Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor

February 2, 2017

4 Min Read
Top 5 packaging gifts of November 2016

Walmart’s new sustainable packaging strategy, a boatload of new technologies from two recent industry tradeshows, trends in flexible packaging and premium package design advice made November a month to remember…and to review.

One at a time, we unwrap the most popular articles on PackagingDigest.com for the month of November 2016 based on page views, starting at the bottom of the list and working our way up to the tip top.

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5. Digital package/label printing gains attention by losing color

At Labelexpo 2016, “white ink seemed a white-hot ticket for digital printing of labels and flexible packaging,” reports technical editor Rick Lingle. “Why is interest in white ink heating up?”

Four industry experts tell us:

“It is not as much about the color white as it is about the opacity capability. This is needed when using a clear label or clear film for a bag,” says Mike Ferrari, printing expert and industry consultant.

“White ink allows a user to enjoy the look of expensive screen-printed product packaging for a fraction of the cost of screen printing. Now, almost any product can have a perceived, premium look,” says Mark Sullivan, label systems manager vertical markets, Allen Datagraph Systems Inc. (ADSI).

“Demand for clear and metallic films is the result of the overwhelming need for white ink. UV ink in particular offers a very bright saturated color, which is good for many branded products on coated films and papers,” says Mike Pruitt, SurePress product manager for Epson America Inc. But he cautions: “There are many tradeoffs using white ink.”

“The whole process market is predicated on a white substrate,” says Jim Lambert, vp and general manager for INX International Ink Co. “Thus, if you have any other substrate color or metallic, it is absolutely critical to apply white as an underlying color. It's gaining in popularity and we are now seeing spot white being used more often in clear label substrates.”

NEXT: 4. Performance enhancements give flexible packaging a boost

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Learn what it takes to innovate in the packaging space at WestPack 2017 (Feb. 7-9; Anaheim, CA). Register today!

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4. Performance enhancements give flexible packaging a boost

Flexible packaging is getting tougher and thinner, which makes it that much more useful in some new products and new markets. And some films/pouches are also recyclable now. Packaging Digest got packaging experts at Dow to open up about trends and new developments—and the reasons behind them (yep, think consumer preferences for sustainability, snackability and convenience).

Down the road, we’ll be needing even more though, as growth in ecommerce will place additional demands on protective packaging (see photo above).

NEXT: 3. Mondelēz shares ‘premium’ package design success

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Learn what it takes to innovate in the packaging space at WestPack 2017 (Feb. 7-9; Anaheim, CA). Register today!

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3. Mondelēz shares ‘premium’ package design success

Mondelēz created premium packaging for Cadbury Glow, which opened up the product to new gifting categories and helped grow its sales. The company’s innovation executive Gil Horsky shares what he learned during that and other projects in 3 tips to successful package premiumization for your brand.

As he found, “stretching a mainstream brand upwards in an authentic and sustainable way is proving to be more challenging than expected.” But take his advice and you, too, can elevate the consumers’ experience to their ultimate delight…and to the joy of your accountants.

NEXT: 2. 14 must-see developments from Pack Expo 2016

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Learn what it takes to innovate in the packaging space at WestPack 2017 (Feb. 7-9; Anaheim, CA). Register today!

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2. 14 must-see developments from Pack Expo 2016

Live from Chicago…our editorial team scouted out new technologies and trends at the recent Pack Expo show that we thought you would be interested in. You know, stuff like an Internet of Things (IoT) cloud-connected pallet and a new blister machine that changes over in 10 minutes. Or a laser system that makes a high-resolution impact on beverage cans (see photo above) and a self-driving vehicle that rides outside the lines. Another 10 items await your reading pleasure when you click the link above. There’s something for everyone on the packaging team.

NEXT: 1. Walmart scores again with new sustainable packaging playbook

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Learn what it takes to innovate in the packaging space at WestPack 2017 (Feb. 7-9; Anaheim, CA). Register today!

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1. Walmart scores again with new sustainable packaging playbook

When Walmart talks “sustainable packaging,” you listen. Although our report on Walmart’s new Sustainable Packaging Playbook only made it to No.2 on our annual list of Top 5 sustainable packaging trends and news of 2016, it achieves the coveted No.1 spot for the month of November (less competition!).

The company’s simpler strategy now focuses on three areas—Optimize Design;  Source Sustainably; Support Recycling—where brand-owner vendors, private-label manufacturers and packaging suppliers can make changes to help improve their sustainability index score and reduce their cost of goods. After all, low cost is at the heart of Walmart’s pledge to consumers.

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Learn what it takes to innovate in the packaging space at WestPack 2017 (Feb. 7-9; Anaheim, CA). Register today!

About the Author(s)

Lisa McTigue Pierce

Executive Editor, Packaging Digest

Lisa McTigue Pierce is Executive Editor of Packaging Digest. She’s been a packaging media journalist since 1982 and tracks emerging trends, new technologies, and best practices across a spectrum of markets for the publication’s global community. Reach her at [email protected] or 630-272-1774.

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