Interactive Packaging 2025

The term “Corrugated box” generally conjures up images of boring, brown moving boxes. What many don’t realize is that Micro-flute, which is a type of corrugated board, is not only customizable, it also a sustainable packaging option!

What is fluting?

There are many different types of micro-flute that are gaining more interest from packaging companies due to their versatility and durability.

Fluting consists of strengthening the part of corrugated carton that brings stacking ability and durability to your box. They are differentiated by the type of liner (the surface sheet) and the flute type (the wavy part). Flute types are defined by their thickness and the number of flutes per lineal foot.

Packaging weight is greatly affected by the flute since the flute requires less paper (typically known as the take-up). Protection and insulation for the product increases using thicker flutes (this is commonly referred to as the crash zone). The number of flutes per lineal foot will directly impact the resistance to crash, the structural rigidity of the box, the accuracy of the folding operations and the printability.

The benefits of micro-flute include:

• Reduced fiber consumption
• Lighter yet durable and secure packaging
• Reduced need for warehousing and transportation

Printing on Micro-flute

There was a time where printing on corrugated board or micro-flute was a very complex, costly and lengthy process, as it required printing on paper or film and laminating it on the flute board.

However, Netpak has developed an innovative packaging solution that allows direct printing onto Micro-flute. Netpak is also capable of applying numerous types of enhanced printing and graphics options, making this type of packaging ideal for branding purposes (due to its sustainable properties and high degree of customization). Learn more about our printing options to discover how you can enhance the look and feel of your packaging.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

In today’s packaging landscape, the choice of raw materials can be daunting. The choice of substrate is influenced by a number of key parameters including the requirements of print performance, product protection, design features and requirements, sustainability and overall value.

Two of the most commonly used boards are SBS and SUS. Both SBS and SUS paperboards meet the requirements for the food packaging industry in the US and in Canada.

Solid bleached sulfate (SBS)

SBS is the highest quality and most expensive paperboard substrate. It is produced from bleached virgin wood pulp that is produced with a chemical pulping process.

Most bleached paperboard grades are clay-coated to enhance the smoothness and receptivity of the printing surface. SBS can be treated with a moisture barrier for use in liquid and food packaging. Bleached cellulose pulp has high whiteness, brightness and light stability. Thus, SBS is white throughout the sheet and is ideal for packaging requiring high impact graphics.

The softness and flexibility of SBS provides superior creasing, embossing, and cutting properties with low dust generation, allowing for a wide scope of structural designs. However, the bleaching process also adds cost and reduces stiffness. SBS paperboard has the highest purity and provides food products with the best odor taste and taint protection.

SBS is typically used in high-end packaging, where the impact and quality of the printed image are essential. It is also used in food packaging to ensure taste protection. Common uses are health and beauty packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, and frozen foods.

Characteristics:

• Gives excellent consistency and uniformity to the project;
• Offers a smooth surface and is great at holding ink making it excellent for printing and consistency of your brand image;
• Is recyclable and sustainable in order to keep in line with your corporate sustainability objectives.

Solid Unbleached Sulphate (SUS)

SUS, usually created with softwood pulp, results in good tear resistance and the greatest stiffness and strength in relation to basis weight of the paperboard substrates. SUS allows for the use of a lower caliper paperboard relative to other substrates. It also has cost advantages over bleached virgin paperboard.

SUS is used in many folding carton applications, especially when strength and durability are essential. Typical uses are consumer electronics packaging, beverage carriers, dry food packaging, hardware packaging, and packaging for powdered detergents and soaps.

SUS board generally has a better stiffness in comparison to other boards with the same caliper.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

Offset printing is a printing press technique where ink is transferred from a plate to a rubber roller and then to a paper material. It is typically used in mass production for brochures, stationary, magazines and boxes.

Offset printing is the most widely used printing option because of its low cost and because it creates high quality prints. There are two main types of offset printing: web-fed and sheet-fed.

Web-fed Offset Printing

Web-fed offset printing is typically what we see in newspaper, multi-page magazine or catalogue printing. Rolls of paper are fed continuously through the press. The paper is cut later. It produces a great amount of copies for organizations that need a lot printed in a small time frame.

Sheet-fed Offset Printing

Sheet-fed offset printing is different than web-fed printing because the paperboards are fed individually. Yet, thanks to modernization in the past years, its speed has increased for it to be as performing as web-fed offset printing. This is most typically used in carton packaging printing.

Before getting into the process of offset printing, it is highly important to have the artwork finalized and converted from RBG to CMYK, that is, the colors need to be in the right format. Our team of pre-press profressionals at Netpak are here to make sure your artwork is print-ready and that you will incur no additional time delays due to any artwork issues. Find out more about our pre-press services here.

The Offset Printing Process

First, your artwork is printed on a plate to give what we call a ‘type’. It is usually made of a sheet of metal, yet today, paper/polyester might be used. It is important to note that aluminum still gives the best results. The reverse side is also transferred to a plate.

The impressions on the plate are transferred to a cylinder, which will now be used in the offset printing machine. Note that if your print is double-sided, 2 plates will be needed. Finally, a rubber roller then feeds the paperboard into the press. The cylinder (which can also be made of rubber) contains your artwork’s impression from the plate and transfers (prints) the artwork onto the paperboard.

If you’re still debating, note that there are great benefits to using offset printing such as: high quality and true colors, low cost, and the process is fast, efficient, flexible and dynamic. Contact one of our experts at Netpak to discuss all the options available to you when choosing offset printing for your packaging.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

Premium packaging does not have to come at an exorbitant cost! There are many creative ways to reduce the cost of your packaging while maintaining a luxurious fitness that do not include using costly options such as enhancing printing.

It is a commonly know fact that packaging can increase competitive advantage over another product through its appearance and how appealing it is to the eye. Packaging that stands out on the shelf can catch a consumer’s attention over it’s neighbouring product.

In the case where you might not have a big budget, you can still access cost-effective premium packaging with the following tips:

Choose paper over plastic or rigid board!

Folding carton is less costly than rigid board. It is customizable to your liking, shape and style. It is also eco-friendly and are easily folded to create different features. Different types of papers are available to create various effects.

Go small!

Smaller boxes are not only more affordable; they also cost less to ship! The size of your box impacts the cost directly. Based on size only, a larger box can be more expensive than a smaller box – the less amount of paper youuse, the less it will cost! A tip from the experts: ensure that the box is adjusted to the size of your product and you don’t have extra unneeded space.

Minimalism can offer grandiose appeal!

Going small can allow you to focus on the artwork and the design of the box. You can therefore focus on sophistication and class, which is trending among many luxury brands. Our team of industry experts can help you create the shape you need for your box, while being creating a final product that stands out from its competition.

Texture, texture, texture!

Finally, final touches such matte laminations and soft touch finishes can give that extra sophisticated touch you might not have thought possible on a budget! Play on your customer’s sensory feel by finishing your box with a varnish that can be glossy, matte or soft touch. Read more about the different types of laminations available at Netpak here.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

The consumer electronics industry can sometimes be a hard nut to crack. With the size of the industry surging so dramatically over the last few years, there are hundreds of software and electronic choices. How do you differentiate your brand from other gadgets and electronics in the industry? How do you distinguish your product on the shelf from some of the other big names? The answer is easy: custom packaging! Luckily for you, Netpak is here to help you find innovative ways to package your electronics product. Here are three key reasons to go custom with your electronics packaging.

Branding is Key

Are you looking to secure a healthy future for your next generation electronics product? If so, you will quickly discover that branding is the main driver of success. Naturally, you will need effective online branding if you are looking to break into the market, but your physical branding at the store level is what will ensure long-term success. The simplest way to brand is to package your electronics in a carton box featuring a smart, eye-catching style that will distinguish your product from your competitor’s product. The amount of customization you can achieve with carton boxes is only limited by your imagination. You cannot underestimate the power that a custom carton from Netpak can have on your branding success.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

One of the great aspects of custom folding carton packaging is the ability to achieve any size and shape you can think of! Custom electronics packaging typically provides a better fit for your product as you can design it to fit any product size and shape. Not all boxes are “one size fits all”. Customizing the size and shape for your box will translate to less excess material waste, which is very beneficial, eco-friendly and cost effective. In a world where sustainability-focused options are becoming more important, Netpak’s eco-responsible certifications will allow our experts to help you customize your packaging solutions to be sustainable and cost-efficient. Learn more about Netpak’s eco-friendly certifications here.

The unboxing experience

Have you heard about the unboxing trend? In today’s day and age, the unboxing trend has skyrocketed. People even enjoy watching videos on social media of other people unboxing electronics. Imagine your electronics product packaging in a sleek-looking custom carton packaging, fully personalized with images, your logo, colours and the messages of your choice. Think about the incredible unboxing experience a custom carton can bring. Netpak offers many enhanced printing options to transform your product into a visual masterpiece. Create a multi-sensory unboxing experience with printing enhancement options such as embossing, UV high gloss coating and hot stamping.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

Often referred to as cellophane window patching or as windowing, this feature has become an increasingly important application in consumer packaging. It allows designers to add a whole new dimension to packaging and gives it an edge over its competition. A window on packaging can even trigger your customer’s curiosity!  Adding rigid or flexible windows not only adds distinction to your package, it also provides visual appeal to your product, allowing consumers to instantly view and engage with your product, making it that much more appealing to your customers.

Cellophane window patching is commonly used in industries such as Food and Beverage, Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals and even Retail. Have you ever noticed that most pie boxes have a small window through which you can see a decadent pie? What about cosmetics and electronics? Think about your facial cream box. Some cosmetics feature a cellophane window through that showcases their luxurious cream jar.

Rigid vs Flexible Windows

There are two options for cellophane windows: rigid widow and flexible window. The flexible window is a more cost-effective solution for windowing your product packaging. It’s usually made of a polyester film and it can be recyclable. It is ideal for packaging with curved structures due to its flexibility.

This type of window is used in food-contact packaging as it is approved in North America by some of the highest food-contact standards. The team of experts at Netpak are well-versed in regulations imposed by Health Canada and the FDA. Our food industry certifications, including BRCÒ, prove our ability and commitment to these high standards. Read more about our food industry approved certifications here.

While a flexible window may be more cost-efficient, a rigid window, commonly made of APET (a type of plastic resin), will provide a more luxurious appearance to your packaging and offers possibilities for unique designs. This type of film is commonly seen in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals or in packaging with large windows. Rigid windows provide crystal clarity and an effective way of displaying your product.

How is Window Patching applied?

Window patching is applied with a window-patching machine at the finishing stages of the production process. Often, window application is incorporated into the gluing process to provide faster turnaround times and lower costs. Netpak’s state-of-the-art technology allows continuously provide the fastest production times and avoid delays, while being cost-effective throughout the process. Better technology allows us to provide you with better packaging design options and improved visibility for your product with cellophane window patching. Learn more about Netpak’s state-of-the-art technology here.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

Did you know that the packaging design you choose or create for your product has an impact on consumers and their buying behaviour? Knowing consumer shopping behaviors is a major advantage when starting the design process. Here are the key factors in folding carton packaging that influence consumer and buying behaviours.

Less is more

Design trends are moving towards minimalism. Websites, interior design, and many more industries are heading towards packaging design that follows the minimalism trend. Packaging that is too busy can influence the buyer into looking for alternative products with more simple and sleek packaging. Our team of experts at Netpak is able to help you give your product a luxurious look and also be cost-effective throughout the process. In terms of packaging design, why not consider using microflute paperboard to achieve this style, instead of the classic white paperboard? It is an eco-friendly, cost-effective solution that we recommend to achieve minimalistic packaging requirements. Take a look at the different types of paperboard Netpak offers to create the perfect custom packaging for your product.

Perceived Quality and Sustainability

The quality of the product should be reflected in its packaging. It’s important for consumers to feel that they’re getting a good quality product just by the perception the packaging achieves. Additionally, the environmental impact of product packaging is a key component in today’s consumer behaviour. We live in a world experiencing many changes and moving towards a more sustainable way of life

It is important for the consumers to know they’re buying a product in line with their values of sustainability. For example, consider the major shift towards paper-based packaging over environmentally-harmful plastic packaging. Low environmental-impact packaging is more interesting and eye-catching to today’s consumer than it was several years ago. That is why Netpak is innovating and has obtained global eco-responsible certifications to be at the forefront of sustainability in the packaging industry. Find out how sustainability is at the core of Netpak’s values and operations and about our many sustainable designations here.

Innovation

Innovative and practical turn-key solutions will also influence the consumer’s buying behaviour. At Netpak, we believe the more your packaging stands out, the more it will resonate with your customers. We are constantly researching and improving the way we operate. Our processes and procedures are greatly inspired by the very latest in European trends and we further our innovative advances and state-of-the-art technology in accordance with their standards. As folding carton specialists, we can help you find practical yet innovative solutions to package your product in order to attract your target market and influence a broad range of consumers.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

Finishing services are applied at the final stages of the packaging process to ensure that the final result is consistent and perfect. That is, both from the completed project and customer service perspectives!

In short, finishing services are provided on printed folding carton packaging materials after they are done printing. This may include, but is not limited to, decorative additions and processes such as embossing or laminating, gluing, folding, stripping and cutting.

Netpak a wide range of finishing services from die cutting to gluing and folding, stripping and cutting. We also offer different types of lamination to make sure the final product packaging is consistent with your design and requirements. Read more about our finishing services and enhanced printing here.

Die cutting

Die cutting is the process used to cut out your packaging. Imagine your package is hexagonal; a cutting machine needs a form to cut out your packaging into that hexagonal shape! Die cutting cuts clean, sharp lines with consistent edges. The form that is used to cut and shape is called a die. It is a piece of metal that is used to cut out a shape from a material, which in our case is paperboard. In turn, die cutting means cutting with a die. Netpak’s experts in dies and die cutting will help adjust your dieline (a two-dimensional drawing of your packaging) in order to get the most per imposition and reduce excess material waste to a minimum.

Folding, stripping and cutting

Self-explanatory and probably the most fun part of the finishing process! Paperboard is folded, stripped and cut. Netpak’s state-of-the-art technology enables us to work at a fast pace and allows us to offer quick lead times with a rapid and efficient production process amongst the quickest in the industry.

Gluing

An integral part of the finishing stage is gluing. It’s what helps hold your box together! Our production process uses glues that are water-based and odorless to adhere to the most stringent of standards in sustainability and in food-contact packaging. Read more about our certifications and sustainability efforts here.

Lamination

Netpak also offers the possibility to finish your product packaging with lamination. Lamination is a process that bonds a plastic film to a printed paperboard. It is used to improve the appearance of packaging, but also for protection. Depending on the type of lamination selected for your folding carton packaging, the transparent film provides protection from wear and tear, and sometimes even spills! It helps intensify colors and helps differentiate your product from its competition on the shelf. Read more about the different types of lamination, such as gloss, matte and soft-touch here.

Netpak is your expert in finishing services and we’ll make sure that the final result will be as you imagined, with the promised consistency and the best customer service.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

You’ve decided on the type of product packaging that’s best suited for your product. You’ve also chosen the type of carton that fits right in with your brand’s core values and marketing objectives. As you move onto the finishing steps for your project, you’ve decided on applying enhanced printing options to add brilliance and sheen! One of the most sough after effects in enhanced printing is film lamination. In this article, we explore the different types of film laminations and how Netpak can help you select the best-suited one for your project.

What is Film Lamination?

Film lamination can enhance your packaging by providing it a luxurious finishing touch, but by also reinforcing the paperboard and extending its life cycle. Perfect for various types of packaging, including food contact packaging, the lamination process applies a clear plastic film to printed pieces. It not only adds protection, but also strengthens your product’s packaging. Additionally, it can improve the printing performance and it can stretch and flex, contrary to other coatings such as liquid coatings.

There are various types of film laminations, however the most common Gloss Lamination, Matte Lamination and Soft-touch Lamination.

