Oct 13, 2026Help Center
SBS Paperboard: What It Is and When to Use It for Custom Packaging
SBS paperboard is the default choice for premium printed boxes. What it is, how it compares with kraft and coated duplex, and when to use it.
What is SBS paperboard?
SBS - solid bleached sulfate - is a premium paperboard made from pure bleached virgin wood fibers. It is white all the way through, has a smooth, uniform surface, and is the default board for high-quality printed packaging in cosmetics, supplements, food and retail products.
Why brands choose SBS
- Brilliant white surface: colors print true, and photos and gradients reproduce cleanly
- Smooth finish on both sides: ideal for fine text, small type and detailed graphics
- Excellent printability: works with offset, digital and flexo printing, plus foil stamping, spot UV and embossing
- Food-safe grades available: widely used for direct and indirect food contact packaging
- Consistent stiffness: predictable performance on carton-folding lines
SBS vs kraft vs coated duplex
Kraft board keeps its natural brown color because it is unbleached - great for eco-positioned brands, but colors print with a warm cast and fine white text needs care. Coated duplex board is white on the printing side and grey on the back - more economical, but the reverse side shows in unboxing. SBS costs more than both, and it earns the premium when print quality is part of your brand promise.
Common uses
- Cosmetic and skincare cartons
- Supplement and vitamin boxes
- Tea, coffee and confectionery packaging
- Rigid box wraps, liners and inner fits - including the printed wraps on our magnetic closure rigid boxes
- Luxury paper shopping bags for boutique and retail brands
Which weights are typical
SBS commonly runs from 250 gsm for light sleeves up to 400 gsm and beyond for premium cartons. As a rule of thumb: 250-300 gsm for light retail cartons, 300-350 gsm for standard product boxes, and 350-400 gsm where a heavier, more substantial feel matters.
Finishes that work well on SBS
The smooth coated surface takes every premium finish well: matte or gloss lamination, soft-touch coating, foil stamping, spot UV and embossing. If you are planning foil on dark artwork, SBS holds fine detail better than most uncoated boards.
The takeaway
If your packaging needs clean whites, sharp small text and true-to-file colors, SBS paperboard is the safe default. If your positioning is rustic or eco-first, kraft may tell the story better at a lower cost.
Tell us your product and artwork style, and we will send SBS and kraft samples side by side so you can feel the difference before you decide.