Packaging Materials Guide: When to Use Kraft Packaging, Chipboard, Glassine, Hemp, and PETG Explained

Kraft packaging is one of the most popular choices for brands that want packaging to feel natural, durable, and more sustainability-minded. It has that familiar brown paper look, but it’s more than an aesthetic. The right material can affect how your product ships, how it’s displayed, how much the packaging costs, and how customers judge the brand at first glance.

Material choice matters because packaging must protect the product, fit the budget, support the brand, and meet the demands of shipping, retail, storage, or food packaging.

A box made from recycled materials may look great, but if it can’t withstand handling, moisture, or weight, it may create more waste than it prevents.

Kraft packaging may be an excellent choice for eco-conscious retail boxes, while chipboard packaging can be a low cost option for lightweight products and inner components. Glassine packaging works well for protective wrapping, candies, baked goods, and small items that need a smooth, grease-resistant surface. Hemp packaging can support brands looking for a renewable, eco-friendly alternative. PETG packaging offers clarity, durability, and shape retention for products that need to be displayed clearly.

In this guide, we’ll break down each material, explain where it works best, and compare cost, durability, sustainability, printability, and common packaging applications. We’ll also cover how to choose the right material based on your product, budget, sustainability goals, and industry demands.

For related reading, see Refine Packaging’s guides to eco-friendly packaging and retail packaging.

Overview: Types of Packaging Materials

Packaging materials generally fall into three groups: paper-based, plastic-based, and alternative materials. Each group has its own benefits, trade-offs, and best use cases. Recent sustainable packaging research from McKinsey highlights that while customers may care about sustainability, brands still have to balance cost, durability, performance, and end-of-life disposal.

• Paper-based materials: Kraft packaging, chipboard packaging, paperboard (which is expected to be more popular in the long run), and traditional paper are widely used for boxes, bags, inserts, and retail packaging. They’re often recyclable, printable, affordable, and familiar to consumers.
• Plastic-based materials: PET, PETG packaging, and similar plastics are used when clarity, shape, chemical resistance, or moisture protection matter. These materials are common for trays, display packaging, and some medical packaging.
• Alternative materials: Hemp packaging, natural fibers, compostable films, and other emerging options can help brands reduce environmental impact. The trade-off is that cost, availability, durability, and large-scale production still need careful consideration.

Your choice of which material to use affects three major areas:

1. Protection: A fragile item may need a durable box or tray, while a lightweight product may only need a simple paper-based solution.
2. Branding: Kraft gives a natural look, chipboard can create a clean printed surface, glassine feels delicate and lightweight, hemp signals sustainability, and PETG offers clear product visibility.
3. Sustainability: Recycled content, recyclability, biodegradable properties, compostable options, and raw material sourcing all contribute to the material’s environmental impact.

Before choosing a material, start with the product first. What does it weigh? Can it break? Will it touch food? Does it need to be displayed clearly? Will it ship across the country or sit on a retail shelf? Those answers will narrow the options much faster than picking a material simply because it looks nice.

Kraft Paper Packaging

Kraft packaging is made from wood pulp that is processed into strong, usually unbleached paper. Its natural brown surface gives it a simple, organic look, which is why kraft box packaging is widely used by brands that want packaging to feel practical, recyclable, and less polished in a good way. 

Kraft paper is a sustainable packaging material with a lower carbon footprint than plastic and naturally decomposes within a few weeks to a few months. The kraft process preserves long wood fibers for added strength, while unbleached kraft paper reduces chemical use and typically requires less water during manufacturing. Often produced from FSC-certified sustainably sourced wood pulp, kraft packaging commonly uses water-based inks for printing, and crumpled or shredded kraft paper is widely used for void fill and cushioning.

The biggest benefits are strength, affordability, and versatility. Kraft is durable enough for many retail and ecommerce boxes, and it can include recycled materials depending on the material specs. It’s also a popular choice for food packaging, product sleeves, mailer boxes, paper bags, and lightweight shipping boxes.

Use kraft packaging when you want:

• A natural look that supports sustainability messaging
• Recyclable or recycled materials
• Affordable boxes for retail or ecommerce
• Durable paper-based packaging for various industries
• Custom options for printing, sizing, inserts, and finishes

The main limitation is print quality. Kraft’s brown surface can mute colors, so it may not be the best material if your brand needs bright images or crisp color matching. For a more detailed look at paper-based options, see Refine Packaging’s guides to custom boxes and eco-friendly packaging.

Different packaging materials offer distinct performance and sustainability benefits depending on the application. PETG is compatible with multiple sterilization methods, is easier to thermoform than PET because it requires lower processing temperatures, and maintains excellent clarity while providing greater flexibility.

Chipboard Packaging

Chipboard packaging is a lightweight paper-based material made from recycled paper fibers. It’s often used for folding cartons, inserts, dividers, backer cards, and inner packaging components.

