine layer of kaolin or synthetic polymer coating. This surface enables high-resolution offset printing with vivid colors, crisp details, and excellent contrast, making it the top choice among commercial printing papers.
Couche paper stands out for its cost-effectiveness, versatility, and print fidelity, which explains its dominance in both mass and premium packaging applications. It is commonly used for cosmetic, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and promotional product boxes, particularly where brand image and shelf appeal are important.
Typical grammages for folding box production range from 150 to 300 gsm, depending on the structural requirements. For instance, a skincare or supplement brand might opt for couche paper laminated with a glossy or matte film to amplify the sense of luxury and enhance product visibility.
Ivory paper is a high-quality paperboard known for its distinctive cream or off-white tone, which gives printed materials a soft, elegant, and premium look. It features a semi-gloss coated surface on one side for sharp image reproduction, while the reverse side is matte and writable, making it versatile for both printing and labeling purposes.
With a good balance of stiffness, flexibility, and resilience, ivory paper is widely used in producing gift packaging, invitations, and folding boxes that require both structural integrity and refined aesthetics. In packaging applications, it is typically used in grammages ranging from 210 to 350 gsm, suitable for products such as tea, coffee, cigarettes, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and confectionery.
Thanks to its smooth surface, clean edges, and excellent printability, ivory paper is a popular choice for brands seeking to convey sophistication and quality in their packaging.
Duplex paper is a type of coated paperboard featuring one smooth white surface for printing and one gray, uncoated reverse side. Made primarily from recycled pulp, it is both cost-effective and highly recyclable, making it a popular choice for budget-friendly packaging.
In box production, duplex paper is commonly used in grammages ranging from 250 to 500 gsm, depending on the required strength. It is widely applied in packaging for toothpaste, soap, and other fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), where cost and functionality are prioritized.
While duplex paper offers good structural strength, its ink absorption properties are not as controlled as coated papers like couche, often resulting in dull colors or ink smudging. To enhance appearance and durability, printed duplex surfaces are usually finished with gloss lamination, which improves color vibrancy, moisture resistance, and surface protection.
Kraft paper is a strong, uncoated paper known for its natural brown appearance and environmental friendliness. Manufactured without bleaching chemicals through the kraft pulping process, it retains high fiber strength and offers excellent durability.
At lower grammages (from 70 gsm), kraft paper is widely used for shopping bags, wrapping paper, and inner liners. At higher grammages (from 170 gsm), it becomes suitable for paper box packaging, especially in industries that value sustainability and natural aesthetics. A typical example is the packaging of organic or eco-friendly food products, which often uses kraft to reinforce brand values aligned with environmental consciousness.
Although white kraft paper is also available, it presents color printing challenges due to its porous surface and lack of coating. As a result, selecting appropriate ink colors and applying the right printing techniques is essential to ensure clarity and visual appeal.
In Vietnam, Ford paper refers to an uncoated white paper commonly used for photocopying, document printing, and educational materials. It features a light, slightly rough texture and a non-glare finish, making it easy to write or print on and pleasant to read under various lighting conditions.
While coated papers like couche offer a glossy and vibrant appearance, Ford paper provides a more natural, understated aesthetic. This makes it suitable for projects that value simplicity or a handcrafted image. For example, a local artisanal brand may choose Ford paper for product labels to emphasize the brand’s authenticity and handmade quality.
Bristol paper is a premium, heavyweight cardstock composed of multiple layers of paper compressed together to form a stiff, durable sheet. Known for its smooth surface, excellent ink adhesion, and superior rigidity, Bristol paper delivers outstanding performance in both offset and digital printing.
Typically featuring two sides—one smooth and the other lightly textured—Bristol is highly versatile and compatible with laser printing, inkjet printing, screen printing, embossing, and debossing. It is often chosen for cosmetic and pharmaceutical packaging, high-end invitations, POS materials, and premium covers that require clean lines and vibrant color reproduction.
The grammage commonly used ranges from 250 to 350 gsm, making it ideal for printed materials that require both aesthetic appeal and structural integrity.
Art paper is a category of premium printing papers distinguished by their unique textures, colors, finishes, and artistic qualities. Unlike standard coated papers such as couche or ivory, art paper offers a wide range of aesthetic and tactile effects, making it a favorite in high-end packaging and luxury printing.
Commonly used art paper brands include Malmero, Canaletto, Modi Dore, and Stardream, each offering distinctive visual and textural characteristics. These papers are especially popular in the production of rigid boxes, invitation cards, brochures, and other premium printed products.
In packaging applications, art paper is typically used in grammages from 280 to 350 gsm, providing both visual appeal and structural stability when laminated or mounted. Many art papers are engineered to be compatible with foil stamping, UV coating, embossing, and other surface finishing techniques—helping to create truly standout and luxurious products.
Corrugated cardboard is a packaging material made from multiple layers of paper, typically including one or more fluted (wavy) middle layers sandwiched between flat linerboards. It is known for its durability, cushioning properties, and load-bearing strength, making it ideal for shipping boxes and product packaging. Depending on the layer composition, the grammage of individual layers usually ranges from 120 to 250 gsm.
Corrugated cardboard is widely used in packaging for electronics, fashion items, and food products. For example, pizza boxes are often made from E-flute single-wall corrugated board, which is lightweight, strong, and suitable for food contact when appropriately treated.
Common flute types used in packaging include A, B, C, E, and F, each differing in wave height and number of flutes per meter. A flute (≈4.5 mm) provides excellent cushioning and stacking strength, while F flute (≈0.8 mm) offers a smoother surface for high-quality printing. The selection of flute type depends on the balance between structural strength and visual presentation required for the packaging.
Chipboard, also known as grayboard, is a dense and rigid paperboard made from recycled paper pulp. It typically ranges in thickness from 1 mm to 3 mm, corresponding to approximately 700 to 1500 gsm, depending on its density. While chipboard offers excellent structural strength, its surface is usually rough and gray, with poor color reproduction capabilities.
Due to these limitations, chipboard is not used for direct printing. Instead, a high-quality printed sheet—often made of coated paper like couche or art paper—is first printed using offset technology, then laminated (mounted) onto the chipboard surface to create an attractive outer layer.
Chipboard is widely used in manufacturing rigid boxes for premium products, such as corporate gift boxes, Lunar New Year gift boxes, and Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake boxes, thanks to its durability, luxurious feel, and ability to support complex finishing techniques like foil stamping, embossing, or magnetic closures.
Selecting the right type of paper plays a critical role in both the appearance and performance of your packaging. From the smooth, vibrant surface of coated paper to the strength of corrugated cardboard and the natural appeal of kraft, each material offers distinct advantages tailored to different product categories, branding goals, and budget requirements.
At Newlifepack, we help businesses make informed choices by recommending paper types that strike the perfect balance between visual appeal, structural integrity, and production efficiency. Backed by over 16 years of experience and cutting-edge printing technology, we’re committed to delivering premium packaging solutions that elevate your brand and meet the demands of today’s competitive market.
Newlife Packaging Printing Company (Newlifepack Co., Ltd. – since 2008) is a leading manufacturer of Paper Packaging and a trusted provider of Custom Rigid Boxes based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
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