Duplex board is one of the most widely used packaging materials in India — from FMCG cartons and pharma packaging to retail boxes and food packaging. But pricing varies significantly depending on the grade, GSM, coating type, and whether you’re buying grey back or white back. This guide covers current duplex board prices per kg in India, explains what drives those prices, and helps you make smarter procurement decisions.
Current Duplex Board Price Per KG in India (2026)
Here are current indicative price ranges for duplex board in India by grade and GSM as of 2026:
| Grade | Type | GSM Range | Price Range (₹/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncoated Grey Back (UD2) | Grey Back | 230–300 GSM | ₹29 – ₹36 |
| LWC Grey Back (GD2) | Grey Back | 180–450 GSM | ₹34 – ₹42 |
| HWC Grey Back (GD1) | Grey Back | 180–450 GSM | ₹38 – ₹48 |
| White Back Duplex | White Back | 230–450 GSM | ₹42 – ₹55 |
| Imported Duplex Board | Grey/White Back | 200–500 GSM | ₹45 – ₹65 |
Note: All prices are indicative ex-warehouse rates for bulk B2B orders as of Q2 2026. GST at 12% is applicable additionally. Prices vary based on order volume, mill brand, sheet size, and delivery location. Always request a current quote for your specific requirement.
Grey Back vs White Back Duplex Board — Price Difference Explained
The single biggest pricing factor in duplex board is whether it’s grey back or white back. Here’s a direct comparison:
| Factor | Grey Back Duplex | White Back Duplex |
|---|---|---|
| Back surface colour | Grey — recycled fibre visible | White — coated on both sides |
| Price per kg | Lower — ₹29–48/kg | Higher — ₹42–55/kg |
| Print quality | Good on front side only | Excellent on both sides |
| Best for | FMCG cartons, cereal boxes, general packaging | Pharma, cosmetics, premium retail, food packaging |
| Moisture resistance | Moderate | Better — both sides coated |
| Most common GSM | 200–400 GSM | 230–450 GSM |
For most standard Indian packaging applications — biscuit cartons, soap boxes, detergent packaging — grey back duplex is perfectly adequate and costs 15–25% less than white back. White back is only truly necessary when the inside of the box is visible to the end consumer or when regulatory requirements demand it (as in some pharma packaging).
LWC vs HWC Duplex Board — What’s the Difference & How Does It Affect Price?
Within grey back duplex, you’ll encounter two coating grades — LWC and HWC. Understanding the difference helps you avoid over-specifying and overpaying:
| Feature | LWC (Light Weight Coated) | HWC (Heavy Weight Coated) |
|---|---|---|
| Coating weight | 8–12 gsm per side | 15–20 gsm per side |
| Surface smoothness | Good | Excellent — better for 4-colour offset printing |
| Price difference | Lower | 10–15% higher than LWC |
| Best for | General packaging, basic print jobs | High-quality offset printing, brand packaging |
| Ink holdout | Moderate | High — sharper print reproduction |
Duplex Board Price by GSM — Quick Reference
| GSM | Grey Back LWC (₹/kg) | Grey Back HWC (₹/kg) | White Back (₹/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180–200 GSM | ₹34 – ₹38 | ₹38 – ₹42 | ₹42 – ₹46 |
| 230–250 GSM | ₹35 – ₹40 | ₹40 – ₹44 | ₹44 – ₹50 |
| 300 GSM | ₹37 – ₹42 | ₹42 – ₹46 | ₹46 – ₹52 |
| 350–400 GSM | ₹39 – ₹44 | ₹44 – ₹48 | ₹48 – ₹55 |
| 450+ GSM | ₹41 – ₹46 | ₹46 – ₹52 | ₹52 – ₹65 |
What Factors Affect Duplex Board Price Per KG in India?
1. Grade Quality — GD1, GD2, GD3, UD2
The Indian paper industry uses a grading system for duplex boards. GD1 (highest) to GD3 (economy) for grey back, and UD2 for uncoated. Higher grade means better surface quality, more consistent caliper, and higher price. Most commercial packaging uses GD2.
2. Mill Brand vs Generic
Branded mill output (from established Indian mills) commands a 5–12% premium over generic or secondary market material. For high-volume print jobs where consistency matters, branded mill material is usually worth the premium — colour consistency across thousands of cartons requires consistent caliper and surface quality.
