DTC E-commerce boxes – the white board or kraft board question?


This is one of the most common questions we’re asked when designing e-commerce boxes. In some cases, the decision has been made well in advance, usually when the graphics are developed. On other projects, the board or substrate color can go either way. The below should serve as a guideline for e-commerce box board selection but as always, a short conversation with one of our branded packaging advisors can save you time, frustration, and money.Get more news about Packaging Boxes White Board,you can vist our website!

Colors that “POP” – Flexographic inks without costly varnishes added can look rather flat. Printing any color on white board makes the color brighter, compared to printing on kraft which can make colors look darker and sometimes “muddier”.
Color consistency, especially on flood coats – If you look at any brown (kraft) boxes you will see the brown varies from box to box. Natural kraft colored board is not consistent in color, and the difference is even greater on higher recycled content board. The result is any color printed on it, especially lighter pastels, will vary as well. White board delivers more even, consistent colors.
White board is typically a board upgrade so it may feature stronger/thicker top and bottom sheets, as well as a stronger fluted middle or medium.
How much white does your application require – you can get one side white, both sides white or for a clean, bright look, even triple white corrugated board.
For RSC style boxes, kraft in and kraft out remains the most common board combination. However, for die cut mailers which represent over 80% of our business, kraft out and white inside is unquestionably the most popular. Keep in mind we usually do not recommend spending a lot of money on exterior graphics. That outside surface gets beat up in shipment and is covered up with tape, labels, etc., which is even worse on a small box when the graphics may be obscured by the standard 4” X 6” or larger, 4” X 8” shipping label.
The best board and ink combination is what is best for you and your brand. As our tag line says, we produce “packaging that communicates” so the key question is, what do you want your packaging to say about you? Perhaps that sustainability is at the top of your list of core values? Perhaps that your products are premium in terms of quality and appearance? Or perhaps that you have invested the time and money to make sure your fragile products arrive safely to your customers?