Premium Print, Packaging Impact, and ROI

When you’re building a retail-ready package, the material you choose can amplify or stymy your brand. Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) paperboard is the ideal option for vibrant color, precise detail, and a clean, bright-white canvas that makes high-end graphics really pop. At Brown & Pratt, we’ve helped brands leverage SBS for decades because it regularly delivers the look and feel expected from premium products.

SBS at a Glance

Crafted from bleached virgin pulp, SBS delivers a smooth, uniform surface that is perfect for color-critical applications. It’s the go-to option when your packaging needs to say “quality” at first glance. Further, SBS also supports barrier options for moisture and grease, making it an ideal fit for the food and beverage industry, while its purity and printability have made it a staple in the beauty, personal care, and pharmaceutical space. Admittedly, SBS can cost a little more than some other alternatives, but the return is visible on the shelf and in the unboxing moment.

Make It Look Lux: Print & Finish Playbook

For brand consistency, SBS provides excellent ink holdout and a high-fidelity print surface that preserves your palette and typography. Decide early whether you need C1S (coated one side) for exterior-only graphics or C2S (coated two sides) when inside-the-box storytelling matters—think loyalty offers, brand values, or usage tips. From there, finishing choices elevate the experience: foil stamping for sparkle, emboss/deboss for tactile interest, soft-touch or high-gloss coatings for a signature feel, and precision die-cuts or windowing where product visibility drives conversion. Because SBS creases and converts cleanly, these features can be executed reliably at scale.

Structures & Unboxing Experience

The structure you opt for can shape retail presence and fulfillment speed alike. Straight tuck end (STE) and reverse tuck end (RTE) styles offer clean front panels for cartons that are more design-heavy. Auto-bottom reduces assembly time for higher volumes while also decreasing pack-out time. Full-seal constructions provide additional durability when distribution is demanding. Don’t forget about inserts and partitions; SBS can be used for branded dividers that:

• stabilize smaller items
• align presentation
• reduce protective plastics

If you have heavier products, Brown & Pratt can help you balance SBS graphics with chip or corrugate supports wherever they may be needed.

Industry SBS Applications

No matter the industry, SBS can be a great option for packaging. Some industries, in particular, that use SBS regularly, include the following.

• Beauty/Personal Care. Perfect for when you want to present a flawless surface for metallic inks and spot gloss. Inside print (C2S) can display ingredient stories or how-to / application content without the need for additional leaflets.
• OTC/Pharma. When clarity and legibility are the top priority, SBS is a perfect canvas for small-type print and clean creases used for tamper-evident features.
• Frozen and/or Bakery. Matching SBS with the right barrier coating can help your packaging better handle condensation and grease, while also preserving graphic integrity in cold-chain conditions.
• Supplements & Specialty Foods. Consider emboss + soft-touch to deliver a “premium” package while also keeping panels organized for compliance copy, QR-enabled education, and more.

Timeline, Budget & Risk

The best way to simultaneously maintain your schedule and your budget is to ensure your specifications are nailed down early. They can help to avoid additional cost, such as:

• caliper selection, which can influence cost, feel, and rigidity
• ink coverage and specialty finishes, which can affect unit price and lead time
• dieline complexity, which has a direct impact on make-ready and downstream fulfillment.

To minimize risks around your product launches, we strongly recommend samples and pilot runs, particularly if you are combining multiple finishes. Clear communication regarding minimum order quantities (MOQs) and production windows really helps avoid last-minute changes that may compromise color, finish, or even product delivery dates.

Why Brown & Pratt

Since 1954, Brown & Pratt has built long-term business relationships by bringing together packaging performance with client brand goals. We do this through custom packaging solutions, maintaining10,000+ in-stock packaging and shipping items, and the ability to customize with your artwork, be it fast-turn sampling or full production. Our team sits down with brand managers, designers, and operations to fine-tune coatings (e.g., C1S vs. C2S), calipers, and finishes, and to advise on carton styles that balance shelf impact with assembly speed. Whether you’re launching a new SKU or refreshing a tried-and-true product, Brown & Pratt can help you decide on SBS paperboard options that protect your product, convey your brand story, and look exactly as you intended… time and time again.