Kartongytan

Kartongytan is the outer surface of cardboard used in packaging and printing. The term is commonly used in Swedish packaging and printing industries to describe the visible finish and texture of a carton’s exterior. The surface quality influences how well inks, coatings and laminates adhere, as well as the card’s appearance and protection properties.

In corrugated and solid-board carton, the kartongytan is provided by the outer linerboard. This surface can be uncoated or finished with coatings and films. Common finishes include uncoated surfaces, clay-coated or coated white top surfaces, and laminated or polymer-coated versions. Finishes are chosen to optimize printability, brightness, barrier properties and moisture resistance. The choice of surface also affects handling during converting processes such as cutting, folding and gluing.

Printability and durability are closely tied to kartongytan. A smooth, clean surface yields better ink holdout and sharper images, while coatings can enhance whiteness, gloss and resistance to scuffing or moisture. Treatments may include varnishes, UV coatings, lamination with PET or foil, and selective embossing or foil stamping to achieve desired branding effects.

Sustainability considerations are increasingly important, with attention to recyclability and the environmental impact of coatings and laminates. Most carton surfaces are designed to be recyclable within standard paper recycling streams, though multilayer laminates can complicate recycling.

Applications of kartongytan span consumer packaging, food and beverage cartons, cosmetics and health products, and any product where the exterior appearance and surface performance of the carton matter.