Many box customers who seek our advice believe the only way they can print attractive colors onto corrugated is to print them over white board. While it is true, utilizing white board under almost any ink color will result in brighter, truer color match. However, there are several good reasons for printing on Kraft (brown) board. These include:
- Cost savings – printing on Kraft is usually 5 to 7% lower in cost, depending on the grade of white required.
- Availability – there are times when white board can be in short supply or have longer lead times. This is especially true of popular E-flute double white, in and out. (See first related post below.)
- Sustainability- Kraft board is typically perceived as being more eco-friendly and usually has a higher percentage of recycled content, making it a better choice for green companies shipping green products to green cusotmers.
- Cleanliness – the shipping cycle can be brutal, with boxes arriving to your customers, with dirt, smudges, handprints and other road grime. Kraft boxes can get just as dirty as white, but it is not nearly as obvious.
This brings us back to the original topic of this post which is printing your boxes on kraft board. There are two ink color types that print beautifully on brown board: very light and very dark.
Light ink colors
At the top of the list is white which some competitors still find difficult to print. We probably pioneered printing white ink on brown board so experience helps. Over the years we have also printed pastels on kraft such as yellow, peach, and pink. Our ability to control the ink density can produce a variety of shades and contrast giving your boxes a unique and impressive look.
Dark ink colors
Once again, we have successfully printed dark ink colors, others hesitate to print on a decorative e-commerce shipping box. Of course, black ink has always looked good on brown board but so can blue, green, and surprisingly, a dark brown ink color can look fantastic on kraft board.
Transparent inks
Check out the second related post below about this new tool we can use when combining or overlapping two different ink colors. This is just the latest trick and process we are now utilizing to help our customer’s achieve previously impossible ink combinations.
Who to trust for your creative box designs
No matter what you envision for your e-commerce shipping box, let’s discuss it. After 17 years and millions of boxes printed for thousands of customers, no matter the look you are going for, we can help you accomplish it.
You can contact us through this site or call us at 630-551-1700. Anyone of our branded packaging consultants is ready to discuss it with you.
Related posts:
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/the-potential-e-commerce-impact-of-a-white-board-shortage/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/can-transparent-inks-improve-your-e-commerce-graphic-design/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/dtc-e-commerce-boxes-the-white-board-or-kraft-board-question/
