Duplex board paper is a high-strength, double-sided coated paperboard, widely used across packaging, printing, and industrial sectors. It typically features a bright white surface suitable for high-resolution printing and a grey or white back for improved structural strength and cost efficiency. As environmental concerns and requirements for advanced printing surge globally, **duplex board** and its variants—the duplex cardboard, double sided printer paper, and specialized coated duplex board—have seen significant technological and market evolution.

According to Grand View Research, the global duplex board market size was valued at over USD 20.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to witness a CAGR of 5.8% from 2023 to 2030. This growth is propelled by the shift to sustainable packaging and advancements in both coated duplex board grey back and whiteback variants.

Duplex board paper is made from two layers (hence “duplex”): a premium, printable surface (typically smooth and white) and a robust rear layer, which may be grey or white (made from recycled pulp). This structure provides a balance of print quality, rigidity, and cost-effectiveness, making duplex board essential for folding carton packaging, digital photo printing, and high-end retail applications.

Duplex Board with whiteback is a standout product, recognized for its superior whiteness, bulk, and print smoothness—making it ideal for luxury packaging and photo-grade printing solutions.

• Increasing adoption of eco-friendly coated duplex board solutions (FSC/ISO14001 certified).
• Growth in both side printing photo paper market, enabled by micro-coating and improved calendaring.
• Emergence of nanotechnology coatings for superior ink holdout and moisture resistance.
• Shift toward lightweight boards (200-400gsm) for high-speed automatic packaging lines without compromising strength.

• Raw Material Selection: Recycled fibers / pulp chipped and purified for top/bottom layer purposes.
• Layer Formation: Multi-head Fourdrinier formers lay down wet fibers for both layers with precise GSM control.
• Pressing: Water extracted using press rolls; initial denseness and smoothness set.
• Bonding: Layers are heat and pressure fused for structural integrity.
• Surface Coating: Application of kaolin/clay, titanium dioxide and smoothers; adjustable for single or double-sided finish.
• Calendering: Board passed through a calendaring stack for gloss/smoothness.
• Finishing & QC: Cutting, sheet/roll formatting, and inline ISO 9001:2015 certified quality inspection. Reports include Cobb, Brightness, Stiffness, Moisture Content, GSM, and Cobb Value checks.
• Packing & Storage: Moisture-proof wrapping for export; barcode tracking for traceability.

▶ Short video: Duplex Board Manufacturing Process

Note: The manufacture of duplex board paper follows several international standards including ISO 536:2019 (Basis Weight), ISO 554:2017 (Moisture Conditioning).
Shineway’s Duplex Board with whiteback is ISO 9001 certified and rigorously tested for both ASTM and EN standards.

• Retail Packaging: Duplex board paper is the backbone for perfume, cosmetics, gift, and pharmaceutical folding cartons, where whiteness, stiffness, and printability underpin brand value.
• Printing & Graphics: Used as base for brochures, catalogues, and both side printing photo paper—delivering sharp image reproduction and resistance to curling/warping due to high dimensional stability.
• Food Safe Containers: With FDA/adapted coatings, suitable for dry food and fast-food packaging; coated duplex board variants are popular in takeaway and bakery sectors.
• Industrial Sectors: Duplex board is critical in stone/chemical packaging, and high-end electrical & metallurgical packaging, thanks to its high bulk, machinability, and chemical resistance. Shineway’s Duplex Board with whiteback undergoes extra anti-humidity and alkali resistance surface treatments.
• Digital Printing/Photo Paper: The double sided printer paper segment supports inkjet and laser photo reproduction for albums and portfolios.

All case studies audited as per ISO 9001 and relavant FDA guidelines for food packaging contact paperboard.

