Box Materials Library
A complete reference for every board, paper, foam, and fabric material we work with -- organised by material type.
Paperboard
Single-layer paper-based material -- the outer wrapping surface of your box.
Premium bleached white paperboard coated on one side. Ideal for vibrant full-colour printing with clean, sharp imagery.
Coated on both sides for maximum print quality front and back. Used when the interior of the wrap is also printed or visible.
Duplex board from 90% recycled pulp with a white coated surface. Cost-effective with a good eco story.
Duplex board made entirely from 100% post-consumer recycled pulp. Meets EU/UK sustainability procurement requirements.
Unbleached kraft with a warm natural brown tone. Honest, minimal aesthetic. Popular with artisan and eco-positioned brands.
Bleached white kraft paper -- clean minimal look with the character of natural kraft. FSC certification available.
Black-dyed kraft coated on both sides. Rich deep base for gold or silver foil stamping. Popular in premium cosmetics packaging.
Raw, uncoated natural kraft. Used when the tactile roughness of the paper itself is the design statement.
Coated bleached topside for high-quality print and unbleached bottom. Good print surface with natural feel inside.
Uncoated bleached topside with unbleached bottom. Natural-feeling wrap with just enough surface for clean printing.
Specialty paper with a glossy or matte metallic laminated surface. Luxury impression without full foil stamping cost.
Prismatic holographic laminated surface that shifts colour with light angle. For seasonal, limited edition, or festival packaging.
Linen-weave, leather-grain, velvet-grain, or custom emboss. Communicates luxury through touch alone.
Corrugated Board
Triple-layer paper-based material -- fluted inner core between two linerboards. Used for mailer boxes and shipping outers.
Uncoated and unbleached kraft linerboard. Standard outer surface for brown corrugated mailer boxes.
Coated, textured linerboard with a warm off-white surface. Good for printing with a premium natural look.
Coated, semi-gloss linerboard with brilliant white smooth surface. Best for vibrant CMYK print on corrugated.
Fully bleached white liner with a brilliant white finish. Highest print quality for corrugated -- used on premium e-commerce mailer boxes.
Rigid Board (Chipboard / Greyboard)
The structural inner core of all rigid gift boxes -- provides shape, rigidity, and weight. Wrapped in paper or fabric on the outside.
Standard weight for small to medium rigid boxes. Good rigidity-to-cost ratio for light-product gift boxes.
The most common thickness for B2B gift packaging. Reliable balance of rigidity, printability, and cost.
Heavier board for larger boxes or premium magnetic closure designs. Adds noticeable weight and perceived quality.
Maximum rigidity for oversized presentation boxes. Used for advent calendars, large hampers, and luxury gift sets.
Grey chipboard with a white-lined surface on one side. Used when interior surfaces need a clean white appearance.
Standard rigid greyboard from FSC-certified forest sources. Drop-in replacement for standard board.
Foam
Synthetic polymer material primarily used for custom inserts -- protection, product presentation, and luxury feel.
Flexible and lightweight open-cell foam with high shock absorbency. Used as a base layer in insert construction.
Recyclable closed-cell expanded polyethylene foam. Lightweight with excellent shock absorption. Better eco story than standard foam.
High-density closed-cell foam offering optimal protection, support, and cushioning. Standard choice for precision die-cut custom inserts.
Molded Pulp
Fibrous recycled material pressed into custom shapes -- primarily used for eco-friendly custom inserts.
Dry-pressed molded pulp with a moderately smooth surface. Made from 100% recycled fibres. Good structural strength for lighter products.
Wet-pressed with an extremely smooth finished surface. Made from 100% recycled fibres. Premium appearance suitable for cosmetics and food gifting.
Dry or wet pressed pulp with an added secondary surface process -- painting, lamination, or coating. For a more refined eco insert.
Fabric Wrap
Real fabric applied over rigid board -- provides a genuinely textile feel that paper cannot replicate.
Natural plant-fibre woven fabric with characteristic open-weave texture. Premium-yet-approachable quality. Popular in corporate gifting.
Non-woven material from polypropylene recyclable fibre, fused by heat and pressure. Durable and cost-effective.
Woven polypropylene fabric. Structured and durable with a clean surface that can be printed or embroidered.
Compostable fabric from natural plant fibres. Unique rough texture. Strongly associated with eco and artisan brands.
100% biodegradable natural cotton. Smooth yet flexible. Strong sustainability story, fully compostable.
Smooth, lustrous woven fabric with a subtle sheen. Standard choice for mid-tier gifting requiring an elegant textile surface.
Dense cut-pile fabric with a rich deep texture. The most premium option -- used for top-tier jewellery and luxury gifting.
Plain-weave cotton or linen offering protection and durability. Matte, minimal, naturally positioned.
Metal
Used to make rigid containers, or as an additive to specialty films.
Silvery, malleable metal -- corrosion-resistant with a low melting point. Used for tin gift boxes, tea caddies, and decorative containers.
Material Quick Reference
| Material | Rigidity | Print Quality | Eco Option | Cost Tier | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paperboard (SBS / CCNB) | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ✓ Recycled CCNB | $ | Wrapping layer / print surface |
| Kraft Paper | ★★ | ★★★ | ✓ FSC | $ | Eco / artisan wrapping |
| Metallic / Holographic | ★★ | -- (surface finish) | -- | $$ | Luxury / seasonal wrapping |
| Grey Chipboard 2mm | ★★★★★ | -- (structural) | ✓ FSC | $ | Rigid box inner core |
| Corrugated Liner | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ✓ FSC | $ | Mailer / shipping boxes |
| EVA Foam | ★★★★★ | -- | -- | $$ | Custom precision inserts |
| Molded Pulp | ★★★★ | -- | ✓ 100% | $$ | Eco custom inserts |
| Velvet Fabric Wrap | ★★★★★ | -- | -- | $$$ | Ultra-luxury box exterior |
| Tin (Metal) | ★★★★★ | ✓ Print on tin | ✓ Recyclable | $$$ | Tin gift boxes / caddies |
70% of our clients use 2mm grey chipboard + SBS coated art paper. It works for almost every product and budget. Start here unless you have a specific reason to upgrade.
Selling above £80-100 retail? Switching from coated paper to textured or specialty paper alone can double perceived brand value without significantly raising cost.
EU and UK retail buyers increasingly require FSC or recycled content certification. Ask us for certificates upfront if targeting large retail chains.
Not sure what to choose? Request a physical swatch kit -- we'll post you samples of our most popular papers, boards, and fabric options free of charge.
Ready to choose your material?
Tell us your product, quantity, and budget -- we'll recommend the right material combination and get you a quote within 4 business hours.