In the packaging process, selecting the proper film lamination is just as important as selecting the proper packaging material for your product. Luckily for you, Netpak is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to apply these different types of laminations and our team of experts will assist you in selecting and evaluating lamination options for your packaging.

Gloss Lamination

Gloss Lamination is a common application that uses a clear and lustrous film to enrich printing. This lamination can make your packaging stand out by giving a richer depth of color, which in turn intensifies your color scheme and also provides better image contrast. If you want to portray a clean look and draw attention to your packaging, gloss lamination is the way to go! It is also often used to add an embossed texture to minimize fingerprint smudges, scratches or to prevent deterioration of the finish.

Matte Lamination

Matte Lamination offers a subtler finish. It is non-reflective and reduces color shifts, therefore remaining more faithful to the colors you’ve chosen for your product’s packaging, rather than enhancing or intensifying it. Matte Lamination is also scratch-resistant and can eliminate the appearance of fingerprints. This type of lamination is general more durable and can help give your product a more elegant feel.

Soft-Touch Lamination

Soft-Touch Lamination gives your product packaging a velvety, brushed hand-feel and a smooth and silky appearance. A soft-touch lamination, unlike gloss or matte lamination, gives a feeling of depth

and offers distinction by stimulating the sense of touch. This tactile-appearance will help you create a luxurious and refined look; the perfect choice for a luxury brand. Just as with Matte Lamination, it will offer a subtle surface with little-to-no sheen. Soft-touch lamination will definitely get your packaging noticed and generally elicits a positive response due to its unexpected and unique feel.

Whether you’re looking to give your product’s packaging a luxurious finish, with soft-touch lamination, or intensify its colors with a glossy finish, or even scratch-resistance with a matte finish, Netpak and its experts are where you can find the best options for your product to stand out on the market. Take a look at all the enhanced printing options available here.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

Do you know what die cutting is? Rest assured, you’re not alone. Die cutting is a technical process most commonly used in folding carton packaging production. Apart from industry experts, not many people understand the term. This article, inspired by one of Netpak’s expert die makers, dives into the die cutting process and what exactly this term means.

What is a die?

To understand die cutting, you need to understand what a die is! A die is a type of “mold”, a piece of metal that is made to take on a special shape and is used to cut paperboard when creating custom packaging. Dies are shaped in the specific way needed to cut out custom shapes and allow for great creativity. You can read more about the versatility and creativity folding carton offers here.

To form a die into the specific shape needed, we need tools and die makers. Once the actual die is made, it is mounted into a press for the die cutting processes.

The Die Cutting Process

At this stage, a dieline is required to proceed with the cutting process. A dieline is a two-dimensional flat drawing of your box. Luckily for you, Netpak offers our clients graphic and prepress services to assist in the creation of the dieline for the custom packaging you have designed. Our experts will help you adjust the dieline in order to maximize the use of paperboard and reduce excess material waste. You can read more about our environmental certifications and about our sustainability values here.

Once the dieline is created and adjusted, we start the die cutting process for the first batch of product packaging.

Can a die be used more than once?

Absolutely! Once a die is created, it can be used multiple times on the press. In the long run, it will reduce your costs since you will only have to pay once to create the die that will be reusedwhenever needed after the first press run.

Die cutting is very useful in creating unique and custom packaging. We can create a die in the specific shape needed to cut out paperboard for the packaging that will complement, as well as feature your product and your brand. Your packaging then becomes an important part of your marketing strategy and a way to put forward your product and build your brand.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

Think about when you head to the grocery store, why do you pick out the juice or chips that you did? Do you have brand loyalty, did you have a recommendation or did you like the packaging? Packaging is one of the under-utilized considerations when it comes to marketing. This is why we have brought together some great reflections on how packaging design is essential to your companies success.

Packaging is one of the main ways in which potential clients identify your brand.

Think of the major brands in the world such as Apple, Coca-Cola and Samsung, can you picture what their packages look like? Exactly! Packaging is one of the premier ways in which consumers can identify and engage with your brand through its design, its look and feel! Netpak understands that design is important. Our enhanced printing options offer a way to optimize your creativity and keep your packaging design at the top of its game.

Packaging communicates with clients

The packaging does more than ensure clients can identify your product; it can display the product and even provide clients with instructions of its use. Any time you get a new gizmo or use a household product, the instructions are typically right on the package it came in! This is why Netpak has focuses a large amount of our effort in our design and print studies to ensure our clients can get their message to the client with ease.

Packaging is a differential factor when it comes to competitors

Typically, you are not the only player in your space. Your packaging is one of the many ways you can differentiate yourself from your competitor. This can be through sleek packaging like what American Express does with their packages and cards, or through a more instructional-style package like leading household detergents like Tide. The main point is that through your box, your consumer can start to identify and separate you from your competition, and that is a good thing. Let our team of experts guide you into creating innovative and custom solutions. We are the one-stop shop that can take on even the most demanding of projects.

Packaging is your promotional material

The days of effective mail outs and newspaper ads have started to diminish for many industries, and that is why packaging allows you to market and promote your product with little effort. When the consumer is ready to purchase, the difference between you and a competitor that is side by side on the shelf might be the packaging. Think about a competitive market like microbreweries, the only differentiating factor for the consumer who is not educated in each brewery is the package, and thus small independent breweries spend countless hours building their brand through their packaging, and your company might benefit from this kind of detail. Our focus in smart and clever design is why Netpak has excelled in our space, and we cannot wait to help you.

Packaging should be functional to ensure your product can make it to market

There might be nothing worse than dealing with a broken product due to sub-par packaging. We have seen it in all sectors, and companies that take the extra time to design a function and yet gorgeous packaging can enjoy the benefits of happy customers, and avoid excess returns due to breaks or defects.

Packaging is one of those things that is often forgotten until the last minute, but for the team at Netpak, it is our daily business. If you are looking for the next great carton or cardboard package, let’s chat and see what our team can create so that your company can succeed both online and in-store with design-conscious, smart and most-of-all, functional packaging.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

In today’s world, packaging is vital to the success of many products. It has often been described as the “silent salesman”. Some consumers use product packaging as a tool to gauge the. Perceived value and quality of the product. In our industry, we refer to packaging in three distinct levels, each of which affect how the saleable product is packed and shipped, as well as the actual look and feel of the packaging.

Primary Packaging

Primary packaging, commonly referred to as consumer or retail packaging, is the box that is in direct contact with your product. The primary packaging is used to protect the product and inform your customer of its uses and other valid details. The type of primary packaging used depends on the type of product you are selling. In the food industry, your primary packaging might be your actual beverage bottle or it could be the pasta box that comes into immediate contact with the pasta itself.

In the food and beverage market, food safety is of critical importance, especially when your primary packaging is in direct contact with food. For this reason, food and beverage packaging is required to meet certain legal obligations to protect consumers and even safeguard your brand. Netpak is  proud to be the first fully BRC® “GRADE A” / IoP Issue 5-certified by GFSI® packaging company in North America. The BRC certification establishes a series of standards that demands a high level of compliance and is internationally recognized as a mark of quality, safety and responsibility in the food and beverage market. Learn more about Netpak’s numerous certifications and accreditations here.

Secondary Packaging

Secondary packaging, similar to primary packaging, has various uses depending on the product. This level of packaging can be the shipping box that is used to contain your primary packaging, but it can also be your retail or consumer-facing packaging. This can get a little confusing, right? Here’s an example: you’re walking down the health and beauty aisle in your local pharmacy. What do you see? Tons and tons of skincare options! You reach out and grab your favourite skin care product off the shelf. Does it come in a 50ml jar packaged and secured in a beautiful box? Or is it a tube packaged in a unique-looking printed carton box?

In this case, the secondary packaging is consumer facing. It becomes more important than ever to find an innovative packaging solution to help your branding efforts and even more so differentiate yourself from the fierce competition in today’s marketplace. What could you possibly do to make your skin care product eye-catching and stand out from the next product on the shelf? The answer is easy: enhanced printing! Print your logo in hot stamp or use a UV high gloss coating to create a unique texture and effect. Let the team of experts at Netpak educate you on our enhanced printing options and how we can help make your packaging stand out from its competition.

Tertiary Packaging

Tertiary packaging is generally the shipping box used to protect the secondary packaging. Warehouses use tertiary packaging to protect and transport goods. A type of tertiary packaging includes shrink wrapped boxes on pallets or the shipping box containing your printed carton. A box within a box, some may say! Netpak offers warehousing options with co-packaging and logistics management for ultimate flexibility for your project. Our team of shipping and logistics experts is fully equipped to ship your project and ensure that the shipment arrives to its final destination on time, every time.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

In today’s day and age, consumers are more aware of their impact on the environment than ever before. Consumers know want to know where products come from and how they are made. With the internet and through other measures, they are now able to get informed and conduct their own research on eco-friendly options. In order to showcase their sustainability efforts and get with the times, many companies are now obtaining eco-friendly certifications.

These designations have greater importance in the decision-making process of buyers, as well as in that of businesses. Their feeling of responsibility towards their community and the environment is now greater and becomes critical in deciding on buying a product packaged with eco-friendly certified materials rather than one that isn’t certified.

Netpak is proud to have earned numerous certifications that ensure the materials we procure are sourced in a responsible manner. These certifications prove Netpak’s commitment towards sustainability and ensuring our production runs in the most efficient and eco-friendly manner possible.

• PEFC® CERTIFIED
  

  The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC®) is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting Sustainable Forest Management (SFM®) through independent third-party certification. PEFC® works throughout the entire forestry supply chain to promote good practices in the forest and to ensure that timber and non-timber forest products are produced respecting the highest ecological, social and ethical standards. Thanks to its eco-label, customers and consumers are able to identify products from sustainably managed forests

• SFI® CERTIFIED
  

  The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI®) is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for maintaining, overseeing and improving a sustainable forestry certification program. This program is internationally recognized and is the largest single forest standard in the world. The standard is used widely across North America and has strong acceptance in the global marketplace ensuring the supply of wood and paper products are derived from legal and responsible sources

• FSC® CERTIFIED
  

  The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) guarantees customers that the FSC®-labelled products they buy has come from a forest and supply chain that is managed responsibly. To achieve FSC® certification, you must adhere to ten rules that cover the essentials of responsible forest management. These rules apply worldwide, across all ecosystems and cultural, political, and legal systems, with specific guidance provided for local interpretation.

What are the practical implications of such certifications? Your consumers will ensure they are buying products that, as do Netpak’s core values, strive to minimize their environmental impact on the planet while using raw materials from responsibly managed forests.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

With the environmentally-conscious movement rapidly growing and gaining more relevance on a global scale, interest in sustainable options has risen dramatically across various industries. For Netpak, sustainability means embracing the responsibility our manufacturing process has on the environment and our surroundings. We are fiercely proud to position ourselves as market leaders offering various “eco-friendly” sustainable packaging options; however, our commitment does not end at simply transitioning towards sustainable packaging.

Paperboards

As an industry leader in folding carton packaging, Netpak has an extensive selection of paperboard suitable for your desired application. From Solid Bleach Sulphate (SBS) to Coated Recycled Board (CRB) and Corrugated Fiberboard (Microflute), our paperboard selection is composed of recycled fiber and meets market criteria for both performance and cost. In fact, CRB paperboard is made from 100% recycled fiber, as well as our Folding Box Board (FBB) which is recognized as being made from renewable material and for its recyclability. Our procurement team is composed of experts in paperboard selection and can help you select the right paperboard for your project that fits all your sustainability and eco-friendly requirements.

Use of eco-responsible resources

To further our sustainability efforts, Netpak uses a variety of odourless, water-based inks glues that are also Health Canada and FDA approved for boxed food use. These types of carefully formulated inks and glues offer superior performance and significantly optimize the recyclability of a product as well as its overall life cycle.

Netpak has also implemented various controls and procedures to ensure our team operates in the most efficient manner possible. These processes help reduce our energy consumption, as well as optimize time and resources. We also maximize our sustainability efforts by recycling EVERY small bit of paper that is unused in our production process in order to reduce our overall excess-material waste. Our goal is to work towards a ZERO LANDFILL policy.

Certifications and our Responsibility

We have made a commitment to our business and our clients by offering and exploring the most innovative sustainability-advanced options and focusing our efforts on being leaders of the industry. By offering recyclable boards, reducing and optimizing energy consumption, Netpak is proud to have received numerous eco-responsible certifications from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Find out more about these certifications here.

To maintain these highly-recognized eco-credentials and designations on a continuous basis, we offer our clients “green” packaging options and operate in the most effective manner. We undergo annual rigorous environmental audits of our facility, production line and processes that confirm our operations meet the most stringent industry objectives and offer our customers options that minimize environmental impact across the board.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

Surface treatments on folding carton packaging are now a big trend and some of the most successful companies in the world have seen their sales skyrocket by changing their packaging to include these sleek printing options. The enhanced style of printing adds depth to a regular folded carton or that flash of brilliance that will make your product stand out from the competition. At Netpak, let our team of experts guide you to transform your packaging into a visual masterpiece through the use of our wide selection of enhanced printing options.

Shelf Appeal

Enhanced printing will add a new dynamic to the basic folded carton and helps to ensure that your product has great shelf appeal at the storefront. For instance, metallic ink can help your carton reflect the bright lighting that you see in pharmacies or grocery stores to attract a client’s eye. What about hot stamping your logo in shiny gold on a gorgeous black box featuring a soft-touch lamination? Netpak can guide you through creating clean, yet visually appealing packaging solutions so your overall design is striking and bold and gives your product some serious shelf appeal, increasing perceived quality often resulting in the ability of selling the product at a higher retail price.

A Texture to Make a Customer Stop

Did you know that the texture of a box can help drive sales? We are all guilty of running our hand across the packaging on a store shelf when our eye captures a cool texture. With Netpak’s premium printing solutions, you can add many types of textures to your packaging, including varnishes and effects.  Some types of varnish will even give off a velvety feel that plays to your tactile senses. Known as “Soft Touch”, this kind of texture allows a consumer to feel the difference between the quality of your brand’s folding carton packaging versus the boring regular carton sitting next to it on the shelf. Capturing your client’s eye with cool feelings and textures will help drive your sales and ensure your product moves off the shelf!

What About Embossing?

If you are looking for a product that speaks to quality and to the more exceptional things in life, chances are you are going to pick the embossed carton over the plain one. We see this in alcohol packaging all the time, for instance. Scotch companies have started to use embossing printed cartons for scotch and whiskey to differentiate and class up that option tactilely. In comparison, cheaper whiskeys opt for regular cartons as they are not looking to sell to the clientele who is looking for that luxurious, smooth scotch. Netpak has quickly become one of the top producers of embossed cartons, and our work in the area for food and beverage clients has become one of our specialities.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

The days where your local milkman dropped off your weekly dose of dairy or the local mom and pop shop was packed with clients grabbing their groceries are long gone. Supermarkets have began dominating the food and beverage market over the last few decades, and for companies who are looking to break into the likes of the big players in the grocery world such as Loblaws, Walmart and Whole Foods, folding carton packaging is one of the easiest ways to adhere to company standards across the grocery industry.

Folding Carton Travels Well

Made from optimum paperboard that is sturdy and durable, the folding carton packaging option provides adequate protection for your food product, rendering it it ideal for shipping. As a consumer, you definitely don’t want to purchase a damaged product, let alone food items that are in a damaged box! As a retailer, imagine shipping your product to Walmart and your carton packaging didn’t withstand the shipping process? What a retail nightmare!

Our team of paperboard experts know the ins-and -outs of each paperboard type and will help you select the right type for your product. By using materials specifically designed for strength, you can avoid this shipping nightmare and ensure your food carton packaging arrives intact and in one-piece every time.

