Solid Board, Greyboard, Triplex PE and Specialty Carton Boards
Solid board and specialty carton boards are a group of carton materials used for stiffening, interleavers, flat inserts, underlays, packaging components, production, bookbinding and technical applications. They include greyboard, solid carton, solid board, Triplex PE, kraftliner, testliner and coated/barrier boards.
This material group complements the GC and GD sheet range. GC and GD are a good choice for graphic and packaging boards, while solid board and specialty boards work well where key factors are stiffness, protective function, barrier, stiffening or further processing capability.
When to Choose Solid Board or Specialty Carton Board?
Solid board and specialty carton boards are the right choice when the material is to serve a technical, protective, interleaving or structural function.
Most common applications:
- packaging stiffening,
- flat insert production,
- interleaver preparation,
- product layer separation,
- technical underlays and blanks,
- packaging component production,
- bookbinding,
- display underlays,
- product protection during transport,
- further cutting, sheeting and converting.
Types of Carton Board Materials
| Material | Character | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Greyboard | economical recycled board | inserts, underlays, interleavers, packaging components |
| Solid board | stiff technical material | stiffening, interleavers, packaging, bookbinding |
| Solid carton | uniform carton material with good stiffness | blanks, inserts, separators and underlays |
| Triplex PE | multi-layer board with PE coating | applications requiring barrier or greater resistance |
| Kraftliner | strong kraft paper/board | packaging, interleavers, protective layers |
| Testliner | packaging and interleaving material | interleavers, sheets, packaging production |
| Coated boards | surface for printing or special applications | packaging, display materials, prints |
Greyboard
Greyboard is an economical recycled board used where technical function, stiffness, stiffening or product interleaving matters. It can be used as material for inserts, underlays, interleavers and packaging components.
Typical greyboard applications:
- flat inserts,
- underlays,
- interleavers,
- packaging stiffeners,
- technical blanks,
- bookbinding components,
- separating layers,
- economical packaging.
Solid Board and Solid Carton
Solid board and solid carton are chosen when a stiffer material is needed for packaging, interleavers, inserts or technical components. Depending on grammage and thickness, they can serve a stabilizing, protective or structural function.
They work well for:
- parcel stiffening,
- packaging reinforcement,
- interleaver production,
- flat insert preparation,
- underlay production,
- product separation,
- packaging components,
- bookbinding applications.
Triplex PE and Barrier Boards
Triplex PE is a multi-layer material with a PE coating, worth considering when the board needs to serve a protective or barrier function. Selection of this material type should be based on working conditions, product contact and expected resistance level.
| Material | When to choose | What to determine before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Triplex PE | when a barrier or greater resistance is needed | application, format, use side, working conditions |
| Barrier board | when standard board is insufficient | type of barrier and product contact |
| Coated board | when a specific surface is needed | printing, display, coating, further processing |
| Technical PE material | when protective function matters | resistance, format, usage conditions |
Kraftliner and Testliner
Kraftliner and testliner are materials used in packaging, interleavers and production applications. Kraftliner is chosen where strength matters, while testliner often works well in packaging and interleaving applications.
Typical applications:
- packaging production,
- interleavers,
- technical sheets,
- protective layers,
- protective components,
- material for further processing,
- blank production.
How Can Solid Board and Boards Be Converted?
Carton materials can be prepared in a form matched to the customer’s process. They are most commonly cut to sheets, flat inserts, interleavers, blanks or underlays.
| Final form | Example application |
|---|---|
| Sheets | production, printing, packaging, bookbinding |
| Flat inserts | stiffening envelopes, parcels and packaging |
| Interleavers | product, layer and pallet separation |
| Blanks | ready dimension for picking or further processing |
| Underlays | display, protection and stiffening |
| Technical components | production, warehouse, packaging and protection |
Solid Board vs. GC and GD
GC and GD are a good choice when the priority is a specific type of packaging board, surface aesthetics or printability. Solid board and specialty boards are a better group when stiffness, barrier, interleaving function or technical material application is more important.
| Material | When to choose | Main function |
|---|---|---|
| GC | premium packaging, graphics, high print quality | aesthetics and printing |
| GD | economical packaging and packaging boards | packaging function |
| Greyboard | inserts, underlays, interleavers | stiffness and economy |
| Solid board | stiffening, bookbinding, packaging | stiffness and stabilization |
| Triplex PE | barrier applications | protection and resistance |
| Kraftliner / testliner | packaging, interleavers, technical layers | strength or economy |
Solid Board for Flat Inserts
Solid board and specialty boards work very well as material for flat inserts. An insert can stiffen packaging, protect the product, separate layers or improve parcel stability.
