Guides · Materials
Packaging materials guide
Short answer: the material decides the cost, the feel, and the recyclability of your packaging. This is the reference our own production team uses when advising on a brief.
Rigid board (for premium gift boxes)
- Greyboard 2mm — the category standardUsed in 90% of premium rigid gift boxes. Dense, rigid, wraps cleanly with decorative papers. FSC Recycled available. Typical weight: 1200–1400 g/m² equivalent.
- Greyboard 1.5mmLighter constructions — smaller jewelry and cosmetics pieces. Lower shipping weight.
- Greyboard 3mmMagnum wine boxes, heavier spirits, larger-format presentation. Where structural rigidity matters more than material cost.
- ChipboardBudget alternative to greyboard — less refined surface, suitable as a carrier for a wrap.
Decorative wrap papers
- Fedrigoni MatericaItalian luxury paper mill. Tactile, uncoated, hand-made-feel. Preferred for heritage brands.
- Fedrigoni SirioSaturated-colour range — Sirio Black, Sirio Pearl. Excellent coverage for foil stamping.
- KeaykolourFinnish mill. Wide colour range, consistent batch-to-batch. Our default for colour-critical work.
- Cialux / bookbinding clothPremium — the feel of a hardback book. Used on hero pieces and heritage editions.
- Uncoated printed wrapCMYK-printed paper on a neutral stock — cost-efficient way to achieve full-colour artwork on a rigid box.
Folding cartons (for mid-volume retail packaging)
- GC1 (Solid Bleached Board, virgin fibre)Premium folding carton. Bright white interior, food-contact safe. Industry standard for cosmetics and confectionery that sits on a lit shelf.
- GC2 (Solid Bleached Board, virgin fibre, grey back)Same structural quality as GC1, but with a grey reverse — lower cost. Used where only the outer face is seen.
- FSC kraftNatural brown kraft. The “eco” signal. Pairs with single-colour print or blind embossing for artisanal looks.
- Recycled grey / PCR board100% post-consumer recycled fibre. Lower brightness, more textured — appropriate for eco-forward brands.
- GC1 with window filmDie-cut window with PET or bio-PLA film behind it. Allows product visibility.
Corrugated (for shipping & e-commerce)
- E-flute (1.5mm)The DTC mailer standard. Thin enough to feel premium, rigid enough to protect. Takes full-colour direct print.
- B-flute (3mm)Larger-format mailers, boxed footwear, fragile items. More cushioning than E-flute.
- F-flute (0.8mm)Ultra-thin corrugated. Nearly indistinguishable from folding carton at touch. Premium microflute mailers.
- Double-wall BC (7mm)For heavy or delicate items requiring serious transit protection. Overkill for most DTC, essential for furniture and ceramics.
- Litho-laminated corrugatedPrinted GC1 face laminated onto B-flute. Premium retail display material with shipping strength.
Specialty papers & films
- GlassineTranslucent, food-safe paper. Inner wrap for confectionery, tissue replacement for cosmetics.
- Tissue paper (17gsm)Custom-printed inner wrap. The “message moment” inside a mailer or gift box.
- PCR-PET filmWindow film for folding cartons made from 100% post-consumer recycled PET. Transparent, recyclable with PET stream.
- Bio-PLA filmPlant-based transparent film. Home-compostable (TÜV OK compost HOME) in specific grades.
- Grosgrain ribbonFor jewelry and gift boxes. Colour-matched, anchored under the lining.
Not sure which material fits your brief?
Our team recommends based on the product category, volume, budget, and sustainability target. 48-hour turnaround with material samples on request.