Properties and Applications

Paper & Board Properties

Durability refers to how well a paper or board withstands wear and tear. It’s a crucial aspect to consider when choosing materials for packaging products.
Opacity is the degree to which a material allows light to pass through. For instance, tracing paper is highly opaque, while solid white board is completely opaque.
Stiffness/Rigidity pertains to an object’s resistance to bending. Boards tend to be stiffer and more rigid compared to papers.
Permeability refers to the ability of a material to allow substances like water or gases to pass through. Some papers and boards are treated to decrease their permeability, making them suitable for packaging food or liquid-based commodities.
Brightness/Whiteness plays a key role in influencing the print contrast and colour accuracy. Brightness refers to the reflectivity of blue light on paper, while whiteness refers to the visual impression of the paper colour.

Layout paper is often used in initial concept design and sketching.
Cartridge paper is primarily used for detailed work, and often with high-quality pencils.
Tracing paper is used to overlay, trace, and transfer the original drawing.
Corrugated cardboards are most commonly used for making shipping boxes and packages due to their strength.
Foam core board is frequently used in architectural modelling because it is light, sturdy, and easily cut.
Greyboard and solid white board are often used for high end packaging due to their rigidity and clean appearance.

Recycling is a significant concern for paper and board products. Products are often marked with a recycling emblem to indicate their recyclability.
Sustainable sourcing ensures the raw materials for paper and board are sustainably grown and harvested, which often involves replanting to replace cut down trees.
Life cycle assessment is an evaluation of everything that goes into the making of a product, from raw material extraction, to manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal or recycling.