Getting substrate choice right early saves time, cost, and headaches downstream. Here’s a concise way to think about it.
Paper and board
Paper and cartonboard work well for dry goods, secondary packaging, and when you want a tactile, recyclable story. Ask your converter about grammage, finish (coated vs uncoated), and whether the board is from recycled or virgin fibre if you’re making environmental claims.
Flexibles
Pouches, films, and laminates suit products that need barrier (moisture, light, oxygen) and often a smaller pack footprint. The trade-off is end-of-life: many flexibles are hard to recycle in today’s kerbside streams. Ask what mono-materials or recyclable structures are available for your category.
Rigid plastic
Rigid plastic (e.g. bottles, tubs) gives strong barrier and durability. PCR and recyclable-by-design options are growing. Be clear on what you need (barrier, clarity, weight) so the converter can suggest the right resin and format.
What to ask your converter
- Recommended substrates for your product type and shelf life
- Recyclability or compostability in your target markets
- Availability of recycled or bio-based options
- Lead times and minimum order quantities
Choosing the right substrate up front makes the rest of the project—design, print, and compliance—much smoother.