And thanks to advances in substrate technology and digital print capabilities, customizable packaging is now faster, more flexible, and more impactful than ever.
From folding cartons and wrap-around labels to pouch packaging and rigid boxes, today’s printable product packaging materials are designed for short-run efficiency, full-color vibrancy, and functional performance — all without sacrificing visual appeal.
Here’s how printable packaging substrates are reshaping branding, logistics, and production workflows in a digital-first market.
Traditionally, high-volume packaging relied on offset or flexographic printing — efficient for scale, but costly for short runs or frequent SKU changes. Digital printing has changed the game.
With the ability to print directly onto packaging substrates or apply high-end labels in small batches, digital print allows brands to:
Launch new products faster
Create limited-edition packaging
Personalize by region, customer, or season
Reduce inventory and waste
Test designs or messaging in real time
It’s packaging built for agile marketing, on-demand production, and targeted consumer experiences.
Depending on the application and printer type, digital packaging can be produced on a variety of substrates:
Coated and uncoated paperboard
Lightweight, recyclable, ideal for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food
Can be scored, cut, folded, and glued after printing
Applied to bottles, jars, flexible pouches, or boxes
Available in gloss, matte, metallic, or textured finishes
Supports UV, toner, and inkjet systems
E-flute, B-flute, and microflute boards
Printed directly (digital corrugated presses) or via laminated liners
Popular for e-commerce packaging and POP displays
Kraft papers, metallized films, recycled boards
PVC-free options for sustainable brands
Pre-treated synthetics for water, oil, or tear resistance
You can explore and compare these via Substrate Bank by application, thickness, coating, and certification.
UV inkjet – ideal for direct-to-board printing on cartons and corrugate
Toner-based presses – great for short-run, high-quality labels and cartons
Water-based inkjet – growing in flexible packaging and food-safe applications
Latex and hybrid presses – suitable for pressure-sensitive labels and films
Personalized product launches
Short-run beauty, health, or boutique items
Subscription box inserts and packaging
Event-specific or influencer send-outs
Custom gift or seasonal packaging
Sustainability-driven rebrands with recyclable or minimal substrates
Packaging isn’t just about containing a product — it’s about communicating value, personality, and trust. And in today’s fast-moving, brand-conscious world, digitally printable packaging materials allow you to do that faster, smarter, and in smaller, more impactful batches.
Because in digital print, the packaging is the product — and the substrate is where that story begins.