Corrugated Box Printing Guide
Rohan Roy
Dec 6, 2024
Box Printing
Simple containers like corrugated boxes are essential for safeguarding and shipping commodities around the world. Corrugated boxes are dependable and adaptable for a variety of uses, including delivering breakable goods and arranging your storage area. This is where corrugated boxes are demanded the most in the market and the corrugated boxes industry is growing.
Since the demand is increasing, corrugated box printing business are also emerging. This is where we will explore the world of corrugated boxes in this article, and all the information you require for your requirements. Selecting the ideal printing technique for your corrugated box is crucial.
What are corrugated boxes?
Layered sheets of corrugated cardboard are used to create corrugated boxes, a type of packaging. An inner liner, a ruffled middle layer, and another inside liner make up this distinctive design's three layers. What distinguishes these boxes is the fluted layer, which offers cushioning, strength, and longevity.
Importance of corrugated boxes
For corrugated box printing business hoping to improve their brand recognition and product display, corrugated box printing is essential. It involves imprinting your information, drawings, and trademark on corrugated boxes that are strong and flexible. This printing can be used on a variety of packaging types, including primary retail packaging for attractive display on store shelves or shipper boxes for shipping items.
Printing methods used for corrugated boxes
Flexography Printing
This kind of printing is among the most popular for printing on corrugated boxes because of its adaptability and quick turnaround time. In essence, it's similar to applying a premium polymer print plate to corrugated boxes. Different designs are created for each distinct color on plates. Although this printing method has its applications, it is not advised for extremely complex designs or photo-quality printing because it would be necessary to build a distinct plate for each color.
However, if you have simpler designs with a limited number of colors and a large number of materials that would justify the production of these flexographic printing plates, this approach might be effective for you.
Lithography Printing
Offset printing and litho-lamination are other names for this kind of corrugated printing. It generally uses a similar procedure to flexographic printing, with a few significant exceptions.
Similar to flexographic printing, lithographic printing entails dividing a design into separate plates, each of which is coloured differently from the design. But flexographic printing also uses a unique plate that, in essence, keeps ink away from specific regions that are supposed to remain blank. Instead of sporadic blobs of ink that might have spilt over from other plates during the process, this method guarantees that the finished result will have clear, sharp lines.
Instead of printing straight onto the corrugated board, lithographic printing is typically done using litho labels using corrugated printers.
Offset Printing
When printing on corrugated boxes this method provides high-quality, crisp pictures. It's ideal for high-volume printing on corrugated boxes that have complicated graphics. Offset printing provides consistent and accurate color reproduction, making it an excellent choice for printing on corrugated boxes with detailed graphics or images. However, it is typically more expensive compared to flexographic printing for corrugated boxes. For a more in-depth look at the functionality, see the offset printing software by WTPBiz.
Digital Printing
Digital printing when doing corrugated cardboard printing eliminates the need for costly, hard plates, in contrast to flexographic and lithographic printing techniques. Because digital printing is quick, simple to set up, and still looks high-quality, it's perfect for tester or short-run packaging. However, due to its low cost, it is also beneficial for long-term or large-scale projects.
You may also try different designs and customize your packaging boxes to fit particular clients with digital printing, which will only benefit you in the long run. With this type of printing, you have so much freedom to experiment with new patterns and styles without fear of losing a lot of time or money.
Screen Printing
Screen Printing is a flexible choice for printing on corrugated boxes and also on other surfaces. It works well with straightforward patterns and striking hues. The box's surface can be given a tactile texture through screen printing, giving the packaging a distinctive feel. However, compared to flexography, it is not as economical for big manufacturing runs. For a more thorough rundown of the functionality, you can look at the WTPBiz screen printing software.
What are the design considerations for corrugated boxes?
Engineers take into account a variety of elements while designing corrugated boxes in order to maximize their strength. However, parameters like box geometry, joint structure, coating options, and scoring lines also have a role. The following are the different types of box designs for corrugated box printing business:
Regular slotted container: it is a slotted box which has flaps which meet the center. It is widely used everywhere and is most common.
Half slotted container: the structure is same to the regular slotted container but has only two flaps and is used in transporting goods and others.
Full overlap containers: the flaps overlap such that it gives extra support to the box. It is generally used for heavy products and fragile products.
Corrugated trays: these are open tray like containers which have no lid. Usually used for personalized or display items often covered with plastic.
Die cut corrugated boxes: these boxes are custom shaped and cut design corrugated box based on need. They come in various shapes like heart, cylindrical, triangle, circle and much more.
Folding boxes: these are very small boxes that can store small items like cosmetics, electronics or any other small products. These can be easily unfolded too.
