A Quick Primer On Outside Packaging

In developing the exterior of your package, not only are design and text elements crucial, but so is the finishing of the package. Here are some things you ought to think about in the process:

Containers: Which do you need?
Bottles, Jars, Tubes, Vials, Clear, Frosted, Colored, Sprays, Pumps, Glass, Plastic, Aluminum, Glass, Plastic, Metal, Tins, Boxes, Pails/Drums, Bags, Droppers

Label Printing Options: What will look best on the container?
Flexographic Printing- Most capable and cost-effective solution for labels; up to 8 colors including UV varnish finish; typically used for cosmetic labels, food products, and most product packaging.

Screen Printing- Most durable form of label printing; used mainly for outdoor applications and extended periods.

Hot Stamp Printing- User can feel the relief on the label; used to add elegance to a package; used for promotional, anniversary, limited edition packages or logos with low details.

Thermal Transfer Printing- used mostly for UPC and bar code information.

Screen Printing- This process prints directly on bottles, jars and other containers; you pay for each color used.

The Finishing Touch: What packaging accessories can you add?
Bows, Ribbons, Twine, Petals, Wax Seal, Crystals/Stones, Charms, Booklets

What does CMYK and PMS Color Really Mean?

When you go to a printer they may ask you to send them artwork in CMYK aka 4-color process. While you are happy to oblige, you have absolutely no idea what they mean! This should explain it…
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. These 4 colours (hence 4-color process) are used together to create an array of colors used in your brochure or product packaging. This will generally produce “less punchy” colour and the output will differ from printer to printer. So, printing your packaging in CMYK with one printer may not look exactly the same as printing it with a different printer.
PMS stands for Pantone Matching System. Someone along the way got sick of the CMYK method and decided to have a standard method where colors would indeed output the same no matter where they were printed (although, be aware, the type of paper or substrate you are printing on will still cause slight differences because the ink soaks in differently). Logos and branding systems generally have PMS colors. These are slightly expensive, but they do ensure your logo will have the same output with any printer. These colors seem to have “more punch” and there are several swatch books for Pantone colors. Everything from solids to neons to metallics. Click here to visit the Pantone site