# Paperboard

> Paperboard is a relatively thick paper-based sheet used for applications such as folding cartons, sleeves and backing cards.

Canonical: https://dielinemaker.com/glossary/paperboard
Last updated: 2026-10-26

Materials

## What it means in packaging

Grades differ in fibre composition, coatings, stiffness and print surface. A folding carton board is a different construction from corrugated board, which contains fluted layers. The product and converting process determine the suitable grade.

## A practical example

A small retail carton may use coated paperboard for crisp graphics and a compact fold.

## What to check

Confirm thickness, grain, printing side and suitability for the intended product with the material supplier.

## Use it in your project

- [Choose board, caliper and finishes](https://dielinemaker.com/learn/materials-and-finishes)
- [Tuck carton template](https://dielinemaker.com/dielines/straight-tuck-end)

## Related terms

- [Corrugated board](https://dielinemaker.com/glossary/corrugated-board) — Corrugated board combines one or more fluted paper layers with flat liners to create a lightweight structural sheet.
- [Grammage (gsm)](https://dielinemaker.com/glossary/grammage) — Grammage is the mass of a sheet material per unit area, normally stated in grams per square metre (g/m² or gsm).
- [Grain direction](https://dielinemaker.com/glossary/grain-direction) — Grain direction is the predominant alignment of fibres in a paper or board sheet.

## Related

- [Packaging glossary](https://dielinemaker.com/glossary)