Conventional, UV, & Digital Printing
Conventional Offset Printing
Conventional offset printing is the workhorse behind high-volume packaging. Our sheetfed offset presses transfer ink from plate to blanket to paperboard, delivering sharp detail, smooth solids and consistent color from the first sheet to the last. With G7 Master Qualification and precise Pantone matching, your brand looks the same on every carton, every run, every reorder.
Offset is the most cost-effective choice for long runs, national programs and repeat orders, and every job is printed at our solar-powered facility in Mora, Minnesota.
Conventional Offset Printing FAQs
What is offset printing for packaging?
What is offset printing for packaging?
Offset printing, also called offset lithography, transfers ink from a printing plate to a rubber blanket and then onto the paperboard. It is the industry standard for high-volume folding carton printing because it delivers sharp detail, smooth solid colors and highly consistent results run after run.
When should I choose offset printing over digital printing?
When should I choose offset printing over digital printing?
Offset is the best fit for larger quantities, ongoing programs and repeat orders where color consistency across every run matters most. It is also ideal for designs that rely on Pantone spot colors, large solid areas or specialty inks and coatings. For short runs and multiple versions, digital printing may be the better choice, and our team can help you decide.
What types of packaging do you print with offset?
What types of packaging do you print with offset?
We offset print custom folding cartons, pizza and sandwich clamshells, restaurant trayliners and placemats, and printed paper promotional products for food, beverage, nutraceutical, health and beauty, retail and quick-service brands.
Can I attend a press check?
Can I attend a press check?
Absolutely. We welcome customers to visit our facility at any time, and we are happy to schedule a press check so you can approve color on press before the full run.
UV Printing
UV printing uses inks and coatings that cure instantly under ultraviolet light instead of drying over time. The moment a sheet passes under the UV lamps, the ink is hard, dry and ready for the next step, so there is no waiting, no smudging and no set-off. The result is brighter color, crisper detail and a durable high-gloss finish that resists scuffs and handling.
UV also opens the door to substrates and effects that conventional inks struggle with, including metallized and specialty boards. It is ideal for premium retail cartons, health and beauty packaging and any product that needs to look sharp on the shelf and stay that way.
UV Printing FAQs
What is UV printing for packaging?
What is UV printing for packaging?
UV printing is a printing process that uses ultraviolet-curable inks and coatings. Instead of drying over time, the ink is cured instantly by UV lamps on the press, creating a hard, durable, vibrant printed surface the moment the sheet is delivered.
What are the benefits of UV coating on packaging?
What are the benefits of UV coating on packaging?
A UV coating adds a high-gloss, protective layer that resists scuffs, fingerprints and moisture. It makes colors pop on the shelf, protects graphics through shipping and handling, and gives folding cartons a premium, polished look.
Can UV printing be combined with metallic inks and special effects?
Can UV printing be combined with metallic inks and special effects?
Yes. UV pairs well with metallic inks and specialty coatings to create eye-catching, premium shelf effects. Our team will recommend the right combination of inks, coatings and finishes for your design.
Can OlymPak help determine which printing method is right for my project?
Can OlymPak help determine which printing method is right for my project?
Absolutely. Share your quantities, timeline, board, finish, and budget, and our team will recommend the process that delivers the best balance of quality, speed, and cost. If your project could go either way, we'll walk you through the tradeoffs so you can decide with confidence.
Digital Printing
Our digital press brings offset-quality color to short runs with no plates and minimal setup. That makes it the smart choice for prototypes, market tests, seasonal or regional versions and limited editions, without the cost of large minimums.
Because every sheet is imaged directly from the file, each carton in a run can be different, from flavors and SKUs to names, numbering and unique codes. Digital printing gets you to market faster, lets you order closer to demand, and cuts down on obsolete inventory.
Digital Printing FAQs
What is digital printing for packaging?
What is digital printing for packaging?
Digital packaging printing images each sheet directly from your digital file, with no printing plates. That makes setup fast and changes simple, so short runs, multiple versions and personalized packaging are easy to produce.
Is digital print quality as good as offset?
Is digital print quality as good as offset?
Yes. The our digital press uses liquid ElectroInk to produce sharp, vibrant, offset-quality results, and our G7 color management keeps your brand colors consistent across both digital and offset runs.
What is variable data printing?
What is variable data printing?
Variable data printing changes the content from one carton to the next within a single print run. It can be used for different flavors or SKUs, regional and seasonal designs, personalized names, sequential numbering, QR codes and unique codes for promotions or tracking.
Can you print short-run custom folding cartons?
Can you print short-run custom folding cartons?
Digital printing is ideal for short runs, prototypes, test markets, multiple versions and tight timelines. As your volumes grow, we can move your program to our Komori offset presses while keeping your color consistent.
Your Custom Packaging Journey
From concept to delivery, we make creating custom packaging simple, collaborative, and stress-free.
Discover & Consult
Tell Us About Your Project
Share your packaging goals, product specifications, artwork, and timeline. Our team will recommend the best materials, sizes, and printing options for your application.
Design & Proof
Free Mockups & Proof Approval
Bring your vision to life before production begins. Our team creates complimentary digital mockups and production proofs so you can visualize your custom packaging, request revisions, and approve every detail with confidence.
Production
Precision Manufacturing
Using high-quality printing and converting equipment, we manufacture your custom packaging to meet your specifications while maintaining strict quality standards.
Delivery
Quality Checked & Delivered
Every order is inspected before shipping to ensure consistent quality and arrives ready to support your brand and your customers.