Packaging glossary
Plain-English definitions of the packaging terms you meet when ordering custom boxes.
Aqueous coating
Aqueous coating is a clear, water-based coating applied over printed packaging to protect the ink from scuffs, fingerprints and moisture. It dries qui…
Auto-lock bottom
An auto-lock bottom is a pre-glued carton base that snaps into a locked position when the flat box is squared open. Also called a crash-lock or snap-l…
B-flute
B-flute is a corrugated board with medium-sized flutes, about 1/8 inch (roughly 3 mm) thick. It offers more cushioning, puncture resistance and stacki…
Bleed
Bleed is the extra artwork that extends past the cut line of a box, label or print piece so that no white edge appears after cutting. Because cutting …
Board caliper (point and GSM)
Board caliper is the thickness of paperboard, usually stated in points in North America, where one point equals one thousandth of an inch. GSM, grams …
Burst strength
Burst strength is the amount of pressure corrugated board can take before it ruptures, measured with the Mullen test and stated in pounds per square i…
CMYK
CMYK is the four-color printing model that builds images from cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black) inks. Printers lay tiny dots of these four inks in…
Child-resistant packaging
Child-resistant packaging is packaging designed to be significantly difficult for young children to open, while remaining usable by adults. It is requ…
Chipboard
Chipboard is a dense, uncoated paperboard made mostly from recycled paper fibers, usually gray or brown in color. In packaging it comes in two main fo…
Corrugated board
Corrugated board is a packaging material made from a wavy fluted paper layer glued between flat liner sheets, which makes it stiff, light and cushioni…
Debossing
Debossing is a finishing technique that presses a design into the surface of the board so it sits below the surrounding area. It creates a recessed, t…
Die-cut
Die-cut is the term for packaging cut to a custom shape with a die, a sharp steel blade bent into the outline of the box or design. In packaging, die …
Dieline
A dieline is the flat, unfolded template of a box that shows where it will be cut, folded and glued. Designers place artwork on the dieline so every p…
E-flute
E-flute is a thin corrugated board with small, closely spaced flutes, about 1/16 inch (roughly 1.5 mm) thick. It gives a smooth printing surface and a…
ECT (Edge Crush Test)
ECT, or Edge Crush Test, is a measure of how much force corrugated board can take on its edge before it crushes. It is reported in pounds per inch of …
Embossing
Embossing is a finishing technique that presses a design up from the back of the board so it stands out as a raised area on the surface of the box. It…
Flute
A flute is the wavy middle layer of corrugated board, glued between flat liners to make the board stiff and cushioning. Flutes come in standard sizes …
Foil stamping
Foil stamping is a finishing process that uses a heated metal die to press a thin metallic or colored foil onto packaging. The foil sticks only where …
Gable box
A gable box is a carry box with a pitched top shaped like the gable of a house and an integrated handle at the peak. It folds from a single sheet of p…
Gusset
A gusset is a folded panel built into the side or bottom of a bag or pouch that expands when the bag is filled, adding volume and letting it stand or …
Insert
An insert is a piece placed inside a box to hold, separate or protect products, such as a die-cut cardboard holder, foam tray, molded pulp cradle or d…
Kraft
Kraft is a strong paper or board made from wood pulp using the kraft (sulfate) process, usually left unbleached so it keeps a natural brown color. In …
Lamination
Lamination is the process of bonding a thin plastic film over printed packaging to protect it and give it a finish, most often gloss or matte. Gloss l…
Mockup
A mockup is a visual preview of how your packaging will look once printed and assembled, usually a 3D digital rendering of the box with your artwork a…
Mylar
Mylar is a common name for BoPET, a strong polyester film, and in packaging it usually refers to flexible pouches made from layers of polyester film, …
Offset vs digital printing
Offset vs digital printing is the choice between two main ways of printing packaging. Offset printing transfers ink from metal plates through a rubber…
Pantone (PMS)
Pantone, or PMS (Pantone Matching System), is a standardized color system in which each color has a number and a defined ink formula. Printers mix tha…
Pillow box
A pillow box is a small folding box with curved, pinched ends that give it a pillow-like shape when closed. It is made from a single sheet of paperboa…
Proof
A proof is the final preview of your packaging artwork that you review and approve before printing begins. A digital proof shows the design placed on …
Recyclable vs compostable packaging
Recyclable vs compostable packaging is the difference between materials that can be collected and made into new materials, and materials that break do…
Reverse tuck end (RTE)
A reverse tuck end (RTE) is a folding carton style in which the top closure tucks in from the back and the bottom closure tucks in from the front, so …
Rigid box
A rigid box is a sturdy, non-folding box made from thick chipboard wrapped in printed paper or another covering. Also called a setup box, it keeps its…
SBS paperboard
SBS paperboard is solid bleached sulfate board, a paperboard made from bleached chemical wood pulp so it is white all the way through. It has a smooth…
Sleeve
A sleeve is an open-ended printed wrap that slides over a box, tray or product to carry branding and information. Sleeves range from narrow belly band…
Soft-touch lamination
Soft-touch lamination is a matte film applied to printed packaging that gives the surface a velvety, almost suede-like feel. It mutes glare, makes col…
Spot UV
Spot UV is a clear, glossy coating applied only to selected areas of a printed box and cured instantly with ultraviolet light. It makes logos, pattern…
Straight tuck end (STE)
A straight tuck end (STE) is a folding carton style in which both the top and bottom closures tuck in from the same side, usually hinged to the back p…
Tuck end box
A tuck end box is a folding paperboard carton that closes with flaps tucked into the box at the top, the bottom or both ends. It ships flat, folds up …
Varnish
Varnish is a clear liquid coating printed over packaging artwork to protect it and change its sheen, in gloss, satin or matte. It can cover the whole …
Window patching
Window patching is the process of gluing a clear plastic or film panel behind a die-cut opening in a box, so customers can see the product while it st…
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