Combine high-quality offset graphics with the structural performance of corrugated packaging. PM Packaging manufactures custom SFL cartons, mailers, multipacks, retail-ready trays, displays, and protective shippers.
Inline Single Face Lamination equipment, FSC-certified board options, G7 color standards, and custom CAD dielines.
Single Face Lamination, commonly abbreviated as SFL, is a packaging process that combines a printed paperboard top sheet with a single-face corrugated structure. The printed sheet provides the smooth graphic surface associated with folding cartons, while the fluted corrugated structure adds rigidity and support.
The resulting laminated board can be die-cut, scored, folded, and converted into cartons, mailers, multipacks, retail-ready trays, beverage carriers, display packaging and other custom structures.
Litho-Laminated Process Clarification
Single Face Lamination is one form of litho-laminated corrugated packaging. It should not be confused with applying a smaller printed label to an already completed corrugated sheet.
Single Face Lamination bonds a smooth printed top sheet to a single-face fluted corrugated medium and liner:
SFL Structural Layer Cross-Section
Cross-section view illustrating how the printed top sheet, adhesive lamination layer, corrugated flute medium, and inner linerboard combine to form SFL board.
Offset Printing
High-resolution graphics printed on smooth paperboard top sheet.
Inline Lamination
Top sheet laminated with water-based adhesive to single-face corrugated flute.
Die-Cutting & Scoring
Precision dielines scored and cut for clean folding without graphical cracking.
Folding & Conversion
Formed into custom SFL cartons, retail-ready trays, mailers, or displays.
Select the packaging format best suited for your product weight, graphic requirements, and distribution environment:
| Packaging Format | Best Suited For |
|---|---|
| Folding carton | Smaller or lighter products requiring compact paperboard packaging |
| Single Face Lamination (SFL) | Products needing refined offset graphics plus additional structural rigidity |
| Direct-printed corrugated | Shipping and display applications where economical corrugated flexo printing is sufficient |
| Conventional litho-laminated corrugated | High-graphic corrugated structures produced through other lamination workflows |
| Rigid setup box | Premium presentation and keepsake-style packaging with rigid chipboard walls |
| Standard corrugated shipper | Distribution protection where retail graphics are secondary |
Consider SFL packaging when:
SFL may be unnecessary for:
Explore specialized Single Face Lamination formats manufactured for specific product and distribution requirements:
Engineered for heavier retail products or larger box panels where folding cartons may bow. Combines smooth offset graphics with microflute rigidity.
Custom SFL mailer boxes engineered to ship flat while offering high-resolution interior and exterior offset graphics for unboxing presentation.
Laminated micro-flute carriers featuring reinforced die-cut handles designed to support heavy bottle and can counts in retail distribution.
Dual-purpose SFL cartons designed to protect products in transit and tear away cleanly along dieline perforations for store shelf merchandising.
Countertop PDQ trays, shelf display boxes, and floor display stands built with laminated corrugated board for product load support.
Custom multi-component kit packaging housing several packaged items with custom paperboard inserts and high-end print finishes.
Laminated micro-flute boxes featuring die-cut window cutouts and clear window film to showcase products while maintaining panel strength.
Select the fluting profile that balances profile thickness, surface smoothness, and structural rigidity for your package:
N Flute
Compact retail structures where a thinner profile is important (when available).
F Flute
Refined retail cartons, smaller premium product boxes, and sleek dieline folds.
E Flute
Optimal balance of profile thickness, surface smoothness, cushioning, and panel rigidity.
B Flute
Larger or heavier packaging structures, display trays, and heavy-load master shippers.
Flute Selection Rule: Flute selection should be based on the product weight, package dimensions, panel size, pack-out method, distribution environment and graphic requirements—not appearance alone. Actual flute profiles and finished performance vary by materials, equipment, dieline structure, and supplier specifications.
PM Packaging delivers documented manufacturing capabilities for custom Single Face Lamination programs:
Recyclability Qualification: Recyclability depends on the complete package construction, including coatings, adhesives, windows, labels and local recycling infrastructure. Certified-fiber and paper-based options can be evaluated to align with project specifications.
Bring your product dimensions, graphics, and retail specifications. Our structural engineers provide dieline design, prototype samples, printing, laminating, and distribution support.
Submit your packaging requirements and get in touch with our packaging engineering specialists.
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