Objective In order to improve and stably control the appearance quality of packaging box, the composition of the packaging paper and film in the packaging box were studied, and the main cause for "mist" of packaging box was analyzed to find the solution. Methods Gas chromatography / mass spectrometry was applied to determine the composition of the ink, gloss oil and film of the packaging paper at different equilibrium temperature. Results Pentamethylheptane, pentadecane, hexadecane and heptadecane were the main substances in the "mist" of packaging box. Pentamethylheptane, pentadecane, hexadecane and heptadecane were produced by solvent ink instead of gloss oil, and the contents of these four kinds materials in solvent ink were higher than those in UV ink, pentadecane, hexadecane and heptadecane contents in solvent ink were about 13 times, 7 times and 7 times as high as those in UV ink. UV ink was therefore suitable for packaging paper. With the rising of the equilibrium temperature, the response of pentadecane, hexadecane and heptadecane were increased, and in order to completely eliminate the packaging box "mist" to improve the appearance of the packaging, a cosmetic temperature of 95 ℃ was suitable. Conclusion The contents of pentamethyl heptanes, pentadecane, hexadecane and heptadecane were reduced through the application of suitable ink and equilibrium temperature, which could fundamentally solve the physical phenomenon of packing box "mist" .