Packaging Types and Accessories
- Folding Carton - Folding carton boxes are one of the most common types of packaging for baked goods, chocolates, and candies. We call these "decorative gift boxes" on our site. To make them, we print the package’s design on a large sheet of thick paper. Then, we use a die to cut, perforate, and add creases to the individual boxes. Folding cartons are shipped flat, and assembly is required. The assembly process is as simple as folding and tucking along the creases. We have videos to walk you through this process for all of our popular packaging categories.
- Rigid Set-Up - Rigid set-up boxes are used when a more durable, luxurious package is needed. Unlike folding cartons which are printed on directly, rigid boxes are wrapped in premium papers or fabrics. Many also include windowing, bows, or ribbons. They make great gift boxes for premium chocolates and jewelry!
- Wafer Seals - Wafer seals are simply adhesive stickers that help keep folding cartons closed. We offer 1” and 2” clear wafer seals.
- Padding (Liners) - Padding (also referred to as liners) are inserted between confectioneries and a package’s lid to keep your candies from rubbing against it. This keeps your product looking pristine and prevents them from shifting inside.
- Cavities - Cavities are the spots in a tray where your confectioneries are placed. Often, cavity size is referenced to roughly indicate the size of our packaging. For example, our 5-piece sliders hold 5 pieces of standard-sized chocolates.
- Pieces - We use the term pieces to refer to the size of tray a particular box accepts. For example, a 5-piece base with a clear acetate lid will accept a 5-cavity tray.
- Trays - Trays are used to separate pieces of confectionery inside a box. We offer rectangular, square, and heart-shaped trays, as well as a few custom shapes for specific boxes.
- Stretch Loops - Stretch loops are elastic bands that you wrap around a folding carton to secure the lid. They are a simple way to add an accent to any of our folding cartons. We offer stretch loops in 6”, 8”, 10”, and 16” diameters.
- Moulds (Molds) - Moulds are used to create custom shapes for confectionery. Chocolate or candy is poured into the mould while warm, and allowed to cool. After cooling, it’s removed and maintains the shape of the mould. We offer custom mould design services and also carry a line of the industry-standard Hans Brunner moulds.
Materials Used to Produce Our Packaging
- Paperboard - Paperboard is the type of single-layer paper that we use for our folding cartons. The coated papers that we use are food-grade.
- Cocoa Paper - Our cocoa paper folding cartons are something special! The paper stock is produced with cocoa bark fibers blended with office paper. These food-safe papers are oil-resistant, and we offer them in light and dark colorations at 250 gsm or 350 gsm.
- Acetate (Clear Plastic) - Acetate is the technical term for the clear plastic packaging we offer. This packaging is ideal to hold a variety of confectionery when you want to showcase the actual item. Our selection includes the popular cylinders, as well as round and rectangular options.
Printing Process Terms
- Bleed - Bleed is simply allowing graphics and colors to extend beyond the range of the template. The die-cutting process is pretty exact, but occasionally there are slight variances. Having proper bleed means that the graphics will cover the finished product rather than there being empty white space.
- Safe Area - Safe area is the area that all critical graphics and text should be within. This ensures no critical components are placed where a cut will occur.
- Die (Dieline) - In printing, a die is a template that’s used to cut, perforate, and add creases to paperboard. A die is a series of arranged metal blades and rubber bumpers attached to a wooden board. Every folding carton is created with a die.
- Paper Weight - The paper’s weight refers to its thickness. It’s common in the U.S. to measure this in pounds (ex. 20 lb. bond), however we prefer the more precise metric standard of GSM.
- GSM - GSM stands for Grams per Square Meter. This measures the density of the fibers in the paper. A higher GSM rating means a heavier paper.
- Prototype - Prototypes are used in both custom packaging and first runs of any new design. The prototype is a single printed package that is assembled by hand to perform final checks before a package is mass-produced.
- Folding and Gluing - Folding and gluing is the final stage of folding carton package assembly. This process uses a finely tuned machine to automate the process of folding and gluing large quantities of packages in a matter of minutes.
- Windowing - Windowing refers to packages with clear polyester film (Mylar) on their lids and/or sides. Windowing is used when you want to showcase the contents of a package.
Finishing Techniques
- Hot Stamping (Hot Foil) - This process uses heat to transfer a pattern onto a packaging using metallic foil.
- Embossing and Debossing - Embossing and debossing techniques are used to create a 3D reliefs in paper stock. This adds an extra tactile element as well as visual appeal. Embossing is when the pattern is raised and debossing is when the pattern is recessed.
- Lamination - Lamination is a finishing process that adds a very thin layer of plastic to paper stock. In addition to adding a professional touch, it adds durability.
- Velvet Lamination - This specialty finish adds a velvet-like texture to packaging. It’s a premium touch that you have to experience!
- Specialty Coatings
- UV Glitter
- UV Raised
- UV Satin
- UV on Uncoated Paper
- UV Tinted
- UV Textured
- UV Matte
- Scoring - Scoring is the process of using a die to apply pressure to a portion of paper stock in order to aid in the folding and assembly process.
- Perforation - Perforation is using a die to place a pattern of cuts and gaps onto the structure. These are typically used on portions that are meant to be torn off and discarded or as an alternate to a score.