Whether the customer wants to customize the Christmas calendar box, or the designer of the Christmas calendar box does not know enough about the printing process, the packaging effect of the product will not be satisfactory when the product is packaged. This basic knowledge of printing, I hope to help you. The following introduces several ways of printing Christmas calendar boxes. It is very important to choose the most suitable printing method according to the printing medium.
1. Flatbed printing:
The feature of lithography is that the graphic part and the non-graphic part are on the same plane. Lithographic printing is an indirect printing method. The ink is printed on the blanket cylinder, and then printed on the Christmas calendar box paper by the pressure cylinder. Because the printing plate will not directly contact the paper ink and will not smudge, it is very suitable for high-quality Christmas. Calendar box printing, even if the paper smoothness is poor, there is a chance to overcome, and the plate making work is easy and low cost.
2. Gravure printing:
Gravure printing is a printing method in which ink is filled into the gravure pattern. Gravure printing can present a delicate layering, bright colors, high saturation, high printing plate durability, stable print quality, and fast printing speed, which is very suitable for printing business cards. At the same time, the ink dries quickly after printing, so it is also suitable for printing a large number of color magazines and leaflets. The disadvantage is that the prepress plate-making technology is complex, the cycle is long, and the plate-making cost is high.
3. Screen printing:
Screen printing is a method of hollowing out the graphics and text on the printing plate and allowing the ink to be transferred through the mesh. When the printing surface is a curved surface such as a bottle or can, or there are special process requirements such as a floating effect, screen printing is mostly used.
4. Letterpress printing:
Letterpress printing is a printing method in which the protruding graphic parts are dipped in ink, and the ink on the printing plate is directly printed on the paper by pressing. Since the printing plate is in direct contact with the paper, it can leave dents or edges with thick ink, the lines are beautiful, and it is not easy to be counterfeited, giving a strong impression, and it is often used for matte paper such as comic magazines. Because of its high cost of plate making and printing, the general Christmas calendar box printing is rarely used.
Christmas calendar box printing methods and features
After talking about the printing methods of Christmas calendar boxes, let’s talk about several printing processes, which are the key to creating high value-added Christmas calendar boxes.
1. Flexographic printing:
It is often used for printing pit paper Christmas calendar boxes and stickers. With the improvement of precision, it can be printed in full color. In addition, UV ink can be used for anti-counterfeiting processing. Cost and printing time are the same as four-color lithography.
2. Scratch film printing:
The part printed with special ink can be scraped off with a hard object to reveal patterns and characters. Scratch film printing is most common in silver, but also in gold or copper. In order to ensure concealment, the background color and the color matching of the scratch film must be considered to avoid light transmission. The cost is 1-2 times that of lithographic printing, the time is 1-1.5 times, and the printing process is after the base color printing.
3. Fragrance printing:
In the way of mixing the capsules containing fragrance into ink printing, the fragrance can be special in addition to fruit, flowers, beverages and food. Choose from screen printing for a vibrant, long-lasting scent or cost-saving lithography. When using, remember to ensure that the printing area is sufficient, and consider the additive effect of fragrance and pattern. Screen printing scents are usually longer and lithographic printing is shorter. The printing cost is about 1-2 times that of lithographic printing, the time is 2 times, and the process is after the background printing.
4. Luminous printing/anti-counterfeiting printing
Luminous printing is a printing method that incorporates sustainable luminescent pigments into ink and uses a screen printing method. Anti-counterfeiting printing also uses similar ink, but the ink will only emit light when it is irradiated with a violet light. It is often used for anti-counterfeiting pictures of Christmas calendar boxes. When using, ensure that the area is large enough to have sufficient brightness. The cost is 1-2 times, the time is 1-1.5 times, and the process is also after the background color printing.
5. Thermochromic printing:
The ink contains microcapsules added with special dyes (solar color-changing ink, wet-sensitive ink, refraction color-changing ink), which can only develop color in a specific temperature range or visual change, and the temperature range can be freely selected. It is suitable for manufacturers of large quantities of Christmas calendar boxes. Because of the good printing effect, rapid discoloration and full color, it can well meet the corresponding printing methods of plastic Christmas calendar boxes and tobacco Christmas calendar boxes. The cost is 1-2 times, the cost is 1-2 times, the time is 1-1.5 times, and the process is after the base color printing.
6. Food grade printing:
Based on the Food Sanitation Management Law, food or food additives are made into ink and printed on food. The coloring methods include first printing the graphics and text on food-grade packaging paper and then transferring them to the outside of the food, and there are also inkjet printing methods. The cost is more than 3 times, the time is more than 2 times, and the process is after the food is produced.
7. Braille printing:
Braille printing is achieved by embossing, resin printing, foam printing, etc., among which UV printing, which takes less time, has good durability, and can be produced in small quantities, is dominant. Braille printing needs to use special ink for braille, and there are specifications and standards for size, bulge height, hardness, etc. The cost is about 3 times, the time is twice, and the process is after the background color printing.
The above are some of the printing methods and basic process knowledge of Christmas calendar boxes. Due to the fluctuations in the price of paper and technology, the above data are for reference only. The specific price and time are determined by the Christmas calendar box printing manufacturers. If you want to understand or customize the Christmas calendar box, please go to the factory for on-site inspection. Generally, there are hundreds of printing processes to choose from. Remember, some processes cannot be achieved by every Christmas calendar box manufacturer.
Christmas Calendar Box Customizer – HC Packaging
HC PACKAGING ASIA is one of the leaders in the design, development and manufacture of packaging boxes. HC Packaging’s certification, audit and customer-compliance portfolio includes ISO 9001, FSC Chain of Custody, SMETA / Sedex and amfori BSCI, with holder, site and scope specific to each program. Provide a total packaging solution for calendar boxes. Welcome new and old customers to come to consult!