{"id":3632,"date":"2026-10-29T11:55:28","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T03:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.descarc.com\/blog\/?p=3632"},"modified":"2026-10-29T11:55:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T03:55:28","slug":"what-are-the-printing-techniques-used-on-other-packaging-4a8e-058d59","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.descarc.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/29\/what-are-the-printing-techniques-used-on-other-packaging-4a8e-058d59\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the printing techniques used on other packaging?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I first started as a supplier for other packaging materials back in 2012, I thought printing on things like corrugated inserts, kraft paper pouches, and foam protective layers would be pretty straightforward. Sure, I knew about inkjet and flexography from my days working with retail boxes, but I quickly learned that the \u201cother packaging\u201d space is a whole different animal\u2014one that requires specialized techniques that account for every unique material, shape, and end use. Today, I want to walk you through the most common, reliable printing techniques we use for non-traditional packaging, why they matter, and how they\u2019ve evolved to meet the needs of industries from artisanal crafts to electronics. Other Packaging<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the most workhorse technique in our workshop: rotogravure printing, or gravure for short. If you\u2019ve ever held a thick kraft paper mailer or a heavy-duty foam insert for a power tool, there\u2019s a good chance it was printed with gravure. Here\u2019s how it works, in plain terms: instead of flat plates like flexography, we use a cylindrical copper plate etched with tiny, recessed cells that hold ink. The cylinder rolls over the packaging material, leaving a precise layer of ink exactly where it\u2019s needed. What makes gravure perfect for our kind of packaging is its ability to handle thick, porous materials\u2014things like corrugated board, uncoated paper, and even certain types of rigid foam\u2014without smudging or bleeding. We can run it at high speeds for bulk orders, which is why many of our industrial clients rely on it for large runs of custom inserts or protective wrapping. Unlike digital printing, which is better for small batches, gravure is cost-effective for runs above 10,000 units, which makes it ideal for our standard custom packaging lines. I remember a client last year that makes handmade wooden furniture; they needed heavy-duty corrugated corner protectors printed with their logo and \u201cfragile\u201d messaging, and gravure was the only technique that could apply the bold, thick text they wanted without warping the thin foam backing of the insert. That\u2019s the kind of problem we solve every day.<\/p>\n

Next up is flexography, or flexo, which gets a lot of attention in the flexible packaging world, and for good reason. A lot of people mix up flexo and gravure, but the key difference is in the printing plate: flexo uses soft, flexible rubber or photopolymer plates that are raised in the design areas. Ink sticks to the raised parts, and a roller presses the plate onto the packaging material, transferring the design. Flexo is versatile enough to work on a huge range of \u201cother packaging\u201d materials, from thin plastic sheeting used for product wraps to textured paper used for gift boxes, and even some specialty textiles that we use for custom dust covers. What I love most about flexo is its adaptability for variable design elements\u2014like a client that makes artisanal tea blends needed small batches of paper tea bag tags printed with each tea\u2019s unique name, and flexo let us swap out the tags quickly without stopping the entire press line. It\u2019s also more affordable than gravure for mid-sized runs, so it\u2019s a go-to for small businesses that don\u2019t need 50,000 units of packaging but still want a professional look. We recently worked with a local candle maker on custom kraft paper sleeves for their glass jars; the textured paper was too uneven for many digital printers, but flexo\u2019s soft plates conformed to the paper\u2019s bumps and printed their delicate floral design perfectly, no gaps or faded edges. That\u2019s the kind of nuance that makes our job worth it.<\/p>\n

