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Last updated on April 29, 2025Types of Packaging Printing | Pros and Cons
Brief Overview of Types of Packaging Printing
The fierce competition among retail and e-commerce stores has grown multifold. The survival is in taking innovative measures to promote, capture, and make customers fall in love. Apart from promoting and marketing your business online, one of the ways to capture the market and build brand identity is through custom packaging.
In the wake of rising competition, brands have to devise strategies and plans to attract more customers and drive more sales. One of them is to make custom packaging boxes attractive by using modern printing techniques, adding finishes, and increasing functionality with add-ons.
In making the boxes attractive and eye-catching, brands often struggle when it comes to doing all the work from scratch.
That is where custom packaging companies come into play to make things easy for brand owners. A large number of them even offer free design support to help them stand out in the crowded market.
However, to make it look more attractive, it is important to know what type of printing is used for custom packaging and how it can align with the brand’s values, mission, and identity.
In this post, we are going to discuss briefly:
What is Custom Printing for Packaging?
Custom printing for packaging refers to the process of designing and printing packaging materials-such as boxes, bags, labels, or tape, with unique branding elements tailored specifically for a business or product. This typically includes adding company logos, colors, graphics, messaging, and other distinctive design features directly onto the packaging materials.
Unlike generic, plain packaging, custom printed packaging is created to reflect a brand’s identity and values, making products stand out on shelves and providing a cohesive, professional look. The process often involves several steps.
Concept and Design: The first step in custom printing for packaging boxes involves collaborating with designers to discuss the initial concept and design of packaging boxes that resonate with the target audience and overall brand value.
Selection of Material: The selection of material is the next big thing you need to consider when designing and printing. When selecting material for custom packaging boxes, the important factor is to consider the nature of the product and the type of customers you are targeting.
Printing Methods: A wide range of printing methods and techniques are available, depending on what type of effects you need on your packaging boxes.
Finishing Options: Incorporating finishes like embossing, foil stamping, or spot UV for added impact.
Prototyping and Proofing: Creating samples to ensure the design and colors are accurate before full production.
Production and Quality Control: Printing, assembling, and inspecting the final packaging to ensure consistency and quality.
What is the Purpose of Custom Printing?
Custom packaging for small businesses has been quite effective in capturing the attention of the target audience and leading them to checkout. However, the thing that matters the most is its custom printing. The purpose or objective of custom printing is to:
- Boost brand recognition and communicate the brand story
- Catches the attention of customers
- Differentiates your product from the rivals
- Enhance the unboxing experience
- Market and promote the brand effectively
In short, custom printing for packaging is a strategic approach to packaging design that combines aesthetics, branding, and functionality to create a memorable and effective presentation for products.
Types of Custom Printing in Packaging
There are several types of custom printing techniques used for custom packaging. Some of them include: Digital Printing Flexography Printing Lithography LED UV Display Printing 3D Printing Screen Printing In the next section, we will discuss each one of them in detail to give you a clear picture.
Digital Printing in Custom Packaging
Digital printing in custom packaging refers to the process of directly printing digital-based images, designs, or text onto packaging materials using digital printing technology. This method eliminates the need for traditional printing plates or setups, allowing for more flexibility, faster turnaround, and cost-effective customization, especially for short runs or personalized packaging.
Pros and Cons of Digital Printing in Custom Packaging
Pros | Cons |
Cost-effective for short runs | Higher cost for large volumes |
Fast turnaround | Limited material/finishing options |
High-quality, vibrant color | Color limitations (metallics, Pantones) |
Easy customization/variable data | Ink durability/fading issues |
Accurate proofing | Can`t print light colors on dark paper |
Less waste, eco-friendly | Opacity issues on special substrates |
Flexible paper choices | Color consistency challenges |
Flexography Printing in Custom Packaging
Flexography, often called "flexo," is a high-speed rotary printing process that uses flexible relief plates made from materials like rubber or photopolymer to transfer ink onto a wide variety of substrates. It is considered a modern evolution of letterpress printing, designed for efficiency and versatility in large-scale production.
Pros and Cons of Flexographic Printing
Pros | Cons |
Very fast production speeds | High setup time and plate costs |
Prints on many substrate types | Not cost-effective for short runs |
Cost-efficient for medium to large runs | Limited fine detail and complex artwork |
In-line finishing (varnish, laminating) | Requires skilled operators |
Excellent color reproduction | Higher maintenance and cleaning needed |
Lithography Printing in Custom Packaging
Lithographic printing, often referred to as offset printing or litho printing, is a widely used technique in the packaging industry for producing high-quality, visually striking packaging materials. This process is particularly valued for its ability to deliver sharp details, vibrant colors, and consistent results across large print runs.
