packaging boxes - pantone

[oldschool]

I'm getting some paperboard packaging boxes made for my company and found a supplier that can do a run of 5000 for 30 cents a box. Some other suppliers I consulted were quoting much higher than that.


Any suggestions for how I can go about getting one sheet printed for a print shop with the pantone colors that I chose, so I know exactly what the finished box will look like? Do print shops do this?

Any suggestions for packaging suppliers that I should/could use in the future?


Stefan

 

[Sdashiki]

Any suggestions for how I can go about getting one sheet printed for a print shop with the pantone colors that I chose, so I know exactly what the finished box will look like? Do print shops do this?

Its called a proof print. And depending on how they operate, they typically will give you one proof for you to "OK" before they go onto printing. Most likely, you will have already said "yes, i will use your services", and paid or signed.

If you want them to print something so you can use it to shop around, they probably wont do that for free.

The reason Pantone colors exist is so that you will purchase the physical swatches. What you see on your swatch will be 99% approximate to the print from any printer, so long as they follow your PMS.

 

[MorzillA]

Its called a proof print. And depending on how they operate, they typically will give you one proof for you to "OK" before they go onto printing. Most likely, you will have already said "yes, i will use your services", and paid or signed.

If you want them to print something so you can use it to shop around, they probably wont do that for free.

The reason Pantone colors exist is so that you will purchase the physical swatches. What you see on your swatch will be 99% approximate to the print from any printer, so long as they follow your PMS.

What Sdashiki said. I always use proofs before I contract anyone printer to do a job that I can't do at home. It's a must, You don't buy a car/house without inspecting it, so why should you get a print service before inspecting the job before the final product!

 

[Blue Velvet]

There's a huge difference between a Chromalin, a wet proof, a scatter proof and a proof run out on an ink or bubblejet just to see if it's ripping properly.

Many jobs don't warrant the cost of wet proofs, generated from the plates themselves...

 

[oldschool]

There's a huge difference between a Chromalin, a wet proof, a scatter proof and a proof run out on an ink or bubblejet just to see if it's ripping properly.

Many jobs don't warrant the cost of wet proofs, generated from the plates themselves...

yeah thats what i was wondering....because i got proofs printed one time from a large reputable packaging company, and it looked like they were just printed on a laser printer...

thanks for everyone's help.

 

[citizenzen]

so I know exactly what the finished box will look like?

I don't like the word "exactly".

The only way you'll know that, is to print on the box material using the printing method used on the boxes. Otherwise, you'll only get an approximation (maybe even a close one) of what the finished box will look like.

Even then you'll get some variation.

Printing isn't an "exact" science.

 

[DesignerOnMac]

I'm getting some paperboard packaging boxes made for my company and found a supplier that can do a run of 5000 for 30 cents a box. Some other suppliers I consulted were quoting much higher than that.


Any suggestions for how I can go about getting one sheet printed for a print shop with the pantone colors that I chose, so I know exactly what the finished box will look like? Do print shops do this?

Any suggestions for packaging suppliers that I should/could use in the future?


Stefan

Since you specified Pantone color, your proof would be sent to you in the color you specified.


You don't specify if the boxes will be white, or kraft, (brown). Depending on what your Pantone color is, some colors will not work on Kraft Cardboard.

I have done packaging in the US, Japan, and China. As mentioned, before the printer goes to press, they will send you a proof for your approval. It is paid for within the quote you received.

I haven't received a wet proof in years from any printer. I usually get an inkjet print out for proofing and corrections. And a press proof, as most of my printers are digital now. The 'press proof' is from a PDF generated from my files and there make ready.

If your specified color, your proof should, of course, be in the color your specified.

 

[Kwill]

Press checks and color matching

The identical Pantone color has different appearances when applied to different substrates. It can even vary in tint on the same press with the same stock, depending on how heavy the ink saturation is. The paper wasted while the press operator adjusts the hue is called "make ready." These wasted copies often represent a small press run in themselves.

Some printers purchase premixed Pantone inks, others mix from Pantone primaries and the majority use Pantone formulas to mix third-party inks.

Obviously there can be considerable variance. Hence if you are attempting to achieve a specific color, don't just specify a Pantone number. Provide a chip for matching. Let the printer adjust the color to achieve the appropriate value based on the selected stock. It's part of the make-ready process anyway.

If the printer is local (and it's not a gang run), you can request a press OK and you'll be given a time to arrive when the job is on press. Time is money, so you must be able to provide concise input and not tie up the printer for an hour or two. After a few tweaks, you sign a printed copy, shake hands and go home.

Often shopping for the best price means the plant prints 24-hours a day and may not be local. This makes press OK's improbable. The best that can be done is to provide a swatch and request a contract proof from them. Likely it will be digital (inkjet) since it is much more expensive to fire up a press. (Ideally the digital proof simulate the stock brightness.) if you pay for the contract proof and sign off on the color they show you, they are obligated to match it (within very tight tolerances) through whatever means necessary.