Types of Common Packaging Materials

Packaging materials refer to the materials used to manufacture packaging containers, decoration, printing, and transportation, meeting the requirements of product packaging. These materials include metals, plastics, glass, paper, bamboo, wood, iron, ceramics, acrylic, leather, fabric, and more. Today, let's focus on the materials commonly used in the printing and packaging industry.

 

Paper is the primary material for product packaging in China due to its excellent printability, allowing intricate designs and craftsmanship to be vividly displayed on its surface. There are various types of paper used in printing and packaging, among which the following are commonly employed:

 

 

1. Art Paper:

Art paper comes in both single-sided and double-sided varieties and is made from high-quality raw materials like wood and cotton fibers. It ranges from 70gsm to 400gsm. Art paper with a weight of 250gsm and above is known as coated art paper. It has a white coating that provides a bright, smooth surface, making it suitable for multicolor overprinting. The colors appear vibrant, and the graphics are clear. This type of paper is often used in gift boxes, paper bags, packaging for export products, and tags. Thinner art paper is suitable for laminating on packaging boxes and self-adhesive labels.

 

2. Ivory Board:

Ivory board comes in gray and white varieties. Gray board is often referred to as gray board or single-side white, while white board is known as white cardboard. Ivory board has a strong and sturdy texture with a smooth, bright surface. It has good strength, surface strength, foldability, and printability, making it suitable for folding cartons, hardware packaging, sanitary ware boxes, and paper bags. It is widely used due to its affordability.

 

 

3. Kraft Paper:

Kraft paper comes in white and yellow colors, known as white kraft paper and yellow kraft paper, respectively. The natural grayish color of kraft paper gives it a rich and simple aesthetic. With the addition of just one color in printing, its inherent charm can be revealed. Due to its low cost and economical advantages, designers often use kraft paper for dessert packaging, creating a sense of warmth and familiarity.

 

4. Art Paperboard:

Art paperboard, commonly known as specialty paper, comes in a wide variety. This type of paper often features natural colors and embossed textures, giving it a high-end and sophisticated appearance. As these papers have uneven surfaces, complete ink coverage might be challenging during printing. Techniques like hot stamping and screen printing are recommended for adding logos and designs to the surface.