Certified

Food producers know how important it is to find the right packaging for the supermarket shelves. More and more key players in the food industry such as Walmart and Costco are now demanding that their suppliers meet specific Health Canada and FDA requirements or regulations for direct food contact packaging. At Netpak, our team of experts understand these requirements, as well as those imposed by supermarkets meeting the standards of substrate strength, protective coatings, gluing and much more, to keep your packaging intact. Our various high-standard certifications, including the BRC® “GRADE AA” certified by GFSI® recognized in the food industry, have allowed us to work with some of the biggest players in the supermarket world. Find out more about our certifications here.

Ease of stocking

When grocery stores are looking to bring in new products, they need to find a home for them on the shelves. Items packaged in folding carton solutions are simpler to stock as boxes stack well and can be picked up with ease. Think of the cookie boxes and cracker aisles in your local supermarket: have you noticed that folding carton boxes dominate the shelves while brands in bags are relegated to end stands or displays? Stockers can easily get the boxes on the shelf and create attractive displays without the need to deal with balancing awkwardly-shaped products and or unsteady bags. Grocery stores love a simple plug and play model and a folding carton creates this ideal scenario. Let the team at Netpak help you design a folding carton solution that fits your needs and that grocery stores will love.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

Netpak is proud to announce it has obtained its sixth consecutive BRC® “GRADE AA” certification by GFSI®.

Netpak’s commitment to our customers and continuous process improvement is at the heart of our core values. Being the first North American printer to be accredited with the highly coveted BRC® certification is among one of our many industry achievements and a true testament to our outstanding performance and quality.

What is the BRC® certification?

Setting the standard in the food industry, the British Retail Consortium (BRC®) is a globally recognized organization that establishes a series of standards to help companies be compliant with food safety laws at all levels of the supply chain. Many food manufacturers are now requiring their suppliers to implement rigorous quality control programs and obtain highly-recognized certifications.

The BRC® Global Standards programme is fully approved by the Global Food Standard Initiative (GFSI®) and has become a benchmark in for best practice in the food and beverage industry. Being BRC® certified allows Netpak to validate our production process with the highest standards of quality, safety and traceability in the industry.

What is the BRC® certification process?

Receiving the BRC® designation requires an extremely thorough auditing process, conducted yearly. These formal performance reviews completed at our facility assess the various key components of our production process including our safety and hygiene systems, as well as our control on the manufacturing processes and production line. Risk management systems must be implemented, as well as a rigorous quality control process and upstream and downstream product traceability processes in order to successfully complete the audit and ensure we benchmark against the highest and most demanding standards in the industry.

Years ago, Netpak was among the first in North America to successfully complete the BRC® auditing process and to this day, we have successfully completed this process for the sixth consecutive year.

What does the BRC® certification mean for Netpak?

Obtaining the BRC® designation is of the utmost importance for Netpak. Our customers can rest assured that our facility and packaging solutions meet and achieve the highest levels of the GFSI-recognized certifications for food safety, all while fulfilling their legal obligations and providing protection for the end consumer.

As the industry grows and adds various standards and requirements to meet, Netpak has made a continuous commitment to our customers and our company to maintain these strict standards of quality control, hygiene and food safety. We are proud to be pioneers in the folding carton packaging industry and we will continue to improve our processes to better help our customers and partners achieve their business goals.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA 1-866-399-8544

The food industry is one of the largest markets in the word. The very way we buy, store and showcase food has evolved throughout time. In this article, we look at how cartons have genuinely changed the way that we think of food, from farm to table, and the carton is responsible for the vast majority of the food that you buy and consume.

The agriculture industry is the largest food carton user

The packaging used in food distribution is the largest application for folding cartons within the industry. Almost half of all cartons found in the food industry are used to transport bulk cartons or raw produce to stores around the continent. Whether it is produce or cereal, reliable and functional cartons have ensured that food can get to market and is responsible for the accessibility of food across Canada and the US. Netpak has been one of the largest producers of these cartons, specializing in Corrugated Micro-flute as a phenomenal alternative to standard corrugated carton.

Packaging can affect how long things stay fresh

Shipping and storage methods have long been a focus for food industry RnD departments. As for the results, cardboard is still one of the best storage solutions used in the food industry. In 2016, a study in Spain found that cardboard trays within cartons ensure that food will store for 48 to 72 hours longer than plastic or no tray at all. This is why Netpak has worked with our food industry clients, not only on the packaging of food, but also with our logistics and shipping department, to ensure their products arrive to their intended destination on time, keeping their speed-to-market needs as a priority. This is a testament to our team of experts who share a common passion for innovative folding carton solutions but who also make your band and business objectives our focus.

Packaging affects how we feel about food

Shoppers are emotional people and the very packaging that food is contained in can bring either success or failure for a particular brand. Consider this: a study in 2015 found that the more writing coffee and baby food contained on the label led to a participant perceiving the product as healthier. These kinds of simple trends can help companies produce carton packing solutions that can generate sales across their entire product line, instead of just a few key products.

Cartons are multifunctional

Any custom folding carton solution produced by Netpak holds multiple purposes. Its quality and structure will ensure that your product gets to its destination and make it to the consumer’s home in perfect condition. Folding cartons ensure that your product will be able to be stocked on shelves across the country. A solid and innovative carton will also help your brand get noticed and increase brand awareness to ensure repeat clients.

The simple folding carton has genuinely revolutionised the food industry. The team at Netpak can help your company design and produce your very own custom cartons. Let’s chat and see how we can ensure your brand and carton is ready for its big debut.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA: 1-866-399-8544

The pharmaceutical market is one of the most competitive markets in the consumer industry, and the team at Netpak loves working with clients in this tough segment. The reason is simple, we love a good challenge! And this is part of the reason that we thought we would share some of our wisdom with the masses. In this article, we are going to showcase how your pharmaceutical product can be helped with the application of Smart Packaging!

RFID Traceability and Customer Engagement

RFID smart packaging has quickly become the norm in the folding carton world, and when you consider the efforts that companies are putting into online shipping, it makes sense. RFID chips within the carton can allow for companies to spot check shipments with ease, and ensure that the right palate is going to the right truck. These RFID chips allow for the use of 1D and 2D barcodes and will ensure that companies just like yours are able to control and track pharmaceutical cartons from production through delivery. Netpak can work with you to ensure that your cartons are delivered on time and can help drive positive customer experiences. We continue to maintain our BRC® “Grade A” certification, which guarantees the highest levels of production quality, safety and traceability.

Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) Paperboard

It is important to find the right type of paperboard in pharmaceutical packaging. One of the most used paperboards in the pharmaceutical industry is the Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) paperboard. Made exclusively from bleached chemical pulp and generally coated on its top surface with a mineral or synthetic pigment, SBS is a virgin fibre grade of premium paperboard.

It is pure and hygienic with no smell or taste, which makes it ideal for packaging that contains pharmaceutical products. We offer SBS paperboard in various grades and can help you find the perfect paperboard for your unique specifications.  Learn more about Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) paperboard and it’s properties here.

Interactive Packaging

The simple paper carton is not so simple anymore. Here at Netpak, we have worked hard to install and embrace technology to produce interactive packaging that can truly make a difference in our customer’s sales. Interactive print technology is a way of engaging with your customer at any time and virtually anywhere. Uses of QR codes, augmented reality and more find ways to engage and connect with the customer after the product purchase is made by directing them to your online content. Find out more about our enhanced printing options, including our interactive print technology here.

Functional packaging

Nothing is worse for a pharmaceutical product to have issues with breaks or gashes to a product. Not only will you have to deal with returns, and unhappy customers, your overall reputation may take a hit with influencers showcasing your broken product. This can all be negated with smart and functional custom packaging. A proper package will ensure that a product makes it to the market without damage, while still looking great. Looks are essential in the pharmaceutical industry, and smart, yet functional, packaging will make that happen.

The pharmaceutical industry is a tough one, but for the team at Netpak, we love the challenge that comes with this industry. From working with clients one on one to make sure that their custom packaging sparks brand awareness, to carrying eco-friendly options for those who want to help the Earth with every sale. Our selection and ability to customise functional cartons is second to none, and we would love to help you find your next superstar product. Are you interested? Let’s chat and see how we can ensure your future pharmaceutical product stands out from the masses.

Netpak: Printed Folding Carton Experts. Contact us today for a quote: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA: 1-866-399-8544

As a company, sometimes you need to take a step back and look at your current brand. Are you doing enough to ensure customers know who you are? Can you change anything about your current marketing or brand awareness efforts? Well luckily for you, we have brought together five of the best ways to raise your brand’s shelf-esteem that will guide your brand’s growth over the long-term.

Simple and Sleek Packaging

We live in a world where sleek packaging is the answer from today’s marketing  experts. When you are looking to design a package, remember that your consumer needs to be able to recognize your brand, what you are selling, and any pertinent details that might entice them. Skip the fine print and let your product and brand do the selling!

Generic? Skip It!

Generic packaging is something that came into fashion in the 1990’s and here at Netpak, we are ecstatic to see it making its way out of the norm. Your packaging design is one of the ways that you can speak to your clients, and generic packaging does little to nothing for your brand or your product. Your brand needs to be recognized, and one of the best ways to do this is through smart and yet stylish custom packaging. Our team of industry experts specialise in developing custom cartons that can ensure your packaging stands out from the competition. So, Let the no name food brands keep to the generic labels and cartons, and instead, focus on a sleek and innovative design that will attract customers, not bore them.

At Netpak, our clients work with a team of like-minded experts who share a common passion for packaging and provide guidance from the conceptual and prototype stages, all the way down to the finished product. We understand how design can play a vital role in helping you stand out from the crowd and provide your brand with a competitive edge. We also offer an array of enhanced printing options to turn your folding carton into a visual masterpiece.

Relevancy is Important

When you are looking to ensure your brand will be able to fly off the shelves, you have to ensure your cartons are relevant. Your brand is designed to attract a certain buyer, and if you are out of touch with your base, your brand will struggle. Naturally, you will need to design your carton to match the expectations of your consumer, and this might take some work. There are a ton of options out there, and the team at Netpak can certainly help get your carton to where it needs to be in terms of design, board type and of course printing enhancements that can add a touch of luxury, sophistication and greater perceived value for your product.

Consider your Colors

This might seem a little crazy, but colors often influence a buyer’s decision, and can even affect their mood! Considering this, if you are selling a product that is used in a happy time, make sure to match that joy with colorful and bright colors. Colors can affect a decision at the shelf, and when done properly, will ensure your brand and product are correctly matched with how you want your consumer feeling when they use your product. Netpak is GMI certified, so matching colors and ensuring consistency in your packaging using our state of the art technology is something we are seriously passionate about.

If you are looking at revamping your packaging, the team at Netpak would love to have a chat! Reach out to one of our reps today and see how we can help breathe new life into your brand packaging through our custom printed cartons.

Contact us today for a quote. Call us, email us or submit your inquiry online! sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA: 1-866-399-8544

For over a decade, the move towards sustainability has been the biggest buzz. Remove, Reduce, Recycle, Renew and Re-use: everyone knows the five R’s of Recycling. As carton packaging evolves, more consumers are now seeking Eco-friendly and sustainable packaging. Brands are beginning to adopt new sustainable packaging practices in order to opt for more convenient and affordable cartons that have no impact on the environment.

What is Sustainable Packaging?

Sustainable packaging is a journey that starts with focus on saving the natural resources by material reduction and package optimization. With the ultimate goal to reduce a carton packaging’s overall environmental impact, we at Netpak look at the entire life cycle of the packaging – from the raw materials being used to its actual disposal.

By offering our clients “green” packaging options, such as paperboard that is entirely 100% recyclable, we can help reduce waste. However,  we understand that sustainable packaging doesn’t end at the actual paperboard! Not only do we use a variety of odourless, water-based glues and inks that are Health Canada approved for boxed food packaging, but we also ensure to operate in the most efficient manner in order reduce energy consumption and resources.

Why is Sustainable Carton the Future of Packaging World?

Reduces Carbon Footprint

The clearest feature of sustainable cartons is their eco-friendly nature. The packaging cartons are made with focus on recycling. This results in a diminished use of natural resources for production. The process used for production tends to be more efficient, further reducing precious resources, and resulting in least negative impact on the environment.

Netpak undergoes annual third party environmental audits of our facility and operations. We continue to maintain our environmental accreditations and certifications from The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI®), The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC®), and The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®).

Most Versatile Form of Packaging Cartons

Eco-friendly cartons are not just the most sustainable form of packaging, but also the most versatile form of packaging. With our ability at Netpak to adapt to different product types, shapes, and sizes, we bring sustainable packaging to a different level of versatility and creativity through enhanced printing. We use hot stamping and metallic inks to enhance the look of your packaging, as well as processes such as UV high gloss coating, embossing and various types of  laminations.

The result is that sustainable packaging has found its way into some of the major markets we work with, including pharmaceuticals, electronics, food and beverage, as well as health and beauty!

As Light as a Feather

With the rise in sustainable packaging, it has suddenly become important to become creative with the design of lighter weight packaging without compromising quality. The lighter the unit, the lighter the load for transit, and in turn, lighter transit loads reduce the environmental impact of transportation.

Luckily for you, Netpak provides customers with innovative printing options. Our Corrugated Fiberboard (Flute) is a great alternative and option to corrugated cardboard and provides an excellent source of fiber for recycling. Find out more about our Corrugated Fiberboard (Flute) here.

Improving the Value of Products & Businesses

From cookie boxes to craft beer packaging and your favorite skincare packaging to your favorite coffee boxes, Netpak’s sustainable packaging options is adding value to various industries. Some consumers even choose to support companies because of their reputation for sustainable products and services. Companies are now starting to realize that their transition to sustainable packaging has improved their brand image and their company profits by reducing production time and transportation costs.

Contact us today for a quote. Call us, email us or submit your inquiry online! sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA: 1-866-399-8544

In the online realm, retailers are often fighting off traditional norms when it comes to shipping and carton boxes. The issues are, these retailers do not have the conventional value of a bag to provide to their customers while they walk the mall, but one of the most under-utilized branding methods is on the very shipping box that the company is already using. In this article, we are going to touch on how custom carton boxes can help group your brand across the entire spectrum.

Branded Shipping Boxes

For years, shipping boxes have been relegated to the plain brown box with a barcode. WRONG! Here at Netpak, we have worked with our clients redefining the traditional shipping box, and instead, turn it into invaluable real estate as a branding and marketing tool. We have created custom boxes for various industries, everything from Pizza to Retail. And part of what can differentiate you from the competition is how your package arrives at a customer’s front stoop.

Gives Value

When you send along either a shipping box or a custom carton box, you are creating an opportunity to spark a meaningful engagement with your client. Opening a package should be a thrilling experience, similar to unwrapping a carefully wrapped birthday gift. It’s not just about the product inside that counts, but rather the marketing effort that goes into delivering a personalized and unique moment between brand and consumer. This opportunity is often overlooked. Companies can benefit from a positive psychological effect, and that is why custom carton branded boxes will ensure the client experience of opening their product starts on the right foot, and customer loyalty is obtained.

Makes Advertising Simple

A box is just a box until you add custom branding, and then it becomes a mobile advertisement. There are some great marketing campaigns that you can build around your packaging. But the simple fact remains, according to a Dotcom study, is that 4 out of 10 consumers will share a picture of a unique box on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Thus, any time you ship a plain brown box you are missing an opportunity to exponentially grow your brand through social media advertising you do not have even have to pay for. Think about potential ways to keep the customer re-engaged post purchase, simply by posting their box online and sharing it with friends for a chance to enter into a contest. Campaigns can go viral, which is incredible for your brand recognition.

The growing online world

The online marketplace is growing, and with 54% of millennials preferring online shopping to traditional shopping, the importance of custom carton boxes become even more essential. Instead of a brown box methodology, an ingenious redesign combined with Interactive Smart Packaging or QR codes,  will ensure that this next great generation will learn and recognize your brand for thinking outside the box, a trait in which millennials identify with.

