A bookbinder scoring a sturdy greyboard sheet for a classic hardcover book spine.

Crafted from pure cellulose under immense pressure, grey cardboard is a study in resilient strength and versatile utility. Often referred to as greyboard or chipboard, this material begins its journey as 100% recycled paper, transformed through compression into a substrate of remarkable flatness and consistent density.

Its inherent rigidity and neutral grey tone make it an indispensable foundation for a multitude of creative and structural applications. Bookbinders rely on it for crafting durable hardcover cases—forming the sturdy covers and spines that protect pages for generations. In the world of model-making and prototype design, it provides an easy-to-cut, yet stable, canvas for bringing precise three-dimensional concepts to life. The material is equally valued in premium packaging, point-of-sale displays (PLV), and as a supportive layer for mounting artwork or photographs (contrecollage), where its perfect planarity is paramount.

The true beauty of this cardboard lies in its balance of substance and workability. Available in a wide range of thicknesses, it can be cleanly scored, die-cut, laminated, and finished with a variety of techniques, from foil stamping and embossing to cloth covering and painting. It is a designer’s and artisan’s ideal medium: robust enough to provide lasting structure, yet receptive enough to allow for sophisticated surface artistry.

More than just a blank sheet, this recycled grey cardboard is a sustainable, fundamental building block. It is the silent, strong foundation upon which detailed craftsmanship, innovative design, and enduring objects are built.