Linerboard Types and Grades: How Kraftliner Compares to Other Containerboard Options

You see that kraft linerboard is special because it uses mostly new fibers. This makes it very strong and tough. Other linerboard types, like testliner and recycled linerboard, use recycled fibers. These types have different strengths for packaging. When you pick a linerboard, you change how well your packaging works. You also change the price and how eco-friendly it is.

• People might want less linerboard in 2025.

• Things are expected to get better in 2026.

• In 2027, growth could be between 1.0% and 1.5%.

• Tariffs, changes in demand, and how much is made affect these trends.

Key Takeaways

• Kraft linerboard is very strong and tough. It is good for heavy packaging. It uses mostly new fibers. This makes it even stronger.

• Testliner and recycled linerboard cost less money. They are not as strong. They are good for lighter packaging jobs.

• Picking the right linerboard grade is important. Higher grades are stronger. They can handle more weight and pressure.

• Caring for the planet is important. Using recycled materials helps the environment. It lowers your carbon footprint.

• Think about printing when you choose linerboard. Kraft linerboard looks natural. Testliner has a smooth surface for bright prints.

Linerboard Types

When you look at packaging, you see different linerboard types. Each type has its own mix of fibers and strength. It is important to know these differences. This helps you pick the right material for your job.

Kraft Linerboard

Kraft linerboard has at least 80% new fibers. You find it in strong shipping boxes. It has two layers that make it stronger. The top layer uses pure fibers. This helps with printing. The base layer gives more strength. You can look at the table below to see how the layers work together:

Type of Kraft Liner	Top Ply Composition	Base Ply Composition	Printability	Strength
White Top Kraft Liner	Pure bleached hardwood Kraft Fibers	Unbleached Softwood Kraft fibers	Excellent	Good
Brown Kraft Liner	Pure unbleached softwood fibers	Mix of unbleached softwood fibers and high-quality recycled fibers	Very Good	Great

People pick kraft liner for heavy-duty packaging. It stays strong during shipping and printing.

Testliner

Testliner is made mostly from recycled fibers. You see testliner in boxes that do not need to be very strong. It has two layers to help with printing. But it is not as tough as kraft liner. Testliner is good for lighter packaging jobs.

Recycled Linerboard

Recycled linerboard uses only recycled fibers. You choose this type if you want eco-friendly packaging. It costs less and saves resources. It has two layers to help with printing. But it is not as strong as kraft linerboard. You use recycled linerboard for things that do not need a lot of protection.

Tip: Linerboard comes in different forms, like single wall or double wall. Single wall has two linerboards with a wavy layer in the middle. Double wall uses three linerboards and two wavy layers for more strength.

Linerboard Grades

Grade Definitions

You need to know about grades when you choose linerboard for packaging. Grades tell you how strong and heavy the paper is. The industry uses different paper grading types to sort linerboard by weight and strength. Each grade fits a certain job in packaging. For example, you see grades like 125 K/T or 200 K/T. These numbers show how much weight the linerboard can handle. The higher the grade, the stronger the linerboard.

Flute	Grade	Product Weight
BC or EB	125 K/T	10-15kg
BC or EB	150 K/T	15-25kg
BC or EB	200 K/T	25-35kg
BC or EB	200 K/300 T	35-40kg
BC or EB	300 K/T	40-45kg

You find two main types of liners in corrugated packaging: the inner liner and the outer liner. The outer liner often uses higher grades because it needs to look good for printing and protect the box. Kraft liners usually have higher grades than recycled liners. This makes kraft a top choice for heavy-duty jobs.

Grade Performance

Grades affect how well your packaging works. You want to pick the right grade for your needs. Grades measure things like burst strength and edge crush resistance. Burst strength shows how well the linerboard can resist punctures. Edge crush resistance tells you how much weight the box can take when stacked.

Metric	Description
Burst Strength	Measured using the Mullen test, which checks puncture resistance.
Edge Crush Resistance	Measured using the edge crush test (ECT), which checks stacking strength under pressure.
Material Efficiency	ECT-rated cartons can use less material but still meet strength needs.

Grades also link to the thickness and density of the linerboard. Thicker grades give you more protection and help boxes keep their shape. Most corrugated boxes use a standard thickness called 42#. If you need more strength, you can choose higher grades. Kraft grades often give you better burst strength and edge crush resistance than recycled grades.

Note: Grades matter most when you ship heavy or fragile items. Picking the right grade keeps your packaging safe and strong.