Now, if you\u2019ve ever seen a vibrant, full-color design on a small batch of packaging\u2014like a limited-edition custom insert for a gaming accessory\u2014it was probably printed with digital printing, and specifically, inkjet or laser digital printing. This technique has transformed the \u201cother packaging\u201d space over the last 15 years, because it lets us print on demand, with no plates or setup time. For small runs, or for packaging that needs variable data (like a unique serial number on each insert, or a custom thank-you message on a paper pouch), digital printing is unbeatable. Unlike gravure or flexo, which require creating custom plates for each design, digital printing sends the design directly from a computer to a print head that sprays tiny droplets of ink onto the packaging material. We use digital printing a lot for our small-business clients: a jewelry maker might need 500 custom foam inserts for their new line, and digital printing lets us print their logo and a small image of each jewelry piece on the insert\u2019s surface, which makes unboxing feel personal. It\u2019s also great for materials that are too thin or delicate for traditional techniques, like tissue paper used for wrapping high-end clothing. The only downside is that for very large runs, digital printing can be more expensive per unit than gravure or flexo, so we always recommend it for batches under 5,000 units. Last quarter, we worked with a startup that makes portable Bluetooth speakers; they needed 2,000 custom corrugated inserts printed with their logo and compatibility icons, and digital printing let us turn around the order in three days, which was critical for their product launch. That speed is something traditional techniques just can\u2019t match.<\/p>\n

Wait, there\u2019s another technique that\u2019s super important for the kind of packaging we do, especially when we need designs that feel tactile or durable: screen printing, or silk screening. I know, it\u2019s not the first thing most people think of for packaging, but it\u2019s perfect for our specialty materials. Screen printing uses a fine mesh stencil to transfer ink onto a surface; we block out the areas we don\u2019t want printed, then pull ink across the mesh with a squeegee, pushing ink through the stencil onto the packaging. The result is a thick, opaque layer of ink that\u2019s super durable, so it won\u2019t scratch or fade even if the packaging is handled roughly. We use screen printing a lot for rigid packaging materials, like thick plastic trays used for electronics components, or heavy-duty foam inserts for power tools. A few months ago, a client that makes industrial tool kits came to us with a problem: they needed foam inserts printed with small, precise labels for each tool in the kit, and the labels had to hold up to being pulled in and out of the foam hundreds of times. Flexo and digital printing would have produced a thin, flimsy ink layer that would wear off, but screen printing\u2019s thick ink stayed intact, even after 1,000 test pulls. It\u2019s also great for bright, bold colors that pop on dark materials\u2014if you\u2019ve ever seen a black foam insert with bright yellow safety messaging, that\u2019s almost always screen printed. We\u2019ve even used it on specialty materials like textured fabric used for custom dust covers for camera gear; the mesh stencil lets the ink sink into the fabric\u2019s weave, creating a design that\u2019s both soft and durable, not just a flat ink layer.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s talk about the less common, but still vital, techniques we use for specific, high-end applications. One of those is hot foil stamping, which is often used in conjunction with other printing techniques to add a premium touch. Hot foil stamping uses a heated metal die to press thin metallic or pigmented foil onto the packaging material, leaving a shiny, raised design. It\u2019s not a full printing technique on its own, but it\u2019s perfect for adding logos, text, or accents to \u201cother packaging\u201d that needs to feel high-end. For example, a luxury skincare brand might use kraft paper boxes for their products, printed with flexo, and then add a hot foil stamp of their logo in gold for a premium look. We also use cold foil stamping for some bulk orders, which works similarly but uses adhesive instead of heat, making it more affordable for large runs. Another specialty technique is pad printing, which is used for printing on curved or irregular surfaces\u2014things like the edges of plastic containers, or the sides of small foam components that don\u2019t have a flat surface. Pad printing uses a silicone pad to transfer ink from a clich\u00e9 onto the curved surface, so it can follow the shape of the material without smudging. We used pad printing last year for a client that makes custom game pieces; they needed small foam dice printed with numbers on each face, and the curved edges of the dice made flexo or digital printing impossible. Pad printing let us print each number clearly, even on the rounded edges, which was a game-changer for their product.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the thing: as a supplier for other packaging, we don\u2019t just pick a technique because it works technically. We have to think about the client\u2019s needs: how many units do they need? What\u2019s their budget? What material are they using? What\u2019s the end use of the packaging? A restaurant that needs disposable takeout sleeves printed with their logo has completely different needs than a tech company that needs custom inserts for a new laptop. We recently had two clients come to us on the same day, both needing packaging for their products. One was a local pet supply brand that needed 2,000 paper pouches for organic dog treats; their budget was tight, and they needed the order in a week, so we recommended flexo printing, which was affordable and fast. The other was a medical device startup that needed 500 custom foam inserts for a portable blood glucose monitor; the inserts had to be durable enough to protect the device during shipping, and the design had to be precise to fit the device\u2019s shape, so we recommended digital printing, which gave us the detail and speed they needed for a small batch. That\u2019s the kind of tailored advice we offer, not just a one-size-fits-all solution.<\/p>\n

