Custom Printing
Flexo Print Packaging — Low Cost Branding for Shipping Boxes
Flexo printing is an economical way to add your brand to corrugated shipping boxes. With one or two colour options, a once-off printing plate, and a minimum of 250 units — it's the ideal entry-level branded packaging solution for businesses shipping at volume.
Flexo (flexographic) printing is a cost-effective printing method that uses a flexible rubber printing plate to apply one or two spot colours directly onto corrugated cardboard shipping boxes. It's a well-established commercial printing process widely used in the packaging industry for its reliability, speed, and low unit cost at volume.
Unlike digital printing which prints on demand, flexo printing requires a once-off printing plate to be made for your design — an upfront cost that pays for itself across a print run. Once the plate is created it can be reused for future orders, making it increasingly economical over time.
Once the plate is made, the per-unit print cost is very low — ideal for businesses ordering at volume.
Available for our corrugated shipping box range — the workhorse of eCommerce and fulfilment packaging.
Your printing plate can be stored and reused for future orders — no new plate cost each time you reorder.
Printed in our Melbourne facility — consistent quality and faster turnaround than overseas printing.
Flexo printing requires a once-off printing plate to be created from your artwork. This is a flexible rubber plate that transfers your design onto the cardboard surface during printing. The plate is a one-time setup cost that is separate from your box and print costs.
The plate is a one-time setup fee. It does not need to be remade each time you reorder — just when your design changes.
From $250–$500+ depending on the size of your box. Larger boxes require larger plates which cost more to produce.
Each panel you print requires plate coverage for that area. More panels means a larger or additional plate — increasing the plate cost.
💡 Tip: To keep your plate cost as low as possible, we recommend printing on two panels only — typically the top and one side, or the front and back. This gives your boxes strong brand presence at the lowest possible setup cost. Contact us for a quote based on your specific box size and panel requirements.
Reordering is more economical: Once your plate has been made, reorders don't require a new plate (unless your design changes). This means flexo print becomes increasingly cost-effective the more times you reorder the same design.
We can print on up to 4 panels of your shipping box. However, we recommend starting with 2 panels for the most cost-effective result. The more panels you print, the higher the plate cost.
Top + one side, or front + back. Best value — strong brand presence at the lowest plate cost.
Single panel print — most economical option. Perfect for a logo or brand name on one side.
Three panel coverage for greater brand visibility. Plate cost increases with additional panel coverage.
Maximum coverage — all four sides of your box printed. Best for maximum brand impact at volume.
Not sure how many panels you need? Contact our team at info@packqueen.com.au or call 03 8689 9344 with your box size and design requirements and we'll recommend the most cost-effective panel configuration for your business.
Here's a full overview of our flexo print requirements before placing your order.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Suitable products | Corrugated shipping boxes only. Not available for paperboard gift boxes or mailer boxes. |
| Colours | One or two spot colours only. Full colour CMYK printing is not available with flexo. |
| Panels | 1 to 4 panels available. We recommend 2 panels for the best balance of brand presence and cost. |
| Printing plate | Once-off plate required — from $250 to $500+ depending on box size and number of panels. Plate is reusable for future reorders of the same design. |
| Minimum order | 250 units |
| Artwork format | High resolution PDF or Adobe Illustrator (.ai) file with fonts outlined. Simple, bold artwork with solid shapes and no gradients works best. |
| Artwork suitability | Best suited to simple logos, text, and solid designs. Not suitable for photographic images, gradients, or fine detail. |
| White ink | Not available for flexo printing |
⚠️ Artwork matters: Flexo printing works best with simple, bold designs — clean logos, solid text, and basic shapes. Complex artwork with fine lines, gradients, or shading may not reproduce well. If you're unsure whether your artwork is suitable, email it to info@packqueen.com.au before ordering and we'll advise.
Flexo printing is a great option for certain businesses — but it depends on your order volume, design requirements, and budget. Here's a quick guide.
- You want low cost branded shipping boxes at volume
- Your logo or design uses one or two colours
- Your artwork is simple, bold, and without gradients or fine detail
- You're ordering 250 units or more
- You're happy to pay a once-off plate cost upfront
- You plan to reorder the same design regularly
- You ship products in corrugated cardboard boxes
- You want a consistent, professional brand on your outbound shipments
- You need full colour or CMYK printing
- Your design includes gradients, shading, or photographic elements
- You're printing on paperboard, gift boxes, or mailer boxes
- You need fewer than 250 units (consider digital print from 25 units)
- You need white ink printing
- Your design changes frequently — a new plate is required for each design change
If flexo isn't right for you, we also offer digital print (from 25 units), screen print, foil, and offset options. Contact us to find the best solution.
- Your preferred box size (or the PackQueen product code)
- Your order quantity
- Number of colours (1 or 2)
- Number of panels you'd like to print
- Your artwork file if available
Ready to Brand Your Shipping Boxes with Flexo Print?
One or two colours on corrugated shipping boxes from 250 units. Once-off printing plate from $250. Reusable for future reorders. Australian made in Melbourne.
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