Paper box packaging design plays a critical role in product protection, brand presentation, and user experience. To ensure functionality and aesthetics, a series of format requirements must be followed. Below is a detailed explanation covering structural design, material selection, printing specifications, environmental standards, and industry applications, presented in both Chinese and English to meet global needs.
1. Structural Design Specifications
- Box Types and Dimensional Tolerances
Common Box Types: Such as telescopic boxes, folding boxes, drawer boxes, and custom-shaped boxes. Select based on product shape and usage to ensure smooth opening/closing. Dimensional Tolerances: Length/width/height deviations ≤±1.5mm; critical parts (e.g., tabs, locks) require precision of ±0.5mm. - Die-Cutting and Creasing Design
Die-Cutting Lines: Designed via CAD software with line width ≤0.25mm to prevent burrs.
Creasing Depth: Adjusted based on paper weight; e.g., for 300g/m² cardboard, depth = 1/3 of sheet thickness. - Folding and Adhesion Requirements
Folding Angles: Reserve 0.5mm gaps for right-angle folds to prevent cracking.
Adhesion Strength: Use eco-friendly water-based glue; peeling force ≥3N/15mm (GB/T 4852 standard).
2. Material Selection Criteria
- Paper Types and Weights
White Cardboard/Grey-Back Board: Used for premium boxes; weight range 200–400g/m²; whiteness ≥90% (ISO brightness).
Corrugated Board: E-flute (1.5mm), B-flute (3mm); edge crush strength ≥4.5kN/m (GB/T 6544). - Environmental Certifications
FSC Certification: Ensures paper is sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Recycling Symbols: Follow ISO 14021 for recycling codes (e.g., PAP 21). - Specialty Materials
Tactile Coatings: E.g., matte lamination, UV spot varnish; specify coating thickness (5–10μm).
Anti-Counterfeit Materials: Holographic foils, security inks; compliant with ISO 12931.
3. Printing and Color Management
- File Formats and Resolution
Vector Files: Use AI/PDF formats; convert text to outlines to prevent font issues.
Image Resolution: ≥300dpi for images; ≥1200dpi for line art. - Color Standards
Pantone Colors: Specify Pantone codes for spot colors; color deviation ΔE≤2.0 (ISO 12647-2).
CMYK Settings: Use “Rich Black” (C40 M30 Y30 K100) for deep blacks. - Printing Techniques
Offset/Digital Printing: Offset is for mass production; digital is for short runs with variable data.
Post-Printing Effects: Foil stamping and embossing; include 3mm bleed.
4. Environmental and Safety Requirements
- Restricted Substance Control
REACH/SVHC: SVHC content ≤0.1% in materials.
Heavy Metal Limits: Lead, cadmium, and mercury are compliant with EU 94/62/EC. - Waste Reduction
Design Optimization: Use “no-bleed” layouts to minimize paper waste.
Lightweighting: Replace traditional boards with micro-flute (e.g., F-flute) to reduce weight by 20%. - Child Safety
Warning Labels: Choking hazard warnings for small parts (ASTM F963).
Opening Force: Child-resistant packaging requires ≥50N force (ISO 8317).
5. Industry Application Cases
- Luxury Packaging
Case Study: A jewelry box uses magnetic telescopic lids, EVA+silk lining, and tactile PU coating.
Standards: Compliant with FSC Mix; carbon footprint ≤1.2kg CO₂/box. - E-Commerce Packaging
Case Study: Foldable corrugated box printed with soy ink; edge crush strength ≥7kN/m.
Innovation: Integrated RFID tags for supply chain tracking.
6. Document Delivery and Acceptance
- Delivery Requirements
3D Structural Files: Provide STEP/IGES files with critical dimensions.
Proofs: Submit signed OK Sheets for color and process approval. - Acceptance Criteria
Functional Tests: Drop test (1m height, 3 passes), stacking test (50kg load, 24hrs).
Visual Inspection: No stains; registration error ≤0.1mm.
Conclusion
Paper box packaging design must balance functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. By adhering to the above format requirements, companies can enhance brand value, reduce costs, and comply with regulations. Future trends include AI-driven design tools (e.g., AI box generators) and bio-based materials, driving further industry innovation.