Kraft vs. Other Linerboard

Strength and Durability

When picking packaging, you want it to be strong. Kraft linerboard is special because it uses mostly new fibers. This makes it tough and helps it last longer. The table below shows how kraft and testliner are different:

Property	Kraft Liner	Test Liner
Fiber Source	Virgin fibers	100% recycled fibers
Strength	Superior strength and durability	Less durable
Burst Resistance	High burst resistance	Lower burst resistance
Edge Crush Resistance	Higher edge crush resistance	Lower edge crush resistance
Cost	More expensive	More affordable
Environmental Impact	Less eco-friendly	Eco-friendly (fully recycled)
Typical Applications	Heavy-duty packaging (e.g., food boxes)	Lighter packaging (e.g., outer boxes)

Kraft linerboard is best for heavy-duty jobs. You use it for shipping boxes that protect important things. Testliner and recycled linerboard work for lighter jobs, like display boxes. Kraft linerboard also keeps out water better, especially with special coatings. This helps your products stay safe from water when shipped.

Note: Kraft linerboard with coatings keeps water out better than recycled linerboard. This means your products stay dry and safe.

Printability

You want your packaging to look nice and show your brand. Good printing is important for many companies. Both kraft and testliner can be printed on, but they are not the same. The table below compares them:

Feature	Testliner	Kraftliner
Material	Made from recycled fibers or virgin pulp paper	Crafted from virgin wood pulp
Surface	Smooth surface ready for printing	Natural appearance with high durability
Strength	Good for economical options	Unparalleled strength and durability
Best Use	Economical printing flexibility	Maximum protection during transport

Testliner has a smooth surface, which helps with printing colors and logos. Kraft linerboard looks more natural but is still good for printing. It is best when you need strong packaging and good printing. If you want strong boxes and nice graphics, kraft is a great choice. For cheaper projects, testliner prints well and costs less.

Sustainability and Cost

Sustainability helps the planet and your business. You want packaging that is good for the environment. Kraft linerboard uses both new and recycled fibers. This lowers its carbon footprint. Recycled linerboard uses only recycled fibers, which helps the environment even more.

• Kraft linerboard uses new and recycled fibers to lower its carbon footprint.

• The carbon footprint depends on the materials used. More recycled content means less pollution.

• Using 100% recycled containerboard helps the planet and supports recycling.

You can look for certifications like FSC or PEFC. These show the fibers come from good sources. Many products now use responsibly sourced fiber and can be recycled.

Cost matters too. Kraft linerboard costs more because it uses new fibers and is stronger. The price for 42-lb kraft linerboard is $940-950 per ton. Recycled linerboard is cheaper, at $840-850 per ton. Testliner is the cheapest, at about $662 per ton. If you want a balance of cost and strength, pick what fits your needs.

Tip: New ways to make linerboard help the environment. Companies use more recycled fibers, better coatings, and digital printing. These changes make packaging greener and cut down on waste.

You can help the planet by choosing recycled packaging. This is good for your business and the earth.

Packaging Applications

Application Scenarios

You see packaging everywhere in daily life. Each product needs a different linerboard type. You want the best choice for your items. Heavy-duty shipping boxes need strong linerboard. Kraft linerboard and virgin natural linerboard are good for these jobs. They give strength and keep things safe when moving. You find these types in industrial corrugated cartons.

Linerboard Type	Description
Virgin Natural Linerboard	Heavier than kraft paper, good for corrugated cartons and industrial uses.
Kraft Paper	Made from softwood trees, strong and resists damage, great for heavy-duty use.

Eco-friendly packaging uses recycled materials. These options cost less than fancy white boxes. They still protect products and resist damage.

Some packaging needs a smooth surface for printing. DiamondTop® liners and Everest™ coated liners help with bright graphics. These choices work well for retail and custom designs.

Linerboard Option	Description
DiamondTop®	Smooth surface for high-quality graphics and reliable print.
DiamondTop® 1C	High gloss and rich ink, good for preprint jobs.
DiamondTop® 2C	Double clay-coated, very smooth for great graphics.
Everest™ Coated Liner	Combines folding carton printability with corrugated board strength.
Kemi White Board	Semi-gloss surface, perfect for bright, high-quality printing.

Printing on white cardstock gives bright colors and strong contrast. Kraft cardstock gives softer colors and a natural look. Your choice changes how people see your brand in stores.

Some packaging only needs basic protection and low cost. Chipboard and recycled linerboard are good for these jobs. You use them for industrial containers or shipping boxes that do not need much strength.

