Corrugated packaging is projected to grow at globally at a rate of 2.2% CAGR for the period of 2020–2025. Flexo is still the primary printing process for corrugated and will be for a long time to come. However, the use of production inkjet in corrugated production is ramping up at a pace of about 20% CAGR during that same period, according to Smithers. That growth includes both preprint and postprint corrugated, an important distinction, since many believe that digital print, and specifically inkjet, is only designed for short runs or on-demand applications.

There are many different uses of corrugated boxes, and many different ways to decorate the box. For printing equipment manufacturers, converters, and print service providers the most appealing is “High Graphics.” We are not talking about the brown box; we are talking about the boxes that have litho label/laminate (preprint) or are just directly printed (postprint) with colorful eye-catching graphics using a single or multi process using three or more colors.

High graphic preprint volumes are currently produced with flexo and, for higher quality, offset. Offset and flexo inks are a lot less expensive than inkjet inks. However, any perceived benefits of both flexo and offset as preprint solutions may be a false equivalent. Remember that with flexo and offset, you still need to make and mount plates, print, and then laminate, so your mileage may vary depending on your production requirements. Even if you don’t have lots of shorter runs, digital may still be the less expensive and more productive solution.