Solid board – the most popular material for packaging

Solid board is one of the most frequently chosen materials for packaging production. Importantly, it is available in at least three main grades that differ in the colour of the reverse side, the level of stiffness and the quality of the coated top side. Therefore, to make the choice easier, below we describe the three key types of solid board used for packaging.

GC1 board – high quality for premium products

GC1 is a premium board grade designed mainly for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other sectors that expect top quality. The outside surface is often double coated and sometimes even triple coated, which improves print appearance. Moreover, GC1 offers increased stiffness, while the inside remains uncoated and white. One of the most popular GC1 boards is Arctica 300 g, also known as Alaska White, regarded by many companies as one of the best options in this class.

GC2 board – high stiffness and strength at a good price

GC2 works very well for packaging where the visual aspect should be solid but not necessarily strictly “premium”. It stands out through very high stiffness, which often even exceeds GC1. Therefore, GC2 is recommended wherever the durability of the carton is crucial. In contrast to GC1, the reverse side of GC2 has a cream shade. Additionally, this board grade is widely used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food packaging as well as in the production of displays.

• Available grammages: 250 g, 300 g, 350 g

GD board – economical solution

The third group is GD board, which is the most economical and at the same time the least prestigious option in this comparison. Crucially, it is a recycled material, so the top side is not pure white but slightly greyish. In terms of stiffness, GD is inferior to GC1 and GC2, which means it is not suitable for premium packaging or for applications that require very high strength. The bottom layer is an uncoated grey reverse, typical for recycled board.

• Available grammages: 180 g, 215 g, 230 g, 250 g, 300 g, 350 g, 400 g

To sum up, solid board remains one of the key materials in packaging production. The choice between GC1, GC2 and GD should depend on the required visual quality, the stiffness level and the final use of the box. Therefore it is worth analysing your brand’s needs carefully before making a decision.

Contact us – we will help you choose the right board grade for your packaging and match the printing technology to your project.