Guide / Materials & board grades / Chapter 3.5
Paperboard (folding carton) and GSM.
Paperboard is the smooth, thin board used for cosmetic boxes, product cartons and retail packaging. Here's what GSM means, how paperboard differs from corrugated, and when to use it.
The short answer
Paperboard is a single, solid layer of thick paper, without the wavy flute of corrugated board. It folds crisply and gives a smooth surface for sharp, detailed printing, which is why it's used for cosmetic, skincare, food and retail product boxes. GSM (grams per square metre) describes how heavy the board is. Our custom paperboard boxes use 285gsm board, are offset printed from 250 units and can be printed inside and outside.
Paperboard vs corrugated
Corrugated board is a sandwich of liners and flutes, built to protect products in transit. Paperboard is a single sheet, built to present a product beautifully on a shelf or in a mailer.
That's why many products use both: a printed paperboard box as the primary packaging, inside a corrugated mailer or carton for shipping. Our packaging layers chapter explains how the two work together.
What GSM means
GSM stands for grams per square metre. It's the weight of one square metre of the board. A higher GSM usually means a thicker, stiffer board, although thickness also depends on how the board is made.
- Lighter board suits small, light products and inserts.
- Medium board, like our 285gsm, suits most cosmetic, skincare and retail boxes.
- Heavier board suits larger or heavier products that need a stiffer carton.
GSM isn't the only thing that matters. The box style, the size and how the box is closed all affect how sturdy it feels.
Paperboard at PackQueen
Confirmed details for our custom printed paperboard boxes.
| Detail | What we offer |
|---|---|
| Board | 285gsm paperboard |
| Print method | Offset printing |
| Minimum order | From 250 units |
| Lead time | 10–15 business days from artwork approval. Foil and special finishes take longer and are confirmed with your quote. Longer in peak periods, see our current lead times |
| Inside printing | Available, inside and outside, offset printed |
| Finishes | Gloss or matt lamination; embossing, debossing and spot UV on request |
| Samples | Plain samples of many products from $2–$10. A custom printed cosmetic carton sample is $100, reimbursable within 3 months |
Where paperboard works best
- Cosmetics and skincare, such as bottles, jars and tubes in printed cartons.
- Retail product boxes that sit on a shelf and need to carry product information.
- Food and confectionery boxes, as outer packaging for wrapped or packaged products.
- Gift and presentation boxes, especially with lamination or special finishes.
Paperboard isn't designed to survive a courier network on its own. If you're posting products, put the paperboard box inside a mailer or carton.
What it means for you
The same question, answered for where your business is today.
Choose your stage at the top of the page to open the advice for you.
Start-up · under 100 units
Paperboard printing starts from 250 units, so at the start, stock gift boxes or kraft boxes with a label are often a better fit.
Look at our stock paperboard gift boxes as a lower-commitment option.
Growing · 100 to 2,499 units
Once your product and artwork are settled, a printed paperboard carton gives a polished retail look. Offset printing reproduces fine detail and colour well.
Try this: order a sample to check the fit before your first run. For cosmetic cartons, a custom printed sample is available for $100, reimbursable within 3 months.
Enterprise · 2,500 units and more
Specify the board weight, dimensions, print, finish and packing quantity, and keep artwork versions controlled. Small changes to a carton's size or board affect every run.
Agree colour targets and finishes before large runs, and keep an approved sample for reference.
Common mistakes
- 1Posting paperboard boxes on their own. Paperboard is presentation packaging. Use an outer mailer or carton for shipping.
- 2Choosing board by GSM alone. Box style, size and closure also affect how sturdy a carton feels.
- 3Forgetting product information. Retail cartons often need product details. Plan room for them in the artwork.
- 4Skipping the sample. A sample carton confirms the fit, colours and finish before you commit to a full run.
Paperboard questions
What is paperboard?
What does GSM mean?
What GSM are your paperboard boxes?
What's the minimum order for printed paperboard boxes?
Can you print inside paperboard boxes?
Keep reading
Shop paperboard
Planning a printed carton?
Send us your product size, quantity and artwork ideas. Our Melbourne team will recommend the box style and finish, usually within 1 business day.