Paperboard, within the commercial papermaking industry, is simply the term used to describe a thick sheet of paper. Because of this simple definition, there is some confusion in the industry as to what qualifies as paperboard.
Some common examples of paperboard are: Linerboard, Foodboard and Gypsum Board.
Thickness, bulk and caliper are significant aspects to paperboard manufacture, as the end product must be able to withstand the bending forces of packaging, load carrying, shipping etc., while still maintaining their shape.
Consequently, these paperboard products are usually comprised of two or more plies to provide the required stiffness.
Within the industry, paperboard is referred to by weight (pounds per square foot or grams per square meter), by thickness (by thousandths of an inch, or 'points' - i.e. 0.009" thick paperboard is also know as 9-point) or by name (foodboard, corrugating medium, boxboard etc.).