So, is it about time that you chatted with Netpak about revolutionizing your carton box? If so, we would love to talk as we are one of Canada’s folding carton pioneers, offering our clients a variety of board options and custom printing that we tailor to meet your specific needs. Let’s see how Netpak can make your box the talk of social media.

Contact us today for a quote. Call us, email us or submit your inquiry online! sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA: 1-866-399-8544

The USA Opportunity:

Due to the general economic conditions and the weakening CAD, demand for Canadian-made Folding Carton Manufacturing is seeing a dramatic increase in bid requests from many companies south of the border.

Netpak has emerged as a leading choice for American companies looking to leverage more buying power from the strengthening US dollar. The drop in the Canadian dollar has created a tremendous opportunity for U.S. companies that are willing to source their production to Quebec. Just on the currency alone, they can expect savings of roughly 20-30 per cent.

Netpak is keen to lure more U.S. bids to its Quebec operations as we are confident the company can not only service this demand, but we also welcome the opportunity to showcase Netpak’s expertise, technological sophistication, and ability to meet production requirements of the highest standard, volume, and quality to a broader North American audience.

Better People, Better Technology, Better Service, Better Returns

Netpak is Quebec’s largest privately held manufacturer of printed folding cartons and a significant printing and packaging partner to many leading consumer packaging companies in North America. We stand by our unwavering commitment to quality and customer service. If you’re new to Netpak, here’s what you need to know.

Our commitment to quality

With clients across a number of highly regulated industries such as health and beauty, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage, Netpak takes pride in adhering to the most stringent standards to meet each and every requirement. From regular client and supplier audits, to certification audits and ongoing internal process evaluations, our commitment not only to Quality Assurance but also to Quality Products, is a mindset that is shared across the entire Netpak organization.

Certifications: BRC Global Standard®, GMI®, SGS/ISO 9001®, FSC®, PEFC®, SFI®

Innovative European techniques

Supplying packaging around the globe to some of the biggest brands in multiple industries, we use only the most innovative and latest European techniques and procedures for our packaging. And we’re continually updating and improving our production process and the quality of the materials we use.

Quick lead times

We know how valuable your time is – your product doesn’t go out the door unless it’s carefully and thoroughly inspected at every stage of the production process, all the way to packing. That said, we’re known, both nationally and internationally, for our fast and efficient production lead times, being one of the fastest in the country. And we’re extremely proud of this achievement.

We operate with speed-to-market and sense of urgency. No matter what packaging you require, our impressive start up times ensures that we are on your schedule. For your custom orders, our proven success ensures that our team designs and delivers well ahead of your deadline. We know what Speed-to-Market means to you, so we do everything to keep you satisfied.

Efficient and cost-effective solutions

Using high quality paperboard that’s globally sourced, we are able to provide you with flexible packaging solutions at an efficient cost. Our wide range of packaging is manufactured with precision, according to your own specifications. Whatever size, style, or type of packaging your business requires, we’re here to accommodate your needs.

Our focus is customer driven, and when you choose Netpak, you’re choosing peace of mind that the packaging we deliver is going to build visibility for your brand and company.

Environmentally responsible

Netpak understands our responsibility to the environment. Throughout the entire production cycle, we focus on reducing energy and using recycled paperboard and unbleached sulphates whenever possible. We strive to maintain our environmental accreditations and certifications such as the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC®), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI®)

Industry experts

We have an excellent team of industry experts that help us provide you with the printing and packaging you need – all the way from the design stages to the finished product. The end result is printed packaging the makes an impact your customers won’t overlook.

Contact us today for a quote. Call us, email us or submit your inquiry online: sales@netpak.com | CANADA – USA: 1-866-399-8544

Packaging is more than just boxes and containers for your product – good packaging that captures the interest of your customers needs to pop out at them. And the way to get that pop is through innovative and exciting printing on your packaging.

We supply unique packaging to our customers around the globe, including leading health and beauty brands. At Netpak, we work with you to make sure that your packaging is innovative and eye-catching. We’re proud to be part of each customer’s success story, helping them build their brand using exciting printing on their packaging. 

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of enhanced printing on your packaging. 

Quality Printing Promotes Your Brand

When people see your product on the shelf along with your competition, your brand and packaging design need to grab their attention in just a few seconds. Your packaging needs to be different and unique…and pleasing to the eye.

Marketing Strategy 

Your marketing strategy should include creative packaging – and the printing on the package. This is the critical element in sending your customers a message about your purpose and company values. Use unique printing to stand out from the rest – include your logo, a customized design, and pleasing colors to let your customers know exactly who you are and what you’re selling.

Be Distinctive 

There’s a buzz word in Retail known as “shelf impact”. It’s all about printing symbols, colors, shapes and words on your packaging so that your product is completely distinctive from the one it’s sitting next to on the shelf. Clear and bold printing on your packaging is your first and last chance to convince someone that you’re better than the rest. 

Increase Your Sales

Great packaging is important for any business – it has a direct impact on your sales by giving you the exposure you need to succeed. As your company grows, great packaging will continue to influence your sales and attract customers.

Communicate Selling Information

Your packaging design is how you communicate with your customers. No matter what your product is, your customers will need to know how to use the product and what’s inside the package. Boring information? Not if you want your product to sell. Your customers will make the decision to buy your product based on what the package printing and design looks like and what it tells them. Consider special interactive printing options such as QR codes to allow for transformative and engaging storytelling even after the purchase is made.

Creativity and Design

Using state of the art technology, our professionals can help you create packaging that makes a statement. We’ll work with you through all stages of the design process – from structural and graphic design all the way to artwork and finding the right colors to make your brand packaging one of a kind.

Our Enhanced Printing Techniques

Our printing techniques are innovative and cutting edge. Using embossing, foil stamping, textured coatings, and other enhanced methods our expertise will drive your brand, so your customers instantly recognize your product. 

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Contact us today to see how Netpak can assist in brining your packaging needs to another level. Email us: sales@netpak.com or visit https://wordpress-404703-1946962.cloudwaysapps.com/products-services/enhanced-printing/ for more information. 

Our BRC Certification

Netpak is proud of our commitment to our customers and being a leading supplier of turnkey, innovative packaging. Being  the first North American packaging printer to obtain this highly coveted designation is a testament to our commitment in producing value for our trusted partners.

What is BRC Certification?

The BRC (British Retail Consortium) is a world-class security program that sets the standard for the entire supply chain in the agri-food industry. BRC was the first standard to be recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative. As a professional printing and packaging company, obtaining this certification by GFSI validates the highest standards of quality, safety and traceability associated to our production line.

BRC Auditing Process

Earning this designation requires annual audits to assess our risk management, safety and hygiene systems, and our control of manufacturing processes, as well as upstream and downstream product traceability. The benchmark standards of the audit are among the most demanding in the industry, thereby allowing us to positively contribute to our customer’s value chain. We’ll continue to go through annual audits that evaluate the hygiene and safety systems we have in place as well as review our risk management.

Protecting Your Brand

Although the BRC initially focused on agri-food packaging, they now encompass the full range of consumer products packaging. Regardless of the industry, every company’s packaging must include health and safety guarantees, and that’s what BRC standards offer; with strict quality control criteria and precise identification of all materials used. In fact, our pharmaceutical customers are particularly mindful of traceability and safety criteria.

Our BRC certification gives our packaging international recognition as meeting the global standards for safety and quality. What does this mean to you? You can be assured that our packaging products improve your brand name and that your products then comply with food safety rules and traceability regulations.

At all levels of the manufacturing and supply of food products, you need to be certain that your consumers are protected and that your brand and product are held in legal obligation to the Global Standard for Food Safety. Our BRC certification helps you do that.

Our Commitment To You

We can say with confidence that our packaging will let you provide your customers with packaging that meets food safety standards when doing business with leading food distributors and manufacturers around the world.

How does this benefit you both from a business-to-business and business to consumer perspective?

We’ve gone that extra mile in making an effort to bring our own operational standards and safety quality to BRC certification standards so that we can help you attract new customers both nationally and globally. Food safety is important to you and your customers. We’re proud to be part of the process not only in providing you with BRC certified products, but also in helping you build confidence with your current and potential customers.

Do not hesitate to contact us (sales@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

NETPAK, a market leader in innovative printing and packaging solutions, and  Quebec’s largest privately held manufacturer of printed folding cartons,  is proud to have its Graphic Measures International Full Certification (GMI) renewed for the third straight time since originally receiving the coveted designation in 2014.

Netpak is proud to be among the first Canadian packaging companies to earn full designation as a Walgreens Certified Print Packaging Supplier.

This designation enables Walgreens private label suppliers to work with Netpak for printed packaging for Walgreens branded products. Furthermore, it underscores Netpak’s ability to adhere to consistent and repeatable colour reproduction standards and techniques that meet the Walgreens’ PQA requirements

Netpak recently completed a program administered by Graphic Measures International (GMI), an organization that monitors and validates suppliers’ required process controls and ability to meet and deliver consistent results for its vendors. In order to earn this achievement, a series of on-site evaluations was conducted throughout the entire Netpak facility by a GMI auditor, testing against processes and procedures related to colour reproduction and offset lithographic printing standards.

This certification provides recognition that Netpak complies with GMI’s international standards as they evaluate the following key criteria: Process Control and Documentation; Training Procedures; Equipment Maintenance and Performance, as well as Operator Capability. The audit also assesses four key areas of manufacturing: Pre-press, Plate Making, Printing Press, and Post Press.

As a printing and packaging leader, Netpak is proud to demonstrate the highest levels of reliability, quality and consistency associated to their production. Do not hesitate to contact us (sales@netpak.com) in order to discuss  potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to your business.

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About Graphic Measures International:

As a global leader in packaging quality services, GMI certifies, monitors and measures the performance of designated packaging suppliers—a process that holds them accountable to established brand owner standards. GMI helps control the variables and ensure brand integrity through printer certification, production run sample measurement and in-store packaging assessments.

About NETPAK:

For over 15 years, Netpak brings together business resources and technical expertise to better understand packaging challenges and delivers customized, turnkey folding carton packaging solutions to a wide range of markets including Pharmaceuticals, Health and Beauty, Food, Beverage, and Tobacco. The company focuses on service to help continuously improve efficiencies related to supply chain, speed-to-market, lean initiatives and product launches.

For more information, visit netpak.com or contact us at sales@netpak.com

To keep up with a fierce competition and rapidly changing consumer behaviors, consumer packaged goods  manufacturers (CPG) are seeking manufacturing partners with high flexibility and the fastest possible turnaround to constantly adapt to unpredictable market conditions.

While most folding cartons manufacturers offer a 8 to 12 weeks lead time tied with rigid sales conditions which leave their clients with close to no room for flexibility, Netpak manages to serve its clients within 2 to 4 weeks in most cases.

What Makes Us Unique: short runs, fast turnaround and flexibility. We are proud to support our partners and help them achieve their business goals

To achieve this, Netpak focuses on the best possible use of technology and automation serving a 24/7 production facility (including pre-press). Netpak has also built a trustful network of suppliers, from mills to brokers to be able to address any type of customer request with possible alternative options. We are more than a packaging printer, we are a solutions provider.

Netpak continuously invests as well on a significant inventory of boards that can accommodate most of urgent needs within hours when necessary.

A neutral approach towards board manufacturers and an extensive knowledge about board features and capabilities allow Netpak’s teams to advise our customers with the best possible carton for their needs or the best possible alternative for a better turnaround.

All internal processes have been designed specifically for fast turnaround and the highest quality standards (ISO 9001, GMI and G7 Master), security and traceability guarantees (GFSI – BRC/IOP Standard 4) and sustainability (FSC, Ecologo, SFI and PEFC). Netpak is one of the first North American packaging printer to obtain a BRC IOP certification for Packaging and Packaging Products.

But quality and fast turnaround can also be compatible with aggressive pricing. The diversity of our sourcing allows our clients to benefit from very competitive paperboard prices. The smoothness of our operations lets us run our plant with a very little amount of waste with a direct positive impact on our prices.

Do not hesitate to contact us (sales@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Price per thousand units

When reading a price quote for a folding carton packaging, the most obvious indicator is the price per thousand units. Usually prices are quoted on various quantities to make the packaging buyer realize the potential savings of buying larger amounts. When comparing multiples quotes, one should make sure that the comparison occurs on the exact same quantities. A packaging vendor may also quote on quantities not required by the buyer to highlight the best possible option (that may be a few thousands units more than required)

Material and ink choice

On a price quote, the material should always be mentioned : material family (FBB, CRB, SBS, SUS, Micro-flute, Solidboard …), special treatments if any (Regular, freezer or ovenable for instance), the caliper usually expressed in points (1 point = 1/1000 inch) but may also be expressed in micrometer (μm). Finding the right combination of smart structural design and the thinnest possible board for the expected packaging strength is the key to the most competitive price.

The type of colors may also impact the price. The 4 color process are Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and black. From these 4 colors, most of the colors of the spectrum could be reproduced but it is recommended to use PMS (Pantone Matching System) colors for any exact reproduction of a given color to print a logo or a corporate identity related pattern. It should also be mentioned if the job is priced for water based or UV inks and varnishes. This choice may impact the type of press used, its speed and the price per thousand.

Special finishes can also added to a job like spot UV, raised UV, Soft touch varnishes for instance.

The die and the plates

The die is a one-time fee as long as the layout remains identical. For a reorder, the same die will be used and hence not charged. Any change in the layout will require a new die. Sometimes a change in the layout (especially when printing several items on the same sheet) will generate more savings than the cost of a new die.

One plate is used for each color, per layout.

The Layout and the ups

The layout corresponds to the combination of items on a sheet to be printed. On a sheet, we can have one item reproduced several times or several items combined. The number of ups is the number of items on a sheet. The more ups on a sheet, the less sheets are needed for a production, the faster the run is. When requesting a price, a customer can always ask the printer questions about the layout and suggestions to increase the number of ups and hence reduce the price.

Overs and unders

Overs are the number of items above the ordered quantity that have to be accepted by the customer. Overs are generally expressed in %. Overs of 10% could be considered as a norm, although this amount is negotiable.

Unders is the acceptable shortfall. Unders of 10% means that you agree to accept 90% of your order in case of manufacturing contingencies. You will also be billed only for what you receive.

For a manufacturer, it is considered as the margin of error in which a job should be produced.

Freight, delivery and inventory terms

It is always important to know upfront who is paying for the freight. If on the price quote, it is stated FOB “Destination”, it means that the freight is included in the unit price. If freight is included, it should mention the number of deliveries. Having a whole order delivered at once, or a skid per week will not have the same financial impact!

If an order is delivered on several releases, a quote should state besides the number of release, some inventory terms.

Having these questions clarified on the price quote will make budgeting and planning much easier.

Lead time

Although it is important for a packaging buyer to know when its order will be delivered, an expected delivery date can only be given by the manufacturer when all proofs have been approved. Then a few days are required to fit the job in the schedule, and make sure all production raw materials can be delivered on time (especially board). Delays are usually due to unavailability of board.

What Makes Us Unique: short runs, fast turnaround and flexibility

To achieve this, Netpak focuses on the best possible use of technology and automation serving a 24/7 production facility (including pre-press). Netpak has also built a trustful network of suppliers, from mills to brokers to be able to address any type of customer request with possible alternative options. We are more than a packaging printer, we are a solutions provider.

Netpak continuously invests as well on a significant inventory of boards that can accommodate most of urgent needs within hours when necessary.

A neutral approach towards board manufacturers and an extensive knowledge about board features and capabilities allow Netpak’s teams to advise our customers with the best possible carton for their needs or the best possible alternative for a better turnaround.

