There is a growing increase in orders for short-run, on-demand packaging to satisfy shifting consumer purchasing requirements and operate at the “speed of retail.” There are also new regulations that dictate the amount of “free space” in a box to reduce packaging waste. Using what has been learned from commercial web2print implementations, there is also a desire to use it for package converter onboarding.

While the B2C and B2B models of implementation and constraints on variability still exist with packaging, converters are finding levels of complexity not seen in commercial print. First, there is no single packaging application or type. Packaging types can include primary, secondary—and even tertiary. Second, there is no single packaging format. Packaging can include labels, flexible packaging, paperboard boxes, corrugated boxes, bottles, cans and beyond.

Web2pack (W2P) shops, both connected to converters or standalone, are acting as transaction engines for a wide range of digital and flexo printed products. They include solutions for labels, folding carton and corrugated packaging and are continuing to expand. Unlike most web-to-print applications and print providers, ordering a box online can be a complex process. After all, a box can take many shapes and sizes. If you are not a packaging engineer how do you create the template, die outline and ultimately, the graphics to fit?