Packaging Board Resource
Packaging Glossary
A practical A–Z guide to packaging board terminology, covering GSM, microns, greyboard, caliper and other common buying terms.
B
Board grade
The specific type or specification of board used for a packaging job, usually chosen based on thickness, strength, finish and application.
Box making
The process of producing packaging boxes from board sheets, including cutting, creasing, wrapping, gluing and finishing.
Backing board
A rigid board used to support products, framed artwork, displays or packaging components. Often manufactured from greyboard.
C
Caliper
The measured thickness of a sheet of board or paper, usually expressed in microns or millimetres.
Cartonboard
A paperboard material used for folding cartons, sleeves and retail packaging where print quality and foldability are important.
Coated white greyboard
Greyboard with a coated white surface, commonly used where a cleaner printable face is required for carton work, displays or presentation packaging.
Corrugated board
A board made with a fluted middle layer between liners. It is often used for shipping boxes, transit packaging and protective applications.
Compression strength
The ability of a board or packaging structure to withstand pressure without collapsing. Commonly used when assessing stacking performance.
Conversion
The process of transforming board sheets into finished products through cutting, creasing, laminating, printing or assembly.
Creasing
The process of adding a controlled line into board so it folds cleanly without cracking or splitting.
Cut to size
Board supplied or converted to a specific sheet size, reducing waste and making it easier to use in production.
D
Display board
A board used for point-of-sale displays, showcards, mounting and hanging displays where flatness and visual finish matter.
Drum bases and lids
Cut-to-size board components used to form the bases and lids of fibre drums, helping provide closure, stability and protection.
F
Folding boxboard
A lightweight cartonboard used for high-quality print and folding carton applications. Often abbreviated to FBB.
Fibre
The paper-based material used to make board. Fibre can come from recycled sources, virgin sources or a blend of both.
Finish
The surface quality of the board, such as coated, uncoated, white lined, kraft lined or laminated.
Food-grade board
Board manufactured or specified for food contact applications, often used in cartons, sleeves and food packaging.
G
Greyboard
A dense, economical solid board often made from recycled fibre. It is commonly used for rigid boxes, backing boards, layer sheets and industrial packaging.
GSM
Grams per square metre. GSM measures the weight of board or paper over one square metre and is commonly used when comparing board grades.
Grammage
Another term for GSM (grams per square metre), describing the weight of a board or paper material.
I
Interleaving sheet
A sheet placed between products, layers or materials to separate, protect or stabilise them during handling and transport.
K
Kraft board
A strong brown board or liner with a natural kraft appearance, often chosen for durability and a recyclable packaging look.
Kraft lined greyboard
Greyboard with a kraft liner, often used for rigid boxes, picture backing boards and industrial packaging.
L
Lamination
A finishing process where a film or sheet is bonded to board to improve appearance, durability or moisture resistance.
Layer sheet
A board sheet used between stacked layers of products to separate, stabilise and protect goods in storage or transit.
Load bearing
The ability of a board to support weight during storage, transit or stacking.
M
Micron
A unit of thickness equal to one thousandth of a millimetre. Board thickness is often specified in microns.
Mountboard
A board used for picture framing, mounting, presentation work and display applications.
P
Presentation box board
A board selected for premium presentation packaging, gift boxes and rigid boxes where structure and finish are both important.
Printability
How well a board surface accepts print, ink and finishing. Coated and white lined boards usually provide better print presentation.
Pallet layer sheet
A board sheet placed between product layers on a pallet to improve stability and protect goods during transport.
Point of Sale (POS)
Display materials used in retail environments to promote products and attract customer attention.
R
Recycled board
Board manufactured using recovered fibre. It is commonly used for greyboard, backing board, layer sheets and other sustainable packaging applications.
Rigid box
A strong, non-collapsible box often made using greyboard or solid board and used for luxury packaging, gifts and presentation products.
Recyclability
The ability of a board product to be collected, processed and reused as fibre after use.
S
Sheet size
The width and height of a board sheet, usually measured in millimetres. Sheet size affects yield, waste and production efficiency.
Showcard
A printed display card used for point-of-sale, signage, promotional displays and mounted visual applications.
Solid board
A dense paperboard material without corrugated fluting, used for cartons, displays, presentation packaging and other applications requiring a smooth board structure.
SBS board
Solid bleached sulphate board. A premium white paperboard often used for high-quality cartons and printed packaging.
Sheet yield
The number of sheets produced from a given weight of board, often calculated using GSM, thickness and sheet dimensions.
Stacking strength
A measure of how well packaging performs when multiple units are stacked on top of each other.
T
Testliner
A paperboard liner commonly used in corrugated board, often made with recycled fibre.
Thickness
The depth of a board sheet, typically measured in microns, millimetres or caliper depending on the specification.
Tonnage
The total weight of board material, usually measured in tonnes for purchasing and production planning.
U
Unlined greyboard
Greyboard without an added liner or coated face. It is often used where function, thickness and economy are more important than visual finish.
V
Virgin fibre board
Board made using new fibre rather than recovered fibre, often selected for premium print quality, food packaging or specific performance requirements.
W
White lined greyboard
Greyboard with a white liner on one or both sides, often used for presentation boxes, picture mounting, displays and showcards.
Waste allowance
An allowance added to production calculations to account for trimming, setup, damage or unusable sheets.
Warping
The bending or distortion of board caused by moisture changes, storage conditions or manufacturing processes.
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Why packaging terminology matters
Packaging board specifications can be confusing because buyers often need to compare GSM, thickness, board type, finish and application at the same time. This glossary gives quick definitions for the terms most commonly used in board buying, print, packaging and conversion.
Use it as a starting point when comparing materials, preparing specifications or discussing board options with suppliers.
Definitions are written as practical buying guidance. Exact specifications can vary by board grade, supplier and production process.