SBS Cardstock: The Go-To Material for Retail Cartons

SBS – solid bleached sulfate – is a smooth, bright-white paperboard, and it is the material behind most retail folding cartons. If you have held a cosmetics or supplement box, you have held SBS. This article goes deeper on the material than our main packaging materials guide.

What is SBS cardstock?

SBS is a premium virgin paperboard made from bleached chemical pulp, which gives it a clean white surface top and bottom. It is coated on one side (C1S) or both (C2S) for an even smoother print surface. The result is a stock that takes vivid, sharp print better than almost any other paperboard.

Why it prints so well

The bright white base means colors sit true and do not get muddied by a brown or grey substrate, and the coated surface holds fine detail and crisp edges. That makes SBS the default for brands where shelf appearance matters – see folding cartons and cosmetic boxes.

Food-grade SBS

Food-grade SBS is widely used for direct food contact – bakery, confectionery, and dry goods – with food-contact-safe inks. See our food-safe packaging guide.

When to choose SBS

Choose SBS for light retail products where print quality and a clean white look matter. For a natural look choose kraft; for shipping strength choose corrugated.

Get SBS cartons

Tell us your product and we will recommend a stock and build a free dieline. Start with our materials guide, then request your free quote or contact our team.