All internal processes have been designed specifically for fast turnaround and the highest quality standards (ISO 9001, GMI and G7 Master), security and traceability guarantees (GFSI – BRC/IOP Standard 4) and sustainability (FSC, Ecologo, SFI and PEFC). Netpak is one of the first North American packaging printer to obtain a BRC IOP certification for Packaging and Packaging Products.

But quality and fast turnaround can also be compatible with aggressive pricing. The diversity of our sourcing allows our clients to benefit from very competitive paperboard prices. The smoothness of our operations lets us run our plant with a very little amount of waste with a direct positive impact on our prices.

Do not hesitate to contact us (sales@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

When it comes to packaging design , 5 essential aspects have to be carefully taken into account.

Functionality

First, its functionality. It sounds obvious, but asking clearly what we expect from a packaging design in terms of functionality will lay different options and more than that, will exclude some options that cannot fulfill expected functional requirements.

Convenience

Second comes its convenience. One may insists on the convenience for the end user, but narrowing the thinking only to the end-user convenience may leave loopholes all along the supply chain. The manufacturing and packaging processes come at first as an “un-convenient packaging design” at this stage may absorb a significant chunk of the profit margin. Transportation and warehousing processes may exclude some types of packaging for lack of usability and convenience (rigidity, need for secondary packaging, truck load optimization). Packaging design shall also take into account convenience aspects for the retailer (easy to unwrap and display, compatibility with shelving system, …). Finally the end user as any of us can remember a wrap rage episode while trying to unpack a light bulb or preserving an easy to tear food packaging!

Marketing

As packaging should finds its place within the marketing mix, the expected marketing role the packaging should play has to be carefully evaluated in terms of physical appearance, product functionality, branding but also consumer engagement channel and even interactive contact point.
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Sustainability

Sustainability is the fourth pillar. How could my packaging be designed in a more sustainable manner? The type of material (recyclable, recycled?), the structural design (using less raw material, using one single raw material for an easy recycling process) are to be taken into account but also the expected life cycle of the packaging.

Cost

And finally the cost is the final pillar, and should be evaluated by answer the following questions :
How much do I want to pay to package my product?
How much do I want to pay to ease processes along the supply chain and product life cycle?
What should my marketing investment towards branding and consumer engagement be?
How much should my contribution to sustainable development be to be acknowledged by the consumers?
Packaging design is not an easy step and should start in the early stages of the product design process.
Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Surface tension is the property of a liquid arising from unbalanced molecular forces at or near the surface. If it is higher than the surface energy of a material, the liquid tends to form droplets rather than spread out. Low film surface tension affect dramatically the printability, sealability and gluability. Surface tension is normally measured in energy units called dynes/cm. A dyne is the amount of force required to produce an acceleration of 1 cm/sec2 on a mass of 1g. The dyne level of a material is called its surface energy. The Dyne level is the characteristic to watch while choosing a polycoated paperboard boxes.

Polycoated SBS or CRB are used in folding carton mainly as oil- and grease-resistant. Main application is paperboard boxes packaging for greasy food. PE coating prevent staining and act as a grease and oil barrier.

However, in order to glue a PE coated paperboard, surface treatment is required. Corona treatment is used to achieve improved ink and glue adhesion and ink/glue spreading on a polycoated paperboard. This treatment improves wettability and adhesion of inks, coatings and adhesives.

Why PE coated surface treatment?

Polycoated film on the top of paperboard make the surface chemically inert and non-porous surfaces with low surface tensions causing them to be non-receptive to bonding with substrates, printing inks, coatings, and adhesives.

A corona treating system is designed to increase the surface energy of polycoated SBS or CRB in order to allow improved wettability and adhesion of inks, coatings and adhesives. As a result, the materials treated will demonstrate improved printing and coating quality, and stronger lamination strength.

Shelf life of Polycoated paperboard boxes

All Polycoated paperboard will show a decline in surface energy following surface treatment over time. The shelf life of pre-treated materials ranges from hours to years, depending on the plastic, its formulation, how it was treated and its exposure to elevated temperature after treatment. Material purity is the most important factor. Shelf life is limited by the presence of low molecular weight components such as antiblock agents, mould release, antistatics, etc. Eventually, these components migrate to the surface of clean polymers. It is therefore recommended to print or bond to the material soon after treatment. However, once the treated surface has been interfaced with a coating, ink, adhesive, or another material, the bond becomes permanent.

Treatment recommendation for paperboard boxes

• From literature, surface energy of the polycoated paper must be higher than 40 dyne in order to achieve the best gluing and printing aptitudes.
• Polycoated SBS, CRB suppliers have to certify (COA) that Dyne level is higher than 50 (preferably 54-56).
• It is also recommended that Corona treated material is used within 3 months.

 
Do not hesitate to contact us if you need further information.

Sources: Enercon, Tantec, Vetaphone

Source tagging is the application of EAS security tags at the source, the supplier or manufacturer, instead of at the retail side of the chain. For the retailer, source tagging eliminates the labor expense needed to apply the EAS tags themselves, and reduces the time between receipt of merchandise and when the merchandise is ready for sale. For the supplier, the main benefit is the preservation of the retail packaging aesthetics by easing the application of security tags within product packaging. Source tagging allows the EAS tags to be concealed and more difficult to remove.

EAS tags are tied to a dedicated technology surveillance and traceability technology. The main systems available on the market are the Sensormatic Acusto-Magnetic EAS system and the Checkpoint RF system. They differ in technology and frequencies but have very similar end-use functionalities.

For a better and faster in-store processing during the reading and deactivation process, it is recommended that the tags are glued to the packaging although some choose to simply drop them into the packaging.

Netpak carries both technologies and the tags are applied inline on our folder gluers for an optimal efficiency. We are working in close partnership with major actors on the market to provide our clients with the most reliable solutions, the latest technologies and the most efficient application machinery to maintain a high speed folding / gluing process performance.

Depending on the needs of our clients, Netpak is able to apply inline one or both tags together on each folding carton. Having both tags on the packaging allows product manufacturers to carry one inventory compatible with both systems without worrying about the technological choices made by the retailers.

Applying the EAS tags inline at the folding carton manufacturing stage is the most efficient way to proceed

Applying the EAS tags inline at the folding carton manufacturing stage is the most efficient way to proceed, since all operations take place under the same roof, on the same production line. Since all operations are tied together, all aspects of the packaging are thought together upstream, from need assessment, graphic and structural design, choice of the board to tag selection and positioning to provide our customers with a one stop integrated packaging solution tailored to their needs.

Depending on the product, the market and the distribution network you use, Netpak offers a wide variety of source tagging solutions and we will be happy to share our knowledge and experience. Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Choosing the appropriate folding carton box to package a product could often be a whole learning process. Folding carton boxes are proposed in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. It mainly depends on the type of product, the usage and the way products are displayed in retail.

The main considerations while  choosing a folding carton box are : budget, hand or automatic cartoning, weight of the product, type of display (need for a hanger), seal and need for re-closure.

You will find below a comprehensive list of the most common box styles used to package consumer goods.

Folding carton box types

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you. Netpak will be happy to assist you picking the right box for your product. You may also want us to create the unique box that will fit your needs.

If you want to learn more about your options regarding the type of cardboard used for boxes, here are some interesting information about micro-flute corrugated cardboard.

Opting for a packaging with window allows packaging designers and product managers for numerous creative options to enhance the product visibility and trigger customer’s curiosity. But choosing the right film is essential to achieve the best possible outcome.

3 key factors to consider

Size of the window

The window size is an important factor to take into consideration. The larger the window, the stiffer the film should be, since it will require a film with some structural strength. If the window is small, a thin flexible film could be sufficient. It is also important to consider the potential gluing surface available. While designing the packaging, allowing enough room for window gluing will reduce risks and increase production speed (and hence cost).

Stiffness and strength

High end products (pharma and cosmetic markets) will require film with a high stiffness, crystal clarity and a high gloss level, packaging with large windows will focus more on tensile strength and burst strength.
The window patch is applied on a window-patching machine which appliers adhesive to the reverse side of the carton blank in line with the perimeter of the window. The film is cut automatically from a reel and applied over the adhesive. Therefore structural strength of the film will directly impact production speed, and hence manufacturing cost.

Heat, moist and freeze

For some food products, film stability over a wide range of temperature and humidity levels will be the key factor to be considered. For example, in the bakery industry, pies will be packed while still warm (hot and steamy environment) and will be then chilled or frozen. A low quality film could be a disaster with fogging, tear or wrinkles.

The 3 main plastic films : Acetate, PET and Polypropylene

Acetate

Acetate is a cellulose-based film, a natural and renewable material that is sourced only from managed forestry. Being a cellulose based film, acetate film reacts similarly to board and tends to dry over time and stretches for a perfect rendering. Acetate film offers exceptional crystal clarity and a reflexion-free surface, and can accept ink when “write-on” property is needed. It is also known for its wrinkle resistance, greaseproofness, water resistance, dimensional stability, high gas permeability, good electrical insulation properties, and resistance to fogging and medium water vapor transmission. On the other hand tear resistance could be considered as a weakness although this is also considered as a feature for easy-tear packaging. Thanks to its excellent moisture permeability it is used widely in food packaging, especially bakery products. Its “breathability” minimizes the risk of fogging in chilled retail display cabinets. Crystal clarity and perfect finish are particularly appealing to the cosmetics industry.

Thanks to its excellent machinability and cutting properties, acetate film is perfectly suitable for high speed machinery and hence for large volumes.

PET

PET (Polyester) film is a biaxially oriented, thermoplastic film made from ethylene glycol and dimethyl terephthalate. Technical specifications of PET films are excellent gas and moisture barrier, high tensile strength, thermal, mechanical, optical and electrical properties.

Its main characteristic is its strength compared to cellulose acetate, which makes it particularly suitable for large windowed folding carton. PET film can serve in sub-zero temperatures for frozen food application and high temperatures. PET is completely recyclable since it is a polymer similar to that used for the production of soft drink bottles.

Polypropylene

BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene) film is one of the most versatile films in the plastic film market. BOPP films offer exceptional resistance to heat, moisture, oil/grease, acids and some solvents.

Due to its low cost and versatility, polypropylene film is the most commonly used for packaging with window in the food industry. Clarity, stiffness and resistance and reasonable price make it a very competitive film. But it is not suitable for large window patches, where structural strength is required.

Other types of films are available for packaging with window such as Polyethylene (used for tissue boxes), acrylic (excellent clarity and gloss characteristics) and PLA (biodegradable polyester derived from renewable resources, such as corn starch) for instance.

Film can also be coated for specific needs to add some additional features.

Packaging with window : what are the benefits?

Folding cartons can be windowed to enable the contents to be displayed, allowing the customer to have a direct eye contact with the product. With a windowed packaging, the consumer has an exact idea of shape, color and physical aspect of the product.

A windowed packaging allows also manufacturers to showcase the primary packaging. This is particularly important in beauty and cosmetics, where manufacturers invest a lot on primary packaging (perfume bottles for instance).

Only perfectly manufactured packaging with window will have such a positive impact for the consumers. Make sure your windowed boxes are manufactured by a renowned professional. Do not hesitate to contact us(netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Natural Kraft and SUS papers and boards are among packaging designers and brands managers favorite materials to foster packaging innovation and pursue sustainability goals, combining high strength, high tear resistance, 100% recyclability and a positive image among consumers.

The Kraft process (the industrial process involved in producing pulp for Kraft papers and boards) is a chemical pulping process (different from thermo-mechanical pulping) that produces a stronger pulp than other chemical pulping processes thanks to a lower degradation of cellulose. Sulfite process used for instance to produce SBS and SUS boards requires an acidic environment that affects a bit more the cellulose but remove almost entirely the lignine from the fiber for a better stiffness. The Kraft process can use a wide range of fiber source including resinous woods especially pine renowned for the length of its fibers, fiber length impacting directly the strength of the paper or the board.

Natural Kraft boards proposed for packaging purpose are sold under different acronyms depending on their features. UUK (Uncoated unbleached kraft), CUK (Coated unbleached Kraft) or CNK® (Coated natural kraft) … Some are specially engineered for an increased resistance in cold (and wet) environments for beverage carton packaging. Natural Kraft boards could also be coated with polyethylene (PE) resin for wet strength food packaging.

We can find on the market very good Natural Kraft boards with an attractive natural brown appearance and outstanding printability, even if uncoated. Unbleached and uncoated boards are a good packaging material for brands promoting a natural product, with no chemical additive and a sustainable development. It is also a smart way of differentiation especially in markets where SBS ultrawhite boards are considered as a norm.

SUS board has a better stiffness than any other board with the same caliper.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

At Netpak, we are always pleased to work closely with our clients to bring to the market innovative packaging solutions. In this presentation, you will find a few examples of innovative packaging aimed at the in flight catering business. In-flight catering is a very challenging environment for food manufacturers as pressure and altitude alter food properties and and taste perception. But it is also very demanding on the packaging side. Preparation and storage space within the cabin  is very restrictive, usability is also constrained by the small size of the passengers tray. Finally, the different catering packaging units need to be cleared quickly with the smallest possible impact on waste volume.

In-flight catering packaging innovations

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Netpak is pleased to announce that it has been enrolled in Sobey’s preferred printer program. This is another step towards our strong will to help our customers to achieve their business goals and develop their sales though the most renown distribution networks accross North America.

From its inception, Netpak has focused on the most demanding certifications to provide its customers with the highest quality standards. Among them : BRC, GMI, G7 Master, FSC, PEFC, ISO 9001.

But standards and certifications are not enough to grow sales! And thanks to the continuous efforts of our production team, backed by state of the art quality assurance procedures we have put in place, we became part of the preferred printer programs of Metro, Walgreen and today Sobey’s. We are also a qualified printer for Walmart, Trader Joe and Target and hopefully very soon we will be enrolled as a preferred printer with Loblaw.

Having the major distributors in North America acknowledging the quality and the consistency of our work has become a major selling argument for our customers and we are proud to be a strong ally towards their success.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Solid Bleached Sulphate (SBS)

Solid Bleached Sulphate (SBS) is made exclusively from bleached chemical pulp. It usually has a coated top surface and some grades are also coated on the reverse side. This is a medium density board with printing properties that meet the high requirements of graphical and packaging products. SBS can be die cut, creased, hot foil stamped and embossed with ease. It therefore gives wide scope for advanced structural and surface designs. It is pure and hygienic and is therefore suitable for the packaging of aroma and flavour sensitive products.

The surface brightness is 90 % ISO – top surface roughness is less than 1.2 microns PPS – Hunter Gloss of top surface more than 75 %

SBS– Available in 200 to 600 GSM – Suitable for all types of Printing Process – Considered as premium grades for packaging and graphical purposes – Suitable for packing aroma and flavor sensitive products – In general SBS are superior when purity good appearance and runnability of the packaging material are required.

Folding Box Board (FBB)

Folding box board is a multi-ply board. A layer, or layers, made of mechanical pulp is placed between layers of chemical pulp. Mechanical pulp may be stone-ground wood (GW), pressurized ground wood (PGW), thermo mechanical pulp (TMP) or chemi thermo mechanical pulp (CTMP). The top layer is bleached chemical pulp and the reverse layer may be bleached or unbleached chemical pulp. The top and reverse side may be coated with mineral pigments.

The combination of inner layers of mechanical pulp with outer layers of chemical pulp creates a strong and stiff sheet, taking advantage of the well-known I-beam phenomenon in physics. This is a low density material with high stiffness. Fully coated grades give excellent printing and visual impact. This is a virgin fibre paperboard with consistent purity for product safety.

The basis weight ranges from 200 to 450 GSM – Ideal for Food packaging, cigarettes cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and graphical applications.

Source: Iggesund Paperboard, Metsa Board

, Stora Enso
Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Netpak received its fourth consecutive from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standards for Packaging and Packaging Material Issue 5. The BRC Global Standards are widely used worldwide by major retailers and manufacturers in the food and beverage industry (more about BRC at Netpak).

