The characteristics of the stress-strain curve and cushion coefficient-maximum stress curve of typical cushioning materials and honeycomb paperboard were analyzed. The cushion pad design method of honeycomb paperboard based on cushion coefficient-maximum stress was put forward. The research showed that the stress-strain curve of the typical cushioning material was monotonic increasing variation. The stress-strain curve of the honeycomb paperboard was complicated, which could be classified into linear bearing stage, buckling stage and densification stage. The cushion coefficient-maximum stress curve of the honeycomb paperboard was irregular. The cushion coefficient was large in linear bearing stage and the buffering efficiency was small. In this stage, it was suggested that the honeycomb paperboard be used with other cushioning materials. The characteristic of the buckling stage was that the cushion coefficient and stress were small and the buffering efficiency was high, and the cushion curve must surpass the peak stress of the linear bearing stage. In this stage, the maximum stress should be calculated according to the peak stress of the linear bearing stage. In the densification stage, the material bore greater stress, which was not conducive to the protection of the products. Prepressure honeycomb paperboard lost part of the load capacity in the linear bearing stage. The cushion coefficient-maximum stress curve was smooth. The cushioning liner design could be carried out according to the classical pad design method.