Information you need to know about printing paper boxes

What is paper box printing?

Paper box printing is the process of creating packaging products from paper or cardboard, including designing, printing and processing to create boxes with shapes and sizes suitable for the products to be packaged. This process is not simply printing information on the paper surface, but also includes many complex steps such as cutting, folding, gluing and shaping to create the final product.
The outstanding feature of paper box printing is the high customization ability, allowing businesses to create unique packaging products, suitable for their brand and products. From the choice of paper material, size, shape to color and decorative motifs, all can be adjusted according to the specific requirements of customers.

1. Ivory paper

Ivory paper is a high-quality paper with a smooth white surface and high hardness. The outstanding feature of Ivory paper is its ability to reproduce colors well, creating sharp and vivid printed images. This type of paper is often used to print boxes for cosmetics, high-end foods or products that need to show luxury.

Advantages of Ivory paper:

• High whiteness, smooth surface
• Excellent color reproduction
• Good stiffness, suitable for complex box designs

However, Ivory paper is also more expensive than other common types of paper.

2. Duplex paper

Duplex paper is a two-sided paper, one side is white and the other side is gray or brown. This is a popular choice for paper boxes that need good stiffness but do not require high aesthetics on both sides. Duplex paper is often used to make shoe boxes, gift boxes, or regular packaging boxes.

Characteristics of Duplex paper:

• Good hardness, good bearing capacity
• Reasonable price
• Can print beautifully on white surface

However, the back of Duplex paper is not suitable for high quality printing.

3. Couche paper

Couche paper is a type of paper with a surface coated with a special material, which helps increase smoothness and ink absorption. This is the ideal choice for paper boxes that need to print high-quality images and vivid colors.

Advantages of Couche paper:

• Extremely smooth surface, ideal for high quality offset printing
• Excellent color and detail reproduction
• Suitable for many post-printing techniques such as hot stamping and lamination

Couche paper is often used for high-end cosmetic boxes, gift boxes, or products that need to show luxury and sophistication.

4. Kraft paper

Kraft paper is characterized by its durability and biodegradability, which makes it an ideal choice for businesses looking to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection.

Advantage:

• Brings natural beauty with rustic, modern colors, suitable for many types of products.
• Supported by customers for environmental protection

However, because the paper surface is not coated or the ink absorption level is not high, when printing on Kraft paper, the colors may be less prominent than other types of paper. This is something to consider when designing to ensure the image and message are conveyed most effectively.

5. Crystal Paper

Crystal paper has a glossy, smooth surface, high hardness, and bright white color. The paper is often coated with a thin film to increase gloss and durability.

Advantage:

• High quality printing, vivid colors.
• High stiffness helps the paper box have a stable shape.
• Beautiful, luxurious glossy surface.

Disadvantages:

• The price is relatively high compared to other types of paper.

Often used to print cosmetic boxes, high-end food boxes, gift boxes, phone boxes, etc.

6. Bristol paper

Bristol paper has high stiffness, flat, smooth surface, bright white color. Paper has various thicknesses, from thin to thick.

Advantage:

• Good print quality, sharp colors.
• High stiffness, helps paper boxes to be durable.
• Flat surface, easy to process.

Disadvantages:

• Less color variety than other types of paper.

Often used to print gift boxes, technology product boxes, labels, business cards, etc.

7. Metalized Paper

Metalized paper is a type of paper with a thin layer of metal coating on the surface, creating a metallic, sparkling effect.

Advantage:

• Increase the aesthetics and luxury of the product.
• Easy to print, create special effects.

Disadvantages:

• High cost.
• Cannot withstand high temperatures.

Often used to print wine boxes, high-end cosmetic boxes, fashion product packaging, etc.

8.Carton (Wave, Cold,...)

Carton is a type of paper with many layers, including corrugated layers and cardboard layers. Depending on the number of corrugated layers and the thickness of the paper, there are different types of carton.

Advantage:

• High hardness, good bearing capacity.
• Good protection of the product inside.
• Low cost.

Disadvantages:

• The surface is not as smooth as other types of paper.

Often used to make boxes for heavy products such as electronics, household appliances, food, etc.

Square and rectangular boxes

The two most popular shapes are square and rectangular boxes. This design style shows simplicity but no less elegant, suitable for most types of products such as cosmetics, gifts or food. Rectangular boxes are often used for larger products, creating a feeling of fullness and solidity.

Despite the simple shape, designers can still vary them with design elements such as color, pattern, and material to increase appeal. Moreover, consistency in box design will help strengthen the brand and memorability in the minds of customers.

