What is the Tech Manufacturing Process for Packaging?

The packaging manufacturing process…. A long and sometimes complicated road when you don't know which steps to follow! Between practicality, emotion, and environmental concern, the design of any packaging is no longer accessible.

But since the success of our activities depends on it, there is no question of neglecting it! From the specifications to passing the impression, in concrete terms, what are we getting into?

Summary

• 1 Before you start
• 2 The choice of materials
• 3 Budgeting
• 4 Confirmation of the order
• 5 Packaging and packaging printing systems
• 5.1 Digital printing
• 5.2 Offset printing
• 5.3 Screen printing
• 5.4 Flexography
• 5.5 Photogravure
• 6 What innovations for my packaging?
• 6.1 Thermal inks
• 6.2 Edible inks
• 6.3 Texture games
• 6.4 Scents in packaging

Before starting

Any packaging manufacturing process necessarily begins with a few preliminary questions. First of all, we will briefly ask ourselves why we want to create or change the packaging.

A new collection to launch?An extension of the range to present? A repositioning to be carried out? A facelift to bring?

Packaging representing an already existing brand must necessarily respect its codes and visual identity.

We will also think about the distribution channels, which will impose technical constraints, and we will ensure that the product type is respected. A package of pasta is not designed in the same way as a cosmetic package!

And before getting started, we take a quick look at the competition. The difficulty of any marketing project is to stand out without altogether rejecting current trends.

This is it, are you there? So we move on!

The choice of materials

Cartons, boxes, filling materials, a wide choice of possibilities are available to us when it comes to choosing the elements that will make up our packaging. The final decision will primarily take into account the nature of the product, and for the rest, we listen to what we want!

One of the trends of the moment? Multi-material packaging!

Rather plastic?

Ouch, some are already frowning! It must be said that faced with the environmental issues of the moment, plastic does not have much press and rightly so.

Too bad, we still have to recognize its lightness and versatility, which until then made it an excellent ally in any packaging manufacturing process. If plastic is part of your specifications, opt as much as possible for simple shapes made from recycled materials such as PET!

Otherwise, other materials will be preferred.

Rather Aluminum?

Resistant, light, and malleable, aluminum is a significant asset among food packaging and allows excellent achievements in terms of design. We particularly appreciate the possible finishes, such as gilding or embossing.

And the little extra? It is infinitely recyclable!

Rather glass?

Difficult to do more chic! The glass gives the product a truly premium look and the possibility of making pretty engraved impressions that will not prevent the contents from being seen.

Rather cellulose?

Wood, paper, or cardboard belong to what is called cellulosic material. Lightweight and deliverable flat, we particularly like them for their economical cost and their biodegradable quality.

And then, cardboard packaging has the advantage of supporting several printing methods for many possible renderings!

From colors to patterns and down to the smallest finishes, each addition offers an exceptional result. We will also think of the molded fiber obtained from recycled paper. Already widely used in egg cartons, it will suit many types of industries.

Budgeting

An essential criterion that many companies still tend to relegate to the background when faced with expenditure items that are nevertheless secondary. However, there is no question of getting started without calculating the cost of a product packaging, which will help us to delimit the design possibilities!

To make maximum savings without neglecting quality, we will make sure to use the most suitable packaging for the product, which will avoid the use of additional materials for wedging and protection, for example.

Best price packaging and French manufacturing

Does your brand advocate naturalness and simplicity? So we forget the overbidding of decorative layers and texture games, to get back to basics. Moreover, even in a more luxury-oriented collection, we also notice that the time is not really for very elaborate packaging.

We want the simple, practical, and intelligent! Therefore, it is more on this site that we will place our investments.

And since the packaging market is particularly competitive, we will maintain good relations with our suppliers to forge healthy relationships, which will invite discussion, even negotiation. Enough to find winning solutions for both partners and spend a little less money!

Life is made up of a succession of stages that will undoubtedly have to be taken, but above all, not to be burned down.

Monique Moreau.

Confirmation of the order

At the end of your proposal, once the shapes are defined, and the graphic styles have been chosen, things continue by definitively validating the project and placing the first orders.

What quantities? It's up to you, but it may be prudent to order only a few copies to see what can be done with them.

Confirmation of the order

Some companies will notably offer you a digital proof. It is merely a simulation of the printing to come to allow you to verify that the visual corresponds to your expectations.

Validate it as soon as possible because otherwise, printing cannot be started! Do not choose this option if you only have a tight deadline.

