Producing high-quality packaging for your products requires precision design and printing techniques. Many packaging printers offer these features, but how do you know which brand and model is the best for your business?
A recent study reveals that 72% of consumers say that product packaging influences their buying decisions. This means that whether you’re looking to launch a new brand or rebrand, you’ll need a good printer for packaging to deliver an exceptional customer experience and sway consumers.
This blog focuses on packaging printers, how they work, and the features to consider when buying one for your business. Let’s get started.
What is a Packaging Printer?
A packaging printer is a unique device designed to print custom logos, art, banners, and other branding material on packaging. Depending on the type of packaging material you’re printing on and your industry, you’ll need a specialized printer for packaging to help your product stand out in the market. Here are some types of packaging printers:
- Laser Printers: Powered by toner (fine powder), laser printers aren’t ideal for large packaging jobs but can easily handle printing jobs that require precision, accuracy, and speed.
- Inkjet Printers: Inkjet printers involve a printer head spraying tiny droplets of ink onto the paper. Inkjet printing is best for smaller production units as it produces high-quality prints on various materials.
- Flexographic Printers: Operating on a roll-to-roll basis, the fast and efficient flexographic printers are suitable for high-quality, high-volume, and bulk printing tasks.
Each type of printer has its pros and cons. Businesses need to match their requirements to the type of printer to find the best fit.
Why Packaging Matters in Business
Whether you’re digital printing for food packaging or using a photo printer, excellent print quality is the key to making an impact. You can leave a lasting impression on your consumers with the product packaging you design.
Considering that packaging is often the first thing consumers see and interact with, purchasing a good packaging printer is paramount to multiplying brand value. Investing in high-quality packaging and printing processes not only increases brand awareness but also drives more sales and improves customer retention. Various packaging printing methods are available but companies need to choose one that best fits their requirements.
Source: Shutterstock
Key Features to Look for in a Packaging Printer
From manufacturers to printer models, and price point to different printing methods, here are some packaging printer features that businesses should check out:
- Print Speed: Print speed, measured in pages per minute (PPM), is a solid indicator of a printer’s capacity to print pages at a high speed. Businesses requiring multiple printouts quickly such as law firms, healthcare facilities, and financial services providers must consider this feature.
- Print Volume: Organizations that need to make a large volume of copies/prints each day should look for a printer for packaging that can handle large volumes of prints.
- Material Flexibility: Look for a printer that can print on a variety of flexible materials and surfaces such as non-flat surfaces, folding cartons, plastic, paper, corrugated material, and cardboard.
- Print Quality: Make sure that the printer prints in high resolution (measured in dots per inch), and maintains colour accuracy on paper.
- Cost Efficiency: In this competitive market, many cost-effective options are available. Consider the upfront costs of a printer and the expected operational expenses to make a good financial decision.
Popular Printing Methods for Packaging
Each printing method for packaging has its own advantages and disadvantages. Business owners need to choose one that matches their operational needs. Check out the different printing methods for packaging below:
Digital Printing
🖨️ Ideal for: Office supplies, marketing, books, apparel and garment printing.
Digital printing converts digital files into physical prints on different printing surfaces such as canvas, fabric, or cardstock.
Screen Printing
🖨️ Ideal for: Artwork, t-shirts, posters, and signage.
Commonly known as silk screen printing, this technique derives its name from the use of silk mesh material. Ink is forced through this material onto the surface to print.
Flexographic Printing
🖨️ Ideal for: Corrugated boxes, label printing, specialty items, food packaging, carton packaging
Also known as flexo printing, this printing technique utilizes flexible relief plates for ink application. Each custom printing plate is wrapped around the cylinder for one colour.
Lithography Printing
🖨️ Ideal for: Newspapers, boxes, letterheads, business cards, and other office supplies printing.
Also known as offset printing, offset lithography printing works through metal plates. The printing plates transfer the image to a rubber blanket or roller, which then transfers it onto the paper. Great for intricate designs.
Learn more: Digital vs Offset Printing: Which Is Better for Your Business?
Rotogravure Printing
🖨️ Ideal for: Commercial printing, flexible packaging, wallpaper, wrapping paper, and postcards
Also known as gravure printing, this technique involves using metal cylinders to transfer ink onto the surface. It produces high-quality images.
Source: Canva
How to Choose the Right Packaging Printer for Your Business
In this competitive landscape, finding the right packaging printer for your business can be difficult. Follow these steps to make sure you don’t miss anything important:
- Assess Your Needs: Consider the print volume, material you’re printing on, and the intricacy of your designs before anything.
- Determine Costs: Consider both the upfront and running costs of the packaging printer, before making a decision.
- Analyze the Market: Many options are available but always choose trusted manufacturers such as Canon, Epson, HP, and more to ensure peace of mind and enjoy reliability.
- Talk to Experts: Consult industry experts on printer and document handling to discuss important details about the type of printer you may require.
Benefits of Using a Packaging Printer
Using a packaging printer has numerous financial and branding benefits, including:
- Consistency: A packaging printer delivers high-volume prints on time helping businesses own and maintain branding across all product lineups.
- Productivity: One of the key benefits of using a printer for packaging is improved productivity. Controlling print speed and volumes on their own allows companies to manage timelines effectively and utilize the workforce smartly.
- Cost Efficiency: A packaging printer might cost a bit more initially but the operational expenses go down in the long run, thereby ensuring cost-effectiveness.
Access Affordable Packaging Printer Solutions at Busys.ca
Having the right packaging printer not only improves your branding and boosts visibility but also lowers operational expenses and reduces external dependency. Whether you’re a startup or an established business looking to revamp, we at Busys.ca believe in providing affordable, reliable, and efficient packaging printers to help you grow. Our flexible equipment leasing and rental options make it easy for businesses to enjoy trusted document management solutions.
Our team of highly skilled professionals will help you size your requirements and answer any questions you may have. With long-term savings, great cost-efficiency, and unparalleled print quality, investing in a printer for packaging is a smart move for any business.
Looking for reliable packaging printers? Get a free quote today!
