Not all paperboard is created equal. Whether you're designing retail folding cartons, shipping heavy industrial parts, or creating premium gift boxes, choosing the right material can make or break your product's protection, appearance, cost, and environmental footprint.
At Hammond Paper, we supply high-quality chipboard, SBS (Solid Bleached Sulfate), and corrugated materials, often 100% recycled and fully recyclable to manufacturers, printers, converters, and e-commerce businesses across North America. This guide breaks down the key differences to help you select the best option for your project in 2026 and beyond.
Quick Overview: What Are They?
- Chipboard (also called recycled paperboard, greyboard, or non-bending chipboard): A dense, solid sheet made primarily from recycled fibers (newsprint, old corrugated containers, and mixed paper). It's stiff, economical, and available in a wide range of thicknesses.
- SBS (Solid Bleached Sulfate): A premium paperboard made from bleached virgin wood pulp. It features a bright white surface (often clay-coated) on one or both sides, delivering excellent printability and a clean, high-end appearance.
- Corrugated (corrugated cardboard or corrugated fiberboard): A multi-layer structure with one or more fluted (wavy) mediums sandwiched between flat linerboards. It comes in single-wall, double-wall, or triple-wall configurations for varying levels of strength.
All three are paper-based, recyclable, and biodegradable — but they excel in very different applications.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here's how they stack up across the most important factors:
| Feature | Chipboard | SBS (Solid Bleached Sulfate) | Corrugated Cardboard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Solid, dense layers | Solid, uniform bleached pulp | Fluted medium + linerboards |
| Typical Thickness | 0.009" to 0.140" (up to 1/2" laminated) | 0.010" to 0.036" (clay-coated options) | 0.125" to over 0.5" (depending on flutes/walls) |
| Strength | Good rigidity & stiffness; moderate compression resistance | Good foldability & tear resistance; lower crush strength than corrugated | Excellent impact, compression & stacking strength |
| Print Surface | Good for basic printing; can be laminated or wrapped | Superior brightness, smoothness & color reproduction | Fair (better with litho-lamination) |
| Cost | Lowest | Highest | Medium (higher upfront but often reusable) |
| Weight | Heavier per sheet for same rigidity | Lightweight for premium feel | Lighter overall due to flutes |
| Sustainability | Excellent, typically 100% recycled | Good (virgin pulp); some coated options available | Excellent, high recycled content common |
| Best For | Rigid setup boxes, partitions, stiffeners, backing boards, signage | Premium folding cartons, food/cosmetics/pharma packaging |
Shipping boxes, displays, protective packaging |
Pros and Cons of Each Material
Chipboard
Pros: Highly cost-effective, excellent rigidity for its weight, easy to die-cut and convert, widely available in custom thicknesses, and one of the most sustainable options when made from 100% recycled fibers.
Cons: Grey appearance (unless laminated or wrapped), limited moisture resistance, and not ideal for heavy or fragile shipping without additional protection.
SBS
Pros: Bright white surface ideal for high-resolution printing, embossing, foiling, and luxury finishes; hygienic and odor-free (great for food contact); consistent quality and smooth folding.
Cons: More expensive due to virgin pulp; lower structural strength for heavy stacking or long-distance shipping compared to corrugated.
Corrugated
Pros: Superior cushioning and compression strength; customizable flute sizes (E-flute for thinner profiles, B/C for standard shipping); reusable and stackable; great for e-commerce and industrial logistics.
Cons: Rougher surface for direct printing (often needs lamination for graphics); bulkier to store and ship empty.
Common Applications
- Chipboard: Setup/rigid boxes (with printed wrap), box partitions and dividers, layer pads, slip sheets, edge protectors, signage, book covers, and product inserts. At Hammond Paper, we stock chipboard from 9pt to 140pt and can laminate up to ½" thick for extra-heavy-duty needs.
- SBS / Clay-Coated Board: Folding cartons for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, frozen foods, cereal boxes, confectionery, and high-end retail packaging. Its clean white surface makes it the go-to for brands that want shelf appeal.
- Corrugated: Shipping cartons, point-of-purchase displays, protective sleeves, skid liners, and outer packaging. We offer corrugated sheets, pads, and custom converting for everything from lightweight e-commerce boxes to heavy industrial use.
Many customers combine them: for example, an SBS folding carton inside a corrugated shipping box, or chipboard partitions inside a corrugated master carton.
Sustainability Angle
All three materials support the circular economy.
- Chipboard from Hammond is predominantly 100% recycled and 100% recyclable, keeping waste out of landfills.
- Corrugated also has very high recycled content and is one of the most recycled packaging materials globally.
- SBS uses virgin fiber for purity and performance but can be responsibly sourced; many brands now seek hybrid solutions or coated recycled alternatives where possible.
Switching to paperboard-based solutions helps brands meet ESG goals and respond to growing regulations around single-use plastics.
How to Choose the Right One for Your Project
Ask yourself these questions:
- Does your product need premium shelf appeal and high-end printing? → Go with SBS.
- Is cost and rigidity the priority for internal packaging or setup boxes? → Choose Chipboard.
- Will the package face shipping, stacking, or rough handling? → Corrugated is your best bet.
- Do you need a hybrid solution? Many projects benefit from combining materials.
Factors like product weight, shipping distance, moisture exposure, volume, and branding goals all play a role. Our team at Hammond Paper can help you test samples and recommend the optimal caliper, coating, or custom conversion.
Ready to Find the Perfect Paperboard Solution?
At Hammond Paper, we stock and customize chipboard, SBS/clay-coated board, corrugated, graphic boards, and more, all with fast lead times and in-house converting services (guillotining, laminating, die-cutting, etc.) right here in our Vaughan, Ontario facility.
Whether you're looking for eco-friendly recycled chipboard, premium SBS for luxury packaging, or durable corrugated for shipping, we've got you covered.
Contact us today for samples, quotes, or expert advice on your next packaging project. Let’s build something sustainable together.