Ivory, duplex, kraft: which one to choose

The first question Sinh Vũ usually asks when clients are unsure between these three types of covers is not about the budget, but: will your customers open the box and see the inside? That answer immediately rules out one or two options, while the question about the brand story will finalize the remaining one.

Three types of covers: different natures

Ivory, technically known as FBB (Folding Box Board) or C1S (Coated One Side), is made from multiple layers of bleached wood pulp. The result is a clean white board on both sides, with a smooth outer surface that takes ink well, and the inner side remains white rather than gray. Finishing processes such as lamination, UV coating (glossy or matte to enhance durability and aesthetics), embossing, and foil stamping adhere well to the ivory surface.

Duplex (two-layer board) has a white-coated front for printing, with a back made from recycled fibers, resulting in a gray color. This structure is cost-effective because the visually appealing part is invested in, while the part that only needs to bear weight uses cheaper materials. Duplex is popular and has a stable supply in the Vietnamese market.

Kraft is brown paper made from unbleached wood pulp. The fibers retain lignin (the natural binder in wood), making it more durable, tear-resistant, and moisture-resistant than bleached paper of the same weight. However, the brown base results in darker print colors and does not convey the clean, premium look of ivory.

When to choose which direction

Choose ivory when the box is opened and customers see the inside, when the brand needs to convey a sense of cleanliness and premium quality, and when the product requires precise color printing such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, high-end cakes, or gifts. Ivory is also the default choice when you want to create multiple surface finishing layers.

Choose duplex when the box only needs to look good on the outside, when the quantity is large and cost is a priority, and when the brand does not need to tell a special story through the material. Consumer goods packaging, shipping boxes with printed labels, and mid-range retail boxes all fall under duplex.

Choose kraft when the brand is telling a rustic, organic, or environmentally friendly story and wants the material to confirm that as soon as the customer picks it up. Kraft is also suitable for products that require durable covers like thick paper bags, cans, or moisture-resistant food boxes.

The type of cover is not just a material; it is part of the brand story. When customers pick up the box, touch it, and open it, each moment tells a story through the material.

Practical experience, Sinh Vũ Studio

Common errors

• Use duplex for the inner face box: When the customer opens the lid, they immediately see the gray back, creating an instant premium feel. This mistake occurs when choosing the cover before reviewing the box structure.
• Printing bright colors on kraft and being surprised by dark colors: Pastel and white colors placed directly on brown backgrounds will look different from proofs on screen. Designs must be created specifically for the brown background, not just transferred from bright color versions.
• Select ivory for common boxes in large quantities just because it sounds luxurious: if the end customer does not perceive a difference through the unboxing experience, the cost of ivory is just excess spending.
• Place ivory C1S in direct contact with food without verifying certification: not all ivory types meet food-grade standards (safety standards for food contact). Verification with suppliers is needed for each batch and type of coating before production.

Sinh Vũ's viewpoint

Sinh Vũ approaches packaging design from the production stage backward, meaning that the type of cover and graphic design must be decided together, not designed first and then selecting the cover. If the client chooses kraft, the entire color palette and layout must be built for the brown background right from the original file. If ivory is chosen and gold foil is desired, it must be confirmed in advance whether the partner printing house has a suitable die.

The question Sinh Vũ uses for quick closure: Are customers opening the box, and what story is the brand telling? These two questions often eliminate two out of three options immediately. The remaining part is optimizing costs and checking technical constraints with the specific printer, as printing prices and machine specifications are reported by the printer, with no fixed numbers applicable to all cases.