Packaging Europe reported that because corrugated packaging works well to protect products, has color-printable features, can be merchandised and is the most commonly recycled packaging medium, it is increasingly seeing interest from producers who want to use it for digital printing. New approaches to doing this allows the packaging to align with similar personalized packaging formats, giving the industry a better chance at engaging consumers.
Corrugated packing supplies are one of the more common types of packaging found in the industry itself, and companies are increasingly finding new forms and strategies they can use to further boost production quality.
One company said that new approaches to innovating printing and packaging technology is already improving overall sales reports. Formerly corrugated packaging used as protective transit packaging has now been transformed into multi-functional and colorful packaging ready for shelves. With a flat surface, the material can utilize platforms like smartphone and QR codes, while print customization has also allowed for higher-quality production for labels and similar concepts. Graphics that used to take days to reach their final forms now only need hours, and the results are likely to help the industry push for shorter order runs, reduction of waste and increases of point-of-sale packaging.
"Personalization will allow the Corrugated Industry to become even more creative and bring an extra dimension to packaging," said Andy Barnetson, the director of packaging affairs for the Confederation of Paper Industries. "Print-on-demand offers retailers and brand owners cost-effective, customized marketing campaigns to boost sales in an increasingly dynamic retail market."
Fruit packaging can especially benefit
Corrugated packaging has been noted for its specific improvements in the shipping and packaging of fruit and vegetables in the United Kingdom, and as a result the industry is known for continually reinventing and improving itself. Recent years have seen new advantages like variety, personalization and customization changing the market for the better, and better digital printing technology is leading that charge.
Different features found in new packaging equipment include printing on demand, high volumes at any one time, last-minute changes to products and decreased time to market considerations. Packaging as a platform for communication has also led to the introduction of branding opportunities, as growers are specifically noted to need creative packaging in the midst of their competition.
New digital printers may allow for a further boost in these needs, as the quality and costs of these prints are alleged to be higher-quality than expectations otherwise would allow. Some even allow for clear and improved printing quality in regards to three-dimensional graphics. The inks used by the equipment are also water-based and food-safe, with no risk of contamination.
New equipment helps corrugated packaging further
A press release from Kodak shows that expectations in this market continue to improve over time. The company's FLEXCEL NX System has recently been updated with new features that can help both the post-print and pre-print corrugated markets to improve print quality while also offering better print stability and pressroom efficiency as well.
This system can print labels, flexibles, cartons, shrink sleeves and bags without raising any average costs.
"Whether customers are focused on achieving high quality results in pre-print and post-print or impactful, cost-effective post-print results on lower grade liners, we are confident that Kodak now has an innovative solution to meet those needs," said Kodak's president of digital printing and enterprise, Doug Edwards. "Commercial print trials have already yielded an overwhelmingly positive response from both printers, and their brand clients alike."