Its biggest advantage is cost. Chipboard packaging is a low cost option when you don’t need heavy-duty protection. It also has a smooth surface, so it’s well suited for printed retail packaging where the product is light and the box needs to look clean on a shelf or website page.

Use chipboard packaging for:

• Lightweight retail boxes
• Cosmetic or wellness packaging
• Candy boxes and dry food sleeves
• Inner trays, inserts, and dividers
• Affordable branded packaging

The limitation is durability. Chipboard packaging is not the best choice for heavy, fragile, or moisture-sensitive products. If the item needs more protection during shipping, you may need corrugated, rigid, or reinforced paperboard instead. Refine Packaging’s retail packaging guide is a useful next read if you’re comparing lightweight box formats.

Glassine Packaging

Glassine packaging is made from smooth, dense paper that is typically translucent, glossy, and resistant to grease and moisture. It’s often used for bags, sleeves, wraps, and protective inner packaging.

Since it’s made from wood pulp, it feels closer to traditional paper than plastic. It’s commonly used for food, candies, baked goods, stamps, stationery, art prints, and small products that need a smooth protective surface. It can also be a useful eco-friendly alternative to plastic sleeves when the product doesn’t need heavy barrier protection.

Use glassine packaging when you need:

• Lightweight bags or wraps
• Grease resistance for food packaging
• A smooth surface for delicate products
• Translucent packaging without clear plastic
• Biodegradable or compostable material options

The trade-off is protection. Glassine can resist grease and light moisture, but it doesn’t perform like plastic when a product needs a strong seal, high durability, or long-term barrier performance. That makes glassine packaging most suitable for lightweight protective applications rather than structural packaging.

Hemp-Based Packaging

Hemp packaging is made from hemp fibers rather than traditional wood pulp, which can be used to produce paper, molded fiber, and other bio-based packaging materials. It’s appealing because hemp grows quickly and can contribute to renewable raw materials for packaging.

Hemp packaging is often positioned as a more sustainable option for brands that want their packaging to uphold environmental values. It can work for premium sustainable packaging, paper wraps, specialty boxes, and molded packaging concepts. It also supports sustainability-focused branding.

Use hemp packaging when you want:

• A renewable material story
• Stronger sustainability positioning
• Packaging that feels different from standard paper
• Premium eco-focused packaging applications
• A material that can help the brand stand apart

The biggest considerations are cost, availability, and production consistency. Hemp is not always as easy to source as kraft or chipboard, and it may cost more depending on the supplier, finish, and shape. A 2024 article titled Product Ecodesign: An Application of Bio-Based Materials in the Personal Care Packaging Industry on fiber-based packaging also notes that bio-based packaging can support sustainability goals, but performance, food quality, and end-of-life impact still need to be evaluated together.

PETG Packaging

PETG packaging is the plastic-based option in this guide. PETG stands for polyethylene terephthalate glycol, a clear thermoplastic material known for durability, transparency, and chemical resistance.

PETG allows products to be displayed while maintaining a durable plastic structure. That makes PETG packaging a strong choice for trays, clamshells, clear boxes, and retail display packaging. The glycol in PETG helps reduce crystallization, which makes PETG easier to form into clear shapes without losing transparency.

Use PETG packaging when you need:

• Clear product visibility
• Strong shape retention
• Chemical resistance
• Durable trays or clear boxes
• Retail display packaging
• Medical, cosmetic, or electronics packaging

The limitation is sustainability and overall environmental impact considerations. PETG can protect and display products well, but it doesn’t carry the same eco-friendly perception as paper-based or fiber-based packaging. It may still be the right choice when product visibility, safety, and durability matter most, but brands should be clear about recycling, material use, and customer disposal instructions.

For brands comparing plastic and paper options, Refine Packaging’s custom packaging and custom retail boxes pages can help narrow the best material based on product type, display needs, and budget.

Material Comparison: Kraft, Chipboard, Glassine, Hemp, and PETG

Each material has different, unique properties and serves a different job. Here’s a table you can use for a quick comparison of PETG packaging, kraft packaging, chipboard packaging, glassine packaging, and hemp packaging

How to Choose the Right Packaging Material

Start with the product, not the material. A material might look good on a website page, but packaging has to perform in the real world. Ask these questions before choosing:

• What does the product need to protect against? Weight, moisture, scratches, impact, heat, handling, and shipping risk all matter.
• How will the product be displayed? If transparency is essential, PETG packaging may be better than paper. If a natural retail look matters more, kraft packaging may be the stronger choice.
• What does the brand need to communicate? Kraft, hemp, and recycled materials can support sustainability, while chipboard can keep things simple and affordable.
• What’s the budget? Chipboard and kraft are often more affordable. Hemp and specialty transparent materials may cost more.
• What are the industry demands? Food packaging, cosmetics, medical packaging, and retail products all have different performance and compliance needs.

