Materials
Paperboard (card) for printed boxes
Paperboard, often called card, is a smooth, single-sheet stock built for folding cartons: the crisp retail boxes that hold cosmetics, supplements, food, candles and small electronics on store shelves. It prints fine type, rich color and metallic finishes cleanly and ships flat.
Custom dielines · Free 3D mockup before you pay · Free US shipping
- Rigid boxes from 50Gift and luxury boxes
- Mailer boxes from 250Corrugated mailers
- Labels from 500Labels and stickers
- Card boxes from 1,000Folding cartons
What is card and paperboard?
Paperboard is thick paper-based stock stiffer than writing paper yet thinner and smoother than fluted corrugated board. In custom packaging it is printed flat on sheetfed presses, finished with coatings or foil, then die-cut, scored and side-seam glued into folding cartons that store flat and pop open for hand or machine filling.
How it works
How does card and paperboard work?
- 01
Printed on smooth flat sheets
Smooth coated white, kraft or recycled paperboard takes fine CMYK detail, Pantone spot inks and sharp barcodes.
- 02
Finished for look and scuff protection
Lamination, spot UV, foil stamping, embossing or clear window patching are applied while the sheet is flat.
- 03
Die-cut, scored and folded flat
A custom die cuts the outline and creases every fold; side seams are glued so cartons arrive flat and ready to fill.
Is it for you?
When to choose it, and when to skip it
Choose it when
- Retail boxes that sit on store shelves, counters or display trays
- Cosmetics, skincare droppers, supplements, tea, bakery items and small tech
- Designs with crisp small ingredient text, photos, foil logos or embossing
- Box sleeves, hang tabs, header cards and lightweight box inserts
Skip it when
- Shipping through UPS, USPS or FedEx without an outer mailer: single-layer card can dent in parcel sorting, so use corrugated board for standalone mailers
- Heavy multi-pound jars or glass sets without an outer carton or reinforced bottom
- Small luxury runs below 1,000 units where a sturdy keepsake feel matters: rigid boxes start at 50
How it works
Request a quote with card and paperboard
Tell us what you’re packing and how many. The form opens with card and paperboard ticked. Your dedicated account manager prepares pricing for each quantity.
- 01
Tell us what you’re packing
Pick your box, bag or label, enter a rough size and up to 3 quantities — or drop in an AI design.
- 02
Compare custom pricing
Your dedicated account manager prepares tailored pricing for each quantity tier you picked.
- 03
Dieline & 3D mockup, free
Our studio prepares print-ready artwork on your exact dieline and sends a 3D mockup. Nothing prints until you approve.
- 04
Printed & shipped free
Produced in 10–14 business days (4–5 day rush available) and delivered free to all 50 US states.
Prefer to talk? or see how ordering works.
Compare
Card and paperboard vs corrugated board vs rigid board
| Material | What it is | Suits | Print look | Ships flat? | Minimum | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card and paperboard | Single smooth sheet of thick card | Retail product boxes and sleeves | Sharp detail and bright color | Yes | Card boxes from 1,000 | Get a quote |
| Corrugated board | Fluted layer between flat liners | Mailers and shipping boxes | Bright on white, warm on kraft | Yes | Mailers from 250 | Get a quote |
| Rigid board | Thick chipboard wrapped in paper | Gift, jewelry and PR boxes | Crisp print, foil and texture | Collapsible only | Rigid boxes from 50 | Get a quote |
Where it works
Which packaging can have card and paperboard?
Pick any of these in the quote form. Each button switches the form to that packaging, with the option ticked where the form has it.
Ready to order? See custom product boxes and custom display boxes.
Want card and paperboard for your packaging?
Send a rough idea: a product, a size and a quantity, and we’ll tailor your quote across up to 3 volume tiers.
Artwork
How to set up your artwork for card and paperboard
Not sure? Our free artwork check sets it up for you.
- Set up artwork on our custom folding-carton dieline so tuck flaps, dust flaps and glue panels stay clear where needed
- Keep nutrition facts, ingredient lists and barcodes in crisp vector text at readable sizes
- Leave the glue flap free of ink and lamination so adhesive bonds cleanly
- Add 0.125 in bleed outside cut lines, especially where dark colors wrap over folded edges
- Have dark solid panels? Ask your account manager about lamination to prevent cracking along tight creases
Popular on
Packaging often ordered with card and paperboard
Get a quote for any of these right here.
Products 2
Custom Cosmetic Boxes
Custom printed cosmetic boxes for makeup tubes, compacts, palettes and jars.
From 1,000Custom Skincare Boxes
Custom printed skincare boxes for serums, jars and cleansers from 1,000 units.
From 1,000
Cost
Do card and paperboard cost more?
Paperboard folding cartons have the lowest unit cost of any custom box style at volume, starting at 1,000 boxes, with no die or plate charges. Thicker calipers and specialty finishes add some cost, which is itemized in your quote across up to three quantities. Common searches we quote include folding carton board, cardstock for product boxes, paperboard vs corrugated, printed retail carton material, white card boxes, sbs c1s c2s paperboard stock, single ply solid paperboard, smooth retail box paperboard, paperboard caliper pt thickness, sheetfed printed folding carton stock, coated white paperboard for boxes, paperboard for sleeves and display boxes, flat folding paperboard material and when to choose paperboard vs rigid.
Every quote is free, with tailored pricing for each quantity tier you compare.
Get a quote with card and paperboardWays to pay less
- 10% off your first order
- We beat a written US competitor quote for the same specs
- No die or plate charges
- A lower unit price at bigger quantities
Why CubitPack
One account manager, from first question to delivery.
