GC1 paperboard is a white back folding box board (FBB) defined under DIN 19303, one of the most widely specified cartonboard grades in the global packaging industry. Its three-layer structure — bleached chemical pulp on top, chemi-mechanical pulp (CTMP) in the middle, and bleached or unbleached chemical pulp on the back — balances print quality, stiffness, and cost.
GC1 stands apart from grey back Duplex Board because its reverse side appears white or light cream. This makes GC1 the preferred choice when the inner surface of a package remains visible to the end consumer, such as in flip-top lids or window-cut boxes.
Typical GC1 Specification Range (Reference Values)
Grammage (gsm)
Thickness (μm)
Stiffness MD (mN·m)
Stiffness CD (mN·m)
Common Use
210
275
5.6
2.8
Small pharma cartons
230
305
7.2
3.4
Dry food boxes
250
335
9.9
4.7
Standard folding cartons
270
360
11.9
5.7
Premium cosmetic boxes
300
405
14.9
7.1
Electronics gift boxes
350
485
21.2
10.1
Heavy-duty packaging
Values are indicative. Actual specs per supplier COA. ±4% thickness tolerance, −15% stiffness tolerance per ISO 534 and ISO 2493.
Paperjoy supplies GC1 Paper from 170 to 400 gsm, with or without PE coating, in jumbo rolls or custom-cut sheets.
Four Application Scenarios and How to Select the Right GC1 Grade
Pharmaceutical Packaging (Drug Folding Cartons)
Print needs: mostly text and simple color blocks, high whiteness trust but no extreme gloss.
Recommended: 210–250 gsm. Surface PPS ≤ 1.5 μm to avoid text blur at small font sizes.
Cosmetics & Premium Retail Packaging
Print needs: large solid areas, hot foil stamping, embossing.
Recommended: 270–350 gsm. Surface strength ≥ 1.2 m/s (IGT picking speed) to prevent coating delamination.
Dry Food Packaging (Biscuits, Confectionery, Gift Food Boxes)
Print needs: vibrant graphics, brand color fidelity.
Recommended: 230–300 gsm. Check FDA 21 CFR 176.170 or local migration limits if direct food contact is required.
Note: GC1 reverse side is white but not designed as a food-contact surface. Upgrade to C1S Ivory Board or add PE coating for dual-side food contact.
Electronics & Retail Display Packaging
Print needs: multi-color + UV varnish, gloss ≥ 50% at 75°.
Recommended: 250–350 gsm. Pre-test UV absorption rate on the mineral-coated surface before production.
GC1 vs GC2 vs FBB vs C1S — Side-by-Side Comparison
Dimension
GC1
GC2
FBB (Uncoated)
C1S Ivory Board
Back side color
White (bleached)
Cream/natural (mechanical)
Similar to face or darker
White
Coating
Front coated + optional back
Front coated
None or ultra-light
One-side mineral coated
Bulk
High (CTMP core)
Medium
Highest (uncoated fiber)
Medium (chemical pulp)
Print quality
Both sides printable, front superior
Front prints well, back limited
Water-based/flexo suitable
Front premium, back uncoated
Price range
Mid
Mid-low
Mid-high
Best for
Pharma, cosmetics, dry food
Economy folding cartons
Simple cartons, trays
Premium packaging, albums
Decision Guide:
– Both sides must look consistent → GC1 (the white back advantage)
– Maximum stiffness per gram → FBB (uncoated, bulkiest)
– Front print is everything, back does not matter → GC2 (best value)
– Highest whiteness and dual-side high quality → C1S Ivory Board (fully bleached)
– Need grease/oil resistance → GC1 + PE coating (available from Paperjoy)
Six-Point Inspection Checklist for GC1 Board Buyers
Before placing an order, verify these six parameters with your supplier:
ISO allows ±3%. A 250 gsm board can legitimately range from 242.5 to 257.5 gsm. Suppliers targeting the lower end cut cost at the expense of stiffness.
Measured values, not nominal. Low MD stiffness → loose lid closure. Low CD stiffness → poor box compression strength.
Should be ≤ 1.5 μm per ISO 8791-4. For text below 6 pt, request ≤ 1.0 μm.
Minimum 1.2 m/s per ISO 3783. Below this, high-speed offset or UV printing may cause coating pick.
Target 7.0% ± 1.0%. Too high → drying problems. Too low → board brittleness. Critical in hot-humid markets (Middle East, Southeast Asia).
ISO 9001, FSC-COC, and if food contact is required — FDA 21 CFR 176.170 compliance or equivalent local regulation.
Paperjoy GC1 Paper Supply Overview
Paperjoy supplies GC1 paperboard to packaging converters and brand owners worldwide with the following specifications:
Parameter
Options
Grammage
170–400 gsm
One-side mineral coated (standard), optional PE coating
Form
Jumbo rolls (core 3/6/12 inch) or sheets (custom size)
Pulp source
Bleached chemical top + CTMP middle (virgin, no recycled)
Certifications
ISO 9001, FSC-COC, FDA 21 CFR 176.170 (if PE coated)
Cutting tolerance
±2 mm
Lead time
20–30 days
Target markets
Southeast Asia, Middle East, Europe, Africa
When adding PE coating (7–45 gsm) to GC1, note that the PE layer adds 7–45 μm to total caliper but has negligible effect on lateral stiffness. The PE side must face inward (moisture barrier) and the mineral-coated side outward (print surface) — this orientation is critical.
Quick Selection MnemonicFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the difference between GC1 and GC2 paperboard?
A: GC1 has a white back (bleached chemical pulp), while GC2 has a cream/natural back (mechanical pulp). Both have front mineral coating. Choose GC1 when the inner surface of the package remains visible; choose GC2 when only the front exterior matters.
Q: What is GC1 paperboard used for?
A: Four main applications: (1) Pharmaceutical packaging at 210-250 gsm; (2) Cosmetics and premium retail packaging at 270-350 gsm; (3) Dry food packaging at 230-300 gsm; (4) Electronics and retail display packaging at 250-350 gsm.
Q: What certifications should GC1 paperboard have?
A: ISO 9001 for quality management, FSC-COC for sustainable forest sourcing, and for food contact applications — FDA 21 CFR 176.170 compliance or equivalent local regulation.
Q: How to inspect GC1 paperboard quality before ordering?
A: Six-point checklist: (1) Grammage tolerance ±3%; (2) Taber stiffness MD+CD measured values; (3) Surface roughness PPS ≤ 1.5 μm; (4) Surface strength IGT ≥ 1.2 m/s; (5) Moisture 7.0%±1.0%; (6) ISO+FSC+FDA certifications.
Q: Can GC1 be used for food packaging?
A: Yes for dry food such as biscuits and confectionery. However, the reverse side is not designed as a food-contact surface. For dual-side food contact, upgrade to C1S Ivory Board or add PE coating. Always check migration limits with your supplier’s COA.
Closing
This guide covers the essential knowledge for sourcing GC1 paperboard — from understanding its three-layer structure and standard specifications to selecting the right grade for your packaging application. For current pricing, sample requests, or technical questions about your specific project, contact Paperjoy directly.
Media ContactCompany Name: Nanning Paperjoy Paper Industry Co., Ltd.Email: Send EmailCountry: ChinaWebsite: https://www.paperjoypaper.com/
