Digital printing: the future of the packaging industry
Growing demand for short-run and custom corrugated packaging is fundamentally changing the entire packaging industry. With the rise of e-commerce, the increasing number of product variants (SKUs) and the need for more flexible production, digital printing is becoming an ever more important technology for modern packaging manufacturers.
Flexo printing remains a highly efficient solution for high-volume production of standardised packaging, but it requires printing plates, longer job preparation and higher setup costs. This makes it less suitable for short runs and custom production.
Digital printing eliminates the need for printing plates and allows instant job changes, significantly reducing make-ready time and associated costs. Manufacturers can therefore efficiently produce short runs, personalised packaging and variable graphics while maintaining high print quality.
Key advantages of digital printing
- Fast job changes without long downtime
- High resolution and print quality
- Personalisation and custom packaging production
- Variable data printing capability
- Reduced production waste and greater sustainability
- Cost-effective production of small and medium runs
The packaging industry is gradually shifting from traditional mass production to on-demand production, where smaller order volumes and shorter lead times are becoming the norm. To stay competitive, manufacturers need technologies that combine flexibility, efficiency and automation.
Traditional production processes are often split into several separate operations, with printing, cutting, creasing and box making done separately. Integrated systems that combine digital printing and box making in a single production process significantly increase productivity, reduce dependence on labour, shorten production times and streamline the entire workflow.
The future of corrugated packaging production lies in highly automated solutions that integrate digital printing, material processing and box making into a single efficient production platform.