Tip: For food packaging, you can pick SBS paperboard for a fancy look or CUK paperboard for moisture resistance. Kraft paperboard is strong and does not tear easily, so it works well for artisanal products.

Decision Factors

You need to think about many things when picking linerboard. You want to balance strength, cost, print quality, and sustainability. Here are the main things to consider:

1. Strength and Durability
   You want packaging that protects your products. Kraft linerboard is very strong and resists tearing. Recycled medium works for moderate strength and costs less.

   Linerboard Type	Strength Characteristics	Cost Implications
   Kraft Linerboard	Strong against punctures and tears	Usually the most expensive
   Recycled Medium	Good for moderate strength, saves money	Often the cheapest option
   White Linerboard	Good print and fair price	Costs in the middle

2. Cost Considerations
   You want to save money. Kraft linerboard costs more because it uses new fibers. Recycled linerboard is cheaper, especially when prices drop. Kraft prices fell by $20 per ton in North America because of discounts.

   Factor	Kraft Linerboard	Recycled Linerboard
   Type of Pulp	Made from new fibers	Has recycled content
   Strength and Durability	Strong and lasts long	Depends on quality
   Cost Considerations	Usually costs more	Cheaper in some cases

3. Printability
   You want packaging that looks nice. Printing matters for labels and designs. White linerboard and coated types give bright colors and sharp graphics. Kraft linerboard gives a natural look with softer colors.

4. Sustainability
   You want to help the planet. Using recycled materials or certified sources supports sustainability. US and EU rules encourage eco-friendly choices. EPR laws and PPWR rules make companies think about packaging’s whole life.

   Region	Regulation Type	Impact on Linerboard Selection
   US	EPR Legislation	Pushes for sustainable materials, but rules change by state
   EU	PPWR	Stricter rules for recycling and sustainability

1. EPR laws reward you for using green packaging.

2. Europe focuses more on recycling and cutting waste.









Recyclability
You want packaging that is easy to recycle. Natural kraft and coated unbleached kraft are easier to recycle than folding box board. FBB is tough but needs more energy to recycle because it has many layers.

Paperboard Grade	Composition	Recyclability Impact
Folding Box Board (FBB)	Many layers, new fibers	Harder to recycle, needs more energy
Natural Kraft (SUS)	Unbleached wood pulp	Easier to recycle, better for the planet
Coated Unbleached Kraft (CUK)	Recycled materials	Easier to recycle because of its makeup

FBB is strong and smooth for printing.

Natural kraft and CUK help you reach sustainability goals.










Application Needs

You want linerboard that matches your product. Heavy-duty shipping needs strong kraft linerboard. Retail packaging needs good print quality. Cheaper jobs use recycled linerboard or chipboard.

1. Note: Always check local rules and what your customers want before picking paperboard packaging. This helps you meet safety, green, and branding goals.

You notice big changes when you look at linerboard types. The table below shows how kraft is different in fiber content, strength, and printability.

When picking packaging, remember these things:

1. Material efficiency means you use less but still protect items.

2. Sustainability is important. Recyclable choices help the environment.

3. Cost can change because of raw materials and supply chain problems.

You notice big changes when you look at linerboard types. The table below shows how kraft is different in fiber content, strength, and printability.

Feature	Kraft Linerboard	Test Liner
Fiber Content	Up to 25% recycled fiber	Mostly recycled fibers
Strength	Superior tear strength	Weaker
Printability	Better surface quality	Less detailed

When picking packaging, remember these things:

• Material efficiency means you use less but still protect items.

• Sustainability is important. Recyclable choices help the environment.

• Cost can change because of raw materials and supply chain problems.

FAQ

What is the main difference between kraft linerboard and testliner?

Kraft linerboard uses mostly new fibers. Testliner uses recycled fibers instead. Kraft linerboard is stronger and lasts longer. Testliner is good for lighter packaging jobs.

Can you recycle all types of linerboard?

Most linerboard types can be recycled. Kraft linerboard, testliner, and recycled linerboard go in regular recycling bins. Some coatings might make recycling harder. Always check your local recycling rules.

Which linerboard should you choose for food packaging?

Pick kraft linerboard or coated linerboard for food packaging. These types help keep food safe and dry. Make sure the linerboard meets food safety rules.

Does linerboard type affect print quality?

Smoother linerboard surfaces give better print quality. White-top kraft and coated liners make colors look bright. Testliner prints well but colors may not be as clear.