What would the world look like without custom printed boxes? Store shelves would be lined with blank boxes, with no indication of what is inside and no information to help buyers differentiate between products. Industrial boxes would all be plain, regardless of special handling needs or the presence of harmful contents. Custom printing not only offers a way to share information with consumers, end users, and supply chain partners but also provides an avenue to elevate your brand and capture the attention of potential customers.

What is Flexographic Printing?

Flexographic printing, often called flexo, is a common method for printing directly on corrugated board or liner before the box is cut. It uses flexible printing plates to apply ink directly to the box material. Each color is printed separately, which makes it a practical option for many types of box graphics and messaging. If multiple colors are needed, each color will require a printing plate.

Because flexographic printing is applied directly to corrugate using fast-drying inks, the process is relatively fast. Its speed makes it ideal for large orders. Flexo works best with vector files (non-photo) of graphic objects and images.

The box can be printed in a single color, leaving lettering and graphics unprinted for an extra pop, or in multiple colors to achieve the desired look.

Advantages of Custom Printed Boxes

Whether your box is the primary or secondary retail packaging or a shipping carton, there are benefits to custom printing. Many shipping boxes may never be seen by a customer, particularly in a retail environment. There, a worker removes products from the shipping carton to place them on the shelf. However, many retail stores receive shipments and stock during the day. You have likely seen delivery days when carts of boxes are in aisles, waiting to be unloaded and placed on the shelf, which gives customers an opportunity to see your boxes. Even something as small as a tagline or logo printed on the box can help reinforce brand recognition.

Aside from consumers, custom printing helps warehouse workers, retailers, and distributors quickly identify your products. A printed coding system is particularly helpful for identifying items when your brand has many SKUs.

For instances when consumers interact with the packaging, such as corrugated primary packaging, e-commerce packaging, unassembled furniture boxes, large appliance cartons, produce boxes, or retail-ready packaging for club or warehouse stores, custom-printed boxes build on brand recognition and offer additional benefits:

    • Consumer trust – Custom printed boxes create an immediate connection, which can help foster brand loyalty by enhancing the customer experience, increasing perceived value, and improving brand trust. This is particularly notable in e-commerce packaging, where the shipping box creates a cohesive brand experience with the inner packaging. This may be the first interaction they have with your brand.
    • Stand out from the competition - In a sea of brown kraft paper boxes, custom printing lets the character of your brand stand out. Custom printing helps your product get noticed. Clear branding, product details, and consistent graphics can make the package easier to recognize and help it stand out from similar products on the shelf.
    • Provides flexibility – Through custom printing, you have the flexibility to include the information that matters, whether that is custom graphics, warnings, regulatory information, bar codes, instructions, or something else. A consumer purchasing a product requiring assembly who can see what tools are required before removing the box contents will have a more positive brand experience than one who finds out after removing parts that they don’t have the proper tools.

Atlas Container Delivers Custom Printed Boxes Manufactured to Meet Your Needs

Since 1968, Atlas Container has manufactured corrugated packaging for companies that need boxes to do more than hold a product. We work with customers to develop packaging tailored to their needs that supports shipping, handling, storage, retail presentation, or product identification.

With in-house design support, custom manufacturing capabilities, an on-site ink kitchen, and flexographic printing equipment capable of printing up to 3 colors per pass, we help customers create custom-printed boxes tailored to their application. Whether you need simple box identification, stronger shelf presence, or packaging that communicates key handling or product information, we can produce corrugated packaging that fits the job. If you are evaluating custom printed boxes for your products, contact Atlas Container to discuss your packaging requirements and request a quote.