Laminates and Coatings: What Touch Is Right for Your Cartons?

Laminates and coatings are some of the most effective ways you have to dress up your folding carton and give it a glimmer or resplendence that catches consumers ’ eyes while resting on retail shelves.

However, these decorative effects add expenses to your packaging design, which really adds up on larger print runs.

Let’s look into laminates and coatings, and see which visual touch might be the right one for your brand or product line.

What Are Laminates?

Laminates are a type of secondary packaging that consists of multiple layers of materials bonded together. They are commonly used because they offer a combination of barrier protection, strength, and flexibility.

Laminates are frequently utilized in a variety of packaging applications such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cannabis, health and beauty, and consumer products They are often employed with products that require high barrier protection against moisture, oxygen, light, and other factors that can degrade the product's quality or freshness (an obvious concern for the food and beverage industry).

However, traditional laminates often contain non-recyclable materials, such as plastics and aluminum, which can be difficult to separate and recycle, leading to waste and environmental harm.

To address this issue, sustainable laminates are being developed that incorporate more environmentally friendly materials, such as paperboard, bioplastics, and other sustainable options. These materials can be recycled, composted, or biodegraded more easily, reducing your impact on the environment.

What Are Coatings?

In the context of sustainable packaging, coatings refer to a layer of material applied to a substrate (e.g., paper, plastic) to enhance its performance or properties. These coatings can be made from a variety of materials such as bioplastics, natural fibers, and minerals that are more environmentally friendly than traditional coatings made from petroleum-based plastics or other non-renewable materials

For example, barrier coatings made from biodegradable or compostable materials can help to reduce waste and promote the so-called “circular economy. ” These coatings can be applied to a range of packaging materials, including paper and plastic films, to provide a protective barrier that is also biodegradable or compostable.

Usually applied after printing, coatings can be water-based (aqueous) or rely on ultraviolet (UV) light. Aqueous coatings involve exposing substrates to inline infrared lamps and circulating hot air that evaporates the water, coating the bonded sheets. Alternatively, UV coats cure the substrate through polymerization created through exposure to UV light.

Here are several popular coatings and their uses:

Like laminates, coatings provide fantastic barrier protection against moisture, oxygen, and other environmental factors that can affect the product's quality or freshness. They can also be used to create a non-stick surface, add durability or water resistance, or improve the printability or appearance of your packaging. Gloss increases the ability of a folding carton to reflect dire light.

Tactile styles are designed to be touched, including soft-fe soft-touch, textured, raised, and relief coatings.

Motion coat is a raised UV pattern that creates a sens movement on printed paperboard.

Glitter and pearlescent coatings add shimmer and dept visuals.

The strike-through coating forms a smooth, matte appearan contrast with gloss while reticulating varnish reacts with coating to make a finely matted look with crisp transition line

Decorative Benefits of Laminates & Coatings

Laminates and coatings offer a range of benefits when it comes to packaging design, as well. Here are just a few:

Enhances the appearance of your packaging: Naturally, laminates and coatings can be used to create a glossy, matte, or metallic finish, which can boost the overall appearance of your packaging, helping it stand out on retail shelves. [ For example, this Sonic 2 film disc sleeve utilizes gloss UV coating to create a vibrant aesthetic. ] Adds texture or patterns: Coatings can be used to create unique textures or patterns on packaging. Adding a tactile element to the design can make it more interesting and engaging for consumers. You’re basically inviting consumers to touch your folding carton. [ For instance, organic chocolate brand Evolved Chocolate utilizes matte reticulating varnish and embossing, to creative effect. ]

Expands printing capabilities: Laminates and coatings can also provide a smooth surface for printing, enabling high-quality graphics, text, and images to be printed onto the packaging. This can help convey important information about the product, such as ingredients, nutritional information, and branding.

Protection: Laminates and coatings can also be used to protect your packaging from scratches, scuffs, and other types of damage, helping to keep it looking fresh and new for longer.

Overall, laminates and coatings can provide a range of decorative benefits that help to enhance the overall design of the packaging, while also providing important functional benefits such as protection and printing capabilities.

Why Focus on Product Packaging?

When used thoughtfully and sustainably, laminates and coatings can be an effective tools for creating folding cartons that are both visually appealing and environmentally responsible.

