Board and Box Information
Paper Board
The flexible mat of bonded fibers used in the manufacture of folding cartons is called “paperboard.” Paperboard is a substrate composed of wood and other materials, which has been milled and converted into various grades and calipers. Clay coatings may be applied to paperboard to create a high-quality, smooth printing surface.
SBS Paperboard (Solid Bleached Sulfate)
SBS paperboard is bleached, which gives the sheet a clean, white appearance all the way through. The bleaching process degrades and weakens the “virgin” fibers, which in turn, has some effect on the strength of the sheet. The clay coating on the SBS sheet provides a smoother printer surface than SUS or recycled fibers, because bleached fibers are smooth, clean and pliable. SBS paperboard is usually one ply.
Embossed SBS (Solid Bleached Sulfate)
Passed thru an alligator skin embossing tool at time of sheeting.
SUS (Solid Unbleached Sulfate)
Also known as CNK (Clay Natural Kraft) – SUS paperboard is not bleached, which gives the sheet a draft/brown appearance all the way through the sheet. The sheet may be clay coated or uncoated. SUS is composed of “virgin” fiber, making it the strongest of the paperboards, but not the smoothest printing surface. SUS paperboard is two or three ply and can be treated with a moisture barrier to render it useful for beverage carriers.
Uncoated Paperboard
Uncoated recycled paperboard, a multi-ply material, is produced from 100% recovered paper – collected from paper manufacturing and converting plants and post consumer sources – and represents the single largest market for recovered paper in the United States. Some uncoated paperboard is produced with a top ply of white recovered fiber or vat dyed for color.
Recycled Paperboard
CCNB (Clay Coat News Back) – brown or gray (depending on fiber used), clay coated one side.
CCLB or CCGB (Clay Coat Light Back or Gray Back) – light gray, clay coated one side.
CCKB (Clay Coat Kraft Back) – brown, clay coated one side.
KLC (Kraft Lined Chipboard) – brown, uncoated, extra strength kraft lined board.
BC (Bending Chip) – brown, uncoated.
Box Style Definitions
Lock Corner – A non-glued tray used most frequently as a bakery and garment carton. There are many styles of Lock Corner Trays; for instance, Klicklok.
RET (Roll End Tray) – Also known as a Walker Lock Tray. Double End Walls with Foot Locks, Double Turnover End, or Trunk Style. This is a non-glued carton and can also have an attached lid.
RTE (Reverse Tuck End) – An economical choice, sometimes referred to as RNT (Reverse Notch Tucked), RTE nests better than STE (Straight Tuck End). It also lends itself to automatic carton machines such as Jones and Bivans, with slight modifications. Tucks may have either friction fit or shore locks for a more secure closure. Tucks can be on panel two (French Tuck) or panel four (Standard Tuck), depending on presentation preference.
Simplex – Also called a fitforme or Kwikset Tray. The carton can be use as a single tray or as a two-piece carton (Telescoping Box). The Kwikset Tray has glued rollover sidewalls, which make it the most aesthetically pleasing and durable of all the trays.
Sleeve – Used as a decorative cover on corrugated cartons, foam trays, rigid products and folding cartons. With modifications, it is also used for food and beverage containers (cans, bottles, etc.).
Snap Lock Bottom – Also referred to as a Houghland Bottom or a 1-2-3 Bottom. This carton is a more secure carton the the STE and RTE. Requires a little more labor than auto. Tucks may have either friction fit or shore locks for a more secure closure. Tucks can be on panel two (French Tuck) or panel four (Standard Tuck), depending on presentation preference. Tabs may also be added to bottom flap on panels one, two, and three, to increase the strength of the bottom.
STE (Straight Tuck End) – Sometimes referred to as Airplane Style, or SNT (Straight Notched Tuck). Although not as economical as the RTE, aesthetically this style works better. Tucks may have either friction fit or shore locks for a more secure closure. Tucks can be on panel two (French Tuck) or panel four (Standard Tuck), depending on presentaion preference.
SE (Seal End) – Usually used for high production runs on automatic cartoning machines. There are various profiles, depending on the specifications for individual cartoning machines as well as maximum layout efficiency. Consult the cartoning machine manufacturer for more information.
TTAB (Tuck Top Auto Bottom) – Also called Crash Lock or Inturn Auto Bottom. This profile is used to reduce assembly labor. The Tuck Top has a glued bottom and is much more secure than Tuck Bottoms and Houghland Bottoms. Tucks may have either friction fit or shore locks for a more secure closure. Tucks can be on panel two (French Tuck) or panel four (Standard Tuck), depending on presentation preference. Gluing costs are higher and the profile does not nest as well as RTE and STE.
TTFFAB (Tuck Top Full Flap Auto Bottom) – Also referred to as a Full Flap Crash Lock Bottom, this style is used when there are concerns about the weight of a product. This bottom is stronger than a standard Auto Bottom. Tucks may have either friction fit or shore locks for a more secure closure. Tucks can be on panel two (French Tuck) or panel four (Standard Tuck), depending on presentation preference.