Printing for Corrugated Packaging: What's Ahead for Color Digital Printing?

Drivers

What is behind the growing use of color digital printing for corrugated? The main driver is the growth of "litho lam"—that is, fine color offset printing that is laminated to corrugated and used widely in retail, such as in retail-ready packaging on shelves at Costco or BJ's. It is also seen in free-standing display units at food retailers and many other outlets. Ultimately, it is brand owners who spur litho lam growth—they want graphically rich packaging wherever their products might be seen. Meanwhile, they are exploding the number of SKUs on offer to better to target markets and sub-markets. While litho lam is analog printing, just like flexo in the label industry, it has its limitations when printing short runs—the jobs where color digital printing excels.