Custom Kraft Boxes

Which Kraft Board Grade Do You Need?

Kraft is not a single material or thickness. The grade you choose affects how the box looks, how it feels, and how much weight it can handle.

Board weight is measured in GSM (grams per square meter), while thickness is measured by caliper. Caliper is particularly important when creating a dieline because the actual board thickness affects folds, scores, and the overall construction of the box.

The following five grades cover most of the kraft packaging we produce:

The last option is worth a closer look because it is often misunderstood.

A rigid two-piece kraft box is not made from one thick sheet of kraft board. Instead, it uses grayboard as the rigid structure with kraft paper wrapped around the outside. Because of that construction, the inside surface can have a different appearance unless you specifically request kraft wrapping on both sides.

Choosing the right grade before the dieline is created also helps prevent structural problems later. If you are unsure which board is appropriate for your product, provide the product dimensions and weight and we can recommend a suitable construction.

Why Does White Artwork Look Different on Kraft?

Custom printed kraft boxes behave differently from boxes printed on white board because the kraft surface itself becomes part of the color you see.

Brown kraft is generally uncoated, so the natural brown color remains visible underneath the printed ink. This is most noticeable with white and light colors.

For example, white printed directly onto brown kraft will not normally have the same bright appearance as white printed onto a white substrate. Depending on the printing process and ink coverage, it can appear softer, muted, or grayish because the brown board influences the final result.

The same principle applies to pastel colors. Light pinks, blues, greens, and other pale shades can become warmer or less vibrant, while detailed photographs may lose some contrast.

There are two common ways to solve this.

The first is a flood white underprint. An opaque white layer is printed beneath the artwork to create a lighter base for the colors above it.

The second option is to use white kraft board, which has a bleached white surface that allows colors to reproduce more closely to the original artwork.

For many brands, however, the natural brown surface is part of the appeal. Instead of trying to make kraft look like white board, you can design around its natural color. Using one or two strong spot colors with the kraft showing through can create a clean, understated look while also keeping the printing process relatively simple.

For example, a kraft box with a single black logo can look just as intentional as a fully printed package. In many cases, kraft boxes with logo printing only require one primary ink color.

Foil Stamping and Embossing on Kraft

Kraft also works particularly well with certain specialty finishes.

Foil stamping can create a strong contrast against the natural brown surface, especially with gold, copper, or other metallic foils. Embossing can add another layer of texture by raising selected parts of your logo or artwork.

These finishes are especially useful when you want a natural material with a more premium presentation.

Which Kraft Box Do You Need?

Kraft packaging can be used for a wide range of products, and each application has different structural and material requirements.

This page covers the decisions that apply across kraft packaging. If you already know what you are packaging, the following options can help you identify the most suitable box type:

Each of these applications has its own structural considerations, but the same basic decisions still apply: board grade, thickness, printing, finishing, and product fit.

Most folding kraft boxes use a tuck-end construction that ships flat and can be assembled by hand without glue. If you need something outside the standard box styles, a custom die-cut kraft box can be designed around the exact shape and dimensions of your product.

Can Kraft Boxes Hold Food?

Kraft can work very well for food packaging, but grease and moisture are where material selection becomes important.

Dry foods generally place fewer demands on the packaging. Greasy foods, however, require a suitable grease-resistant construction because untreated kraft can allow oil to penetrate the material.

For applications where grease resistance is important, the Kit test under TAPPI T 559 is one method used to evaluate resistance to oil and grease. The scale runs from 1 to 12, with higher numbers indicating greater resistance.

For products such as pizza and fried food, a Kit rating of 8 or higher is generally needed. Dry bakery products often sit comfortably at around 4 to 6, depending on the product and how it contacts the package.

For food applications, don’t rely on a generic claim such as “food safe.” Ask your packaging supplier what material, barrier, and test specifications apply to your particular product.

Two other factors also deserve attention when the packaging is intended for direct food contact.

First, any grease-resistant treatment should be selected with applicable PFAS restrictions in mind. Second, recycled fiber can present additional considerations for fatty foods because recycled paper can contain mineral oil residues from inks used in previous paper products. Depending on the application, virgin fiber or an appropriate functional barrier may be required.

Food packaging should therefore be specified according to the actual food, contact conditions, and applicable regulatory requirements rather than simply choosing a kraft board based on appearance.

Is Kraft Packaging Really More Sustainable?

Kraft has a strong reputation as an environmentally conscious packaging material, and there is a reason for that. Plain, uncoated paper-based kraft packaging can generally enter established paper recycling streams where local facilities accept it.

However, the finished packaging matters just as much as the base material.

Additional layers and treatments can change how the package is handled after use. For example, plastic film lamination creates a paper-and-plastic composite that may require additional processing before recycling. Wax coatings can also create recycling challenges.

When sustainability is an important part of your packaging decision, it is better to look at the complete material specification rather than simply labeling a package “eco-friendly.”

We can supply FSC-certified kraft on request, and we can provide the recycled-content percentage directly on your quote when applicable. Specific material information gives you something concrete to communicate to your customers instead of relying only on general environmental claims.

What Are Your Minimum Order and Lead Times?

We keep the ordering process straightforward:

• Minimum order: 100 boxes per size. Each box size requires its own die.
• Plain samples: A plain mock-up can be produced within approximately 3 to 5 business days.
• Printed samples: A printed pre-production sample typically takes 7 to 10 business days.
• Production: Standard production takes 8 to 10 business days after dieline approval.
• Artwork: Vector PDF or AI files should be supplied on our dieline, with 3 mm bleed and any required Pantone colors identified.
• Shipping terms: FOB and EXW are available as standard, with DDP quoted for the US and EU on request.

For kraft boxes wholesale orders, pricing steps down at 500 units and again at 1,000 units when the same artwork is used.

Tooling is generally a one-time cost. Your first production order includes the required die, while subsequent orders using the same size and construction normally do not require a new die.

If you have multiple box sizes, ordering them together can also make more sense than creating each die separately over time.

To get started, send us your product dimensions, quantity, and destination. Let us know whether the box will ship by itself or be placed inside another shipping carton. We can then recommend a suitable board grade and printing method and prepare a dieline for pricing.

Request a Quote for Custom Kraft Boxes

Ready to develop your packaging?

Send us your product dimensions, quantity, destination, and preferred box style. If you already have artwork, you can send that as well. We’ll recommend a suitable board grade and printing method, prepare the dieline, and provide a 3D mock-up and firm pricing.

Plain samples can take approximately 3 to 5 business days, while standard production takes 8 to 10 business days after dieline approval.

Our minimum is 100 boxes per size, with FOB and EXW available as standard and DDP available for the US and EU on request.