When to pick Kraftliner (brown)
Pick brown kraftliner when print quality isn't a factor, or when you only need single-color logo print. Export boxes, industrial shipping, and distribution cases default to brown.
When to pick White-top kraftliner
Pick white-top kraftliner when the box faces the consumer (retail-ready packaging, e-commerce unboxing) and branding needs CMYK saturation. The premium is worth it for consumer-perceived quality.
The decision in one paragraph
Default to brown. Upgrade to white-top when print aesthetics directly affect purchase intent or brand perception. Shelf-ready retail packaging is the canonical white-top use case.
Frequently asked questions
Is white-top kraftliner two-ply?
Typically yes. A thin bleached top ply is laminated or co-formed with a standard brown kraftliner back. The strength properties come from the brown base.
Does white-top reduce burst strength?
Not meaningfully. The bleached top ply is light enough that burst and RCT remain equivalent to standard kraftliner at the same grammage.
Is white-top kraftliner recyclable?
Yes, in the same OCC stream as standard brown kraftliner. Recyclers don't distinguish between the two.