If you’re choosing between paper and plastic, consider the trade-offs.Paper-based materials can reduce plastic use and support recyclability. Plastic-based materials like PETG can offer visibility, shape retention, and durability. The best option is the one that fits the product’s risk, market, and customer expectations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Material mistakes usually happen when brands choose based on appearance alone. A nice-looking box can still fail if it doesn’t protect the product or match how the product will be stored, shipped, and handled.

Avoid these common issues:

1. Choosing eco materials without checking durability. A biodegradable or compostable material still needs to protect the product. If it fails during shipping, it can create more waste.
2. Overpaying for premium materials. Hemp packaging may support sustainability goals, but not every product needs a premium material.
3. Using chipboard for products that need more protection. Chipboard packaging is useful for lightweight products, but it may not withstand heavy handling or fragile items.
4. Choosing PETG only for looks. Brands should also consider recycling, environmental impact, and customer disposal.
5. Forgetting about print performance. Kraft has a natural surface, but colors may look muted in contrast with white paperboard or coated materials.
6. Skipping samples. A sample can show whether the material has the right surface, thickness, shape, durability, and appearance before production.

A quick sample review can assist with clarity before a full order. It helps demonstrate the difference between a material that looks good in theory and one that actually works for the product.

Custom Packaging Materials With Refine Packaging

Refine Packaging helps brands choose custom packaging materials based on the product, budget, sustainability goals, and brand positioning. That can include kraft packaging, kraft box packaging, chipboard and paperboard options, recyclable packaging, and other custom options depending on the project.

The goal is not to push one material for every order. It’s to match the packaging to the product’s real needs, including protection, cost, printing, shipping, and customer experience.

Refine Packaging can help with:

• Material recommendations for retail, ecommerce, food, cosmetic, and medical packaging solutions
• Custom boxes, bags, trays, inserts, and retail packaging
• Recyclable and recycled content options
• Sustainable packaging guidance for brands reducing waste
• Material samples to test quality, surface, durability, and finish
• Production support from concept to final order

A kraft packaging factory or supplier may produce standard boxes, but custom packaging requires more than choosing a material from a list. Refine Packaging helps brands compare options and choose materials that fit both the product and the business.

To explore more options, visit Refine Packaging’s custom packaging, custom boxes, and custom mailer boxes.

Step-by-Step: Selecting the Right Material

Use this process before production:

1. Define product requirements. List the product’s weight, size, fragility, storage needs, and shipping conditions.
2. Compare material options. Look at kraft, chipboard, glassine, hemp, PETG, and other packaging solutions by cost, durability, printability, and environmental impact.
3. Request samples. Check the surface, structure, print quality, transparency, and material feel in person.
4. Finalize for production. Choose the material that balances performance, cost, brand presentation, and longevity.

For PET and PETG projects, ask about clarity, chemical resistance, and crystallization. The glycol in polyethylene terephthalate glycol is part of what makes PETG easier to shape into clear packaging with strong transparency.

Choose the Material That Fits the Product

There is no single best packaging material for every product. Kraft packaging is a popular choice for brands that want durable, recyclable, and affordable packaging. Chipboard packaging works well for lightweight retail products. Glassine packaging is useful for smooth, grease-resistant bags and wraps. Hemp packaging can support stronger sustainability positioning. PETG packaging is a strong option when clarity, durability, and display performance matter most.

The best material depends on the product, budget, sustainability goals, and customer expectations. Before choosing based on appearance alone, test how the material performs and protects the product.

A good packaging material should do more than look on-brand. It should protect the product, support the business, reduce unnecessary waste, and reflect the quality of what’s inside.

FAQs

What is kraft packaging best used for?

Kraft packaging is best for retail boxes, ecommerce mailers, paper bags, food packaging, and brands that want a natural, recyclable look. It’s durable, affordable, and well suited for many custom packaging applications.

Is chipboard packaging the same as kraft box packaging?

No. Chipboard packaging is usually lighter and made from recycled paper fibers, while kraft packaging is stronger and often has a natural brown paper surface. Chipboard works best for lightweight retail boxes, inserts, and inner packaging.

Is glassine packaging eco-friendly for food packaging?

Glassine packaging can be recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable depending on the material and coatings used. It’s often used as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic sleeves for food, candies, stationery, and delicate products.

Is hemp packaging better than paper packaging?

Hemp packaging can be a strong sustainable option because hemp is renewable and durable. However, it may cost more and may not be as widely available as kraft, chipboard, or traditional paper packaging.

When should brands use PETG packaging?

PETG packaging is a good choice when products need clarity, durability, chemical resistance, and strong display performance. It’s often used for trays, clear boxes, retail displays, cosmetics, electronics, and some medical packaging solutions.