• Consistent Whiteness (ISO 11475): Uniform ≥89% top-surface brightness enables vivid, high-contrast print finishes.
• Surface Smoothness (Bekk > 300s): Eliminates print mottle and ink pinholing, especially on digital/photo runs.
• High Bulk-to-GSM Ratio: Increased rigidity without added weight (saves shipping cost and meets eco-quotas).
• Excellent Die-Cut Resistance: Outperforms duplex cardboard rivals in complex folding/blister-pack designs.
• Customizable Coating Profile: From extra-glossy to matte, tailored for offset, flexo, or digital UV applications.
• Certified Food-Contact Safety: Option for EN71/FDA-compliant formulas for food and pharma packaging.
• ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 Accredited Production: Guarantees traceability, environmental stewardship, and product reliability. Shineway Paper has served 1500+ global brands with duplex board paper for over 17 years.

• Size & Caliper: From 180gsm up to 450gsm; sheet, roll or die-cut dimensions to exact client specification.
• Surface Finish: Options for ultra-smooth, matte, gloss, or textured; single- and double-sided coatings.
• Moisture/Barrier Additives: Enhanced coating for food, pharma, or high-humidity transportation.
• Branded Watermarks or QR Codes: Anti-counterfeit and traceability features.
• Low-minimum order capability: Ideal for startups and custom-run packaging projects.

Contact Shineway specialist engineers for tailored recommendations or to request bulk/order sample duplex board paper solutions.

• Q1: What GSM ranges are standard for coated duplex board?
  Coated duplex board typically spans 190gsm–450gsm for whiteback, up to 500gsm for greyback. High GSM ensures increased rigidity and durability for heavier packaging needs.
• Q2: How is stiffness measured, and why is it critical?
  Stiffness is tested in mN (millinewtons, e.g., MD/CD direction) via ISO 2493. High stiffness prevents package deformation, enabling mechanized box erecting and improved shelf appeal.
• Q3: What is the difference between duplex cardboard and duplex board paper?
  Duplex cardboard generally refers to thicker, rougher board (as low as 280gsm) for heavy-duty packaging, while duplex board paper (usually higher brightness & smoother) is optimized for printing/fine packaging.
• Q4: What are Cobb values, and what level is ideal for moisture resistance?
  Cobb value (g/m²) quantifies water absorptivity over time (ISO 535). Values under 32g/m² for coated duplex boards are deemed ideal—ensuring coatings prevent warping and product spoilage.
• Q5: Is Shineway Duplex Board FDA or ISO certified for food contact?
  Yes, Shineway’s duplex board paper is offered with FDA, EN71, and ISO9001/ISO14001 compliance on request, meeting international food/pharma packaging standards.
• Q6: Can duplex board be customized for digital/inkjet printing?
  Absolutely; premium products are available with surface enhancements (e.g., micro-coating, anti-bleed) for both side printing photo paper applications, providing crisp image rendering and rapid drying.
• Q7: What is the typical delivery lead time and guarantee period?
  Standard delivery: 7-15 days for standard stock, 15-25 days for full-custom runs. Shineway offers a quality guarantee (typically 12 months from shipment) with 24/7 technical support for industrial clients.

• Order Processing: Quotation within 24 hours; sample available in 3-5 days; manufacturing with barcoded traceability.
• Lead Time: Regular orders: 7–15 days (Europe/Asia), bulk custom: up to 25 days ex-factory.
• Warranty: 12 months product performance guarantee with full replacement or credit for quality issues.
• Customer Support: Multilingual (EN/DE/ES/FR/CN), on-site technical service, regular feedback and performance review.
• Certificates & Documentation: Full digital COA, MSDS, and batch traceability. Additional request for FSC / FDA / REACH / SVHC provided.

• Can I use duplex board paper for both food and non-food packaging?
  Yes, provided the food-contact version is FDA/EN compliant. Regular variants are ideal for all non-food print/packaging.
• Is duplex board eco-friendly?
  Modern duplex board paper uses recycled fibers and water-based coatings, with FSC or ISO14001 certification promoting sustainability.
• Can surface finish be tuned?
  Yes! Shineway offers gloss, matte, and anti-scuff surface variants on request.
• What is the minimum quantity for custom jobs?
  Small runs from 1 ton or less are possible (subject to order profile and sheet size).