Good packaging doesn’t always need to be elaborate. For many products, the priority is a well-designed pack that protects what’s inside, presents the brand clearly and works for the way the product will be displayed, handled or distributed.
For other products, packaging is a bigger part of the customer experience. A premium gift box, specialist finish or more substantial construction can help communicate quality before the product has even been opened.
At AB Print Group, our packaging printing service covers everything from folding cartons, printed sleeves and retail packaging to gift boxes, presentation packaging and high-end branded packs.
So, how do you decide which type of packaging, board and finish is right for your product?
Start with the product rather than the finish.
A lightweight retail product sitting on a shelf may only require a simple printed folding carton or sleeve. A heavier product, presentation item or gift may need something more substantial.
Before choosing the material, think about:
These practical considerations help determine the structure and board before you start thinking about decorative finishes.
There isn’t one board that’s right for every packaging project.
At AB Print Group, we work with a range of materials including folding box board, fluted board and paper over board.
Folding box board is widely used for printed retail cartons, product boxes and sleeves. It can be printed, creased and cut to create a wide variety of packaging shapes and is a good starting point for many retail products.
Fluted board provides additional structure and strength, making it useful where the product or packaging requires greater rigidity or protection.
Depending on the specification, it can also be used creatively where a more substantial construction is part of the design.
Paper over board is commonly associated with more substantial presentation and gift packaging. A printed or decorative outer paper is wrapped over a rigid board to create a stronger, more substantial feel.
It’s often considered when the packaging itself is intended to form part of the product presentation rather than simply contain it.
You don’t need to know the exact board specification before speaking to your printer. Tell us about the product, how the pack will be used and the look you’re trying to achieve, and we can discuss suitable materials and construction methods.
Specialist finishes can make packaging more distinctive, but they need to have a purpose.
Foil blocking can highlight a logo, product name or particular design element, while embossing or debossing introduces a tactile element by raising or recessing part of the design.
These finishes can work particularly well for:
AB Print Group offers specialist finishing including foil blocking and embossing in-house, giving us greater control over the production and finishing process.
That doesn’t mean every pack needs a specialist finish. Sometimes good structural design, strong artwork and the right board will do more for the finished product than adding another process simply for the sake of it.
If you’re developing new packaging, a prototype or dummy can be extremely useful before committing to production.
It gives you an opportunity to check:
This is particularly valuable for new product launches, bespoke packaging, sleeves and presentation boxes where small structural changes can make a significant difference.
AB Print Group can produce dummies, mock-ups and hand-assembled prototypes, as well as CAD drawings that your design team can use to create the artwork.
If possible, supplying a physical product sample is useful. If that isn’t available, accurate product dimensions are a good starting point.
Most bespoke packaging needs to be cut, creased or shaped before it can be assembled.
AB Print Group has both die-cutting and digital CAD cutting capabilities in-house, giving us flexibility depending on the packaging design, material and quantity required.
Digital CAD cutting can be particularly useful during development and prototyping because designs can be cut directly from a digital file without first producing a physical cutting forme.
Die-cutting uses a purpose-made cutting forme to cut and crease the printed board into its finished shape and can be particularly effective for repeat production.
The best method depends on the individual project, so you don’t need to specify CAD cutting or die-cutting when you first enquire. Tell us what you’re producing, the quantities involved and whether the design is finalised, and we can recommend an appropriate production method.
Premium packaging becomes particularly valuable when the pack is part of the product experience rather than simply a way of containing it.
Products such as gifts, fragrances, drinks, luxury goods and presentation items may benefit from a more substantial box construction and specialist finishing.
Options can include:
AB Print Group has experience producing short and long-run packaging for high-value products including perfumes and spirits, alongside gift boxes, promotional packaging and presentation cases.
The important point is that premium doesn’t automatically mean adding every available finish. The board, structure, print and finishing should work together to suit the product, brand and budget.
You don’t need to arrive with a finished packaging specification.
A useful initial brief would include:
If the structure hasn’t been finalised, send a product sample or accurate dimensions and tell us what you’re trying to achieve. We can then discuss materials, prototypes, CAD and finishing options before moving into production.
From straightforward printed cartons and sleeves to bespoke presentation boxes and premium gift packaging, the right solution starts with understanding the product and what the packaging needs to do.
AB Print Group combines packaging design and cardboard engineering expertise with litho, digital and screen printing, CAD cutting, die-cutting and specialist finishing, with extensive production capabilities available in-house at our Batley site in West Yorkshire.
For more information, visit our packaging printing page, then get in touch, email hello@abprintgroup.com or call 01924 473481 to discuss your project.
To find out more, please call, email or send our enquiry form. We look forward to speaking with you.
