Printing and Packaging Standards for Paper, Carton, and Cardboard

These standards are defined by international and national organisations (such as ISO, INSO, and industry-specific standards) based on product type, packaging conditions, storage, and transportation requirements.

1. Raw Material Standards

• ISO 536 – Paper grammage
• ISO 534 – Board thickness
• TAPPI T410 – Carton basis weight
• EN 643 – Recyclability classification
• INSO 19000 – Food-contact material requirements

2. Printing Standards

• ISO 12647 – Colour printing processes (offset, flexo, digital)
• ISO 2846 – Ink colour stability
• G7 / Fogra – Colour consistency and print quality control
• ISO 2834 – Ink thickness and uniformity

3. Packaging Performance Standards

• ISO 12048 / TAPPI T804 – Compression strength
• ASTM D779 / TAPPI T441 – Moisture resistance
• ISO 2248 – Drop testing
• TAPPI T821 – Layer adhesion

4. Food Packaging Standards

• ISO 22000 / INSO 19000 – Food safety
• EU 1935/2004 – Chemical migration control
• ISO 15378 – Indirect food printing compliance

5. Environmental Standards

• ISO 14021 – Environmental claims
• FSC / PEFC – Sustainable forestry sourcing
• ASTM D6400 – Biodegradability

Practical Recommendations for Packaging Manufacturers and Designers

• When designing packaging, pay close attention to paper weight (grammage), thickness, durability, and the type of coating or lamination used.
• For export products, always review and comply with the specific regulations of the destination country, such as FDA requirements or EU food contact standards.
• To achieve accurate and consistent colour printing, use ICC colour profiles or Pantone colour guides during the design and printing process