However, given their similarities, it can be a challenge to determine which is the right packaging solution for your brand. Deciding whether laminates or coatings are right for your folding cartons depends on a few factors, such as the following:

Performance requirements: Consider the functional requirements of the packaging, such as barrier properties, durability, and protection. Laminates may be a better choice if your packaging needs to provide high barrier protection against moisture, oxygen, and other environmental factors. Coatings, on the other hand, maybe a better choice if you need to add durability or water resistance to packaging.

Sustainability goals: Consider your sustainability goals and whether laminates or coatings align with them. Laminates can be more challenging to recycle due to the combination of materials used in their creation, whereas coatings can be made from more sustainable materials such as bioplastics or natural fibers.

Design considerations: Consider the aesthetic goals of your packaging design. Laminates can provide a range of decorative benefits, such as enhancing the appearance of the packaging, adding texture or patterns, and improving printing capabilities. Coatings can also provide decorative benefits, but they may not offer the same range of options as laminates.

Cost considerations: Consider the cost of the materials and the production process. Laminates can be more expensive than coatings, and they may also require additional processing steps, such as lamination and adhesive application.

In summary, the decision to use laminates or coatings for your folding cartons will depend on your specific performance, sustainability, design, and cost goals. It's important to consider all of these factors carefully to make an informed decision that meets your packaging needs and aligns with your brand’s values.

However, with a customer-centric and experienced packaging partner, you will be able to identify which decorative effects are appropriate for your brand, helping you outshine the competition.

Creative Print and Pack is a manufacturer that specializes in sustainable packaging with industry-pioneering clients in health and beauty, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cannabis, and consumer goods. Contact us today via hello@creativeprintandpack.com to learn more about how you can implement sustainable packaging design.

How Creative Print and Pack

Helps Customers Achieve Their Sustainable Packaging Goals

It’s a hot-button topic across all industries: How do companies promote and practice sustainability? You might have initiatives in place or campaigns dedicated to highlighting your efforts to protect the environment. Sustainability, though, isn’t necessarily only tied to what you do. Where you source your materials, how your consumers dispose of them after use, and who you work with for packaging and printing needs (and their own sustainability practices) matter.

In that last regard, Creative Print and Pack. has built a reputation for helping customers meet their sustainable packaging goals. The company defines sustainable packaging as packaging that achieves its intended role while minimizing resource requirements, using only responsibly sourced materials, and maximizing opportunities for recovery, recycling, or reuse.

Creative Print and Pack continues to deliver these solutions by earning third-party certifications, implementing alternative energy, offering tree-free and other alternative material options, and constantly innovating.

Read more about why companies turn to Creative Print and Pack for all their printed and packaging needs. In doing so, they’re partnering with a leader in sustainability.

Chain-Of-Custody Certifications

Even as alternative materials emerge (see below), tree-based products are still prominent and often the most cost-effective choice for packaging. That reality puts the onus on packaging manufacturers to source their paper products from suppliers that promote sustainability. Oliver has been recognized by national and international organizations that certify the company ’ s wood and pulp suppliers' support and practice of responsible forest management principles. These certifications include the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

In working with Creative Print and Pack, you can request to print on FSC, SFI, or PEFCcertified stock. When the stock follows the proper chain-of-custody procedures from supplier to shelf your folding cartons will carry these logos, communicating the ecological efficacy of the packaging.

Innovation

Innovation comes in many forms For Creative Print and Pack, it’s a constant point of emphasis for delivering effective packaging solutions. The design team focuses its efforts on producing the right-size packaging (and thus reducing the amount of material used) and enhancing the potential for reuse or recycling, all while developing creative structures that stand out from the competition without sacrificing product protection.

Creative Print and Pack also invests in the latest print and folding carton technologies to make its processes more efficient and reduce its carbon footprint.

Green Initiatives

Explore Creative Print and Pack’s website or thumb through the company ’ s printed materials and you’ll notice a pattern there’s green everywhere. Well, Creative Print and Pack is not only green in appearance, it’s also green in practice.

The company has invested in alternative energy sources, utilizes energy-efficient equipment, and offsets 25% of its carbon-based energy use with Renewable Energy Certificates. Its lean operational approach reduces overall waste to near zero.

