SBS vs C1S Art Board vs CCNB vs Kraft: Which Paperboard and Thickness for Folding Cartons?
Quick answer
Use SBS or C1S ivory board (white, virgin fiber, coated print side) for cosmetics, pharma and food cartons that need clean white print. Use CCNB / grey back board (recycled, white coated face, grey reverse) for cost-driven retail cartons where the inside is not seen. Use kraft board for a natural brown look and good strength. For thickness, about 300–350 gsm (very roughly 16–20 pt, depending on board density) is a common starting point for small retail cartons; go up for heavier or larger cartons and confirm on a sample.
Quick facts: Custom Folding Cartons
- Indicative unit price: about US$0.05–0.10 per piece. This is a guide, not a quotation: the final price depends on size, material, print colours, finish and order quantity.
- MOQ: typically from 500 pcs per size and artwork; the confirmed minimum depends on material, print method and features and is stated on the quotation.
- Lead time: Physical samples 5–7 working days after artwork is confirmed; bulk production 20–30 days after sample approval.
- Who makes it: BestPackFactory’s own factory in Longhua District, Shenzhen, China. Free dieline and artwork proof within 24 hours. See real samples and videos.
- Specifications and quote: Custom Folding Cartons · Request a quote
What the names actually mean
SBS (solid bleached sulfate). Made from bleached chemical pulp through its whole thickness, so it is white on the face, the back and in the cut edge. It is usually clay-coated on the print side. It is a common choice for premium cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food. In Europe similar board is often called SBB.
C1S art board / ivory board. “C1S” means coated one side; it describes the coating rather than the fibers. In Asian supply chains, “C1S ivory board” usually refers to a white virgin-fiber board with a coated print face and an uncoated white back, used for most cosmetic and retail cartons. Some grades are folding boxboard (FBB), which has a bulkier mechanical-pulp middle layer between bleached outer layers and gives good stiffness for its weight. Ask the supplier which grade is meant.
CCNB (clay-coated news back). A mostly recycled board with a white coated top layer and a grey reverse. Depending on region it may be quoted as coated recycled board, white-lined chipboard or grey-back duplex board. It is usually the most economical option and prints well on the coated face, but the inside of the carton is grey and the board is typically less stiff than virgin board of similar thickness.
Kraft board. Made from unbleached (brown) fiber, sometimes with a coated surface for better print (often called coated unbleached kraft). It has a natural look and good strength for its thickness. Colors printed on brown appear darker and less vivid, and true white needs white ink. See our kraft paper packaging guide for brown versus white kraft.
Comparison table
| Board | Fiber | Inside / edge | Print quality | Relative cost | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBS | Bleached virgin | White throughout | Excellent | Higher | Premium cosmetics, pharma, food, fine detail print |
| C1S ivory / art board | Virgin, bleached face | White back | Very good | Medium | Most cosmetic, supplement and retail cartons |
| CCNB / grey back | Mostly recycled | Grey back and edge | Good on the coated face | Lowest in most cases | Toys, household goods, cost-driven retail cartons |
| Kraft board | Unbleached virgin or mixed | Brown | Fair; muted colors | Low to medium | Natural, eco-positioned and food-service cartons |
Grades and prices vary by mill and region; the board grade is confirmed in the quotation.
How thick should the board be?
Paperboard is specified by weight in gsm (grams per square meter, common in Asia and Europe) or by caliper in points (pt, where 1 pt = 0.001 inch, about 0.025 mm, common in North America) or in micrometers. Because gsm is a weight and pt is a thickness, there is no fixed conversion: bulky FBB-type boards are thicker for their weight than denser SBS or recycled boards, so 350 gsm can mean quite different calipers. Ask for the mill datasheet if caliper matters, and compare quotes on the same unit.
| Carton situation | Typical starting range |
|---|---|
| Small, light items (lip balm, sachets, small tubes) | About 250–300 gsm (very roughly 14–16 pt) |
| Standard retail cartons (serums, supplements, creams) | About 300–350 gsm (very roughly 16–20 pt) |
| Larger or heavier cartons, glass jars, gift cartons | About 350–400 gsm (very roughly 18–24 pt), often with a lock bottom |
| Heavy items or e-commerce shipping without outer carton | Consider E-flute laminated to printed board instead of solid board |
These are typical starting points, not limits, and the pt equivalents vary with board density. Carton size, carton style and how the product is handled matter as much as weight; small increases in thickness make a carton noticeably stiffer. Confirm the choice on a sample made with the filled product.
Decision rules
- Choose SBS when the inside or cut edge is visible, print detail is fine, or the brand is premium.
- Choose C1S ivory board as the default for most cosmetic, supplement and retail cartons.
- Choose CCNB when unit cost is the priority and a grey inside is acceptable.
- Choose kraft for a natural look or strength, and design artwork for brown stock.
- For food contact, ask for compliance documents for the specific board and market; many food brands avoid recycled board for direct contact or add a barrier. Requirements are confirmed in the quotation.
- For foil, embossing and spot UV, coated white boards give the sharpest result; check finishes on kraft with a proof.
What to send in your RFQ
- Board type (SBS, C1S ivory, CCNB or kraft) and weight in gsm or pt, or say “please advise” and give product weight.
- Carton style and inner dimensions.
- Printing method preference and colors (CMYK, Pantone, white ink on kraft).
- Finishes: lamination, varnish, foil, emboss, window.
- Any food-contact or recycled-content requirement for the destination market.
- Quantity (MOQ 500 PCS).
See the custom folding cartons page for styles, and the folding carton printing guide for offset, digital and flexo choices.
Common mistakes
- Comparing quotes by gsm alone when one supplier quotes FBB and another quotes recycled board.
- Converting gsm to pt with a single chart and assuming the result is exact.
- Choosing CCNB for a carton with an open window or visible inside.
- Matching Pantone colors on kraft against a white-paper color guide.
- Specifying very heavy board for a small carton, which can crack at the folds and make tucks hard to close.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SBS and C1S board?
SBS is defined by its fiber: bleached virgin pulp, white all the way through. C1S only means coated one side. In practice many C1S ivory boards are white virgin boards with a coated face, but the exact grade should be confirmed with the supplier.
What is CCNB board?
CCNB means clay-coated news back. It is a mostly recycled board with a white coated top surface and a grey reverse, usually chosen to lower carton cost when the inside is not visible.
What paperboard thickness is common for cosmetic cartons?
About 300–350 gsm is a common starting point for small cosmetic and supplement cartons, and larger or heavier cartons often use 350–400 gsm. The equivalent in pt depends on board density, so confirm on a filled sample.
Can kraft board folding cartons be printed in full color?
Yes, but colors print darker and less vivid on brown board, and true white needs white ink. Approve a printed proof on the actual kraft stock.
Related pages
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