What Are the Different Options for Packaging Printing? - Jamestown Container | Corrugated Packaging Solutions
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What Are the Different Options for Packaging Printing?

How Customizable Printing Solutions Can Upgrade Your Packaging

Packaging printing is essential when it comes to creating unique packaging that will catch customers’ attention and make for an unforgettable unboxing experience. There are many methods to printing on packaging, including printing designs directly onto corrugated using either flexo or digital methods, lithographic label printing and mounting, and die cutting.

Using custom printed designs on your packaging can help make it stand out from competitors on both digital and in-store shelves. Vibrant and precise coloration, options for different printed textures, and imagistic printing that can be adapted to many different aesthetic preferences can all help to bring your ideal packaging design to life.

In the coming year, projected packaging printing design trends include the use of neutral tones, soft colors, and illustrations, which follow the popular design aesthetic of minimalism. For more ideas about upcoming retail packaging trends, read our recent blog that details the trends for 2021.

Here are four different methods for custom packaging printing, including details about their processes, individual benefits, optimal use situations, and differences from one another.

Direct Flexo Printing

Direct flexo printing is a quick high-quality printing process that uses an imaged plate adhered to a cylinder to apply your graphics and text to substrates. Image-bearing areas of your design are raised from non-image-bearing areas on the flexible image carrier. In-house ink blending and precise color matching to your brand and label colors ensure the resulting packaging matches your vision exactly. Direct flexo printing is a trusted and cost-effective method that is suited for printing solid colors, patterns, and simple designs onto bulk orders with speed and precision.

Digital Printing

Digital printing uses a laser or inkjet to print a digital-based image directly onto a substrate. One of the benefits of digital printing is that changes to your design can be made quickly since it doesn’t use printing plates. Setup is also simpler and takes less time for the same reason. This packaging printing method has the capability to produce vibrant colors and is also suited to creating more complex image and design elements like smooth gradients and shadows without any drop-off. Whereas direct flexo printing is well-suited for bulk orders due to its speed during the printing process, digital printing works better for more specialized short to medium runs.

Label Printing and Mounting

An alternative method to printing involves your design being printed onto a label and then mounted onto your final packaging. Large format labels can be printed for full mounting, or spot labels can be provided to enhance your printed images. The lithographic lamination process is often used to provide unique finishes on corrugated, like if you want soft touch or glossy boxes. Lithography is also great for creating designs on packaging that look photographic in quality.

While lithographic label printing is known for its customizability and multiple options for creating different textures, it is also one of the more expensive packaging printing options since extra processing is required for this type of printing. However, its detailed, high-quality imaging may be the right solution for your custom packaging if your vision is highly specific or imagistic in nature, or requires speciality coatings like foil stamping, embossing, or metallic ink. Adding spot labels onto full-wrap labeled or printed corrugated can give eye-catching dimensionality and unique textures to your custom packaging or store displays.

Die Cutting

Die cuts are used to create custom shapes and designs for your packaging printing. A metal die cuts the necessary shape out of label material and removes the excess material. There are multiple methods for die cutting, including flatbed and rotary die cutting.

The flatbed method presses the die onto a sheet of material and is great for low-volume, larger sized packaging printing projects. It’s also well suited for use with thicker materials. The rotary method involves a rolling die attached to a magnetic cylinder that makes cuts to material. Rotary die cutting works exceptionally well for custom designs because it’s known for its versatility, quickness, and consistency. This makes the rotary process efficient for making complex cuts quickly and providing rapid turnaround times for packaging printing.

Since the process of die cutting can be complex, you’ll want to work with an expert while creating your custom designs to ensure that the label will look how you want it to after being printed and cut.

Jamestown’s Extensive Packaging Printing Experience

Jamestown Container’s packaging printing capabilities allow us to create unique and eye-catching customized packaging for both shipping and in-store uses. We specialize in individualized solutions that fit your distinctive vision with precision. Our experts will work collaboratively with you to create robust and sustainable packaging that fits your brand and will protect your product while visually engaging customers. Partner with us for packaging that elevates your product and puts you a step above the competition.

Ready for Custom Packaging Solutions?

Jamestown Container has been helping companies deliver on unique packaging with our efficient and high-quality processes for more than 60 years. Our team of talented experts showcases their innovation and thoughtfulness throughout the entire process of creating and fulfilling custom packaging solutions. Let Jamestown help you with custom packaging that will express your brand identity and connect with your customers. Contact us today to learn more.

Jamestown Container Companies has been helping companies navigate their packaging and shipping challenges with innovative solutions since 1956. We're a family owned and operated organization, and we're dedicated to being a partner to all of our customers from initial concept to the moment their products reach their final destination.