- 1-on-1
Dedicated account manager
Work with one packaging specialist from sizing and dielines through proof approval and delivery.
- Free
AI & custom design studio
Bring print-ready files, a rough logo, or an AI-generated box idea — we rebuild every element onto your exact dieline for free.
- 3D
Approve before you pay
Review a high-detail 3D mockup and flat digital proof of every panel, flap and finish before paying a cent.
- 10–14
Business days to deliver
Counted from proof approval and payment, with free shipping across all 50 states. Rush orders ship in 4–5 days.
Our promises, in writing
- Reprint or refund. If we get it wrong, tell us within 14 days with photos and you choose.
- Pantone guaranteed. If a Pantone color is clearly off, we reprint it.
- Damaged in transit. We reprint the damaged units free and handle the carrier claim.
- Cancel free. Any time before you approve your proof, with a full refund.
At a glance
Card and paperboard at a glance
- Works on
- Card / product boxes (folding cartons), box sleeves, retail display boxes, card inserts and thank-you or insert cards.
- Best for
- Retail folding cartons that need sharp print, clean folds and compact flat storage.
- Cost
- Paperboard folding cartons have the lowest unit cost of any custom box style at volume, starting at 1,000 boxes, with no die or plate charges.
- Before you pay
- A digital proof and a 3D mockup
- Account support
- One dedicated account manager from quote to delivery
FAQ
Card and paperboard: questions
Is paperboard the same thing as cardboard?
People often say cardboard for both, yet paperboard is a single smooth, solid sheet used for retail folding cartons, while corrugated board has a wavy fluted layer inside for shipping boxes.
What is the minimum order quantity for paperboard boxes?
Custom paperboard (card) product boxes start at 1,000 units, with no die or plate charges. If you need a smaller run for a luxury kit, rigid boxes start at 50 and corrugated mailers start at 250.
How do I know what paperboard thickness my product needs?
Share your container size and weight with your quote. Lightweight tubes or sachets use standard folding-carton stock, while glass serum bottles or candles pair best with heavier paperboard and an auto-lock bottom.
Can paperboard boxes have foil stamping, embossing and clear windows?
Yes. Smooth white paperboard is ideal for hot foil stamping, embossing, debossing, spot UV, matte, gloss or soft-touch lamination, and die-cut windows with or without clear film.
Do paperboard cartons arrive pre-glued?
Side-glued styles like reverse tuck end, straight tuck end and auto-lock bottom arrive pre-glued and folded flat, so you simply squeeze the sides open and close the flaps.
Can I ship a paperboard box directly in the mail?
Paperboard cartons are designed for shelves and inner presentation rather than solo parcel shipping. To mail them to customers, pack them inside a corrugated mailer box, shipping carton or padded mailer.
Can I request a free digital proof and 3D mockup showing card and paperboard on my box?
Yes. Every order with card and paperboard includes free design help, a custom dieline, a 2D digital proof, and a 3D mockup before you pay so you can check placement and finishes.
Are there any die or plate charges when adding card and paperboard to my custom packaging order?
No. CubitPack charges zero die or printing plate fees on card and paperboard, and standard US shipping to all 50 states is included in your written quote.
How fast can I get a custom quote comparing unit prices with and without card and paperboard?
Send your product dimensions and up to three quantity tiers in the quote form, and your dedicated account manager replies in 5–7 minutes, 24/7, with side-by-side pricing.
Can I see card and paperboard in person inside the CubitPack sample kit or on a physical prototype?
Yes. You can order our physical sample kit (credited to your first order) to feel board and finish swatches, or request a custom pre-production prototype before a full run.
Guides
Guides about card and paperboard
Auto-lock folding carton vs E-flute corrugated vs rigid power bank boxes: which holds heavy battery cells?
Read the guide
Corrugated carriers vs folding cartons for juice boxes: which fits your drinks?
Read the guide
Corrugated clamshell vs paperboard burger boxes: which holds up?
Read the guideSources
Sources for this page
- Wikipedia: Paperboard: definition of paperboard as thick single- or multi-ply solid paper stock distinct from fluted corrugated fiberboard
- Wikipedia: Folding carton: how paperboard is printed flat, die-cut, scored and side-seam glued so cartons ship flat and erect for filling
- Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) — Folding Carton Specifications: folding carton paperboard grades, caliper selection, sheetfed printing, die-cutting, and side-seam gluing standards
Materials
More materials
Corrugated board
Fluted paper between flat liners for mailers and shipping boxes.
Mailer boxes, shipping boxes, die-cut corrugated boxes and corrugated box inserts.Get a quoteDetails about corrugated boardRigid board
Thick chipboard wrapped in paper for sturdy gift and luxury boxes.
Rigid boxes: magnetic closure boxes, collapsible rigid boxes, two-piece lift-off lid boxes, shoulder-neck boxes and drawer boxes.Get a quoteDetails about rigid boardKraft board
Natural unbleached brown board for an earthy, understated look.
Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, shipping boxes, stand-up pouches, mylar bags, paper shopping bags, box inserts, tissue / wrapping paper, insert cards and packaging tape.Get a quoteDetails about kraft boardRecycled board
Board made with recycled paper fibers for everyday boxes and mailers.
Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, shipping boxes, box inserts and thank-you or insert cards.Get a quoteDetails about recycled board
Get started
Get a price with card and paperboard.
Bring a rough size, a logo, or an AI concept. One dedicated account manager guides your custom packaging from dieline and 3D proof to delivery.