All in Where To Start
Download our free template! A structural packaging design brief is the first step in developing custom packaging. To develop your custom packaging project quickly, CPG brands need to be prepared before engaging potential suppliers. Your design brief should include the following elements:
Flexographic printing and digital printing are two of the most popular methods used for printing on corrugated packaging. Flexographic printing is fast and cost-effective. However, it can be challenging to achieve high levels of detail and resolution and requires a print plate. Digital printing is perfect for intricate designs and you can make changes quickly and easily without needing a new printing plate. It's also ideal for smaller print runs, it can match approximately 98% of the Pantone color spectrum, and you can print variable data. However, it can be more expensive per box and has limited specialty ink options.
How to buy custom designed packaging for the first time. Our complete guide to getting started with your first custom designed or custom printed packaging order that showcases your brand. Find out how to engage a packaging vendor, what you should prepare, and how to define timing expectations and lead times.
Direct to consumer shipping packaging for beverage brands. Boutique beverage is our largest vertical. We can help your brand make the right calls for your launch, or help you keep costs low as you scale.
Over shipping or under shipping the number of units ordered is actually very common in manufacturing. The reasons vary by industry. The custom packaging game is no different, and confusion (and shock) around this issue abounds!
After you’ve submitted your final art proofs with color targets and before your boxes go to press, ink colors are formulated and painted onto cards that match your selected substrate. These inked cards are called drawdowns. In most cases, drawdowns are snail mailed to you.
In custom packaging, we call print plates and cutting dies “tooling.” These are used to print your unique graphics and cut out your custom box from a corrugated sheet. Print plates and cutting dies are highly specialized manufacturing tools that are custom made on your first order.
Getting started with custom packaging for your brand can be confusing. But, there are some insider tips that can save you thousands, and creating FFG friendly artwork is one of them! Here’s what you need to know:
Third Party Logistics (3PL) is a model that simply means that a third party is involved in a company's operations. If your supply chain becomes too complex to manage internally and you need to outsource some of your operations, a 3PL is what you’re looking for. Think of it like an intermediary or manager.
Shipping is a variable of any ordering process that can stressful. Even a simple trip to the post office can turn into a long, grueling process. The good news is that we’ll handle the shipping of your box order.
Whether your team is starting a new project or looking to improve on an old design, these 3 tips will help you successfully develop your packaging.
During Pre-Press, experts will take a look and make sure your art and graphics are correctly mounted to the structural dieline and confirm that your artwork is ready for print. Prepress is an essential part of the production process and happens after your artwork has been submitted and before it heads to print.
Custom packaging lead times vary based on the type of print you select, the needed tooling, and current conditions in freight and transit. This article explains how Givr calculates lead time for each type of order.
Flexography is typically the most economical option for large quantity orders with a bold, straightforward design. This option is often the least costly, but requires tooling for print plates and sometimes cutting dies. The good news is, tooling is one time cost and will be reused for your future runs of the same size and print scheme!
Digital printing is a great place to start your packaging journey if you need lower volumes or use a full color design like the one above. Digital print is also an excellent option for promotional packaging because there is no tooling cost associated with an art change and no Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ).
Offset printing replicates photorealistic designs with excellent clarity. This option can accommodate smaller font sizes and intricate photos and designs. At Givr, this option is only available for folding carton structures and litho labeled corrugated items.
