Custom cardboard boxes in bright white SBS paperboard.
What most people call “cardboard” for retail cartons is paperboard — and SBS is the premium grade: white all the way through, smooth, and the sharpest surface for print and finishes.
- White throughout — clean edges and inside
- Sharpest print and foil results
- Food-contact grades available
- Thickness
- 14–28pt
- Inside & out
- White
- Minimum
- 50 units
- Board
- 18pt SBS, C1S
- CMYK + PMS
- Coating
- Aqueous
- Style
- Tuck end
“Cardboard” vs paperboard vs corrugated.
In everyday speech, “cardboard” means almost any stiff paper packaging. In the packaging industry the terms are more precise:
- Paperboard is a single thick layer of paper fiber, used for folding cartons — cereal boxes, cosmetic cartons, pharmacy boxes.
- Corrugated board has a fluted (wavy) layer between liners, used for shipping and mailer boxes. See corrugated boxes.
- Grayboard (chipboard) is very thick, dense board used inside rigid boxes.
SBS (solid bleached sulfate) is a paperboard made from bleached virgin fiber, so it’s white all the way through. It’s usually coated on one side (C1S) for printing, or both sides (C2S) when the inside is printed too.
SBS paperboard specifications.
| Thickness | 14pt (light items) · 16–18pt (most retail) · 20–24pt (heavier, premium) · 28pt (rigid-feel cartons) |
|---|---|
| Coating | C1S (outside printable) or C2S (both sides) |
| Offset or digital; CMYK, Pantone, metallic inks | |
| Finishes | All coatings, lamination, foil, emboss, spot UV |
| Food contact | Food-contact SBS grades available on request |
| Recyclability | Recyclable with paper; plastic lamination can affect this |
When to choose SBS over other boards.
- Color-critical brands. SBS’s bright, smooth surface gives the most accurate color and the crispest small text — important for cosmetics, pharma and anything with fine detail.
- Premium finishes. Foil, embossing and spot UV register most precisely on SBS.
- White interiors. Because SBS is white throughout, the inside and cut edges look clean when the box is opened.
Choose kraft instead for a natural look, recycled board (CRB) when cost and recycled content matter more than brightness, and corrugated when the box must ship on its own.
SBS vs recycled paperboard (CRB) vs kraft.
| SBS | Coated recycled (CRB) | Kraft (SUS/CUK) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber | Bleached virgin | Recycled | Unbleached, mostly virgin |
| Look | Bright white throughout | White coated face, gray back | Brown |
| Print quality | Highest | Good | Good on dark/neutral designs |
| Strength for weight | Good | Lower | Highest |
| Relative cost | $$ | $ | $–$$ |
Frequently asked questions
Is SBS the same as cardboard?
SBS is a type of paperboard — what most people call cardboard for retail cartons. It is distinct from corrugated board, which has a fluted middle layer.
What thickness of SBS do I need?
Most retail cartons use 16–18pt. Lighter items can use 14pt; heavier or premium products use 20–24pt.
Is SBS recyclable?
Yes, SBS paperboard is recyclable with paper and cardboard. Plastic lamination or large film windows can reduce recyclability.
Is SBS food-safe?
Food-contact SBS grades are available and widely used for food cartons. Tell us if your product touches the board.
What is C1S and C2S?
C1S means coated on one side (usually the printed outside); C2S is coated on both sides for inside printing.
Is SBS more expensive than recycled board?
Usually slightly. Recycled board (CRB) costs less but has a gray back and is less bright.
Want the sharpest print on your cartons?
Send your product and artwork. We’ll recommend an SBS thickness and send a 3D proof.