Two brands of candles may use the same type of wax and wick, but have completely different sensations in a box. Both Kraft and coated board carry different messages. One appears sincere and true to oneself; one appears shiny and rich. Better or not, they are just right for different brands. Here’s how you can figure out which suits you.
The two are actually what they are.
Begin by knowing the basics, as it is all about the board. There are two different surfaces, so they react differently: coated and Kraft.
Kraft is a natural brown board that you are familiar with from paper bags, often coated with recycled content, and has a textured surface. Coated board has a smooth white finish that is designed to accept the print and may be coated with a matte or gloss finish. One is raw and tactile; the other is clean and sharp.
The main difference lies in the fact that:
- Kraft is natural, brown, and uncoated.
- Coated: smooth and white, and printable.
- For different looks, each.
After you’ve grasped the two surfaces, it’s easy to see which one will work best for your brand.
Kraft Suits Natural and Honest Brands
Heed what Kraft has to say. It’s brown, made from recycled materials, and it comes across as natural, simple, and green, characteristics shared by many candle brands.
Kraft matches the message when you’re candle shopping if your candles are artisan, hand-poured, soy or beeswax-based, or sold on their natural story. The material is honest, and it is what buyers read. Kraft Candle Boxes are ideal for brands with an earthy quality rather than a shiny appearance.
Kraft is suitable for brands that are:
- Artisan or handmade.
- Natural or eco-focused.
- Easy to feel.
Kraft is not a compromise if it is the right brand. It’s the message you crave.
You can buy Coated Suits, Bold, and Premium Brands.
Now consider coated. It is smooth white, which makes colors and details stand out, making it ideal for brands that want a smooth, vibrant, or luxurious appearance.
Coated board does a wonderful job of highlighting candles with bright colors, intricate designs, and sleek modern looks. It also accepts finishes such as gloss and soft-touch, to which kraft can’t compare.
Coated is ideal for brands that:
- Bold and colorful.
- Premium or luxury.
- Modern and polished.
If you are looking for a printed product that is vibrant or a high-end finish, coated is the way to go.
Printing Is the Big Difference
This is the down-and-dirty distinction that makes many brands. The two surfaces are very different, and their difference is more important than many think.
Colors are vibrant and true when displayed on a coated white board. On kraft, the brown surface absorbs and softens all colors, giving bright colors an earthy tone and faint colors little to no color. This is not a defect; it’s just the way Kraft works. The designs of the Kraft Candle Boxes should align with that natural, subdued palette.
The difference between print and a website will be:
- Coated will display vibrant true colors.
- Kraft mutes and warms color.
- Everyone must have a fit design.
Select your board based on the design or design your board based on the design. Either is acceptable, but they must be the same.
Sustainability Is Not So Simple
Think about the eco question, as that will be a strong motivator for many candle purchasers. While Kraft looks greener in many cases, it’s important to understand the whole story.
This is good news as Kraft typically features recycled content and avoids heavy coatings. However, a coated board can also be recyclable, and a box made from wood from a responsibly managed forest with FSC certification is a responsible choice. Kraft is eco at a glance, coated can be as eco without being as obvious.
On sustainability, remember:
- Kraft acts as an environmentally conscious company.
- Coated can be held accountable also.
- Color is not as important as certification.
If your buyers shop mostly for looks, the message for Kraft is eco-faster. If they read what it says, both can be responsible.
Feel and First Impression Differ
Consider touch; it’s important with candles. The feel of the two boards in the hand differs, and that makes a first impression before the candle is even glimpsed.
The textured, raw, and natural appearance of Kraft adds to a handmade, honest tale. A smooth, refined feel further enhances a premium one with coated feels. Their messages are conflicting, and so is the feel, which should align with the brand’s message.
The feel is different because:
- Kraft is natural and textured.
- Coated smooth and refined.
- These are all different brands.
When a buyer is about to pick up the box, it needs to say what your brand says it is.
How to Decide
Then how to decide? It’s all about how you align the board with your brand’s story, your design, and your customer.
When your brand needs to be natural, artisanal, or eco-friendly, when the design is earthy, and your buyers appreciate simplicity, choose kraft. If you’re a bold, premium, or modern brand, your design requires bright color or a rich finish, and your buyers are looking for polish, then pick coated. The right board is perfectly aligned with all the other elements of your product.
When making a decision, consider:
- Your brand story and brand promise.
- Design & color requirements.
- Your customer’s expectations.
If the board is a brand match, then the packaging is purposeful. It conflicts; it’s a detriment.
Final Thoughts
Coated and Kraft are not good or bad. They don’t all fit the same candle brand, and ultimately, it is up to you to decide.
Kraft brings natural, artisanal, and eco-friendly brands together; the feel is warm and genuine, with subdued colors suited to an earthy design. Coated does are perfect for bold, premium, modern brands, but they do not offer the bright color, crisp detail, and finishes that Kraft Candle Boxes provide. From that simple decision, print, feel, and first impression all stem.
When your brand, design, and buyer match the board, it will feel just right. Select the board that truly represents your story; your candles will look and feel like the brand you’ve created.