Telescopic boxes: these are two boxes that fit in each other giving proper holding and protection to the items stored in it. They are best suitable when used for delicate items.
Gaylord boxes: large boxes used for large shipments usually used in industries to pack automobiles, electronics and more.
Challenges faced in corrugated boxes
Inadequate Strength
One of the primary problems is that boxes aren't strong enough to endure large loads of severe treatment while being transported. Customers may become dissatisfied and products may get damaged as a result. The answer? Purchasing a box compression tester will allow you to determine how much weight a box can support before collapsing.
Poor Print Quality
Branding, product details, and logos are frequently printed on corrugated boxes, which are used as marketing tools. Poor print quality, however, can detract from the professionalism and value of a brand. High-quality prints can be maintained by routinely checking printing methods with paper and board testing tools, such as a scuff resistance tester. Use WTPBiz web to print software to overcome this challenge.
Inconsistent Dimensions
It can be difficult to stack boxes effectively during shipping or storage procedures when their dimensions are inconsistent. Manufacturers can precisely assess the stacking strength of their boxes by using an edge crush tester.
Problems with Cost Control
Manufacturers are always searching for methods to save expenses without sacrificing standards of quality control.
Inadequate Protection
Boxes must adequately safeguard their contents, particularly delicate ones. Manufacturers can verify that the packing material satisfies industry standards and offers the best protection by using a thickness gauge.
Future trends in corrugated box industry
Demand for packaging is being driven by e-commerce
Packages are handled several times due to the increasingly intricate logistical chain for direct-to-consumer delivery, which calls for secondary corrugated packaging that is both affordable and long-lasting. The need for superior graphic designs on shippers has increased as a result of this change, which has prompted firms to use packaging that both protects goods and upholds their brand image in customers' homes.
Fit-to-product (FtP) packaging
Using the FtP packing which customizes boxes to the precise size of products, removing the need for extra filler material, have also been sparked by fit-to-product (FtP) and box-on-demand technologies in e-commerce. packaging box business who need specialized packaging for a range of product sizes and shapes, especially benefit from this.
Developments in digital printing
The corrugated industry's increasing use of digital printing has created new opportunities for personalization and customization. Run length flexibility, lower setup costs, and the capacity to customize packaging for certain areas, retailers, or clients are all benefits of digital printing. Digital printing makes it possible for firms to produce premium, personalized packaging that appeals to customers as they seek to increase consumer connection and produce unforgettable unpacking experiences.
Light weighting and sustainability
The corrugated packaging industry continues to be driven by sustainability. Because of its eco-friendliness and capacity to be recycled, corrugated boards are becoming more and more popular as consumer awareness of environmental issues grows. Corrugated board can be recycled into new containerboard by the pulp and paper industry, which lessens the need for virgin resources.
Retail-ready packaging
RRP, is still a major trend, where it has become a major cost-cutting strategy. Pre-packaged goods that are simple to display and take little setup time are included in retail-ready packaging. RRP usage for online sales may slightly drop as e-commerce expands, particularly in the supermarket industry.
Conclusion
Corrugated box printing business boxes just require you to use web-based packaging design software on your website. Customers may order and customize packaging online thanks to its simple integration with the website. They frequently include customization choices and pre-made templates. This is where WTPBiz helps you.
Additionally, you can boost customer satisfaction, increase operational efficiency, and ultimately help your custom box packaging business succeed by utilizing tools and software like product configurators, web-to-print management software, automation programs, print estimating, and job management software.
FAQs
What Is Corrugated Box Printing?
The technique of putting graphics, logos, and other information on corrugated boxes to advertise a product or company is known as corrugated box printing. The quantity of boxes required, the required picture quality, and the purpose of the box all influence the printing technique.
Why Is Corrugated Box Printing Important for Businesses?
They are perfect for e-commerce because of their affordability and lightweight design, which lowers shipping costs and guarantees product protection. Customizability also makes branding and effective storage options possible. The significance of corrugated packaging boxes for e-commerce enterprises is amply demonstrated by these characteristics.
What Are the Benefits of Custom Printed Corrugated Boxes?
To advertise your business and raise brand recognition, you might print your tagline, logo, or other branding components on the box. By lowering material use, returns, and damage, custom boxes can help you save money. To emphasize your brand's values, mission statement, or informational or regulatory language, you can print information on the box's front or interior.
What Are the Different Printing Methods for Corrugated Boxes?
As mentioned in the article, screen printing, offset printing, flexography printing, digital printing and lithography printing are the different methods of printing corrugated boxes.