Insert applications:
- envelope stiffening,
- parcel stiffening,
- flat product protection,
- stabilizing items in cartons,
- inserts for bulk packaging,
- product underlays,
- separators inside packaging.
Boards for Interleavers
Specialty boards can be cut into interleavers used between products, layers, packaging or pallets. Material selection depends on product weight, expected stiffness, surface and transport conditions.
They work well as:
- pallet interleavers,
- layer interleavers,
- interleavers in cartons,
- interleavers between flat products,
- transport separators,
- protective sheets,
- technical underlays.
How to Choose a Carton Board Material?
Selection of solid board or specialty carton board should start with the function the material is to perform in the process. The material name alone is insufficient if it is not known whether the board should stiffen, separate, protect, be printed, have a barrier or work as a packaging component.
Key parameters:
-
End use
Determine whether the material will be an insert, interleaver, underlay, packaging component, production sheet or printing material. -
Grammage and thickness
Affect stiffness, resistance, weight and protective function. -
Stiffness
Key for stiffeners, flat inserts, interleavers and underlays. -
Format
The material can be prepared as a sheet, blank, insert or interleaver. -
Surface
Grey, white, coated or barrier surface affects appearance, printing and product contact. -
Barrier or coating
For Triplex PE and barrier boards, specify usage conditions and expected properties. -
Further processing
Specify whether the material will be cut, sheeted, creased, glued, printed or converted.
Typical Problems Solved by Solid Boards and Specialty Boards
| Problem | How solid board or specialty board helps |
|---|---|
| Packaging is too flexible | carton insert can stiffen it |
| Products require separation | interleavers separate layers and surfaces |
| Economical technical material needed | greyboard can serve as insert or underlay |
| Standard board does not meet working conditions | Triplex PE or barrier board can be considered |
| Products shift inside packaging | blanks and interleavers improve stabilization |
| Standard sheet does not fit the process | material can be cut to size |
| Material for further production needed | boards can be prepared for processing or converting |
Who Are Solid Boards and Specialty Boards For?
Solid board and specialty boards are intended for companies that use board as a technical, protective, packaging or structural material.
They are most commonly used by:
- packaging manufacturers,
- packaging companies,
- warehouses,
- manufacturing plants,
- printing houses,
- bookbinding companies,
- online stores,
- logistics centers,
- interleaver manufacturers,
- flat insert manufacturers,
- fulfillment companies,
- wholesalers,
- technical companies,
- picking and shipping departments.
What Information to Provide Before Quotation?
To select the right solid board or specialty board, provide information about the material, format and application.
When making an inquiry, provide:
- material type, if known,
- expected grammage or thickness,
- required stiffness,
- format of sheet, insert, interleaver or blank,
- quantity,
- material application,
- whether a grey, white, coated or barrier surface is needed,
- whether the material should be Triplex PE or have another barrier,
- whether the material will be printed,
- whether the material will be cut, creased, glued or converted,
- whether the order is one-time or recurring.
Solid Board and Specialty Carton Boards — FAQ
What is solid board used for?
Solid board is used for stiffening, interleavers, flat inserts, underlays, packaging components, bookbinding applications and further technical processing.
What is greyboard?
Greyboard is an economical recycled board used for inserts, underlays, interleavers, stiffeners and packaging components.
What is Triplex PE?
Triplex PE is a multi-layer board with a PE coating, used where a barrier function or higher material resistance is needed. Selection depends on application and working conditions.
Can the board be prepared to measure?
Yes. Boards can be cut to sheets, flat inserts, interleavers, blanks, underlays or other formats agreed with the customer.
What is the difference between solid board and GC/GD boards?
GC and GD are often chosen for packaging and graphic applications where print surface is important. Solid board and specialty boards are a better choice for stiffening, interleavers, inserts, underlays and technical applications.
How do I choose board for flat inserts or interleavers?
Specify the format, grammage, stiffness, product weight, method of use, transport conditions and whether the material should serve a stiffening, separating, protective or barrier function.
Order Solid Board or Specialty Carton Board
Need solid board, greyboard, Triplex PE, kraftliner, testliner or specialty board for inserts, interleavers, packaging or further production? Provide the material, grammage or expected stiffness, format, quantity and application. We will select the appropriate variant and cutting or converting method.