новости компании о The process and characteristics of corrugated box printing

Direct printing and pre printing are the two major types of corrugated cardboard box printing. In essence, selecting a technique is a trade-off between order quantity, production cost, and printing quality.
1. Direct printing on corrugated cardboard using flexographic direct printing
Features include low cost, great efficiency, and the ability to produce in tandem (printing, slotting, and gluing may be done all at once); nevertheless, printing accuracy is restricted and color performance is mediocre.
2. Indirect offset printing: Print the surface paper first, then attach it to the cardboard that is corrugated.
Features: The most beautiful printing effect, capable of restoring intricate layers and complicated images; however, it requires several steps, is inefficient, and is expensive.
3. Screen printing: Printing straight onto surface paper or cardboard
Features include a thick coating of ink, powerful visual impact, and high color saturation. However, the efficiency is low, making it unsuitable for fine designs.
4. Gravure/flexographic pre-printing: Apply the corrugated line composite after printing the surface paper roll.
Features: Exquisite printing, high quality and efficiency, and suitability for large-scale manufacturing; however, the initial investment in equipment and plate making is substantial.

Features of various crafts
1. The best option for packaging for shipment is flexographic direct printing.
Currently, "watermarking" is the most popular technique in China.
Characteristic: Economy and efficiency are the main advantages. The production cycle can be significantly shortened by connecting several processes, including printing, slotting, creasing, and box adhering, on a single machine. In the meanwhile, it uses light pressure printing, which has the least effect on corrugated cardboard's strength.
2. The superior option for sales packaging is offset indirect printing.
Offset printing is the best option when cardboard boxes need to serve as "silent salespeople" to draw shoppers to shelves.
Features: Bright colors and delicate layers allow for photo-level printing effects. Surface finishing techniques like laminating and polishing can be used after printing to improve texture and durability even more.
3. Pre-printing procedure: a cutting-edge approach that blends effectiveness and quality.
Pre-printing is a forward-thinking production technique that works particularly well for sectors like milk and drinks that need high-quality cardboard boxes in big quantities.
Features: It combines the high efficiency of corrugated production lines with the high precision of gravure/flexographic printing. Once the roll paper has been attractively printed, it is fed into a high-speed corrugated production machine that can laminate and cut it at a speed of up to 150–300 meters per minute. Additionally, by printing before the cardboard is made, printing pressure-related damage to the cardboard's strength is prevented.

How to choose the appropriate printing process?
I advise you to begin by asking the following three questions before deciding on a process:
What is your primary goal?
The primary focus is transportation protection (e.g., logistics boxes); the most economical option is direct printing with flexible printing.
Offset printing and indirect printing can produce the best display impact when promoting sales as the primary goal (e.g., supermarket aisle products).
Pre-printing technique can be taken into consideration for large-scale items that balance both elements (like 24 bottle beverage packs).

What is your budget and order quantity?
Small batch, variety: Flexographic and offset printing are less expensive to make plates and offer greater flexibility.
Ultra big batch and long-term products: Pre printing is more beneficial because the cost per unit will drastically drop as production increases, despite the hefty initial expenditure.
To what extent do you need printing accuracy?
Flexographic printing can completely satisfy the requirements if the packaging is mostly made up of huge color blocks, thick lines, and large text.
Offset printing or superior pre printing is required if the packaging design incorporates intricate landscape paintings, portrait photographs, or incredibly small typography.