40 terms, explained simply

The weight in grams of one square metre of paper. Contrary to common belief it measures weight, not thickness — two papers of the same gsm can differ in thickness.

The three-layer structure of packaging: the printed outer surface, the barrier middle layer, and the inner surface in contact with the product.

A genuine aluminium layer. It provides the strongest barrier against moisture, light and oxygen. In wet wipes it is a technical necessity — without it the wipe dries out.

Aluminium vapour-deposited onto paper as a very thin layer. More economical than alu foil, but with a weaker barrier.

Paper smoothed with a surface coating. It prevents ink spread and improves print sharpness. It comes in gloss and matte types.

Unbleached, naturally brown paper. With no bleaching process it is both more economical and stronger in a sustainability narrative.

Bonding two different materials with adhesive. Laminating aluminium foil to paper creates a strong moisture and oxygen barrier.

A type of grass. Because it can be harvested more than once a year, it is one of the fastest-renewing raw materials. Lighter and paler than wood.

A silicone pad picks up ink from a plate and transfers it to the product. One of the few methods that can print on curved, irregular and porous surfaces such as wood and bamboo.

Ink cured instantly with ultraviolet light. Delivers high resolution and colour vibrancy on paper and foil surfaces.

An international system defining colours with standard codes. A Pantone code refers to a specific pre-mixed ink, guaranteeing the same colour across different manufacturers.

Four-colour printing using Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (black). Photographs and full-colour images print this way; it doesn't match colours as precisely as Pantone.

A file where the image is defined by mathematical curves rather than pixels (PDF, AI, SVG, EPS). It scales without loss; the printing plate is produced from it.

Turning editable text in a logo into shapes. If skipped and the font isn't installed on the other side, the text opens in a different font and the logo breaks.

A protective clear layer applied after printing. Gloss varnish brightens colours; matte varnish prevents glare and gives a premium texture.

How well an ink covers the surface beneath it. White ink has the lowest opacity, which is why white printing looks washed out on light bases such as bamboo and kraft.

A digital or physical print sample submitted for approval before production. The approved proof is the reference for manufacturing.

The lowest quantity at which production is economically viable. Because plate and machine setup are fixed costs, MOQ is higher for printed products.

The physical plate carrying the print design. Made once and kept on file, so preparation is faster on reorders.

The cost of machine setup, plate preparation and initial test prints. Independent of order size, so the share it adds per unit shrinks as the quantity rises.

The accepted range by which the delivered quantity may differ from the ordered quantity in printed production. The invoice reflects the actual quantity delivered.

The production time from design approval to delivery. A delay in approval postpones the delivery date accordingly.

A sample product sent to assess material and print quality before bulk production.

The form in which a napkin is presented. A 1/4 square sits wide on the table; a 1/8 waiter fold is easier to carry by hand.

Packaging each unit separately. It meets hygiene expectations and the wrapper itself becomes a second branding surface.

A material that turns into compost within a defined time, under defined conditions, leaving no toxic residue. A measurable and certifiable claim.

A material that can break down in nature — but with no time or conditions specified. Technically most plastic is biodegradable over 500 years, so alone it guarantees nothing.

International certification documenting that wood and paper come from responsibly managed forests. It guarantees a traceable supply chain.

The European standard defining the compostability of packaging. It covers disintegration time, toxicity and residue criteria.

Composting in facilities requiring high temperature and controlled humidity. Different from home composting; typically takes 90 days.

Making a product appear more sustainable than it is through unprovable environmental claims. Regulated by law in many countries.

Certification that a product is safe for contact with food. A legal requirement for all products that touch food.

The volume a shipment occupies, converted into weight: (L × W × H) ÷ 5000. For light but bulky goods, the charge is based on this figure.

The greater of actual and volumetric weight. The carrier bills against this figure.

Standard rules defining at which point costs and responsibility pass to the buyer in international trade (such as DAP, DDP, FOB).

Delivered duty paid: the seller covers all costs and import duties; the buyer pays nothing on delivery.

Delivered at place: the seller covers transport, the buyer covers customs duties.

A registration number required for customs procedures when exporting to EU countries.

The number of units in one carton. How many cartons an order fills — and therefore the shipping cost — depends on this figure.

The period a product retains its properties in storage. Long for napkins and wooden items; limited for wet wipes due to moisture loss.