Whenever it comes to product packaging, you must assure that you produce a design that distinguishes your goods from the competitors. Therefore, you need to be informed of a variety of various printing processes, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Now, let us just take a look at the best printing for packaging technologies and analyze their benefits and drawbacks:
Printing via Lithography
Advantages
High quantity and accuracy are the best applications for this product. Colorful Lithography is a preferred printing process for a wide range of marketing products. From company logos to pamphlets and sales flyers, we've got you covered. It is also widely utilized in packaging, particularly for foldable boxes and label printing (also known as litho labels).
Disadvantages
Custom design plates necessitate a considerable investment in production. However, these are a 'one-time' fee, and providing no modifications to design are made when you want to print additional packages, you will be willing to reuse your print equipment for that order. Lead times have also increased. And, to keep lithographic prints for packaging costs low, big volumes are usually preferable.
Flexographic Printing
Advantages
Relatively large quantities are best suited for such use. Flexible packaging printing has become extremely common as a result of the various advantages this packaging style provides. Flexographic printing for packing, often referred to as flexo printing, is widely utilized for flexible packaging including stand-up bags. Flexographic printing has the benefit of being cost-effective for each unit. These savings may be carried on to you since equipment expenses are reduced.
Disadvantages
However, as compared to lithographic printing, the value might change because color variations are not clear, and it has difficulty generating high-quality pictures. With these disadvantages, the low cost of flexographic printing contributes to its success in package printing.
Digital Printing
Advantages
It is best suited for low-volume print with a quick turnaround. Digital printing, which is among the most adaptable printing processes for packaging, provides a wide range of uses. Digital printing is extremely efficient to produce increased print quality for labeling, corrugated packages, foldable boxes, prototypes, stand-up bags, and other items. Aside from its adaptability, digital printing has quick turnaround times, sometimes as short as two weeks, and there are few equipment or set-up expenses involved with this printing for package approach. In reality, because all die cut is performed on an automatic work table, there are generally no die plates expenses.
Disadvantages
Huge quantities are not reasonably priced, and no customized PMS spot colors are accessible. When printing in big quantities, the expenses can rapidly mount up. There comes a point at which an alternative package printing process may be much more cost-effective. Colors from the Pantone Matching System can sometimes be difficult to match, and there aren't too many coated possibilities as there are with lithographic print for packaging.
Printing by Rotogravure
Advantages
It is best suited for massive amounts and precise color. Rotogravure print for packing is among the most extensively utilized printing processes for high-frequency printing. It is most widely utilized in flexible stand-up bag printing and foldable boxes. This process commonly referred to as gravure printing is commonly implemented in the printing of design attributes. Rotogravure printing produces great printing and can reproduce the best quality images. Printing durations are quite fast, with current machines capable of generating 14 meters of film in one second.
Disadvantages
While gravure cylinders are strong and durable and may be utilized for numerous printing processes, the initial cost is prohibitively expensive. There aren't many coating possibilities, and to be cost-effective, greater quantities are usually necessary. Nevertheless, rotogravure printing remains among the most common printing methods and might be the ideal printing for package options for your company, particularly if you want high-quality printing for your package.
Printing using Silkscreen
Advantages
It is utilized mostly for smaller amounts and fewer colors. To printed pictures and text, silkscreen printing gives a simple, crisp finishing. This package printing process may be utilized on a variety of materials, including cloth, corrugated boxes, and plastic. Prototypes, labeling, marketing materials, corrugated packages, and foldable boxes may all be made using it. Such printing is ideal for companies that utilize pre-made or inventory packaging. It's also ideal for printing advertising and sales goods like t-shirts or cups. Set-up expenses are generally quite low, making it an excellent choice for low-volume projects.
Disadvantages
Major drawbacks of silkscreen printing for packing include a slow turnaround period than litho print and a higher risk of human mistakes. Typically, the finishing may not be as smooth, and it is hard to recreate photo-quality pictures with any real principles. Silkscreen printing may be an excellent choice for low-volume packaging projects and prototypes.