Polygonal and hexagonal boxes

Polygonal and hexagonal boxes are creative choices that not only attract attention but also leave a strong impression on customers. This style is often applied to special products such as tea, bird's nest or moon cakes, creating a unique and luxurious feeling.

The strength of these types of boxes is the high customization in design. Designers can play with height, proportions and between decorative elements to enhance the aesthetic value of the product. Using polygonal boxes can increase brand recognition and positive customer feelings towards the products.

Box type with attached lid and removable lid

Boxes with fixed lids and removable lids are also two popular models in the packaging industry. Boxes with fixed lids provide convenience and good protection for the products inside because they do not need to be opened for inspection. Meanwhile, removable lid boxes provide comfort and ease in disassembly, as well as reuse later.

While removable lid boxes often bring a more elegant feel, solid lid boxes show the certainty and safety of the product during transportation. Usually, which box model should be used depends on the type of product and the needs of the consumer.

1. Foil stamping of paper packaging

Foil stamping is a technique that creates metallic, shimmering effects on paper surfaces by pressing a thin layer of metal onto the printing surface.

• Principle: A thin layer of metal-coated film (such as gold, silver, copper, etc.) is pressed onto a printing surface that has been coated with a special glue.
• Advantage: Increase the aesthetics and luxury of the product, creating a highlight.
• Application: Often used for high-end paper boxes, gift boxes, cosmetic boxes

2. Matte and glossy lamination for paper boxes

Lamination is the process of covering a thin film layer on the printed surface to protect and increase the aesthetics of the product.

• Matte lamination: Creates a smooth, matte surface that is resistant to fingerprints and scratches.
• Glossy lamination: Creates a glossy, bright surface that highlights images and colors.
• Advantage: Increased durability, waterproof, scratch resistant, protects printed colors.
• Application: Lamination is widely used for paper boxes and product packaging.

3. Embossing, debossing

Debossing and embossing are techniques of creating raised or depressed images or letters on the surface of paper using a die.

• Embossing: Creates images that are recessed into the paper surface, giving it a luxurious, classic feel.
• Embossing: Create raised images on the paper surface, creating a striking highlight.
• Advantage: Increase aesthetics, create 3D effects, make products unique.
• Application: Often used for high-end paper boxes, invitations, gift boxes.

4. UV coating on packaging

UV coating is the process of shining ultraviolet light onto a printing surface that has been coated with a layer of UV ink.

• Advantage: Increase gloss, color fastness, scratch resistance, dirt resistance.
• Application: Often used for parts that need to be highlighted such as logos, text, images

5. Creasing and die-cutting in packaging printing

Die cutting is the process of cutting, folding and shaping printed products.

• Principle: Use a die cutter to create grooves, folds and cuts according to the design.
• Advantage: Helps products have complete shape, easy to pack and transport.
• Application: Used in all paper box manufacturing processes.

1. Offset Printing

• Principle: The ink is transferred from the metal plate through a rubber blanket and then printed onto the material.
• Advantage: High image quality, vivid colors, good color fastness, suitable for many types of paper and surfaces.
• Disadvantages: High initial setup cost, relatively long production time, not suitable for small quantity orders.
• Application: Printing high-quality paper boxes, magazines, books, and product packaging requires high quality.

2. Flexo Printing

• Principle: The ink is transferred directly from the rubber printing plate onto the material.
• Advantage: Fast printing speed, low cost, flexible, suitable for many types of materials.
• Disadvantages: Image quality may not be as sharp as offset printing, not suitable for overly complex designs.
• Application: Print paper bags, food packaging, labels, paper boxes in large quantities.

3. Digital Printing

• Principle: Images are transferred directly from the design file to the printer.
• Advantage: No need to print, fast printing, flexible, can print small quantities, good image quality.
• Disadvantages: The cost of printing each product is higher than offset and flexo printing, and the ink can fade over time if not properly maintained.
• Application: Proof printing, sample printing, small quantity printing, variant printing.

4. Screen Printing

• Principle: The ink is pushed through a mesh screen with tiny holes to create the image on the material.
• Advantage: Can be printed on many different materials (including fabric), thick ink, good adhesion, suitable for printing on curved surfaces.
• Disadvantages: Slow printing speed, high cost, not suitable for large quantity printing.
• Application: Print on fabric, wood, plastic, glass, and some special papers.

5. Gravure

• Principle: The ink is contained in recessed cells on a copper cylinder and transferred to the surface of the material.
• Advantage: Very fast printing speed, suitable for large quantity printing, good image quality, especially continuous images.
• Disadvantages: High equipment costs, high print production costs.
• Application: Print soft packaging, newspapers, magazines with many images.