In the United States, businessmen and entrepreneurs are well aware of the importance of custom packaging and printing. They know about some basics of custom printing on the boxes. But unfortunately, very few of them know about the best techniques to print their artwork on the boxes. So, today we will have some discussion about the options of printing techniques that can be used for printing the artwork on the boxes.

Before the last decade, many companies were offering screen and digital printing on custom packaging and printing solutions. But technology has updated the field of custom packaging too and now renowned companies are using offset printing process instead of digital or screen printing. Duke Packaging, which manufactures custom product boxes in the USA always recommends offset printing instead of digital or screen printing. 

Digital Printing:

In many industries of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada digital printing is still a considerable option. You might have heard about the variable data printing on the objects. Let’s suppose you want to print the value of a=a+1 on the boxes where the value of a changes, it is known as variable data. This type of data can only be printed with the help of digital printing with low costs.

By definition digital printing is a process in which a digital image is directly printed on a printable object like paper, cardboard, or any other material. This process is usually performed by the laser and inkjet printers. There are many other options available as well. It’s also a famous technique due to the short turnaround times as you don’t need to create printing plates for this process that consumes a lot of time. It recommended for custom packaging boxes only if you have low quantities.

Pros:

• It works best if you are looking for low order quantities and if your budget is low. Let’s suppose that you want to order only 10 to 20 boxes. In this scenario, digital printing would be a considerable option for you.
• If you need to print variable data on the packaging items, digital printing is a top-notch option for you.
• Setup costs of digital printing is low as compared to the other technologies.

Cons:

• We won’t recommend it for large order quantities as for large quantities its final price can increase as compared to other technologies that are available in the market.
• As compared to offset printing, its results are not that great and clear.
• There are no add-on options available. You can only use conventional inks.

 

Offset Printing Process:

Now, let’s have a detailed discussion about the process of offset printing. This process is opposite to the digital printing in which in ink is not directly transferred on a printable object. Firstly, ink is transferred on a rubber blanket plate and then it’s transferred to the required printable object. It’s famous among the people as its printing results are amazing and long-lasting too.

From conventional ink to Pantone and metallic ink, every option is acceptable when you are going to choose the offset printing process. In the field of custom packaging, a clean and clear choice is the use of this process. But you should go with large order quantities if you want to cut the costs. By large order quantities I mean to say the quantities above 200. Due to the high competition among the custom packaging, many companies are offering low minimum order quantities as well. But the quantities less than 200 will cost you higher price per piece as compared to digital printing.

Pros:

• High recommended for commercial printing. Also, the best option for printing any complex artwork on custom made boxes.
• Works best for large order quantities as the price per unit decrease when you go ahead with large quantities.
• Printing results are the best that no technology can beat. Moreover, add-on options like Pantone and metallic ink makes it versatile and flexible.
• It can be used on a variety of stocks that are available for the custom packaging boxes. You can use it on the Kraft, cardboard, rigid and corrugated stock with perfection.

Cons:

• Setup costs are always higher when you opt for this option.
• Samples printing can also cost you higher.
• Not recommended for variable data printing.