How to choose the printing method for your Mailer Box

There are many different printing methods, each with unique disadvantages and advantages. Make the best printing choice based on the needs of the design, use the right packaging printing method, and better understand these printing processes. So let's take a look at the different printing methods currently on the market. And see which printing method is the best way for your mailer box.

1

Offset Lithography

Offset Lithography is a popular printing process that is suitable for a variety of marketing materials from business cards to marketing and sales sheets. It is also widely used in packaging, especially folding cartons and label printing, sometimes called offset labels. Lithography provides business owners with the opportunity to create packaging with a high-end retail quality appearance. Lithography provides business owners with the opportunity to create packaging with a high-end retail quality appearance. In terms of surface treatment, the surface treatment can be improved by adding specialty coatings to form an ultra-high gloss, matte or soft touch surface treatment, thereby increasing the perceived value of the goods. This is the most use way for our mailer box.

2

Flexographic Printing

Flexible packaging printing has become more and more popular due to the various advantages of flexible packaging. Flexographic printing for packaging, also known as flexography, is often used for flexible packaging such as self-supporting bags. In addition, it can also be an effective printing option for corrugated box packaging. One of the advantages of flexographic printing is that it is cost-effective per unit, and the turnaround time is usually much faster than other packaging printing procedures. Flexographic printing is known for its fast production speed and low cost, but its quality is not high. If you need to print high-quality photos, this may not be the best solution. However, despite these disadvantages, the economics of flexographic printing help to maintain its popularity when it comes to packaging printing.

3

Digital Printing

As one of the most flexible printing technologies among packaging alternatives, digital printing is one of the most versatile applications. Today, digital printing is used in labels, corrugated boxes, folding cartons, prototypes, self-supporting bags, etc. In addition to flexibility, electronic printing also provides fast turnaround time. There is usually no die-cutting fee, because all die-cutting is usually done by automatic cutting tables, and the printing quality is actually as good as lithography, with excellent results. Although there is no other plate fee, the price is also relatively higher than offset printing, which is more suitable for small batch production. If you want to print a large number of copies, the cost will increase rapidly.

Digital printing only uses CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black), sometimes enhanced by OGV (orange, green, violet), but PMS colors are generally not available on these machines. Adaptation of Pantone Matching System (PMS) colors is also challenging, and there are not as many coating options available as with lithographic printing (e.g. packaging). Depending on the needs, digital printing can be an excellent solution.

4

Gravure

Gravure is commonly used for high-volume packaging production (industrial production of millions of pieces), for flexible self-supporting bags and folding cartons, packaging gravure is one of the most common printing methods for high-volume printing. Gravure printing provides excellent print quality and is able to reproduce high-quality images. Gravure printing can create continuous-tone images, which means that even large-volume printing can achieve consistent high-quality printing. Although gravure cylinders are very durable and can be used for multiple print runs, their original price is very expensive. There are not many coating alternatives available, and larger quantities are usually required to be more cost-effective. However, gravure printing remains one of the most popular printing choices.

5

Screen Printing 

Screen printing produces crisp, clear, and crisp printed text and images. This printing method can be used on a variety of materials, such as fabrics, labels, folding cartons, corrugated packaging, and plastics. It is also perfect for creating promotional and marketing materials such as T-shirts and mugs, and the installation price is usually very affordable. It is an excellent choice for short-run jobs, and screen printing is also used for corrugated packaging and non-flat surfaces. The additional screen costs and setup time for multiple color production can seriously hinder screen printing production. In addition, the thicker the printing ink, the more difficult it is to achieve a high-quality image; each screen printing color is a solid color by itself, and it cannot be gradient. The surface finish is usually not as clean, and it is not easy to reproduce a photo-quality image with absolute certainty. That said, screen printing may be the perfect solution for short-run packaging tasks.