Design & printing

Design and printing in sustainable packaging focus on creating eco-friendly and efficient packaging solutions. This involves using materials that are recyclable, biodegradable, or sourced from renewable resources. Sustainable design minimizes material use without compromising functionality, and printing methods utilize eco-friendly inks and processes that reduce waste and energy consumption. By prioritizing sustainability in design and printing, companies can reduce their environmental footprint and promote a more sustainable product lifecycle.

Will I get a digital artwork proof for my custom order?

Yes, we will provide you with a digital artwork proof to sign before proceeding with production. If you would like a physical proof we can also do pre-production samples at an additional cost. Please note this will also extend the lead time of your order.

Can I get custom sizes?

Yes, if your order for custom packaging meets the minimum order quantity (MOQ)for your product we can customise the size, print and optional features for you.

What colours can you print?

Depending on the product and material, we print using either Pantone (PMS) or CMYK colours. The print capabilities for each product can be found on each of the product pages. Here you can also see what different print methods we can use. For example, digital printing or rotogravure printing.

What is the difference between coated and uncoated pantone colours?

The same ink colour can look different depending on what type of substrate (material) you print it on. Inks printed on an uncoated material such as paper, soak into the material and lose vibrancy as it takes on the character of the surface. If you use the same ink and put it on a coated material, it looks brighter and retains vibrancy and has a gloss look similar to the material surface. When choosing colours, you should consider the surface you’re printing on (e.g. paper or film) and choose the correct Pantone type (coated or uncoated) to ensure you get the right outcome. If you use different materials across your packaging range, you may have to choose different Pantone colours for matte and glossy materials to ensure you keep your brand colours consistent across different materials.

What are pantone colours?

The Pantone Color System, or Pantone Matching System (PMS), is a standardized color matching system widely used for printing. It was designed to help printers and designers to specify and control colours for printing projects.

What is a dieline?

A dieline is a template that contains the exact dimensions of your product. Dielines also show cut lines, fold lines and glue flaps. When customising your packaging we will supply you with a dieline to apply your designs before providing you with a final digital proof to sign off. You can create and download your own dielines using our dieline generator.

How do I use a dieline?

See blog post on how to use a dieline.

What are print plates?

Print plates are used to print your designs onto your packaging material. Your designs are laser cut into the plate, with the negative parts of your image cut out so that the plates don't pick up ink. If your design uses multiple colours, there will be a different print plate for each colour. The printing plates are mounted to giant cylinders on the printing press and the plate runs through the ink and onto your packaging.

Are there set up fees?

For each new custom packaging order, there may be tooling costs, which refer to print plates and mould costs used during the production of your packaging. These costs are one-off, as your tooling can be used for future runs.

What does flute size mean on cardboard?

Fluting is the wavy layer of paper in the middle of corrugated board that makes boxes rigid, strong, and stackable. Adjusting your fluting can affect the size and dimensions of your shipments which could have a major effect on your product performance and shipping costs.

Are the mailers see-through?

It's up to you! We have options for both solid block colours and also opaque (see-through) colours.

What thickness should I choose for my paper mailer?

We have paper stock available starting from 80GSM right up to 400GSM. Key considerations when deciding which thickness to choose are the weight of your product, the rigidity of the mailer and your durability requirements. Speak to one of our packaging experts about your requirements.

Where can you place the spout on the pouch?

The spout can be placed anywhere along the top edge pouch; this is typically either on the top left edge, top middle center or top right edge.

What is the MOQ, and can you split MOQ across multiple SKUs?

First up, for all those that don't yet speak packaging, MOQ means 'Minimum Order Quantity'. This is product dependent and can be found in the details section of the product page. Unfortunately the manufacturing MOQ cannot be split across multiple SKUs. If the MOQ for a product is currently a bit high for your business we have a wide range of products available in our online store which come in smaller cartons and can be labelled to get a similar result. Check out our Online Store for more details.

Do compostable products leave any micro-plastics behind?

No, they don't. Our certified compostable materials undergo rigorous biodegradation and compostability testing to ensure that they completely breakdown into healthy organic matter.