We take great pride in being the industry leader in printing white ink on kraft (brown) board. Not everyone can do this, as you may have found in your own packaging journey by asking around. Many suppliers simply lack the capability and many others fear the results they will produce. This is because, printing white on kraft is truly an art. At Salazar Packaging, we have the process down to a science, and we are confident in saying we are the best in the business.
Why is White on Kraft Difficult?
There is no short answer, but it really boils down to two factors. Substrate and Ink. The kraft (brown) board is highly variable as it arrives from sheet plant manufacturers, meaning no two sheets of board are the same. They will differ in their appearance, and porosity, creating challenges in the way the ink is absorbed. This is especially true of board that is high in recycled content. There are also atmospheric variables (Summer vs. Winter, humidity vs. cold). Because it is an imperfect substrate, the printing results will ALWAYS be imperfect. Our goal has consistently been to be about as close to perfect as possible, and simply put, many box printing companies do not want to face this challenge.
The second component is the ink, and white ink often will print low-density, looking almost grayish in appearance. This white-washed look may be preferred by some customers, and we can accomplish this look when required. But the majority of customers prefer a bold, bright white that pops against the brown board. This is why we have formulated our white ink into a special ink. Our “Salazar White” took years to master, but we have the ability to consistently produce these results with a pure and vibrant white that little to no one else can replicate.
Is There Added Cost?
There is little to no added cost to print white ink compared to any other ink color. The process is the same, and there is very little difference in ink costs among different colors. In fact, white on kraft is one of the lowest cost options available to you, because kraft board is typically lower cost than white board by comparison.
Can You Digitally Print White on Kraft?
There may be some debate over this topic, but the best answer is no—you cannot digitally print white on kraft. There may be some VERY rare exceptions, but as a guideline, white ink on kraft must be flexographically printed. Digital printers simply don’t stock/supply or have the capability to print white ink. However, flexo printing is typically two to three times less expensive than digital printing, so again, white ink on kraft remains a cost-savings printing option.
Want to know more about our experience with white on kraft printing? Do you have a design ready to share for pricing and/or any design questions for us? Please reach out to us today for a no cost packaging consultation.
Please Contact Us Today
As always, if you have any questions, one of our branded packaging advisors is standing by to assist, with decades of experience behind them. Want to know more about custom packaging options? Please call us at 630-551-1700 or contact us via email at www.SalazarPackaging.com.
Related Posts:
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/flexo-printing-white-ink-on-kraft-board/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/white-ink-on-kraft-custom-printed-boxes/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/white-printing-kraft-brown-corrugated-boxes/
