Custom kraft boxes with an honest, natural look.
Unbleached brown board that signals natural, handmade and low-fuss — printed in one or two colors, with white ink for contrast, in cartons, mailers and shipping boxes.
- Unbleached brown board
- Prints beautifully in black or white ink
- Recycled-content options
- Minimum
- 50 units
- Typical print
- 1–2 color
- Paper-based
- Recyclable
- Board
- 18pt kraft
- 1-color black
- Finish
- Uncoated
- Style
- Tuck end
Designing for brown board.
Kraft is brown because the fiber isn’t bleached, and that changes how ink behaves:
- Ink is transparent. Colors mix with the brown underneath, so everything prints warmer and darker. Bright blues turn teal; light colors almost disappear.
- Dark colors work best. Black, navy, deep green and burgundy print cleanly on kraft.
- White ink adds contrast. A white underlay lets you print bright colors on kraft, or a white logo for a crisp, modern look.
- Uncoated is the point. Leaving kraft uncoated keeps its natural texture; a matte aqueous coating can protect against scuffs without changing the look much.
Kraft packaging specifications.
Is kraft really more sustainable?
Kraft has real environmental advantages: unbleached fiber skips the bleaching step, it’s often made with recycled content, and with little ink and no plastic coating it’s easy to recycle. But “kraft” alone isn’t a sustainability claim. What matters is the fiber source, the recycled content and whether you add plastic lamination.
If you want to make environmental claims on the box, back them up — see eco-friendly boxes for the FTC Green Guides and California’s new recycling-label rules.
Kraft formats.
- Kraft paperboard cartons for retail: soap, tea, cosmetics, small goods.
- Kraft corrugated mailers for e-commerce and subscription boxes.
- Kraft shipping boxes for heavier products.
- Kraft sleeves and belly bands for bars and bundles.
- Kraft-wrapped rigid boxes for a natural premium look.
Kraft finishes that work.
Gold, copper, black and white foil all stand out on kraft. Blind debossing adds a handmade feel. A matte aqueous coating protects against scuffs without hiding the fiber. Gloss lamination on kraft usually looks out of place — skip it unless the design calls for contrast.
Frequently asked questions
Can you print colors on kraft boxes?
Yes, but colors print warmer and darker on brown board. Dark colors work best; for bright or light colors we add a white ink underlay.
Is kraft packaging recyclable?
Yes. Kraft paperboard and corrugated are widely recyclable, especially when left uncoated or with water-based coatings.
Are kraft boxes food-safe?
Food-contact kraft board is available for food packaging; tell us if the food touches the box.
Is kraft stronger than white board?
Kraft fiber is long and strong, so kraft board is tough for its weight. Strength still depends on thickness and construction.
Can I get kraft with a white inside?
Yes — some boards are white-lined on one side, which gives a brown exterior with a clean white interior.
Why does kraft vary in color?
Kraft is natural fiber, so shade varies slightly between batches. This is normal and part of the look.
Go natural without looking plain.
Send your logo and box size. We’ll show how it prints on kraft in a 3D proof.