Out of the Blue Packaging

Out of the Blue Packaging

Many brands are looking for bold, impactful e-commerce boxes, yet, to keep shipping costs down, they are price sensitive. Having listened to their requirements, one of the options we recommend is flood printing.

What is Flood Printing?

Flood printing, also called flood coating, is a print process where the entire surface is covered in a single colour print. The solid block of matt colour provides a strong, bold and, in some cases, bright finish. All cardboard boxes are either brown or white, yet they can be transformed into any other colour with flood printing. Just look at the inside of the Agora Models boxes!

Flood printing can be achieved with the flexographic print process, which is a lower cost option. You might choose a single colour flood print to match your company branding. Without any detailing, this can be achieved on a budget; low-cost packaging with impact!

What is reverse printing?

Reverse printing is a technique used to create two-colour designs using the flood printing technique. Essentially, tooling prevents the ink from printing in areas that have been blocked out. In these spaces, the brown or white box colour shows through to form a design.

A graphic designer can use the concept of reverse printing to get creative, yet as the packaging company is still printing a single colour flexographic print, costs are low. Other brands keep things simple; simply using reverse printing to add text or a logo. An example is this box that has been flood printed with vibrant blue ink for Agora Models.

Internal or External Box Flood Printing?

The Agora Models boxes use internal flood printing. The company send large-scale model pieces across the globe. The outside of the boxes can get marked or scuffed as they are shipped and handled, so the outside of the box is kept plain, with space for address labels and customs information.

When the recipient opens the box, it is a Pandora moment! The colour pops and the parts for their new build project are presented against a backdrop that lights up the room. They cannot help but feel excited.

If your boxes need to make a great first impression or may form part of retail displays or online promotions, we would suggest exterior printing. We are happy to advise on whether flood printing or another print option will achieve the best results.

To add the wow factor for e-commerce boxes, that will help to get your brand noticed in unboxing videos, we would suggest interior flood printing.

Of course, there is the option of both, in the same or different colours, however, expect to pay more for printed cardboard packaging as the specification increases.

Can Flood Printed Packaging be Recycled?

The great news is that flexographic flood printing uses water-based inks that do not impact the recycling process. When the packaging is no longer required, the printed boxes can be placed in the recycling bin and collected for processing into new printed boxes.

When is Flood Printing not Advised?

Flood printing is limited to a single colour. If your two-colour design or branding cannot be achieved using reverse printing or you have multiple colours in your design, it isn’t the right option. In this case, our experienced team are happy to recommend other print finishes.

For further information or to request a packaging quote, please contact our team on 01296 436888 or enquiries@abcbox.co.uk.