Over fifteen years ago when sustainability was a relatively new trend, we started receiving calls from people requesting custom printed e-commerce boxes with a more “natural” look. Not a lot of ink coverage, only one ink color, often what they described as a softer, “white wash” look. After being told by other box makers that no one can print white ink on kraft board, they were surprised to find exactly what they wanted on our web site gallery where we show a small sampling of our work.
It is true there are few companies with the experience and success we have printing white on kraft. We have worked with ink manufacturers and printers to develop what they refer to as “Salazar White” inks with various densities so we can deliver a very soft, almost transparent look, to a fairly solid and bright white.
What Makes White on Kraft Printing So Difficult?
There are a few things that can make it very challenging:
- Kraft board color – compare any two kraft boxes and you will notice they may both be brown, but one may be a light brown, while the other can be a substantially darker brown. This impacts how the ink looks against the varying color.
- Kraft board porosity – how the ink soaks into the board will vary from one sheet to another, so the white ink is also likely to vary. In addition to board manufacturing, even atmospheric conditions (summer high humidity versus winter dry/low humidity) impact how ink will lay or soak into the board.
- Kraft board recycled content – It’s no secret but the type and percentage of recycled content the board has, will dictate how it can be printed. For example, 100% consumer waste is going to print differently than 70% industrial waste, so you do have to know what you’re doing to get the results you want.
An Imperfect Process on an Imperfect Substrate.
I often use that description to remind people we are not printing with expensive petroleum-based or acrylic inks onto perfect, virgin paper. The presses we use are expensive but not nearly as expensive as other presses designed to produce digital or high resolution, multi-color, high end posters, and labels. The result is that we are able to produce printing at a considerably lower cost and with experience, we have learned how to create the best possible printing on a reasonably priced corrugated substrate.
After a brief conversation and review of your artwork, we can usually tell you which print process is best for your design and for your budget. Also keep in mind that higher quality print processes usually have higher MOQ’s that may or may not fit into your planned order quantities. So, there are several important things to consider.
Delivering Quality with Experience and Capabilities.
We enjoy it and take great pride whenever a caller or inquiry refers to us as “the white on kraft people”. We take it as a compliment because we have taken the time to align equipment and material capabilities with, customer’s needs and expectations. I will admit, it is also enjoyable to do something very well that others can’t match!
If there is a specific look you have in mind, let us know. Chances are we’ve already done it or something just like it, before. You can contact us via this web site or call us at 630-551-1700.
Related posts:
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/blog/flexo-printing-white-ink-on-kraft-board/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/blog/tariff-free-boxes-for-made-in-the-usa-products/