A picture speaks a thousand words. This classic line holds true when it comes to attracting buyers. Customers love being pulled by colors. Multiple shades when combined play a powerful effect on their minds. Therefore, brands add different images using a variety of hues on custom boxes. They make the packaging look catchy for the clients in every way possible. While patterns and decor are important, printing plays a major role. With the right printing, you can get crisp results. It will dazzle your consumers right away. This blog will discuss different printing methods that companies use for custom packaging.
Custom packaging is created on the demand of the customers. These boxes are used as a replacement for standard ready-made ones. Brands make packaging like tuck boxes or book-style boxes based on what their customers want.These boxes are designed in various sizes and shapes. Brands use custom packaging to make a strong hold on the market. They push themselves to create an identity and to offer a valuable experience to their buyers. With custom boxes, you can stand out from the crowd and reach the top of the success ladder.
This section will highlight some of the printing techniques brands use to add images or text to the packaging. Each printing method differs from one another based on cost, quality, materials, and client needs. Some printing inks don’t vanish out easily from the surface whether it's a box or a magazine. It makes the brand logo look more bold on the shelves. Let's take a look at the printing methods used by the companies:
Offset Printing is the technique that uses metal plates to transfer the ink on the packaging surface. With this method, images cannot get smudged or faded. Offset printing is a type of lithography that is commonly known as “offset lithography”. It is used for adding brand logos on the custom boxes. Moreover, offset approach is used for books, magazines, and newspapers.During offset, the images or the letters are not directly printed on the boxes. Instead, first, the artwork is taken from the computer via laser on the metal or aluminum plate. This plate then carries the design and applies it on the rubber blanket (offset), which then presses the inked image on the surface.Since the design is passed through metal plates, it gives a smooth and uniform finish. Offset printing uses CMYK colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) where it uses 4 different plates, reserving every color to each plate.While this is widely used by the brands, the Pantone Matching System (PMS) is also considered in special cases such as for printing brand logos. This method is ideal for large-scale orders but can be costly for smaller brands. Having a durable nature, this printing technique offers room for various finishes including matte, gloss, or spot UV.
Another method that is used for custom packaging is digital printing. It is a modern technique loved by many companies for its faster turnaround time. Moreover, it is cheaper as compared to offset printing and does not require any plates for printing. This makes it a suitable option for smaller brands who look for ways to cut back on costs.It directly prints the images or the design work on the packaging surface through inkjet or laser printing. This makes the whole process more faster and flexible. Moreover, brands can use digital printing to get crisp results as this method provides sharper details. Digital printing uses CMYK color and applies the colors in a single pass. This makes it best for customization, making it a viable choice for short-run orders. Brands can print barcodes or serial numbers on the custom boxes without extra costs. Moreover, they can add QR codes to give the customers a fun shopping time. Upon scanning, buyers can get different discounts, vouchers, or access to exclusive content like behind-the-scenes product making. While it may not be as durable as offset, this printing method is perfect for getting high-resolution images with faster production time. Digital printing is one of the most sought-after approach used by brands for its quality results.
Flexography printing also called flexo or letter printing is one more technique brands use for custom packaging. In the older times, this method was used by food and beverage companies. However, over time, other industries turned their attention to this method. This approach is ideal for bulk orders and is used by the brands that sell custom boxes in huge quantities. In this printing, plates are wrapped around rolling cylinders. The cylinders have microscopic cells made of ceramic or metals on them. Two types of inks are used in flexo printing including water and alchohol-based.The process begins with an anilox roller that picks up ink from the ink reservoir and transfers it to the raised surface of the printing plate. The plate, carrying the design, then presses against the packaging surface, leaving behind a clean and sharp image. Since the plates are flexible, they can print on various materials like corrugated boxes, plastic films, paper bags, and labels.
Screen printing is another method that is used for custom boxes. This technique is quite effective for having vibrant designs on various materials like cardboard or paper. Since screen printing is a manual process, it takes a lot of time to print the desired artwork. However, it gives firm results that last long. In this process, a stencil is created for the design on a mesh screen then ink is spread over the screen. A squeegee is used to push the ink through the open areas of the stencil which then transfers the image or the text on the packaging surface. For designs that are of multple colors, different screens are used for every shade separately.It is often used for simple designs, logos, or text, especially on smaller packaging items like cosmetic boxes or gift bags.
This section will shed light on some of the key factors that brands need to consider before selecting the printing method. Understanding these aspects is important as it can impact the repo of your business. Let’s have a look at these factors:
This blog has explored different printing techniques for custom packaging. From offset printing to digital printing, every method sets the stage for the brand’s success. Are you looking for a reliable packaging solution to get custom boxes like tuck boxes or book-styled boxes? Reach out to Packaging Mania to get custom packaging at a pocket-friendly price. With more than a decade of experience, we are offering quality packaging services to our customers, making every effort to lead them to the top.
We've worked with lots of successful industries around the world and have won their confidence & loyalty.
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