Coated Paper vs. Folding Box Board

Introduction

Coated paper and folding box board are both common materials in the paper industry. However, if you’re not familiar with paper products, you might find it hard to tell them apart just by looking. Despite their similar appearance, they are actually quite different in many ways. In this article, I’ll break down the differences between coated paper and folding box board in terms of materials and construction, thickness and hardness, applications, and durability.

Difference Between the Coated Paper and Folding Box Board

Materials and Construction

Coated paper is a coated paper made entirely from 100% virgin wood pulp. It has one or more layers of coating applied to the surface, followed by super calendering, which gives it a smooth and refined finish. This makes it highly suitable for printing. 

Folding box board is also made from virgin wood pulp, but it undergoes a bleaching chemical pulping process and extensive sizing before being calendered or embossed. Unlike coated paper, it does not have a coating layer. Instead, it has high stiffness and tear resistance, making it strong enough to protect packaged products.

Thickness and Hardness

The thickness of a paper is generally related to its grammage (GSM). Coated paper usually ranges from 80gsm to 250gsm, while folding box board typically ranges from 170gsm to 400gsm.

This means that folding box board is usually thicker than coated paper. Additionally, folding box board is produced by layering chemically processed pulp and adding sizing agents, which gives it higher stiffness and hardness. In contrast, coated paper only has a surface coating, making it less rigid and durable than folding box board.

Application

Because coated paper and folding box board are manufactured differently, they have different properties and uses. Coated paper is designed for high-quality printing. Its coated surface enhances color vibrancy and sharpness, making it ideal for magazines, book covers, catalogs, and calendars.

Folding box board has multiple layers of sizing, which gives it better stiffness and support. This makes it a preferred choice for packaging. It is commonly used to produce packaging boxes and is classified as an industrial-grade paper. If necessary, it can also be coated with one or two layers for better printability. In addition to packaging, it is also used for business cards, magazine covers, product labels, pharmaceutical boxes, and paper bags.

Durability

Coated paper is made by applying a coating to base paper, but it lacks additional protective treatments. This makes it more susceptible to moisture, which can cause coating peeling or paper sticking over time.

Folding box board, on the other hand, undergoes sizing treatment, making it more resistant to moisture. As a result, it has a longer storage life compared to coated paper.

Conclusion

After reading this, you should now have a clear understanding of the differences between coated paper and folding box board. If you're looking for paper products that best suit your needs, feel free to reach out to Golden Paper. With years of experience in the industry, we provide top-quality products and professional services to help you succeed in the market!