3. Sheet Size vs Reel Format
Standard sheet sizes (23×36 inches, 30×40 inches) are typically priced slightly higher than reel/jumbo roll format because of the additional cutting and sheeting cost. If your converting equipment accepts reels, buying in reel format often saves ₹2–4 per kg.
4. Order Volume
Like all paper grades, duplex board pricing is heavily volume-dependent. Spot purchases cost significantly more per kg than committed monthly volumes. A full truck load order (12–15 MT) typically gets the best available rate from traders and mill agents.
5. Imported vs Domestic
Imported duplex board (from Turkey, Malaysia, China, and other origins) is increasingly available in India and often offers competitive pricing for specific GSM ranges. However, import lead times are longer, and price is affected by exchange rates and import duties. For buyers who can plan 6–8 weeks ahead, imported grades can offer good value.
Industry-Specific Grade Recommendations
| Industry | Recommended Grade | Typical GSM | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| FMCG (biscuits, snacks, soap) | Grey Back LWC (GD2) | 230–300 GSM | Cost-effective, adequate print quality for retail shelves |
| Pharma packaging | White Back or Grey Back HWC | 250–350 GSM | Regulatory requirements, white inner surface preferred |
| Cosmetics & beauty | White Back HWC | 300–400 GSM | Premium appearance, both sides visible to consumer |
| Food packaging | White Back or FDA-certified Grey Back | 230–350 GSM | Food safety requirements, moisture resistance |
| Retail & e-commerce boxes | Grey Back LWC (GD2) | 200–300 GSM | Cost efficiency at scale, good enough print quality |
| Garment & textile packaging | Grey Back LWC or HWC | 250–350 GSM | Stiffness for folded box shape retention |
How to Get the Best Duplex Board Rate in India
- Don’t over-specify — if your application doesn’t require white back, don’t buy it. Grey back LWC at the right GSM handles 80% of Indian packaging applications perfectly
- Consolidate your GSM requirements — buying 2–3 GSM variants from one supplier in combined volume gets better rates than splitting orders across suppliers
- Buy in full truck loads — 12–15 MT minimum for best pricing from traders; smaller quantities attract spot premiums of 8–15%
- Plan ahead for reel format — if your equipment accepts reels, it typically saves ₹2–4/kg versus cut sheets
- Build a long-term supply relationship — consistent monthly buyers get priority during tight supply and better pricing during rate negotiations
- Ask about imported grades — for non-time-sensitive requirements, imported duplex board from Turkey or Malaysia can offer competitive pricing at certain GSM ranges
Get Current Duplex Board Pricing from KNJ Trade Link
KNJ Trade Link supplies duplex board across India in grey back and white back grades, from 180 GSM to 450+ GSM, in both sheet and reel formats. We source from established domestic mills and trusted import channels — giving you consistent quality with competitive B2B pricing from our base in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra.
Whether you need a trial order to test a new grade or a long-term monthly supply arrangement, we’ll give you a transparent quote based on your exact GSM, grade, quantity, and delivery location.
Request Current Duplex Board Pricing →
You can also visit our paper boards product page for full grade and specification details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is duplex board price per kg in India in 2026?
A: As of 2026, grey back duplex board ranges from ₹29–48 per kg depending on coating grade and GSM. White back duplex ranges from ₹42–55 per kg. Imported grades are available at ₹45–65 per kg. Contact your supplier for a current quote specific to your GSM and grade requirement.
Q: What is the difference between grey back and white back duplex board?
A: Grey back duplex has a grey-coloured reverse side made from recycled fibre — it’s cheaper and suitable for most standard packaging. White back duplex is coated on both sides, giving a white surface on the reverse — it’s used for premium packaging, pharma, cosmetics, and food applications where the inside of the box is visible or regulatory requirements demand it.
Q: What does LWC and HWC mean in duplex board?
A: LWC stands for Light Weight Coated and HWC for Heavy Weight Coated — both referring to the amount of coating applied to the board surface. HWC has a heavier coating, giving better surface smoothness and print quality for high-quality offset printing. LWC is cheaper and adequate for most general packaging print jobs.
Q: What GSM duplex board is used for FMCG carton packaging?
A: Most FMCG carton packaging in India uses 230–300 GSM grey back duplex (GD2 grade). This range gives adequate stiffness for box shape retention and good enough print quality for retail shelves at a cost-effective price point.
Q: Does GST apply on duplex board purchases in India?
A: Yes — duplex board attracts GST at 12% in India. Most supplier quotes are given exclusive of GST — always confirm whether a quoted price is inclusive or exclusive of GST before comparing rates from different suppliers.