Pakko manufactures custom cardboard packaging using paperboard, corrugated cardboard, kraft board, fibreboard, boxboard and specialty materials. Our team considers your product, box structure, printing method, distribution requirements and presentation goals before recommending a material.
Dimensions, weight, fragility and surface all point towards a board grade and flute profile.
Coated white board holds fine detail; kraft and uncoated stocks soften and warm printed colour.
Stacking, palletising, freight handling and individual postage each demand different strength.
Shelf presence, unboxing and tactile feel decide whether the board is coated, uncoated or kraft.
Coated artboard has a smooth printable surface that helps artwork appear clean, sharp and vibrant. It is commonly used for retail cartons, pharmaceutical packaging, beauty and skincare boxes, food sleeves and product cartons where colour reproduction and shelf presentation matter.
Surface characteristics vary with the selected stock. Coated boards can also be combined with finishes such as celloglaze, foiling, embossing or Spot UV where suitable.
Uncoated artboard has a more natural, tactile surface with less shine than coated board. Because the surface is more absorbent, printed colours may appear softer or more muted — which works well for brands seeking a natural, understated or premium paper-based appearance.
Uncoated boards are commonly used for natural products, wellness brands, artisan products, premium retail packaging and designs where texture is part of the brand experience.
Corrugated cardboard is made using a fluted paper layer positioned between liner sheets. The fluting provides cushioning, rigidity and structural strength — used for ecommerce boxes, mailers, shipping cartons, subscription packaging and larger retail packaging.
Corrugated thicknesses vary between board grades, liner combinations and suppliers. Once in production, boards can also be compressed during die-cutting and creasing, so the finished carton may not be a true representation of the initial board thickness. Pakko will recommend the board construction based on product weight, carton dimensions and transport requirements.
Kraft board has a natural brown appearance that communicates simplicity, authenticity and a paper-based aesthetic. It suits folding cartons, sleeves, retail packaging, food packaging and selected ecommerce applications.
Because kraft board is naturally brown, printed colours may appear different from colours printed onto white board. White areas within artwork generally need to use the natural board colour unless a suitable white-printing process has been approved.
A dense, durable multi-ply board used where stiffness, resistance and long-term durability are needed — particularly spare parts boxes, dividers, backing boards and industrial packaging.
A dense multi-ply board for inserts, partitions, backing boards and selected carton structures. Available across a range of gauges, and depending on grade it may have a grey, kraft or lined appearance, providing rigidity without a corrugated flute.
A rigid, high-density board that sits between boxboard and fibreboard in stiffness. It holds a flat, true shape without bowing, which makes it suited to backing boards, mounted panels, pads and structural components inside presentation packaging.
Some products require materials with particular performance, presentation or compliance characteristics. Depending on availability and project requirements, Pakko can source or work with specialty materials for food packaging, ovenable packaging, refrigerated products, point-of-sale displays and premium retail cartons.
Selected food-grade materials may be available for packaging designed for direct or indirect food contact. The right material depends on food type, temperature, grease or moisture exposure and whether the product touches the packaging.
Grease-resistant grades may be recommended for foods, industrial components or products that could mark or penetrate standard paperboard.
Selected coated boards may be available for hot, cold or frozen applications. Temperature suitability must be confirmed against the exact product, heating method and exposure time.
Thicker display boards suit point-of-sale displays, brochure holders, counter displays, display cards and promotional structures where rigidity and visual impact matter.
Specialty boards may be available in different colours, surface textures and finishes for projects requiring a more distinctive presentation.
An unnecessarily heavy board increases material use, freight weight, storage and cost. A board that is too light may not provide enough protection or stacking strength. Pakko considers the complete packaging application in five stages.
We consider the product’s dimensions, weight, shape, fragility and surface.
Box style, locking method, insert design and panel sizes all influence the required board strength.
Coated white board supports bright colour; uncoated and kraft create a softer, more natural appearance.
Whether packaging is stacked, palletised, refrigerated, posted individually or freighted long distance.
The material must suit printing, cutting, creasing, folding and gluing on the chosen process.
White board provides a neutral base for colour printing. Kraft board has a natural brown base that influences how printed colours appear.
See printing methods →Coated board generally produces sharper, more vibrant printed results. Uncoated board provides a softer, more tactile and natural appearance.
See printing methods →Printing directly onto corrugated works well for ecommerce and shipping packaging, but the flute structure and liner surface can affect fine artwork. For higher-end results we may print a separate sheet and mount it.
See printing methods →Some Pakko digital processes do not print white ink. On kraft or coloured board, white elements may need to become a knockout showing the board underneath. Our prepress team explains this before artwork approval.
See design and artwork guide →Paper and cardboard packaging can often be recovered through Australian recycling systems when it is clean, dry and free from incompatible components. Recyclability depends on the complete packaging design — coatings, laminates, windows, adhesives, food contamination and additional components.
Pakko avoids broad environmental claims based only on the appearance of a material. Where recycled content, responsible forestry certification or recyclability matters to your procurement process, tell us during quoting so the appropriate documentation can be reviewed.
Learn about Pakko's sustainability approachPaper and cardboard can often be recovered through Australian recycling systems when free from contamination.
Coatings, laminates, windows, adhesives and food residue all affect whether packaging can be recycled.
Tell us if recycled content or certification is required so the right material documentation can be reviewed at quoting.
The best material depends on the product weight, box size, required print quality and how the packaging will be handled. Artboard is often used for retail cartons, while corrugated cardboard is commonly selected for mailers and shipping boxes.
Artboard is a solid paper-based board commonly used for folding retail cartons. Corrugated cardboard contains a fluted internal layer that provides greater cushioning and structural strength.
E flute is thinner and commonly used for printed mailer boxes and ecommerce packaging. B flute is thicker and generally used for shipping cartons, larger boxes and applications requiring greater protection.
Yes. Pakko manufactures selected cartons, sleeves and custom packaging using natural kraft board. Material availability and suitability depend on the packaging style, printing method and order quantity.
Recycled-content and recycled-fibre boards may be available depending on the required material grade and application. Tell Pakko if recycled content or supporting documentation is required so this can be considered during material selection.
Many paper and cardboard materials can be recyclable when clean and dry. However, coatings, laminates, food residue, windows, adhesives and other components may affect recyclability. The complete packaging construction should be assessed rather than the board alone.
Yes. Specific material requirements can be reviewed during quoting. Availability, minimum quantities, lead times and supplier requirements may apply.
Not necessarily. Strength is influenced by the board grade, flute profile, liner combination, box dimensions, structural design and the direction of the corrugation. Pakko selects materials based on the complete packaging application.
Yes. Provide information about your product, packaging dimensions, weight, quantity and distribution method. Pakko can recommend a suitable board and packaging structure.
Material or packaging samples may be available depending on the selected board and project requirements. Contact Pakko to discuss sampling before production.
