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Printed Packaging Glossary of Common Terms

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Understanding the terminology used in custom printed packaging can help you communicate more effectively with the team at Made to Pack.

Decoding Packaging Terms: A Guide for Effective Communication

A
Artwork: The visual elements used in the design of packaging, including images, graphics, and text.

B
Bleed: The area of a printed piece that extends beyond the trim edge, ensuring no unprinted edges appear in the final product.
Boxboard: A type of paperboard used for making boxes, typically thicker and more rigid than regular paper.

C
CMYK: The color model used in printing, stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black.
Corrugated Board: A material consisting of a fluted corrugated sheet and one or two flat linerboards, used for making boxes.

D
Die-cutting: A process that uses a die to cut shapes out of printed materials, often used for creating custom packaging shapes.
Digital Printing: A method of printing from a digital-based image directly to a variety of media.

E
Eco-Friendly Packaging: Packaging designed to have minimal environmental impact, often made from recycled or biodegradable materials.

F
Folding Carton: A type of packaging made from paperboard that is cut, folded, laminated, and printed for retail packaging.

G
Gloss Finish: A shiny finish applied to printed materials to enhance their appearance.

H
Hot Foil Stamping: A process that stamps foil onto the packaging material.

I
Inkjet Printing: A type of digital printing that uses droplets of ink to create an image on the packaging material.

J
JIT (Just-In-Time): A manufacturing process that reduces inventory costs by producing items only as they are needed.

K
Kraft Paper: A strong, durable paper made from wood pulp, often used for packaging and shipping.

L
Lamination: A process of applying a protective film to printed materials to enhance durability and appearance.

M
Mock-Up: A full-scale model of a design used for demonstration and evaluation purposes.

N
Nesting: Arranging multiple pieces of packaging material in a way that minimises waste during the cutting process.

O
Offset Printing: A common printing technique where the inked image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, and then to the printing surface.

P
Pantone Matching System (PMS): A standardised color reproduction system used in printing to ensure color consistency.
Prepress: The process of preparing digital files for printing, including proofing and plate making.

Q
QR Code: A type of barcode that can be scanned with a smartphone to access information or a website.

R
Recycled Paper: Paper made from recycled materials, often used in eco-friendly packaging.
Rigid Box: A sturdy, non-collapsible box often used for luxury packaging.

S
Spot UV: A UV coating applied to specific areas of a printed piece to create a glossy effect.

T
Tuck End: A type of box closure where the flaps tuck into the box to secure it.

U
UV Coating: A protective coating cured by ultraviolet light, providing a high-gloss finish.

V
Variable Data Printing (VDP): A form of digital printing that allows for customisation of each printed piece with unique information.

W
Window Patch: A clear plastic film is applied to a cut-out window in the packaging to allow visibility of the product inside.

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask Made To Pack!

Printed Packaging Glossary of Common Terms
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