Upon completion of the rigorous auditing process, Netpak received certification for Packaging, with the scope of the certification including the manufacture, conversion and warehousing of folding carton, sleeves and labels intended for use in food contact packaging applications. The BRC Global Standards are well-respected and widely used by suppliers and retailers worldwide, aiding in standardizing quality, safety, operational criteria and manufacturers’ fulfillment of legal obligations. The Packaging and Packaging Materials standard is also recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

“Our QA department has done a fantastic job, supporting sales and production achieve our 25% annual growth without neglecting standards and procedures” said Carlo Cammalleri, Netpak Co-founder. “Having our BRC certificate renewed rewards this tremendous amount of work”.

“In 2013, we were the very first North American packaging printer to achieve the BRC Global Standard certification for packaging and packaging materials. Today Netpak is still the only BRC certified Folding carton manufacturer in Canada and among the only 5 in North America. We are proud to be pioneers and we will continue to improve our processes to better help our customers and partners achieve their business goals” added Salvatore Novello, Netpak Co-founder.

For Islem Yezza, VP Sales & Marketing, the BRC certification is an essential part of what Netpak has to offer. “In our business, trust is fundamental. Since we have been successfully renewing our BRC certification in the last 4 years, major agrifood businesses who wanted to develop their sales overseas have come to us to benefit from our experience with BRC and rely on our very strict procedures to offer the best possible guarantees to their customers all over the world. Working with such demanding standards has also developed a very positive culture within the company” added M. Yezza.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you. Our certificate is available for download here.

Addressing curl problems requires that we look to converting process and the very structure of paper to find why curl is occurring. And it is very often the case that the lack of information is all-pervasive; every link in the production and logistics chain can make a difference. Each problem is usually a unique combination of paper properties, converting processes, environmental conditions and end-use conditions.

Some principles of paper curl

The basic principles that describe why paper curls, are quite simple. It is the complexity of the interactions of the various parts of the process that make controlling paper curl so difficult. When curl problems occur, it is important to look at all the possible variables and determines which ones have the greatest effect on the paper. Since paper is inherently “alive”, it is not always possible to eliminate curl completely, but the goal should be to produce a quality wrapper that performs its end-use with a level of curl that is acceptable to the customer.

In order to understand why paper curls, there are a few basic facts about paper that we need to know.

1. Paper is alive. It reacts to changes in the environment. If the relative humidity increases, it absorbs water, and if the humidity decreases, it loses water. Paper fibers are shaped like little drinking straws, and as they absorb water, they get fatter but not longer.

2. Paper is homogeneous. Since paper is thin, we tend to think of it in one plane. But paper has a top and bottom, and they are not the same. If the moisture content of the paper changes, the top to bottom of the sheet often react differently. That difference results in paper curl.

3. Paper is directional. Due to the manufacturing process, more of the fibres are aligned in the web-flow direction or machine direction (MD), sometimes referred to as “grain long”. Since more of the fibers are aligned in the MD, when the fibers swell due to increased humidity, the sheet usually curls with the axis of curl in the MD.

4. Paper has built-in stresses due to the manufacturing process. If paper is moistened on one side only, the fibers on that side swell, and that side of the paper gets longer, so the paper curls away from the wet side. As the wetter side of the paper dries out, the paper slowly loses its curl and then is flat again. But then a curious thing happens. It does not stop there. The paper then begins to curl toward what was the wetter side. The moisture has relieved some of the stresses in the one side of the paper and that side gets shorter. So curl forms (or moves) toward the side from which moisture moves last or toward the side from which moisture migrates last.

Geometrical types of curl

There are various types of curl that can be observed in paper. Based on the shape and the principle axis of the curl, it can be defined as CD (cross-machine direction), MD (machine direction) and diagonal. If the curl axis is along the MD direction of paper, it is called CD curl. Similarly, MD curl has axis along CD direction, and diagonal curl along diagonal direction. Dependent on the side of the curvature (concave side), each form is further classified as top side or bottom side curl.

• MD curl: Unbalanced web tension
• CD curl: Moisture content
• Twist curl: CD and MD curl

Do not hesitate to contact us in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Sources:

The problem of paper curl. Paper 360 – January/February 2012.

The Roll and Web Defect Terminology – 2nd Edition by R. Duane Smith

Walmart released recently its new Sustainable Packaging Playboook, to serve as a guide for suppliers to improve packaging sustainability. This document focuses on three main priorities : Optimize design, source sustainably and support recycling.

Optimize design

The first mission of packaging is to protect the product. Reviewing the products damage history can give some good hints about what could be improved on the packaging design. A review of the packaging design should also be the appropriate moment to challenge the amount of material used. A sustainable packaging strategy could even lead to product changes (such as concentration or dimension changes) if such changes result in a lesser quantity of packaging material consumed. Packaging suppliers are generally a good partner to achieve such improvements. The experience of their structural designers teams could be precious.

Source sustainably

Folding carton packaging allow product manufacturer to choose within a wide selection of substrates, and among them numerous options with post consumer recycled fibers. When virgin fibers material is required, it is always possible to source FSC certified board. Films, inks and varnishes can also be chosen according to their environmental impact.

Support recycling

"About 30% of PET packaging in the U.S. is not recycled, in part due to issues with labels and adhesives"

Using recyclable material is not enough, packaging recyclability should be analyzed globally to make sure that the different components of the packaging can be separated easily to allow an efficient recycling, that the communities where the goods are sold can effectively recycle the material used and that the consumers are well informed about the recyclability of the packaging they buy. Cardboard packaging offers among the best recyclability avenues. Paper products used by the packaging industry were responsible for about 77% of packaging materials recycled.^[40]

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Netpak received its third consecutive “A” grade from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standards for Packaging and Packaging Material Issue 5. The BRC Global Standards are widely used worldwide by major retailers and manufacturers in the food and beverage industry (more about BRC at Netpak).

Upon completion of the rigorous auditing process, Netpak received certification for Packaging, with the scope of the certification including the manufacture, conversion and warehousing of folding carton, sleeves and labels intended for use in food contact packaging applications. The BRC Global Standards are well-respected and widely used by suppliers and retailers worldwide, aiding in standardizing quality, safety, operational criteria and manufacturers’ fulfillment of legal obligations. The Packaging and Packaging Materials standard is also recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

“Our QA department has done a fantastic job, supporting sales and production achieve our 25% annual growth without neglecting standards and procedures” said Carlo Cammalleri, Netpak Co-founder. “Having our BRC Grade A certificate renewed rewards this tremendous amount of work”.

“In 2013, we were the very first North American packaging printer to achieve the BRC Global Standard certification for packaging and packaging materials. Today Netpak is still the only BRC certified Folding carton manufacturer in Canada and among the only 5 in North America. We are proud to be pioneers and we will continue to improve our processes to better help our customers and partners achieve their business goals” added Salvatore Novello, Netpak Co-founder.

For Islem Yezza, VP Sales & Marketing, the BRC certification is an essential part of what Netpak has to offer. “In our business, trust is fundamental. Since we have been successfully renewing our BRC certification in the last 3 years, major agrifood businesses who wanted to develop their sales overseas have come to us to benefit from our experience with BRC and rely on our very strict procedures to offer the best possible guarantees to their customers all over the world. Working with such demanding standards has also developed a very positive culture within the company” added M. Yezza.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you. Our certificate is available for download here.

In the last years, coffee has become one of the most dynamic food & beverage sectors with the rapid development of the single serve segment (46% growth over the last five years, 8% annual growth) lead by three major actors setting the standards: Nespresso, Keurig and Tassimo. Single serve coffee sales represent today half of the coffee category value.

Consequences for the packaging

When traditional coffee uses only a primary packaging (Tin box or flexible metalized film), single serve coffee require a folding carton secondary packaging. The caliper usually chosen varies between 18 and 20 pts, which is sufficient for a relative lightweight product.

Numerous coffee producers have been using Sulphite Bleached Sulphate board (SBS) for their outer packaging. SBS board is generally associated with exclusive markets such as Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals and is considered as a high end material. But nowadays, Coated Recycled Board (CRB) also known as CCNB (Clay Coated NewsBack) is trending since the outcome quality is very satisfying for a 10 to 15% saving.

On the finishing aspect, the use of a Spot UV varnish and embossing to highlight a product or a brand name to make it eye-catching are becoming very popular. On a fast growing segment, packaging innovators have been key actors in helping successful brands succeed in their differentiation strategies.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you, especially when it comes to choosing a material that will support you positioning.

Netpak’s GMI full certification has been extended for another 2 years and allows us to be part of Wallgreens preferred printer program. An onsite audit has been conducted by a GMI certification engineer in October 2016 to evaluate 5 key components:  process control and documentation, equipment maintenance, training procedures, operator capability and equipment performance. The print test measured Netpak’s ability to match spot colors and hence Netpak’s ability to ensures compliance with brand standards.

Research conducted by Package InSight has shown that “two-thirds of consumers question a potential purchase, and the quality of a product, if the packaging is damaged or discolored. And 25 percent of brand-loyal shoppers perceive products in damaged packaging to be questionable or unappetizing. With upwards of 73 percent of purchase decisions being made at the point of sale, brand owners can’t afford not to consider and implement quality practices to ensure the creative vision and brand standards are carried out consistently.”

Therefore, Walgreens and Target have included the GMI Certification in their preferred printer selection process, and Netpak is proudly part of the program since 2014.

“ Netpak have always set very high quality standards to serve the valuable brands of our partners and the GMI Full certification comes as an acknowledgment of the quality of our staff, the strength of our procedures and the rigor of our production processes” said Islem Yezza, Vice-President Sales & Marketing.

Numerous brands have chosen Netpak because of its certifications (GMI, BRC, G7 Master, FSC, ISO 9001, PEFC) and memberships to the most important preferred printer programs (Walgreens, Target, Walmart, Tesco, Trader Joe,  Costco, Metro, Trader Joe’s) that offers a privileged access the major grocery distribution networks in North America.

GMI Full certification combined with BRC Certification (click here for more information) and the 2 key standards for packaging printing quality and food safety.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Annual shoplifting loss is estimated at 13 billions dollars in the US. More and more retailers have invested in shoplifting prevention and security tagging systems and they often tag themselves valuable merchandise with removable security tags. They can also use deactivable security labels.

But retailers are encouraging products manufacturers to integrate security tagging into their products. The most efficient and cost effective way to implement security tagging is to apply security labels during the packaging manufacturing stage. At Netpak, security tags are applied inline, right before folding and gluing processes. This allows a very accurate positioning of the tag for easy handling at the retail store for deactivation. Netpak is working closely with tags manufacturers for optimal handling and positioning.

Netpak proposes RF 8.2 MHz solutions that work with Checkpoint, Kentec, Sentech and any other systems using this frenquecy. We aslo provide our customers with solutions compatible with all Acousto Magnetic (AM) 58KHz  like Sensormatic, WG and Gateway.

Industries and markets

• Beauty and personal care
• Pharmaceuticals
• High end food products
• Fashion and apparel
• Security tagging solutions

Security tagging solutions

• RF 8.2 MHz security labels compatible with Checkpoint, Kentec, Snetec, … shoplifting prevention systems
• DR AM Acousto Magnetic (AM) 58 KHz compatible with Sensormatic, WG, Gateway systems

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Montreal, June 29 th , 2016.

Netpak Packaging, a leading Canadian packaging printer based in Montreal (Quebec, Canada) is announcing a multi-million dollar investment in its Montreal plant.

In order to support its growth and better serve its partners, Netpak is investing massively in new equipment on its production line. Netpak’s focus is on automation, increased productivity and speed though state of the art technology.

Netpak has acquired a new Bobst flatbed diecutter that includes a stripping section and a blank separation section. This new acquisition will offer a better productivity and a higher quality output. Netpak is also adding to its production line 2 folder gluers (Bobst and Duran Machinery) to increase its capacity. One of the folder / gluer will be combined with a Tamarack Vista for inline windowing. At the end of the line, Netpak is adding a high performance automatic packer (by Bobst) to mechanically fill shipping corrugated boxes with folded and glued cartons.

The packaging converting sector is in a consolidation phase and its domination by large multinational companies leads to longer lead times. Netpak’s co-founders and co-owners, Carlo Cammalleri and Salvatore Novello, are investing to increase productivity and reduced lead time. This will reinforce its position as a leader and innovator in the printing and packaging industry.

“Our clients are presently in very competitive market, where short runs, fast turnover and flexibility are a key competitive advantage. With this investment, Netpak is proud to support their needs and help them achieve their business goals”, Carlo Cammalleri said.

Salvatore Novello added “Netpak has become a strategic partner to successful brands by aligning its investments priorities with the requirements of the markets they serve.”

Thanks to the its highly qualified employees, state-of- the-art technology and innovative practices, Netpak is positioning its Montreal plant as one of the most modern packaging converting facilities in North America.

Source: Netpak Inc.

Contact: Islem Yezza, Vice President of Sales and Marketing: netpak@netpak.com

About Netpak Packaging:

Founded in 2003, Netpak Inc., is the leading Canadian packaging and commercial printer based in Montreal. Netpak serves Food and beverage, Pharma and beauty markets providing folding cartons, labels, POP displays and prints, annual reports and corporate literature. Netpak’s clients are in Eastern Canada and U.S. Netpak holds many certifications proving their commitment to the highest quality standards (ISO 9001, GMI and G7 Master), environmental and social responsibility (FSC, Ecologo, SFI and PEFC) and safety and traceability guarantees. Netpak is the first North American packaging printer to obtain a BRC certification. For more information visit : https://wordpress-404703-1946962.cloudwaysapps.com

Aside digital printing mainly associated with short run printing, offset and flexographic printing are the main printing technologies used in the packaging industry.

Flexographic printing

Flexography, often abbreviated for flexo, is a printing technique using flexible relief plates. The plates are inked and applied directly onto the substrate.The process was patented at the end of the 19th century. Originally, the print quality was quite poor but remarkable progress have been made in the last 20 years. Today, progress in the plate making bring the print quality to a similar level as offset printing.

Once set up, the process is cost efficient and can print fast long runs. Plate making though is costly and thus make the printing technique more suitable for large volumes. Since the focus is on large volumes, printer manufacturers have developed web-fed presses (the substrate comes in rolls) with inline finish (die-cut and folding) capabilities. Although almost all types of substrates can be printed using flexo, it is mainly used for plastic bags, sacks and flexible packaging.

Offset lithography

Offset printing process transfers (offsets) an image from a plate to a blanket and then to a substrate. This process allows a consistant high print quality. The sharpness of the output is due to the transfer blanket conforming to the texture of substrate. Consistency of the output even on long runs comes from the long life of the plates since there is no direct contact with the substrate. Plate making is also a cost effective step (it could be 10 times cheaper than for flexographic printing) and plates could be ready within an hour.

Offset printing is often combined with lithographic technique on the repulsion of oil and water (more details here). This allows flat plates to be used for a sharper rendering and a longer lifespan.

Web-fed and shett-fed presses are available on the market, their usage depending on the volumes to be printed.

In the packaging industry, we can see a strong trend towards hyper personnalisation, regionalization, special occasions and campaign targeted designs that make shorter runs an industry standard. The same frozen pizza will “wear” many different box designs depending on the season, special promotions, co-branding campaigns and what used to be a 1 million boxes unique design is trending towards 10 or 20 (or more) different designs, shortening hence the runs.

When flexographic printing is an excellent solution for very large runs where the sharpness of the rendering is not essential, sheet-fed offset printed packaging seems to be the path to follow as a cost efficient, flexible and reactive solution.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Drupa 2016, the largest trade-show dedicated to printing technologies, took place in Germany last week. Netpak was there with its top management and R&D team to finalize a major investment to acquire one of the most promising packaging printing technologies.