Here, PrintCosmo has chosen to facilitate the packaging manufacturing process. Browse the many models, make your personalization online and order a first model to get an idea of ​​the visual! Everything will be dealt with as soon as possible.

Packaging and packaging printing systems

Each product has its own technical or packaging specifications, and each project has its printing method. After some research, we will define our final packaging manufacturing process by choosing from:

Digital printing

Fast, flexible, and offering competitive prices, digital printing allows very high-quality results in a minimum of time. Continuous flow printing also reduces paper waste.

Besides, the method is particularly suitable for various labels, textiles, and cardboard. In particular, it encompasses several techniques prevalent today, including inkjet, which helps to avoid the crushing problems often encountered with other machines.

On the other hand, we regret that the colors are sometimes light, requiring the additional varnish application.

Offset printing

A technique derived from lithography and particularly suitable for large prints.

Here, the desired image is reproduced on a metal plate using the photoengraving process. Ink is then added to it before passing a cylinder, which will print the pattern on the chosen medium.

Offset printing thus calls for specific know-how and requires rather heavy equipment. However, it seduces without difficulty thanks to its excellent rendering and the rapid drying of the ink.

Screen printing

Suitable for flat or 3D supports, screen printing allows printing in both small and large formats. Like a stencil, ink is applied here on a canvas using a doctor blade.

The technique is interesting because it makes it possible to cover a large number of supports. However, the results obtained are generally not as beautiful as those of other methods, and the entire process is rather expensive.

Flexography

Flexography is quite close to screen printing, with the difference that the page is done here in relief. It works exceptionally well on premium labels and newspapers.

To be preferred for an average quantity of prints.

Photogravure

Ink deposited in the cells of a cylinder, apply pressure on the chosen medium and voila!

Very similar to offset, gravure printing offers exceptional quality rendering and works perfectly well on all cardboard media. On the other hand, the execution time being rather long, we will prefer the gravure printing for relatively large orders.

Works perfectly well on all cardboard substrates.

What are the technical constraints of your product? What result do you want to achieve? Ask yourself the right questions to choose the most suitable solution!

On cardboard packaging, for example, the options will be vast, but we may opt for the first solutions to suddenly settle the questions of cost and implementation time. Other processes will also offer excellent finishes such as hot foil stamping, which will bring pretty metallic patterns to your surfaces.

What innovations for my packaging?

To facilitate the entire packaging manufacturing process or to help you go even further, innovations are rife! Are you instead packaging with smells or edible ink?

Innovation is the incredible intersection of a person and the reality in which they live.

Ron Johnson

Innovation is the incredible intersection of a person and the reality in which they live.

Thermal inks

Invisible inks after printing, and which reveal all their colors when subjected to high temperatures (between 75 and 95 ° C). To do what?

To save money already, thermal inkjet marking is one of the most competitive on the market for speed and print quality, as well as for ease of use and total lack of maintenance.

And then the process is rather clean to use and that, we necessarily appreciate! The application of thermal inks has become widely democratized among industries to the point of becoming one of the most commonly used methods in the world.

Use primarily on cardboard and kraft papers!

Edible inks

To reduce their packaging, some have opted for logos or slogans directly printed on the product! The ink is natural and harmless to health.

Of course, the idea is used today mainly by fruit and vegetable distributors, but who knows, maybe we will see the trend become more widespread in the years to come?

Texture games

The appeal of packaging goes through multiple elements beyond the visual! Things do not stop at the straightforward putting on the shelves, and we must continue to convince once the product is in the hands of the customer.

Much more than a few colors via the Pantone color chart and beautiful images, we will opt for different materials and finishes that the consumer will discover by touch. Kraft, for example, says a lot about the identity and values ​​of a brand. Its raw, unworked texture necessarily links it to today's eco-responsible designs.

So what do we choose? Maybe consider:

• Textured fabrics.
• Embossed paper.
• Suede effect coating.
• Engraving.
• The print.
• Matte or satin finishes.
• Raised patterns.

The trend is for mixtures, so why not have fun! This will give your packaging a more personalized appearance, for real added value.

Scents in the packaging

After the packaging that is eaten, make way for good smells!

Some fabrics used today for packaging contain microbeads that will release their fragrance for up to 14 months. And the little extra is that it is even possible to choose the intensity of the scent.

Sight, touch, and even smell, we definitely can't wait to see what the innovations will be!