Printing your company logo or promotional messages on cardboard shipping boxes is a simple and effective way to increase brand recognition and turn packaging print into a marketing tool.
Screen printing is an ideal technique for this purpose because it allows for sharp prints on often irregular surfaces like corrugated cardboard, with contained costs even for low print runs.
Preparing the Screen Printing Film
Before printing, it is important to measure the surfaces of the cardboard and choose which side to apply the print to.
To prepare the graphic file, you can use software like Photoshop or Corel Draw, avoiding (characters that are too thin) and positioning the design away from the edges, as the corrugated surface and folds are never perfectly flat or regular.
To produce the screen printing film, you can use a common and simple laser or inkjet printer by printing on specific sheets.
Choosing the Screen Printing Frame and Materials
We recommend using screen printing frames with meshes from 80T to 100T based on the paper's absorption. For very absorbent cardboard, an 80T mesh is ideal; for smoother surfaces, you can opt for 90T or 100T.
Water-based screen printing inks for cardboard give the print a sharp and opaque appearance, preventing the boxes from sticking together during storage, which can happen when using textile inks.
Printing Technique
We recommend the use of hard squeegees (75 Shore) to achieve clean outlines.
Tips for Alignment and Placement
- To facilitate print alignment, it is helpful to mark the folds of the cardboard with a black pen on the first piece, allowing the frame to be positioned correctly thanks to the emulsion's transparency.
- You can also draw reference marks on the printing base to ensure that each cardboard piece is positioned in exactly the same way, guaranteeing repeatability.
- The screen frame must be positioned about 3 mm away from the surface to obtain clear and precise prints.
Ink Management
- During the process, it is advisable to «flood» the screen before and after each print to keep the ink wet and prevent it from drying in the screen.
Productivity and Final Tips
Experts can print from 150 to 200 boxes per hour in single-color printing. Thanks to the rapid drying of the ink on the paper, the boxes can be stacked immediately afterward without the risk of smudging.
For cardboard with coated surfaces or intended for outdoor use, the use of solvent-based screen printing inks is suggested. These are resistant to water and atmospheric agents, thus guaranteeing durability and quality even in difficult conditions.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Screen Printing on Cardboard
- 1. Which screen printing inks are best for printing on cardboard?
- For most cardboard types (especially corrugated and untreated surfaces), water-based screen printing inks are recommended. These dry quickly, adhere well to the fibers, and prevent stacked boxes from sticking together. For coated cardboard or outdoor applications requiring water resistance, solvent-based inks (like vinyl inks) are more suitable.
- 2. Which screen printing mesh count should I use for screen printing on cardboard?
- The ideal mesh count depends on the absorbency of the cardboard: for highly absorbent cardboard, use a coarser mesh, such as 80T. For smoother surfaces and to achieve sharper details, 90T or 100T mesh counts are more appropriate.
- 3. How long does it take for the screen printing ink on cardboard to fully dry?
- When using the recommended water-based screen printing inks on regular cardboard, the drying time is very short. Boxes can often be stacked immediately after printing without the risk of smearing, allowing for high productivity (150-200 boxes per hour).
- 4. What type of squeegee (Shore hardness) is optimal for cardboard printing?
- We recommend using hard squeegees (75 Shore). A harder squeegee ensures that the ink is applied precisely and cleanly, which is essential when printing on the often irregular surface of corrugated cardboard.
- 5. Can I also print multi-coloured designs on cardboard boxes?
- Yes, it is possible to print multi-coloured designs. However, this requires more precise alignment (registration) and more time. For high productivity, especially for logos and packaging, monochromatic printing (single colour) is most commonly used.
Screen printing on cardboard represents an effective and creative solution to personalize packaging with your own logo, thereby enhancing the packaging and improving brand identity. Using screen printing to create customized packaging achieves a durable aesthetic result with a high visual impact.
Choosing packaging print means you can print directly on cardboard boxes with vivid colors and sharp details. This technique is especially suitable for customized packaging with logo due to its ability to adhere perfectly to cardboard surfaces, ensuring durability and resistance. Personalizing boxes and packaging becomes an important tool to differentiate the product and attract customer attention, enhancing the brand.
Preparation is essential for quality screen printing on cardboard: it is crucial to properly prepare the graphic files, ensuring resolution and file formats for sharp printing and faithful colors. Managing margins and bleed areas carefully is important to avoid layout errors and maintain design precision. A color test before production validates color reproduction, reducing waste and improving final satisfaction.
Screen printing on cardboard also allows for creating special decorations on complex packaging while maintaining a professional and durable effect. Custom printed packaging is ideal for small and medium businesses wanting unique packaging with strong visual impact and perceived quality. Personalization through screen printing can be applied to boxes of various sizes and shapes, offering great versatility.
Among the most common techniques, serigraphy allows printing logos with vibrant and clean colors, effectively communicating corporate identity. Custom screen printed packaging thus becomes a strategic marketing tool, capable of increasing perceived product value and standing out in the market.
In conclusion, screen printing on cardboard is an optimal choice for those seeking customized boxes with logo that combine quality, aesthetics, and durability. Careful file preparation, color selection, and printing accuracy ensure an impeccable final result, effectively communicating your brand through distinctive and professional packaging print.