Innovation and state of the art technologies have been at the core of Netpak’s mission and once again, Netpak will be a pioneer on the packaging printing market in North America. State-of-the-art technology is at the core of everything we do. Not only is it how we maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace, it’s how we enhance customer experience and broaden marketing possibilities for the brands we serve.

“With this acquisition, Netpak is comforting its position as a technology leader in the packaging printing industry. It is also a clear engagement towards our customers that Netpak is investing for the future of their brands” said Salvatore Novello and Carlo Cammalleri, Co-founders and Co-Owners of Netpak Packaging while at Drupa 2016.

More to come soon on our blog and our twitter account.

Drupa 2016

With 1,837 exhibitors from 54 countries, 260,000 visitors from 188 countries and about 1,900 journalists from 74 nations

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

To fulfill the needs of high strength folding carton packaging, 3 main options come to mind : Folding boxboard, micro-flute (E, N, F) and solidboard.

Boxboard is the most commonly used board used for folding carton packaging. It offers interesting features regarding its strength, print quality and foldability but the maximum thickness available is 28-32 pts which may not be enough if the products need to be stacked on pallet with no corrugated box as an outer packaging.

To save on secondary packaging, E-flute is often considered as ‘’The Alternative’’. Due to its thickness (up to 56 pts), its strength is very good for the purpose. But printing on corrugated board has been historically the weak point in the production process. Commonly it has been a 2 steps process: Pre-print on rolls then laminate (E-Flute).

Since it is thinner, N and F-microflute sheets could be printed directly on an offset press. Skipping the lamination step is a great source of savings in dollars but also in production time. This allows more flexibility in the planning process. Being corrugated, micro-flute is a light weight option.

Solidboard is also an appropriate option for highly protective packaging. Solidboard is made with a core of recycled/virgin board which is laminated with several layers of paper and carton. Because its production is a lamination process, very specific need can be addressed. Depending on the type of each lamination layer and the type of glue used, solidboard may offer a high resistance to water, grease, and other barrier properties.

Solidboard vs N-flute properties

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Folding carton packaging buyers have to make decisions on the choice of the carton that will impact the cost and the quality of the final product. Choice is often between SBS board and FBB.

Type of bleached board for folding carton packaging: SBS board or FBB?

SBS board  (Solid Bleached Sulphate) is exclusively manufactured in North America. During the pulp manufacturing process, the fibers are separated and the lignin is dissolved in an aqueous solution with the appropriate chemicals. The pulp is then bleached. Using a chemical process at this stage will leave the fibers at their full length, increasing the strength of the board.

SBS board is made only with chemically processed fibers. It can be single or multi-ply.

FBB (Folding Box Board) board is a multiply carton board manufactured all over the word except North America. Outer plies are made of bleached chemical pulp, just like SBS board. The difference lies in the inners plies since they include mechanical pulp layers. The mechanical process separates the fibers using a sort of a grind. Heat can be used and it is then called thermo-mechanical pulp. Some chemicals can also be added to facilitate the process. It is the called Chemi-Thermomechanical pulp (CTMP). In the mechanical process, no effort is made to remove the lignin from the fibers. During the CTMP process, a fair amount of the lignin is removed.

Stiffness : FBB vs SBS

Stiffness is a very important property when considering choosing a paperboard. Stiffness will determine the choice of the board grade and thickness for the chosen application. Ideally, the board to be chosen should be the one with the higher stiffness for the lowest weight and hence cost. Stiffness is always given for 2 directions: Machine direction (MD) and Cross direction (CD). Stiffness measures the resistance of the board to bending. The most common data is the Taber 15^o. A 38 mm is clamped at one end and a force is applied the other until it reaches a 15 ^o angle.  The value is expressed in mNm.

If one thing needs to be remembered from this post, choosing the right board for your folding carton packaging is not an easy thing and a close collaboration with the packaging converter is essential.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Data Source: Metsa, APP, Westrock, IP, GP

Major board manufacturers have brought to the market dual ovenable boards that can replace plastic or aluminium to produce ovenable food containers and folding cartons. Dual ovenable boards can be used with wether a conventionnal or a micro wave oven.

Ovenable folding cartons and boxes are used for instance in the in-flight catering industry where a single container should be used from freezer to oven and serving more more efficiency. Using ovenable board allows airlines carriers to benefit from the outstanding printing properties of coated board for esthetics matters and branding purposes.

Ovenable boards base stock are whether made of SBS (Westrock, International Paper) or FBB (Stora Enso) and is then coated with polyester that can handle heat from conventional and micro-wave ovens. Different grades of boards are available. Differences in features come mainly from the moisture resistance, the ability to be formed and the release performance.

A baking tray made of dual ovenable board will eliminate the need to repack from pan to retail carton but should be adapted to the moisture level of the batter and should propose exceptional release properties. Boxes for food service and catering will focus more in printing and folding features, since release properties are not essential.

The main boards are : Printkote PET, Prinkote Ovenable and Printkote Release by Westrock, Fortress PET by International Paper, Trayforma PET by Stora Enso.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Seafood packaging covers a wide array of materials, depending on its function from Styrofoam boxes to bags, resealable stand up pouches or printed paperboard boxes.

The very first packaging need in the seafood industry appears on the fishing vessel where Styrofoam boxes are used to store the fishery products and maintain an appropriate temperature with the addition of crushed ice. This type of packaging can be used up to fish counter when the sea food is sold unprocessed.

800 000 tons of processed seafood is sold in north america, of which 300 000 tons are canned, 450 000 are frozen and 50 000 are further processed (chilled). Aside from cans, paperboard boxes and resealable bags are the 2 main packaging used for frozen and chilled seafood (source).

Seafood is a matter of freshness, taste and trust and the packaging is there to support the seller in establishing this trust relationship with the consumer. Being a leading actor in the food packaging industry, Netpak has developed an expertise in the seafood packaging niche, with a wide selection of carefully chosen and tested substrates, printing techniques for the best rendering and adapted gluing processes to deliver optimal results in high moisture environments.

Polycoated paperboard is the substrate type of choices when it comes to folding boxes for seafood packaging with a high moisture resistance enduring the rigors of the cold chain and a glossy finish for the best color rendering.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is a global, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management worldwide. FSC works at promoting an appropriate management of the world’s forests to preserve the environment and develop communities. In the packaging industry, being certified by the Forest Stewardship Council demonstrates that the paper / board used to produce packaging come from well managed sources. There are three categories of products concerned by FSC certification.

• FSC 100% certifies that 100% of the fiber comes from an FSC certified forest.
• FSC Recylced certifies that all the fiber comes from reclaimed material.
• FSC mix certifies that the fiber comes from FSC certified forests, recycled material and controlled wood. Unacceptable forestry, illegal wood are then excluded.

Packaging manufacturers can apply for the Chain of Custody Certification. The aim is to develop a chain of custody management system, allowing an accurate tracking of the goods at every change of ownership, from the forest to the manufacture and the distribution. This allows customers to track the origin of the material in their products. The certification includes general quality management requirements. The scope of the system (products and material that will be sold with FSC claim) should be clearly defined.

During the manufacturing process, there are four main areas concerned by the FSC certification requirements:

• Material sourcing to make sure that FSC certification requirements are met upstream.
• Reception and storage to identify and segregate properly FSC material from other inputs.
• Volume control to track FSC inputs all along transformation processes.
• Sales and delivery to allow an effective tracking downstream.

 
More information can be found on the FSC website.

At Netpak, our latest audit done by an independent auditor took place on march 15th, 2016 and we are pleased to announce the renewal of our certification.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Is the market ready for interactive packaging? The challenge is having the means to communicate at the point of sale when the critical decision to purchase is being made and then afterward through the period of use. But the opportunity
is there. Consumers already hunger for information. They are ready for and receptive to personalized service that enhances their purchasing journey and demonstrates that a brand
fits with their values.

As Islem Yezza, Director of Sales and Marketing for Netpak, emphasized in his workshop presentation, “consumers have become hunters rather than surfers.”

A recent research report from Deloitte Consulting supports this.

The report found that 84% of retail store visitors use their smart phones before or during the visit to the store. Consumers who use their phones at the store for product information convert from shoppers to buyers at a 40% higher rate. About 22% of these shoppers spend more on the purchases than initially planned. In addition, 75% of those who receive recommendations through social media or experts said that this influenced their purchase decision and then later their brand loyalty.

Yezza referenced a recent statement from Nestlé that said technology is fundamentally changing the way consumers buy its products and engage with its brands. This would of course be valid for every consumer packaged goods company (CPGS) in the world. “As technology is fundamentally changing the way consumers buy products and engage with brands, there is a need to create highly engaging and meaningful experiences online,” Nestlé said.

Use and purpose of interactive packaging

The graph below shows how important brand owners, brand managers and creative agencies view greater consumer engagement at the point of sale as a motivation to invest in new technologies:

Three market verticals also emerged as key targets for interactive packaging solutions capable of wireless communication, specifically, near field communications (NFC). These were
pharmaceutical, food and beverage (including premium alcohol), and cosmetics. These could be considered high-value point-of-entry markets where interactive packaging can prove its worth and then spread throughout the rest of the consumer goods supply chain.

For what purpose? Direct marketing ranked first by a clear majority as the key driver for applying this intelligence. This of course links directly to consumer engagement at the point of sale.

Last October, 65 industry leaders from across the packaging value chain, including brand owners, packaging companies, creative marketing agencies and technology providers, gathered at Xerox Research Centre of Canada’s HQ in Mississauga, ON for IntelliPACK’s first Printed Electronics Intelligent Packaging Workshop.

To read the whole white paper, click here.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Corrugated cardboards differentiate themselves by the type of liner (the surface sheet) and the flute type (the wavy part). Flute types are defined by their thickness and the number of flutes per lineal foot. Micro-flute board belong to this type.

The thinner the flute is the lighter the packaging is since the flute requires less paper (this is called the take-up). The thicker the flute is the more protection (thicker crash zone) and insulation is provided to the product.

The number of flutes per lineal foot will directly impact the resistance to crash, the structural rigidity of the box, the accuracy of the folding operations and the printability.

Although there is not a significant amount of difference between the three flutes, F-Flute is half as thick as the E-flute and the N-flute being even thinner. N-flute provides almost twice as many flutes per lineal foot than the E flute.

Therefore, F and N-type micro-flute are getting an increasing interest in the Packaging industry, which is very concerned about its carbon footprint (less fiber consumption, lighter packaging, smaller volume of the packaged good for warehousing and transportation) and still wants adequate protection for the product. This is especially true for goods requiring both particular care and elegant packaging (fine foods).

In the food and beverage, cosmetics and pharma industries, F and N-type micro-flute are becoming a material of choice because of their enhanced printability and folding capabilities and still offering a more rigid packaging than E-flute. Since F and N type cardboards have a much larger number of flutes per foot, they allow more accurate folding operations.

Printing on micro-flute

Printing on corrugated board has been historically the weak point in the production process. Commonly it has been a 2 steps process: printing on paper / film and laminating onto the corrugated board. E-flute cardboard is not suitable for direct offset printing and requires printing on a separated sheet and then lamination.

Netpak Packaging has developed NetCorr, an innovative packaging solution allowing direct printing on micro-flute hence eliminating the laminating step. Netpak has focused on the F and N-flutes types of board to offer its clients a sustainable packaging solution with high quality printing and folding outcomes and a lean production process (more).

Netpak used a wide range of liners (surface sheet) to best suit the needs of the clients, from virgin fibers to 100% recycled, water resistant or grease proof, mate or glossy finish.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Packaging printers understand certification. Many regularly undergo audits in food and pharmaceutical safety, product security, and other areas where their clients want documented proof that the highest standards of performance are in place. These printers know that earning and keeping the credentials is a prerequisite for doing business with brand-owning producers of consumer packaged goods.

Netpak Packaging, the leading innovator in food, pharma and beauty packaging, is proud to be among the first Canadian printing and packaging manufacturer to earn GMI (Graphic Measures International) Certification following an in-depth review of manufacturing processes and controls spanning the plant’s entire production chain.

Brand owners and retailing giants such as Target, Walgreens Lowe’s and Best Buy use the program to ensure that their packaging printers have process controls in place for strict color fidelity and consistent print quality. The GMI full Certification guarantees that the final packaging will meet the highest standards of quality, thereby safeguarding the brand integrity. About 800 printers around the world hold the distinction, including roughly 250 in the U.S.

The process to earn this achievement involved on-site evaluations by a GMI auditor of Netpak’s entire printing operation for lithography. “During the certification process our skilled team members were able to demonstrate that the processes we execute and tools we utilize for pre-press, platemaking, press production and post-press result in a high-quality printed product,” said Eric Bouchard, Netpak’s Operation Manager.

By adhering to these tight guidelines, Netpak Packaging is able to ensure consistent color quality within a production run and on re-orders of the same item. They also apply these guidelines when a customer has multiple items in a production run and need to have consistent color from item to item.

“Receiving the GMI certification validates that Netpak’s litho/offset printing processes and capabilities provide our customers with the color accuracy and consistency needed for printing their critical brand color. Through transparency, accountability, performance measurement and compliance, Netpak customers are assured that quality and food safety standards are in place,” said Islem Yezza, Director of Sales and Marketing for Netpak Packaging.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you. View our certificate here.

Netpak, the leading Canadian packaging and commercial printer based in Montreal, is happy to announce that it will be exhibiting at the upcoming Kosherfest on November 10 & 11, 2015.

Kosherfest is the world’s largest and most attended kosher-certified products trade show. From chain supermarkets to corner groceries, foodservice establishments to caterers, every kind of kosher decision maker will find opportunity and inspiration at Kosherfest. More than 6,000 industry professionals are expected to attend, and more than 325 exhibitors will feature kosher-certified products and services for the kosher market.

Founded in 2003, Netpak serves Food and beverage, Pharma and beauty markets providing folding cartons, microflute (N & F), Solidboard, labels and POP displays and prints. Netpak’s clients are in Eastern Canada, U.S., Europe, and Israel. Netpak holds many certifications proving their commitment to the highest quality standards (ISO 9001, GMI and G7 Master), environmental and social responsibility (FSC, Ecologo, SFI and PEFC) and safety and traceability guarantees. Netpak is the first North American packaging printer to obtain a BRC certification.

Do not hesitate to visit our booth #630 @Kosherfest and discover our latest packaging innovation.

The world is getting smarter and so is packaging. Interactivity between the package and the consumer is the next avenue to build the romance between your brand and your customers.

Near Field Communication technology is sparking a lot of hype recently and being brought to the attention of brand owners and consumers alike. NFC technology can significantly enhance the value of packaging by connecting the brand owner and the consumer to the “Internet of Everything”. This is where interactive packaging is leading us to …

This talk organised by the Packaging Consortium and the Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association will addresse challenges and opportunities in putting in place NFC tags on folding carton for an easy deployment of interactive packaging.

Speakers

Peter Kallai
President & CEO, Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association

Jennifer Murtell
Co-founder, NAVY Agency

Thomas Ducellier
Executive Director of the National Research Council Canada’s flagship program on Printable Electronics

Islem Yezza
Sales and Marketing Director, Netpak

Dr. Harry Zervos
Prinicpal Analyst, IDTechEx

Andrew Frost
Innovation Manager, Molson Coors

For more information, Click here.

In today’s packaging landscape, the choice of raw materials can be daunting. Substitutions are sometimes made with little or no regard to suitability, nonetheless, the differences in paperboard properties and appropriate application are creating some interesting nuances in today’s recovering economy. The choice of substrate is influenced by a number of key parameters including the requirements of print performance, product protection, design features and requirements, sustainability and overall value. This article explains the main paper substrates used in folding carton packaging, as well as their characteristics and primary uses.

There are four main types of substrates used in folding cartons: 1) Unbleached Kraft Paperboard 2) Bleached Kraft Paperboard 3) Recycled Paperboard 4) micro-flute corrugate.

