Chipboard is a man made material that comes in a variety of forms and is used in just as many ways. Chipboard is also referred to as chip board, paperboard and particleboard. It is generally made from reclaimed or recycled paper.
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How it is Made
Chipboard is made by gluing layers and fragments of recycled paper together to form a larger piece of material. The adhesive is applied using heat and pressure. This insures the material becomes rigid and feels smooth to the touch. The thickness of the chipboard ranges from very thin to very thick. Chipboard is inexpensive and relatively easy to produce and use.
Uses for Thin Chipboard
Thin chipboard is used in manufacturing product packaging. Cereal boxes are an example of this chipboard. Slightly thicker chipboard is used as the backing for notepads, book construction and shirt boxes.
Thicker, more substantial chipboard is used for flooring and countertops. This chipboard is made from bonding small pieces of wood together instead of the thinner paper option. Chipboard can also be covered in a veneer or laminate and used to make furniture.
Uses in Scrapbooking
Scrapbooking and crafting has embraced chipboard in recent years also. The chipboard used by scrapbookers is able to be painted, inked, cut and glued. Since the chipboard is easily embellished, it is also used to make alphabet letters, die-cuts and shapes.
Chipboard is easily destroyed when it comes in contact with water, so a protective covering should be used if necessary.