This is the second article about the various fancy custom box add-ons that can help give your packaging extra appeal that is sure to attract your customer’s attention.
The first article discussed structural modifications. Now I will be discussing exterior embellishments such as coatings, embossing and foil stamping.
Custom Box Coatings and Finishes:
There are basically two types of coatings for packaging:
1. Water-Based Coatings
2. UV Coatings
And each coating has the same two finish options:
1. Matte (dull finish)
2. Glossy (shiny finish)
This photograph illustrates the two types of finishes: Matte and Glossy
Textures:
Water-based coatings are the most common and are food safe. UV coatings are more versatile, more expensive and have greater capabilities such as offering texture to the custom box.
This photo of the “Napoleon Eye Shadow” box demonstrates a glossy finish using a UV coating textured pattern.
Next is a lovely example of a high gloss UV coating combined with a textured UV coating that uses a technique called “reticulation”.
Glitter:
Using a glitter UV coating extends that fancy custom box appearance you desire, ensuring an impactful retail presence.
With a glitter UV coating you can control the density, opacity and color of the glitter to suit the look you are going for.
This image uses a spot glitter UV coating:
Foil Stamping:
Foil stamping uses heat, pressure, and foil (usually silver or gold but can be other colors as well) to apply various designs or logos to a custom box.
Here is a silver foil stamp on a leather rigid box
This foil stamp is applied to a box wrap made of fabric
This classic gold foil stamp demonstrates how intricate and detailed this process can be.
Embossing and De-bossing:
Embossing is the technique of forming a raised impression on a given material using two dies. De-bossing is the opposite, using only one die and causing an indentation effect. Embossing/de-bossing dies are usually a one time expense and can be used over and over again every time you order new boxes.
Here is an example of de-bossing on a leather rigid box.
Embossing and de-bossing add wonderful dimensions to any packaging and are surprisingly inexpensive.
Micro Embossing is a type of embossing that creates very small and sometimes intricate patterns. This gives your custom box an attractive textured look and is less expensive than buying already textured (pre-textured) paperboard. Also, because it’s difficult to print well on textured paper, the printing can be performed first on the paperboard and then textured after with micro embossing.
Foil stamping and Embossing/De-bossing are often combined.
Of course, all of this applies to both folding cartons and rigid boxes. However, with rigid boxes there are even more options available, limited only by one’s imagination and budget.
For instance, this leather rigid box has been de-bossed and then a metal plaque has been glued where the de-boss impression was created making the plaque flush with the box. This produces for a very elegant, exclusive appearance.
There are also other options that UV coatings can offer such as “soft touch” and the addition of pleasing scents. Both of these can add an element of luxury to your custom packaging. Unfortunately these attributes cannot be illustrated with a photo.
If you desire a fancy custom box, try considering these exterior embellishments to enhance the perceived value of your product.
This has been a part of my tutorial series called How to Buy Packaging 101. So click the link below to head back if you haven’t finished reading it yet. 🙂