1. SUS (Solid Unbleached Sulfate) / CUK (Coated Solid Unbleached Kraft)

Unbleached Kraft Paperboard — often referred to as Solid Unbleached Sulfate (SUS), is the most commonly used substrate for folding carton packaging. It is produced from at least 80% virgin-unbleached wood pulp and is coated with a thin layer of kaolin clay and titanium dioxide to improve color, smoothness and printing receptivity. Unbleached Kraft can also be treated with a moisture barrier for use in liquid and food packaging.

The use of unbleached, usually softwood pulp results in good tear resistance and the greatest stiffness and strength in relation to basis weight of the paperboard substrates. Thus, Unbleached Kraft often allows for the use of a lower caliper paperboard relative to other substrates. It also has cost advantages over bleached virgin paperboard. Unbleached Kraft is used in many folding carton applications, especially when strength and durability are paramount. Typical uses are consumer electronics packaging, beverage carriers, dry food packaging, hardware packaging, and packaging for powdered detergents and soaps.

Primary North American suppliers of SUS include Kapstone, Graphic Packaging and MeadWestvaco (MWV).

2. SBS (Solid Bleached Sulfate / Bleached Kraft)

Bleached Kraft — often called solid bleached sulfate (SBS), is the highest quality and most expensive paperboard substrate. It is produced from bleached virgin wood pulp that is produced with a chemical pulping process. Most Bleached Kraft paperboard grades are claycoated to enhance the smoothness and receptivity of the printing surface. Like Unbleached Kraft, SBS can be treated with a moisture barrier for use in liquid and food packaging. Bleached cellulose pulp has high whiteness, brightness and light stability. Thus, Bleached Kraft is white throughout the sheet and is ideal for packaging requiring high impact graphics. The softness and flexibility of bleached virgin pulp provides superior creasing, embossing, and cutting properties with low dust generation, allowing for a wide scope of structural designs. However, the bleaching process also adds cost and reduces stiffness. Bleached Kraft paperboard has the highest purity and provides food products with the best odor taste and taint protection.

SBS is typically used in high-end packaging, where the impact and quality of the printed image are essential. It is also used in food packaging to ensure taste protection. Common uses are health and beauty packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, and frozen foods.

Primary North American suppliers of SBS include International Paper Company, MeadWestvaco (MWV), Georgia Pacific, Evergreen Packaging, Clearwater and Rock-Tenn.

3. CRB (Recycled Paperboard / Coated Recycled Board)

Coated Recycled Board (CRB), also known as clay-coated news back (CCNB), is a dominant material in North America and elsewhere in the world. CRB is generally made from a blend of recycled newsprint, old corrugated containers and mixed secondary paper. Its fibers are often 100% recycled with 35% or more of the content considered “post consumer.” It is comprised of as many as eight or more layers of material with the top ply made of bleached or semi-bleached fibers. A variety of machines are used in its manufacture including fourdrinier, cylinder and hybrid forming systems.

CRB is the most common substrate for low cost folding carton boxes when recycled content is preferred or required. It is often used for single pouch cereal boxes and other multi-purpose packaging where tear strength and premium print quality aren’t paramount. It often has a one-direction stiffness advantage that can be beneficial for bulge resistance in the packaging of granular products such as rice, pet foods, pancake mix and powdered laundry detergent.

The specification tolerances of CRB are somewhat less stringent than with SBS and other virgin grades. It is often not as strong and tends to carry slightly higher moisture content than other grades. CRB is more absorbent than SBS and CUK, and therefore requires a slightly thicker ink film and/or stronger inks to achieve a given strength of color. As with all other materials, die cutting, creasing and gluing conditions should be adjusted to optimize its performance.

Primary North American suppliers of CRB include Graphic Packaging, Rock-Tenn, Cascades, Paperworks, Strathcona, Caraustar and The Newark Group.

4. Micro-flute corrugate

Microflutes are a light weight yet durable corrugated board available in a wide range of flute and liner combinations to meet your exact requirements. Small flute corrugate is generally used in high-end folding carton packaging in which strength and stiffness are essential. It can also be used to provide large windows in packaging while maintaining structural integrity. Typical uses include small appliance packaging, overnight shipping boxes, beverage carriers, club store boxes, sporting goods packaging, and toy packaging.

Netpak uses an innovate process which allows it to print directly on an F-flute carton or the new N-flute white coated board. The result is outstanding and brings about a definitely much more cost effective solution.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

Source: Brand packaging; Independent Carton Group

MONTREAL, QC, Canada – March 23rd, 2015 – Netpak Inc., the leading innovator in food, pharma and beauty packaging, announced today the acquisition of Imprimerie Contact. This acquisition will support and strengthen Netpak’ offering through advanced processes and technologies in addition to providing access to new customers and product markets. The acquisition is effective March 23rd, 2015 and terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 1978, Imprimerie Contact is one of the few print shops in Montreal capable of providing printing services to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Over the past years, they have developed solid expertise in printing documents for these industries, including leaflets, pamphlets, brochures, and pharmaceutical instruction inserts.

According to Mr. Carlo Cammalleri, Netpak President and Chief Executive Officer, “We are extremely excited to welcome Imprimerie Contact’s leadership team and its associates into the Netpak family”. “The acquisition of Imprimerie Contact is an outstanding strategic fit for Netpak. It allows us to grow our company, adding new organization that has an excellent reputation for service and quality, and who runs their operations with a similar business philosophy as ours”. “We look forward to working together as a cohesive team to enhance our offering to our customers and achieve our strategic goals”, he added.

Netpak Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Salvatore Novello, said, “Over recent years, we have invested in the long-term growth of the company, to develop a state of the art facility with extensive state-of-the-art equipment for printing and manufacturing as well as training and development for our staff”. The Imprimerie Contact acquisition enhances Netpak’s capabilities, broadens our reach into new markets and customers, and provides us the potential to expand our presence with current customers. It also provides Netpak with a dedicated and experienced workforce under great management. “We are excited about the opportunities this acquisition will provide us”, he added.

André Goyette, President of Imprimerie Contact stated that “he and his team are proud and pleased to join Netpak’s dynamic team. He is convinced that “this acquisition will enable Imprimerie Contact to continue serving its customers with the highest service and quality standards while expanding significantly our offer”.

Source: Netpak Inc.

Contact: Islem Yezza, Marketing and Business Development Director: iyezza@netpak.com

About Netpak Packaging:

Founded in 2003, Netpak Inc., is the leading Canadian packaging and commercial printer based in Montreal. Netpak serves Food and beverage, Pharma and beauty markets providing folding cartons, labels, POP displays and prints, annual reports and corporate literature. Netpak’s clients are in Eastern Canada, U.S., Europe, and Israel. Netpak holds many certifications proving their commitment to the highest quality standards (ISO 9001, GMI and G7 Master), environmental and social responsibility (FSC, Ecologo, SFI and PEFC) and safety and traceability guarantees. Netpak is the first North American packaging printer to obtain a BRC certification. For more information visit https://wordpress-404703-1946962.cloudwaysapps.com/

About Imprimerie Contact:

Firmly rooted in the printing industry since 1978, Imprimerie Contact Inc. has garnered an excellent reputation in Montreal for the quality of its printing and the flexibility of its services. Continually striving to satisfy its customers, Imprimerie Contact Inc. built a solid reputation in Montreal’s pharmaceutical and advertising milieu through the loyalty of its customers from major companies and professionals in all fields. The company provides graphic design services, pre-press services, digital printing, offset printing, large format printing, and finishing for short and long runs. For more information visit http://imprimeriecontact.ca/

Netpak Inc., the leading innovator in food, pharma and beauty packaging, is proud to be among the first Canadian printing and packaging manufacturer to earn full certification as a Walgreens Certified Print Packaging Supplier. The Graphic Measures International Full Certification (GMI) guarantees that the final packaging will meet the highest standards of quality, thereby safeguarding the brand integrity.

The manufacturer of folding cartons, blister packaging, labels, inserts/outserts, and medication guides completed a program administered by Graphic Measures International (GMI), an organization that monitors and validates suppliers’ required process controls and ability to deliver consistent results for its vendors.

The process to earn this achievement involved on-site evaluations by a GMI auditor of Netpak’s entire printing operation for lithography. The audit assesses four key areas of manufacturing: prepress, plate making, printing press, and post press.

This designation enables Walgreens private label suppliers to use Netpak for printed packaging for Walgreens branded products. Only private brand products with retail packaging will require the certification.

Netpak team is excited to be able to bring a high level of consistent printing to Walgreens and their private brand suppliers.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.

GMI Certification: Recognition of achievement

The world is getting smarter and so is packaging. Interactivity between the package and the consumer is the next avenue to build the romance between your brands and your customers.

Exciting technologies, such us Augmented Reality (AR) or Near-Field Communication (NFC), today enable even a humble carton box to entertain or inform the consumer in ways that are both magical and pragmatic. This connects the world of print to the online ether and is the missing link that completes a virtuous circle.

Always at the cutting edge of the industry, Netpak began developing NFC interactive packaging solutions as early as 2013 in order to meet a growing demand from its customers. Netpak encode our packaging and other printing material in order to open a permanent and lasting dialog between your brand and your customers. Our experts will help you along the process of adopting this new type of packaging which is poised to develop exponentially in the coming years.

Fenugreen paper offers an interesting innovative packaging idea. An active “dryer sheet of paper” made from edible organic extracts (Impregnated with organic spices) that can be placed under the produce where it’s stored.

Inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi and the like, making the food last longer: keep produce fresh for 2-4 times longer than normal

It’s biodegradable and can be composted or recycled.

As long as the sheet emits a maple-like odor that means it’s active. After about two or three weeks, the smell will fade and the sheet should be replaced.

Source: Fenugreen

Microflute corrugated is a relatively new product. It has exceptional properties which allow for a wide variety of end uses in packaging.

The micro-flute segment comprises roughly 7-9 percent of total corrugated market in North America. Recent studies report an annual growth rate of microflute applications between 12 and 15 percent. While the largest share of production continues to belong to E- and F-flutes, the introduction of N- and G-flutes may change statistics in the years to come. The general rule of thumb holds that E-flute has approximately 90 flutes; F-flute, about 128 flutes per foot; and G- and N-flutes count 178 per foot.

Printing offset direct onto a range of microflutes has today become of age and has obvious advantages with better quality than flexography and more intricate detail– than screen such as (source, KBA):

1. Improved print quality with perfect register and colour consistency
2. Much finer screens and halftones
3. Lower production times
4. Lower plate making cost
5. Ideally suited for both long runs and shorter promotional specials

Short-grain material must be used for micro-flute printing. The flutes then lie in the direction of travel, offering greater stability. The blanket is the key parameter for micro-flute printing since it must be able to ensure good ink transfer even at low pressures. Therefore, inks that transfer well, even at the lowest of pressures, should be selected.

Moisture has many detrimental effects on the properties of micro-flute corrugated. It creates an overall weakening of the fibers, which in turn reduces the overall strength of the corrugate Corrugated board loses about 50 percent of its compression strength when it is exposed to at or above 50 percent relative humidity. Also, the starch-based adhesive used to hold the linerboard and micro-flute together does not tolerate high levels of moisture. The adhesive loses its strength when exposed to high humidity conditions. Expansion occurs when corrugated takes on water, and it shrinks when it is dried.

Micro-flutes advantages over solid board include the fact that less raw material is required to achieve a given level of stability. Micro-flute packaging also has better stacking and flexural strength and weighs less. Its superior insulating properties also make it ideal for deep-freeze fast-food packaging.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) for enquiries about your packaging needs.

Montreal (CA), Sept. 19, 2014 – NETPAK is proud to be among the first Canadian printing and packaging manufacturer to earn Full Certification* from GRAPHIC MEASURES INTERNATIONAL (GMI). The GMI Full Certification in printing guarantees to our customers our overall control of color management, from proof to print, in order to consistently deliver high-quality results. The audit assesses five key aspects to ensure that we meet GMI standards, including:
GMI full certification scope

• Operator skills
• Training procedures
• Equipment performance
• Maintenance

Our commitment:

At NETPAK, we make a point of remaining tuned to industry needs and to offer our brand of contribution to our customers’ value chain. The GMI Full Certification guarantees that the final packaging will meet the highest standards of quality, thereby safeguarding the brand integrity. We guarantee more efficient production processes that lend cost savings, minimize the environmental footprint and maximize the impact of packaging intended for consumers. Here a copy of our GMI certificate For details, visit Graphic Measures Internation (GMI).   *Full GMI certification as a printer for Walgreens

MAHER MAHJOUB
INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
AT NETPAK

What is the BRC certification and how does it impact the company?

It’s a world-class security program that sets the standard for the entire supply chain in the food industry. BRC was the first standard to be recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative. As a professional printing and packaging company, we are now BRC/IoP Issue 4-certified by GFSI which validates the high standards of quality, safety and traceability of our production line. We also chose BRC certification because it’s partially based on ISO, HAACP and BFP standards, making it the most relevant quality management certification of its class. Specifically, this initiative is part of our proactive approach focusing on continuous improvement. The standard includes annual audits to assess our risk management, safety and hygiene systems, and our control of manufacturing processes as well as upstream and downstream product traceability. The benchmark standards of the audit are among the most demanding in the industry, thereby allowing us to positively contribute to our customer’s value chain.

The standard is currently marginal in North America. Why adopt it when there’s no demand for it on the market?

When founding Netpak 10 years ago, we endeavored to offer our customers every possible certification and to use cutting-edge technologies. This commitment allowed us to consistently deliver high-quality packaging while offering the best safety and traceability guarantees. Although BRC certification standards are mostly found in Europe, the last Food Safety Europe Conference clearly indicated a strong uptake trend of BRC standards across the food industry in the United States and Canada as early as 2015. We are witnessing the adoption of BRC standards in the North American agri-food industry which represents 70% of our customer base. It’s a matter of time until they become a requirement for suppliers. For all these reasons, we decided to take the lead by developing best-in-class quality management practices. Ultimately, our objective is to establish a trusted framework for our customers that testifies to our continuous improvement process. Whatever the relevant industry certification, our customers can be sure that Netpak has obtained it or is about to obtain it.

NETPAK AND THE BRC CERTIFICATION IN NUMBERS

NUMBER OF BRC CERTIFIED FOOD MANUFACTURERS
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BRC standards chiefly focus on the agri-food industry. Do they impact customers active in other industries?

BRC/IoP certification standards have come a long way. Although they initially focused exclusively on food packaging, they now encompass the full range of consumer products packaging.

Regardless of the industry, every company’s packaging must include health and safety guarantees, and that’s what BRC standards offer with strict quality control criteria and precise identification of all materials used. In fact, our pharmaceutical customers are particularly mindful of traceability and safety criteria. The BRC standards also allow Netpak to meet their specific needs by increasing safety and health aspects across the plant. Overall, every customer benefits from our various certifications, including ISO 9001 as well as eco-certifications such as FSC, PEFC, SFI and ECOLOGO. When dealing with Netpak, our customers are assured that their brand is protected across the value chain, right down to final packaging.

Beyond these certifications, what are the benefits of working with Netpak?

Our commitment to securing leading certifications enables our customers to base their choices on the technical requirements of their project, trusting that Netpak will deliver best-in-class industry quality and safety standards. Therefore, our customers can focus on implementing their project while leveraging our expertise in the process. We contribute early on by helping our customers finalize technical briefs which saves then time when bidding on call for tenders. It’s not a guarantee to win the bid, but the service is always much appreciated. We can also assist in developing the packaging, including structural design, prototypes, and choice of materials and production process. We optimized our production startup process, making it the shortest in the industry. For our agri-food customers, our responsiveness is often a key advantage that affords them the flexibility they need. Importantly, we aim to be a trusted partner for our customers by remaining attuned their specific needs.

Do not hesitate to contact us (netpak@netpak.com) in order to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, and solutions that we can bring to you.