Introduction
From the most classic to the most innovative, packaging in custom boxes are incredibly diverse, each with its associated production methods. Of course, the protection aspect remains fundamental here, but protection without the customer's appeal would be a mistake in your manufacturing process!
Glass
Transparent and perfectly healthy, glass is particularly appreciated for its precious appearance. But, on the other hand, glass is a 100% hygienic and bacteriologically inert material, making it a preferred choice in the food sector.
Heat resistant, you can prepare food in a jiffy and wash it after use with the same ease. Its transparent side also offers a very appreciable view of the product contained inside. And then, in the age of eco-design, difficult to compete with glass, reusable and recyclable endlessly!
Disadvantages:
Low impact resistance
Low heat conduction
Relatively high cost
Metallic materials
There are generally two main types of materials, steel and aluminum. Most of the time, steel is integrated with other materials to produce a finished product that is stronger and less vulnerable to corrosion.
Among metallic materials, we will most often meet:
For example, tinplate, a mixture of steel and tin, is widely used in custom packaging for small business food preservation (cans, cookie boxes, tins, etc.); it is also used as packaging for many industrial products such as aerosols or shoe polish. Disadvantage: corrosive.
Chromed iron is composed of steel and a layer of chromium, more resistant and less susceptible to corrosion—aluminum, long recognized for its lightness, stability, and many possibilities of use. Packaging for chocolates, cake mounds, aerosols and even the interior coating of certain milk and fruit juice cartons, aluminum is of all uses! Disadvantages: rather expensive, limited shapes.
Note that metallic materials, by definition, do not offer the possibility of taking a look at the contents of our packaging. Therefore, the opportunity to redouble creativity by opting for particular finishes will make a real difference against the competition!
Plastics
Controversial, perhaps, but plastic has long proven itself in terms of flexibility and practicality. Lightweight, versatile and very inexpensive, plastic is a staple in the agri-food sector, where it is simply available in a multitude of shapes and designs to surprise consumers constantly.
A pouring spout or an easy opening can be integrated into it at will, something that our competitors may not have the chance to do depending on the production methods and packaging materials chosen. As for the ecological dimension, we can see today that solutions are emerging here and there to counter the harmful effects of the material. PET, for example (polyethylene terephthalate), which is found more and more regularly in soft drinks, can be recycled endlessly!
Disadvantages:
Often not recyclable, but alternatives are progressing.
Cellulosic materials
How can we finally miss cellulosic materials made from wood, paper or cardboard? The food, fashion and cosmetics sectors have already made it a real institution. But, if they are so appealing, it is above all because they are light, inexpensive and incredibly versatile. In addition, they are one of those packaging materials capable of supporting different production and printing methods, with a wide variety of renderings.
Among the most famous, we find in particular:
Corrugated cardboard, the most common of all, splines can vary from one to four, depending on the product contained. Wood, a natural product sometimes supplemented by other materials for an optimal result.
Molded fiber, which is one of the most durable packaging materials today. For example, these are our egg cartons, totally biodegradable and obtained from recycled paper, but we can also find a wide variety of objects.
Disadvantages:
Less resistant than glass or metallic materials
Sensitive to humidity
Printing process and choice of inks
You are advancing in leaps and bounds! Still, there seem to be new choices to be made all the time. Which printing technique to choose when the time is right? There are five globally, each with its specificities.
Offset printing
Choose for solid board and paper.
It is difficult to miss offset printing as it is recognized. The process takes place here flat and offers high-end renderings with incomparable finishes. The ink dries by oxidation, and printing is most often done in a four-color process, in other words using the four basic colours: magenta, cyan, yellow and black.
Use a Pantone- like a color chart to define exactly what you need! Given its relatively low cost, offset printing will suit both large runs and small runs.
Disadvantages:
Fragile printing plates
Paper-intensive implementation depending on the project
Digital printing:
To be chosen for small and medium series. Here the design is transferred directly from the computer to the printer, reducing costs and production time. In addition, it is print quality comparable to offset allows the design of very high-quality packaging.
Disadvantages:
Usually non-recyclable ink
Unstable color retention
Not suitable for large print runs
Flexographic printing
Choose for large prints on corrugated cardboard. Flexographic printing is suitable for all types of media and will withstand both water-based and oil-based inks. Its principle vaguely evokes that of an ink pad on a very large scale and, if it is not yet extremely widespread, it is gaining wide popularity in the packaging sector, where it also allows the design of pretty personalized labels.
Disadvantages:
Reproduction of complex images due to the sensitivity of the setting
Screen printing
Namely, for corrugated cardboard, plastic adapted to flat, or 3D supports, both small and large formats will make room for screen printing. As a stencil, it offers reliable results that are compatible with many types of media!
Disadvantages:
Less finesse than with other techniques
Expensive method for large runs
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