What is Paperboard Packaging?
When you reach for your favorite cereal in the morning, you probably don’t think much about the box it comes in. But did you know that your cereal box isn’t made of cardboard? It’s actually made of something called paperboard!
What Is Paperboard?
Paperboard is a strong, lightweight packaging material made from wood pulp or recycled paper pulp. It’s thicker than regular paper but not as heavy as cardboard, making it ideal for packaging lighter items or creating more intricate unboxing experiences.
Common Uses of Paperboard Packaging
Paperboard is used in many industries because it is durable and flexible. Some common uses include packaging for:
- Food & Beverage: Examples include dry-food boxes like cereal or pasta, frozen food packages, gum packaging and snack containers.
- Pharmaceutical & Healthcare: Examples include over-the-counter medicine boxes and personal care product packaging for things like toothpaste, tissues, band-aids and bars of soap.
- Cosmetics & Beauty Products: Examples include packaging for hair dye, face creams and make-up.
- Electronics: Examples include small electronics like tablets, phones and cords.
- Consumer Goods & Household Products: Examples include boxes of envelopes, stationery and toy packaging.
The Appeal of Paperboard for Packaging
Manufacturers and brands use paperboard packaging because it’s:
- Versatile: It can be folded, curved and customized in many ways.
- Eye-catching: Brands can print high-quality images and vibrant colors on paperboard, making their packaging more appealing to customers.
- Cost-effective: Because it’s lightweight, it helps lower transportation costs.
- Strong: Paperboard boxes hold their shape while being easy to fold and store.
- Recyclable: Boxes made from paper can usually go in recycling bins.
Designing for the Future with Paperboard Packaging
Paperboard packaging is becoming even more popular as companies develop innovative solutions to meet the demands of their customers.
Every year, the Paperboard Packaging Alliance challenges students across North America to develop innovative, recyclable paper-packaging solutions for real-world scenarios. See what the next generation of design talent is up to.