Pros and Cons of Lithographic Printing
Pros | Cons |
High-quality, detailed prints with sharp images and vibrant colors | Expensive and time-consuming setup, especially for short runs |
Consistent color and quality across large print runs | Not cost-effective for small or variable data runs |
Cost-effective for medium to large volume production | Limited flexibility for last-minute design changes |
Versatile: works on various substrates (paper, cardboard, plastics, metal) | Environmental concerns due to chemicals and plate materials |
Suitable for premium and retail packaging, supporting custom finishes | Requires skilled operators for optimal results |
LED UV Printing in Custom Packaging
LED UV printing is an advanced custom printing technology that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to instantly cure specially formulated inks as they are printed onto a surface. This process results in prints that are immediately dry, allowing for faster turnaround times and exceptional image quality.
Pros and Cons LED UV Printing
Pros | Cons |
Instant drying- faster turnaround and immediate finishing | Higher ink and equipment costs compared to traditional methods |
High print quality with sharp, vibrant colors | Slower printing speed for some short-run jobs |
Eco-friendly: lower energy use, no mercury, no ozone emission | Maintenance can be more complex, with higher failure rates for some parts |
Can print on a wide variety of substrates, including heat-sensitive materials | Limited spectral output; not all inks/materials are compatible |
Less ink usage and waste | Aggressive environment for plates; expensive varnishes |
Longer lamp lifespan than mercury UV systems | The payback period can be long due to the initial investment |
Ready to print from standby, warm-up needed | Technology is still evolving; not all applications are ideal |
Display Printing
Display printing in custom packaging refers to the use of advanced printing techniques to create visually appealing and branded packaging solutions that stand out on retail shelves or in promotional displays. This process involves applying graphics, logos, and other design elements directly onto packaging materials, such as cardboard display boxes, using methods like digital, offset, or flexographic printing.
Pros and Cons of Display Printing
Pros | Cons |
Enhances brand image and gives a professional look | Higher cost per unit for large quantity orders |
Enables high-quality, vibrant, and customizable designs | Longer lead times and time-consuming setup (especially for screen printing) |
Offers flexibility for short runs, seasonal, and multi-SKU products | Limited material compatibility (especially for digital printing) |
Fast turnaround for digital printing | Limited color range and detail (screen printing) |
Cost-effective for small batches (digital); economical for large runs (screen) | Complex design process and need for skilled labor |
Allows for special effects and finishes | Not ideal for frequent design changes (screen printing) |
Durable and long-lasting prints (screen printing) | Environmental impact if not managed responsibly |
Can be more sustainable with digital methods | Not always suitable for safe shipments |
3D Printing in Custom Packaging
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process that creates three-dimensional objects by layering materials based on digital models. In the packaging industry, 3D printing enables the rapid prototyping of packaging designs, allowing companies to quickly develop, test, and refine new concepts. This technology supports highly customized and complex packaging structures, offering flexibility for personalized branding and niche market needs.
Pros and Cons of 3D Printing
Pros | Cons |
High customization and design flexibility | Limited to certain materials |
Rapid prototyping with faster turnaround | Higher costs for large-scale production |
Cost-effective for low-volume runs | Equipment can be expensive |
Lower material waste (eco-friendly) | Requires skilled operation and setup |
Enables complex shapes and intricate designs | Often requires post-processing |
On-demand and decentralized production is possible | Restricted build size for larger objects |
Screen Printing in Custom Packaging
Screen printing, also known as silk screen printing, is a popular technique for applying vibrant, durable designs directly onto packaging materials such as plastic, glass, metal, paper, and cardboard. The process involves pushing ink through a mesh screen (stencil) onto the packaging surface, allowing for precise, multi-colored, and high-quality decoration-even on irregular or curved shapes. Each color in the design requires a separate screen, making the method especially effective for bold graphics and tactile finishes like raised textures or metallic effects.
Pros and Cons of Screen Printing
Pros | Cons |
Durable and long-lasting prints | High setup costs and a time-consuming setup |
Vibrant, bold, and high-quality colors | Limited detail and color range; not ideal for intricate designs |
Versatile- works on many materials/shapes | Higher cost and complexity for multi-color designs (each color needs a separate screen) |
Cost-effective for large production runs | Not economical for small runs or frequent design changes |
Allows for special effects and customization | Labor-intensive and requires skilled operators |
Excellent color consistency across batches | Environmental impact from inks and solvents (unless eco-friendly alternatives are used) |
Summing Up
That’s all you need to know about custom printing, its types, and pros and cons. If you are looking for high-quality printing on custom packaging boxes for small businesses, get in contact with the Flick Pack sales team at (872) 260 6849. We will guide you with the best option that suits your custom packaging boxes without losing the charm and attractiveness.