Over the years, we\u2019ve also seen how printing techniques for other packaging have evolved to be more sustainable, which is a huge priority for most of our clients now. Traditional printing used a lot of solvent-based inks that were harmful to the environment, but now most of the techniques we use\u2014flexo, gravure, digital, screen printing\u2014use water-based or soy-based inks that are non-toxic and recyclable. We also work with clients to print designs that use less ink, which reduces waste and makes the packaging more eco-friendly. For example, a client that makes reusable food storage bags wanted to print their logo with a thin, light ink layer instead of a thick one, so we used digital printing to get the precise, thin layer they wanted without sacrificing quality. It\u2019s not just about making packaging that looks good\u2014it\u2019s about making packaging that\u2019s responsible, too.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a business owner, product manager, or designer who needs custom packaging that\u2019s not your standard retail box, I know how overwhelming it can be to figure out which printing technique will work best. Every material, every design, every order size is different, and that\u2019s where our experience comes in. We\u2019ve worked with everything from corrugated board to specialty foam to textured paper, and we\u2019ve tested every printing technique to know which one will give you the results you need, on time and on budget. Whether you need a small batch of custom inserts for a new product launch, a large run of protective wrapping for industrial equipment, or something in between, we can help you navigate the options. We\u2019ve solved hundreds of printing problems for other packaging, and we\u2019re ready to tackle yours.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re ready to talk through your project, from the material you\u2019re using to the design and order size, reach out to our team to discuss your needs. We don\u2019t believe in generic solutions, and we take the time to understand what makes your product unique, because your packaging should reflect that too.<\/p>\n

Packaging Roll Film<\/a> References<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Soroka, W. (2022). Fundamentals of Packaging Technology. Institute of Packaging Professionals.<\/li>\n
  2. Allen, D. (2021). Printing for Non-Traditional Packaging: Techniques and Applications. Packaging Technology and Science.<\/li>\n
  3. Thompson, G. (2020). Sustainable Printing Practices for Flexible and Specialty Packaging. Journal of Sustainable Packaging.<\/li>\n
  4. Meier, J. (2019). Digital Printing for On-Demand Packaging: Benefits and Limitations. Industrial Packaging Magazine.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    Shenzhen Hongbang Packaging Production Co., Ltd.<\/a>
    We are one of the most experienced other packaging manufacturers and suppliers in China, specialized in providing high quality custom service. Please feel free to buy bulk other packaging made in China here from our factory. For quotation and free sample, contact us now.
    Address: Room 601, BLDG D, Wisdom Centre, No. 58 Nanlian Road, Longgang, Shenzhen China 518116
    E-mail: pm@hongbangpack.com
    WebSite:     https:\/\/www.hongbangpack.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    When I first started as a supplier for other packaging materials back in 2012, I thought … What are the printing techniques used on other packaging?<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":223,"featured_media":3632,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3595],"class_list":["post-3632","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","tag-other-packaging-42d3-05c493"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.descarc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3632","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.descarc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.descarc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.descarc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/223"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.descarc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3632"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.descarc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3632\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.descarc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3632"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.descarc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3632"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.descarc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3632"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.descarc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3632"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}