Beyond that, Creative Print and Pack has relied on technology to limit paper use during the design and pre-press process. It offers 3D visualizations and digital proofs to provide an accurate view of your packaging options without printing prototypes or samples.

Alternative Materials: The printing and packaging industry relies heavily on tree-based paper products, which to many poses a sustainability challenge. However, several manufacturers have developed tree-free alternatives with proven effective options for printed collateral and folding cartons Creative Print and Pack has dedicated resources to curate an array of paper and paperboard, consisting of hempbased products, sugarcane (the Lauren Conrad folding cartons featured above consist of paperboard made from sugarcane bagasse, for example), and 100% recycled paper options

The company also uses eco-friendly sustainable materials, including vegetable-oil-based inks, water-based coatings, and cellulose acetate windowing for folding cartons that's certified as 100% compostable and petroleum-free. This is all part of Creative Print and Pack's goal to provide its customers with options that match their sustainability objectives.

Expertise & Guidance

You’ll often hear sustainability described as a ‘sticky’ issue. It’s tied into every stage of packaging: from the materials to the resources, to the efficiency of the process, to the behavior of the producers and consumers, all of which we ’ ve outlined above.

It’s also important to note that the most ‘sustainable’ packaging solution changes from customer to customer. You might find, for example, that a hemp-based option is perfect for your short-run job. However, depending on a number of factors, a traditional paperboard may prove to be a more sustainable, cost-effective choice for larger print jobs.

That’s why Creative Print and Pack initiates conversations to outline your environmental strategy objectives. It gives the team the direction to pursue designs that maximize sustainability within your budget and to achieve your goals.

If you don’t have any specifics in mind, that’s okay, too. Creative Print and Pack’s experts will guide you through your options. They’ll cover concepts such as source reduction, enhanced recyclability, and sustainability through responsibly sourced materials.

Creative Print and Pack has earned its place as a leader in sustainable packaging by working with customers from all industries and continuing to alter its approach to sustainability as more information and technology becomes available.

connectmeviapackbro@creativeprintandpack.com

To reach out to potential customers and increase sales, companies utilize various methods collectively referred to as a marketing strategy. This plan focuses on promoting and selling products or services by first identifying the specific target audience through extensive research. Incorporating this information into the company's overall plan will allow for customization of their reach towards desired customers. A successful approach should be based on careful evaluation of competition along with internal strengths.

Crafting a marketing strategy is the backbone of every successful business. It involves outlining a systematic plan that focuses on promoting your products or services to your target customers through various techniques and channels. Such an approach aims at meeting specific marketing objectives while boosting business growth.

Here are some key components of a successful marketing strategy:

Define Your Target Audience: Your marketing strategy should be aimed at a specific group of people who are most likely to buy your product or service. This requires understanding their demographics, interests, and behaviors.

Set Your Goals: Determine what you want to achieve with your marketing strategy. Whether it is to increase brand awareness, generate leads, or boost sales, your goals should be specific, measurable, and achievable.

Create a timeline and action plan: Create a roadmap that outlines the specific actions, timelines, and responsibilities for each element of your marketing strategy.

Conduct a SWOT analysis: Analyze your company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to understand your competitive landscape and the market trends that could impact your business.

Develop Your Unique Value Proposition: Your unique value proposition (UVP) is what sets your product or service apart from competitors. This should be communicated clearly in all marketing materials.

Choose Your Channels: Determine the best channels to reach your target audience. This can include offline marketing and online marketing like social media, email marketing, search engine marketing, and more.

Create Your Content Strategy: Develop a plan for creating and distributing content that resonates with your target audience. This can include blog posts, videos, infographics, and more.

Measure Your Results: Track the success of your marketing strategy using metrics such as website traffic, leads generated, and sales. Use this data to optimize your strategy and improve your results over time.

Set a budget: Allocate your marketing budget across your chosen channels and tactics, considering factors such as cost, reach, and ROI.

Overall, a successful marketing strategy requires careful planning, ongoing analysis, and a willingness to adapt to changing market conditions. By focusing on the needs and preferences of your target audience, and leveraging the right channels and messaging, you can effectively promote and sell your products or services.