Folding Carton Manufacturers & Suppliers
Find verified folding carton manufacturers and suppliers on Towobo. Compare cartonboard grades (SBS, FBB, GD2), print processes and finishing options, food contact compliance, tooling and dieline development, and MOQs from manufacturers in China and other origins for food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods applications.
Folding carton board grades, print processes, and finishing
Folding cartons are printed and die-cut cartonboard packaging — the standard format for food products (cereals, tea, confectionery, frozen food, dry goods), pharmaceuticals (tablet and capsule outer packs), cosmetics, and consumer goods. The main cartonboard grades are: SBS (solid bleached sulphate) — premium food-grade board made from virgin bleached pulp, providing excellent printability, a uniform white surface, and food contact compliance; the standard for pharmaceutical cartons, cosmetic packaging, and premium food cartons. FBB (folding boxboard) — a multi-ply board with a bleached surface providing good printability at lower cost than SBS; the workhorse grade for branded consumer goods folding cartons. GD2 (greyboard, recycled solid board) — made primarily from recycled fibre; white-coated on the outer surface for printability; the most cost-effective grade for non-food-contact applications and outer packaging. Print processes for folding cartons are offset lithography (the standard for high-quality, full-colour, large-volume carton print — the same technology used for commercial printing, producing excellent colour accuracy and fine detail) and digital printing (for short runs, fast turnarounds, variable data, and test batches — no plate cost but per-unit cost is higher than offset at volume). Finishing options that significantly affect premium perception include: UV spot varnish (a gloss coating applied selectively to create contrast between matte and gloss areas); hot foil stamping (metallic or holographic foil transferred under heat and pressure — used for premium brand logos, crests, and decorative elements); embossing and debossing (raised or recessed relief patterns in the board); and soft-touch lamination (a velvety matte tactile coating).
Food contact compliance, dieline development, and MOQ guidance
For folding cartons used in direct food contact (inner face in contact with unwrapped food product), the cartonboard must comply with applicable food contact material regulations. In the EU, this currently relies on national measures plus the framework under EU Regulation 1935/2004 — the most commonly referenced standard is Germany's BfR Recommendation XXXVI (paper and board for food contact). Key concerns are: mineral oils (MOSH/MOAH) migrating from printing inks in recycled fibre (use virgin SBS or functional barrier for direct food contact); primary aromatic amines (PAA) from azo dyes in inks; and formaldehyde. Carton manufacturers for food applications should provide a Declaration of Compliance for the specific board grade and ink system. Dieline development: the dieline is the flat, unfolded cutting and creasing pattern of the carton — supplied as a technical drawing or vector file. When working with a new carton manufacturer, they will provide their dieline template for the specific carton style in your dimensions. Confirm crease placement, glue flap dimensions, and lock tab designs before finalising artwork. MOQs for offset-printed folding cartons from China are typically 1,000–10,000 units per design per size with 3–5 week lead time; digital-print cartons can be ordered from 200–500 units. Custom die-cut tooling is typically $150–400 per carton size.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an SBS folding carton and a GD2 carton?
SBS cartons are made from virgin bleached pulp — providing a bright, clean white surface on all sides and meeting the highest standards for food contact compliance and print quality. GD2 cartons are made from recycled grey board with a white-coated outer surface — the inner surface is grey/off-white. GD2 is suitable for secondary packaging (not direct food contact) and non-food consumer goods where cost is a priority. For pharmaceutical and premium food cartons where the inner surface may contact the product or where print quality inside the carton matters, SBS is the correct grade.
What print finishing options are most cost-effective for mid-range brand cartons?
For mid-range brand cartons balancing cost and visual appeal, the most cost-effective premium finish is a full-gloss UV varnish on the outer surface (lower cost than spot UV but provides a strong gloss finish) or a matte lamination with spot gloss UV on key elements (the brand logo and product photography). These finishes are achievable at standard print run MOQs without significant tooling cost. Hot foil stamping and embossing add tooling cost ($200–800 per design) and are best justified at volumes above 10,000 units per run.
Can I get sample folding cartons made before committing to a full production run?
Yes — most carton manufacturers can provide hand-made samples (white samples from the correct board grade cut by hand to your dieline dimensions) and digital-print proofs before committing to offset print plate investment. Structural sample production typically takes 1–3 business days; print proofs (wet proof or digital proof) are available for colour approval. For new product launches or retail range reviews, it is standard practice to request a sample carton run (often digital-printed at higher per-unit cost) for retail buyer presentation or consumer testing before committing to the full offset print run.
寻找经过验证的批发供应商？立即浏览列表。
Browse Folding Carton Suppliers