Carton production
Elopak and our Joint Ventures produces more than 15 billion beverage cartons every year. We have 10 manufacturing units across the globe. Using paper board, the manufacturing plants prints, forms and distribute beverage cartons to our customer around the world. We use different printing methods and paperboard material to produce beverage cartons.
Digital print proofs
Digital print proofs are made directly from computer to output unit. The characteristics of the printing process are simulated by means of specialist software and target the output profile of the relevant printing press. It is important to note however, that deviations in comparison with the board of the finished packaging may occur. A digital print proof is a sensible alternative to the more expensive analogue proof prints, but minor colour deviations must be expected.
Machine print proofs on paper board
Machine print proofs are produced on press. In this process the same printing technique, printing inks and board quality are used as for the printing of actual blanks. Machine print proofs are the most expensive, but they naturally do provide the best match in comparison with the final product.
Elopak works with four printing techniques for blanks
- Standard Flexo Printing
- Super Flexo Printing
- UV-Flexo printing
- Offset Litho Printing
Standard Flexo Printing
Standard flexography is a highly efficient printing method for carton blanks. It is mostly used for designs containing large solid areas of pure colours, bold and sans-serif typefaces and motives where colour-to-colour register accuracy is not decisive.
Super Flexo Printing
Through continuous investment in new generation, high-quality, up to eight-colour printing machines, Elopak’s flexo print quality and efficiency has improved significantly. Super flexo is ideal for designs that require more accurate colour registration and 4-colour illustrations with limited image resolution.
UV-Flexo Printing
Due to use of UV curable printing inks and fixed printing ink colours, (EloChrome) this process offers significant advantages compared to any other printing process.
Offset Litho Printing
Elopak offers offset printing for high print quality demands (limited to North American markets). Offset allows reproduction and printing of solids, photographic images and fine screen rulings. Our sophisticated offset printing machines are equipped with the latest technology. This includes UV ink curing which enables high-quality printing on PE coated board for our blanks. Offset litho print is suitable for photographic motives in 4-colour process printing and designs requiring reproduction of details and gradations. 4-colour process printing can be combined with a maximum of two spot colours.
Paper board technology
Our beverage cartons are made from approx. 80-90% paperboard, inside barriers and are coated with PE for maximum protection. The paper board is coated at our own facilities to guarantee optimum quality. Our different board structures are designed to ensure the integrity of the product and are also protecting the product from the external environment.
Elopak’s wide portfolio of carton materials for different liquid food offers:
- Optimized barrier properties for light and oxygen protection
- Preservation of sensitive product ingredients such as vitamins
- Maximum shelf life, longer freshness and guaranteed quality
- Best seal quality for effective distribution
- Colour and design durability on shelf
- Odour and taste free packaging
