What Can I Print On Custom Boxes?

Honestly, if you can dream it, there’s a good chance you can print it on a custom box or folding carton.

Whether it’s a matte finish, raised elements, high gloss shine, vibrant colors, or something more minimalist and durable, custom boxes are a versatile packaging solution for any brand.

Let’s take a look at what goes into printing custom boxes and which decorative effects are at your fingertips.

Printing on Custom Boxes

Custom boxes and folding cartons frequently have elaborate visual designs. These are made possible by one of two printing methods: offset and digital.

Offset Printing

Used in lithographic (“litho”) and flexographic (“flexo”) printing, offset is a traditional means of applying inks and visual designs to custom boxes relying on a sequence of etched aluminum plates fixed to a cylinder.

You can employ CMYK or eight-color printing in one movement, enhancing the visuals you apply to a wide variety of substrates. If you need to custom spot colors or find nearly perfect color matching, extended gamut printing augments your printing capabilities.

Offset printing is ideal for large print runs, because while upfront costs are greater, expenses reduce dramatically for each printed unit. Plus, offset delivers incredibly high quality, since its precise ink flow control facilitates sharp visual details.

Digital Printing

A relatively recent innovation, digital printing utilizes electronic files rather than etched plates for creating images. Since you don’t have to manufacture plates, the printing process is expedited, with lower upfront costs compared to traditional methods.

This delivers several meaningful advantages, including quicker turnarounds on print runs, greater customization and personalization, at-the-ready printing, and cost-effectiveness with low- and medium-volume runs.

Both approaches are implemented when printing custom boxes and folding cartons, so which decorative effects can you create with them?