23 May 2025, Fri

Kraft vs. Cardboard Soap Boxes: Which One Fits Your Brand Best?

Custom soap boxes are created to prevent soaps from falling out or getting damaged. Brands ensure the packaging is firm enough to withstand any external pressure during transport. They use strong materials to serve this purpose. Having high-quality materials is vital to determining the strength of the Soap Boxes. Durable materials give the customers the idea that the item inside is safe. This creates a sense of trust with the brand for a longer time. While various materials are available in the market, Kraft paper and cardboard are among the best choices for the brands. This blog will provide you with a comparative look at Kraft and cardboard to help you decide which one is more suitable for your brand.

These soap boxes are made using Kraft paper. This material is created from wood pulp using a chemical process, strengthening the fibers. This gives the paper a brown coffee-stained look, leading to an overall earthy appeal. Brands create custom soap packaging with Kraft paper due to its biodegradable properties. Packaging that has Kraft in it tends to be easily recyclable. The raw look of the boxes can be used for handmade soaps, to offer an organic presence to the buyers. Kraft soap packaging comes in different sizes and shapes, based on the customers’ demand and the brand’s goals.

What is Cardboard Soap Packaging?

Cardboard was first introduced in the UK by M. Treverton & Son in 1817. However, the first-ever pre-cut cardboard packaging was invented by a Scottish inventor, Robert Gair. White or grey paperboard is used to create these soap packaging boxes. These boxes are widely popular among brands because of their strength. Moreover, cardboard is lighter in weight, which makes these boxes suitable for transit, as they don’t take up much storage space. Cardboard boxes are also available in many styles and sizes. You can choose between simple folding cartons or more complex rigid boxes.

Kraft Vs Cardboard: Which Material is Best?

This section will compare Kraft paper and cardboard to offer you a bigger picture of which materials will align with your business goals. Let’s get into the insight:

Strength

Having a durable nature is vital for the packaging during transport. With strong pressure and environmental factors like moisture, the packaging gets damaged easily. This causes the soaps to melt or break apart, ultimately leading to consumers’ complaints and returns of the damaged items. When it comes to Kraft paper, it is naturally stronger, making it ideal for handling pressure and resisting tears better. Soap packaging made from Kraft becomes a smart choice for soaps sold at a farmer’s market. While these boxes are not waterproof, they do stop moisture to some extent.

On the other hand, the strength of the cardboard boxes lies in different ways. They provide a stable structure to keep the soaps secured. While such packaging boxes get crushed if handled roughly, they still retain their shape well. This makes them fit to be placed on the retail shelves or even used for gift packaging.

Printing

Printing is a crucial step in design that brings out the appeal of the soap packaging. Brands add images on the boxes as per the customer’s liking or the brand’s objectives. Digital printing is the most accurate method to print images, giving sharp and crisp results. More than 70% of the USA brands prefer printed custom soap boxes to grab consumers’ attention. Cardboard is the clear winner in printing, as its plain base allows brands to add colors that pop out the appeal of soap boxes. You can go for funky colors or minimal shades to define your soap packaging.

Moreover, printing is not limited to colors only. Brands can add logos, product descriptions, and ingredients. It also supports add-ons like gloss or matte finishes, die-cuts, embossing, and foiling. This is perfect for brands that want to stand out with eye-catching designs. As for Kraft soap boxes, they can be printed as well, but have certain limitations. Having a brown shade by default, the applied color will become muted. This works well for brands looking for a more organic look for their packaging. Brands that focus on simplicity can opt choose Kraft for soap boxes as it works well with hues of black and shite.

Sustainability

Saving the planet has become more than just a duty. It is the ultimate need to have a secure life. With plastic pollution rising each year, it is estimated that the amount of plastic that enters the ocean will be 23-37 million tonnes by 2040. Such desperate times call for serious desperate measures. This is why brands can go green with soap boxes using eco-friendly materials. 

Kraft paper is a good fit for brands with a focus on sustainability. Soap packaging boxes made from Kraft paper will reduce the carbon impact on the planet. Moreover, it will cut back on the usage of extra resources. Brands looking for a zero-waste and clutter-free environment can go with Kraft paper for the custom soap boxes.

Cardboard boxes are recyclable too and can be used by the brands for soap packaging. The key rule is to source the material from ethical and certified sustainable suppliers. However, when coated with lamination or treated with heavy finishes, their eco-friendliness may be low.  Thus, if brands want the cardboard boxes to be sustainable, then it’s best to avoid coating them or use water-based coating instead.

Cost

Kraft boxes are generally more affordable than fully customized cardboard boxes. The simpler printing process and natural finish keep costs low. This is great for small businesses or startups who want to keep packaging costs down without compromising on sustainability. Cardboard boxes can get expensive depending on the design and finishes. Full-color printing, embossing, and foiling all add to the cost. However, if your target market values premium presentation, the investment might be worth it. Think of cardboard as an option for higher-end soap brands that focus on retail display and gifting.

Market Appeal

The question about which material is better for your brand heavily depends on the market appeal. Whether your brand wants to present itself as a sustainable one or not. The choice of the soap packaging boxes speaks for your business. Kraft soap boxes work well for the audience who values nature and a simple look. The packaging appears as if created by hand, giving it a more personal human touch to the buyers. This gives them the impression of purity, urging them to trust the brand. On the other hand, cardboard soap packaging delivers a unique message in the market. With vibrant colors, catchy patterns, and realistic images, these boxes offer a premium look. Cardboard soap packaging aligns better with a broader audience.

Conclusion

To conclude, which materials are best for soap packaging depends on the branding goals. If your business focuses on natural ingredients to make the soaps, then Kraft packaging will fit more, as it promotes sustainability. On the other hand, if your brand aims for luxury, high visibility, or strong shelf presence, go for cardboard boxes. This blog has shared a comparison between both types of materials to help you in deciding the optimal material for the soap packaging boxes. If you want to get high-quality soap boxes, then contact Packaging Mania to get custom soap packaging or Candle Boxes. If you are looking for a larger order, then soap boxes wholesale would be an ideal option for you.

By Henrich

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