Custom Chipboard Boxes & Chipboard Packaging
Chipboard is the recycled workhorse of paperboard. It is made almost entirely from reclaimed fibre, it costs less than bleached grade, and it has that grey speckled look that either suits your brand or does not. We print a lot of chipboard packaging at ZEE Packaging and the honest conversation is usually about what it does well and where it falls short.
What Chipboard Actually Is
Worth knowing before you spec a chipboard box.
- Pressed recycled paper fibre, typically very high recycled content
- Grey or grey brown through the whole thickness, not just the surface
- Measured in point, commonly 18pt through 48pt for a chipboard box
- Stiff for its weight, which is why it is used as a rigid box core
- Uncoated by default, so it absorbs ink and moisture readily
- Cheaper than SBS at the same caliper in most grades
Where It Works And Where It Does Not
We are straight with clients about this rather than overselling it.
Works well for
- Rigid box core under a printed wrap
- Backing board, pad and inner divider
- Utilitarian chipboard packaging where looks are secondary
- Trade and industrial cartons
- Inserts, trays and stiffeners
- Brands that want a visibly recycled aesthetic
Less suited to
- Vivid full colour print, the grey mutes everything badly
- Damp or chilled products without a coating
- Fine detail print, uncoated fibre spreads ink
- Food direct contact unless a lined grade is specced
Sizes We Print Regular
Every chipboard box is built to your product, though these run often:
- 4" x 4" x 2" for a small carton
- 6" x 4" x 3" for a mid size chipboard box
- 8" x 6" x 4" for a larger retail carton
- 10" x 8" x 2" for a flat pad and divider set
- 12" x 9" x 4" for a bulk chipboard packaging carton
- Custom inserts and trays cut to any footprint
Caliper Guidance
- 18pt to 22pt for light cartons and dividers
- 24pt to 30pt for a self supporting chipboard box
- 36pt for standard rigid box core
- 48pt for premium rigid and heavy duty
- Send the filled weight and we advise, guessing the caliper costs you later
Print And Finish Options
- One or two colour flexo works well on the raw surface
- Litho laminated wrap where you need full colour
- Foil stamping sits surprisingly nicely against grey
- Deboss and emboss give texture without ink
- Aqueous coating for a little moisture protection
- White ink underlay if you must print light colours
Our prepress team checks every file against the dieline so nothing gets trimmed at the edge.
Green Credentials Worth Mentioning
- Very high recycled content by nature of the material
- FSC certified stock available, certificate on request
- Soy based inks through the run
- Recyclable again after use where uncoated
- No bleaching process involved in the grade
- Right sized chipboard packaging so you ship less air
Why Clients Work With Us
- 100 unit minimum, so you can trial before committing
- Free 3D mockup and flat proof every order
- Free dieline drawn by our own designer
- Urgent turnaround at 5 to 8 business days
- Free shipping worldwide, nothing hidden
- One contact from artwork right through to delivery
Frequently Asked Questions
Chipboard or SBS?
SBS if print quality matters, chipboard if cost or a recycled look matters more. Many clients use chipboard as a rigid core with an SBS wrap over it.
Can you print full colour on it?
Not well directly. For full colour we litho print a wrap and mount it, which gives you both the core and the finish.
How much does a chipboard box cost?
Rough estimate is $0.15 to $0.45 per unit for a plain carton, $0.30 to $0.80 with print and $1.60 to $4.00 for rigid with a wrap at moderate quantity. Caliper and volume move it. Shipping is included in our price. This is an estimate only, so ask our team for an exact quote.
Is it food safe?
Only in a lined or certified grade. Standard chipboard is not for direct food contact, so tell us the application.
Does it hold up when damp?
Poorly uncoated. An aqueous coat helps but it will never match a coated board in a chilled environment.
Which caliper for a rigid box?
36pt for standard, 48pt where you want real weight in the hand.
Is the grey consistent between runs?
Roughly, though recycled fibre varies slightly batch to batch. We flag that upfront on colour critical jobs.
