NATURAL FIBER BOARD

Kraft

An unbleached, fully recyclable paperboard prized for its warm, earthy look and honest tactile feel — the default choice for brands that wear their sustainability on the outside of the box.

100% RecyclableCompostableFSC CertifiedFood-grade options

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60–450

GSM weight range

100%

Recyclable & compostable

1.0×

Cost index (baseline)

7–10 days

Typical lead time

Overview Products Industries How it's made Pros & cons Eco level Cost Alternatives

OVERVIEW

What is Kraft?

Kraft is produced through the kraft (sulfate) pulping process, which preserves the long wood fibers that give the board its characteristic strength and tear resistance. Left unbleached, it keeps its natural brown tone — no chlorine, no heavy dyes.

Because it takes ink and foil beautifully while still reading as "honest" and raw, kraft is the workhorse behind everything from artisan food packaging to premium eco-luxury boxes. It can be coated for grease and moisture resistance where the product demands it.

SPECIFICATIONS

Technical at a glance

Common GSM

60, 80, 120, 200, 300, 450

Finish options

Matte natural, kraft-white, coated

Print methods

Flexo, litho, digital, screen

Food contact

Available (greaseproof liner)

Recyclability

Curbside recyclable & compostable

Best for

Cartons, mailers, sleeves, bags

IN PRODUCTION

Products made with Kraft

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Dropper Bottle Boxes

A glass-protection problem wearing a beauty brief — the pipette is the fragile part.

1-2-3 Bottom Boxes

Named for how it assembles — fold one, fold two, fold three, and the base is locked.

Kraft Gable Boxes

A handle die-cut from the box's own board — the format built to be carried away.

kraft Boxes with Window

Brown board is visually quiet, so the window becomes the only bright thing on the pack.

kraft Jewelry Boxes

Unbleached board in a category that usually shouts — restraint as positioning.

Kraft Mailer Boxes

Unbleached board that reads deliberate rather than economical — and recycles honestly.

Kraft Mylar Bags

A paper face over a barrier laminate — natural on the outside, engineered behind it.

Kraft Paper Tubes

Unbleached plies wound into a cylinder — natural positioning with real structural strength.

WHO USES IT

Industries that rely on Kraft

Food & Beverage

Greaseproof-lined cartons and sleeves

Bakery

Window cartons and pastry bags

Coffee & Tea

Kraft pouches with valve options

Ecommerce

Mailers and shipping cartons

Soap & Beauty

Belly bands and rustic wraps

Organic & Eco

On-brand sustainability signal

Gifting & Retail

Foil-accented gift boxes

Cannabis & CBD

Compliant child-resistant kraft boxes

THE PROCESS

How Kraft is made

Pulping

Wood chips are cooked with sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide to separate the long, strong cellulose fibers.

Washing & screening

The pulp is washed and screened to remove residual chemicals and impurities while protecting fiber length.

Forming & pressing

Fibers are spread onto a moving wire, drained and pressed into a continuous sheet of kraft board.

Drying & finishing

The sheet is dried, calendered for smoothness and optionally coated, then rolled and cut to spec.

Advantages

✓

Sustainable — recyclable, compostable and made from renewable fiber.

✓

Strong — long fibers give excellent tear and burst resistance.

✓

Cost-effective — the most economical board for most box formats.

✓

On-brand for eco — the natural look signals sustainability instantly.

✓

Versatile printing — takes flexo, litho, digital, foil and emboss well.

Considerations

–

Limited color pop — the brown base mutes bright inks; whites need a liner.

–

Moisture sensitive — uncoated kraft absorbs water unless treated.

–

Shade variation — natural fiber means slight batch-to-batch color shifts.

–

Not for high-gloss luxe — rigid or coated stocks suit ultra-premium feels better.

SUSTAINABILITY

Eco-friendly level

Kraft is one of the most sustainable substrates we offer — renewable, recyclable and compostable with a low processing footprint.

✓Curbside recyclable✓Home compostable✓Renewable fiber✓Low-carbon process

ECO RATINGExcellent · 5 / 5

LowModerateExcellent

COST COMPARISON

Relative cost per unit

Indexed against Kraft = 1.0× — actual pricing depends on size, finish and volume.

Kraft

1.0×

Cardboard

1.2×

Corrugated

1.5×

Paper Tubes

1.4×

Mylar

2.3×

Rigid

3.0×

IF NOT KRAFT

Alternative materials

Cardboard

+20%

Smoother surface and brighter print at a small premium.

Corrugated

+50%

Far stronger for shipping and heavier products.

Rigid

+200%

Premium, gift-worthy feel for luxury unboxings.

Recycled White

+15%

Recyclable with a clean white print surface.

Paper Tubes

+40%

Cylindrical kraft tubes for a plastic-free, premium reveal.

GALLERY

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