Guide / Printing / Chapter 4.5
Offset printing for retail packaging.
Sharp, detailed, full-colour print for product boxes that sit on a shelf or in a customer's hand. Here's how offset printing works and when it's the right choice.
The short answer
Offset printing transfers ink from a printing plate to a rubber blanket, then onto the board. It produces sharp, detailed, full-colour print and is the method we use on paperboard product boxes, such as cosmetic and skincare cartons. Our paperboard is 285gsm, it can be printed inside and outside, and finished with gloss or matt lamination. Offset printing starts from 250 units, with a standard lead time of 10–15 business days from artwork approval. Lead times are longer in peak periods, so check our current lead times.
How it works
Offset printing builds full-colour images from four process colours: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. A plate is made for each colour. Ink goes from the plate to a rubber blanket, which "offsets" it onto the board. The soft blanket presses evenly onto the surface, which is what gives offset its fine detail.
The plates take time to make, so offset suits runs of 250 units or more. Once running, it prints consistently across the run, within normal production tolerances.
Why paperboard boxes are offset printed
- Fine detail. Small text, ingredient lists and fine lines stay crisp.
- Full colour. Photos, illustrations and gradients print smoothly.
- Inside and outside. Paperboard boxes can be printed on both sides, so the inside can carry a message or pattern.
- Finishes. Gloss or matt lamination, and on request, embossing, debossing and spot UV on paperboard cosmetic boxes.
Offset printing at PackQueen
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Used on | Paperboard product boxes, such as cosmetic and skincare cartons |
| Board | 285gsm paperboard |
| Minimum order | From 250 units |
| Lead time | 10–15 business days from artwork approval. Special finishes may take longer and are confirmed with your quote |
| Printing | Inside and outside |
| Finishes | Gloss or matt lamination. Embossing, debossing and spot UV on request |
| Samples | Custom printed cosmetic carton sample $100, reimbursable within 3 months |
Designing for offset printing
Set up in CMYK
Offset prints in four process colours, so set your artwork up in CMYK. Bright screen colours (RGB) can look duller once converted, so check your proof.
Use the template's 10mm bleed and safe zone
On our offset paperboard templates, extend background colours 10mm past the cut line and keep text and logos 10mm inside it, so nothing is trimmed off or lost in a fold. Other print methods have different rules, so always work from the template for your exact product.
Plan the inside
If you're printing inside the box, design the inside panels as carefully as the outside. The customer sees them when they open it.
What it means for you
The same question, answered for where your business is today.
Choose your stage at the top of the page to open the advice for you.
Start-up · under 100 units
Offset printed product boxes start from 250 units, so many start-ups use stock boxes with labels first.
If you're planning a retail product, ask for a sample carton to test the size before committing.
Growing · 100 to 2,499 units
When you're selling a product steadily, an offset printed carton gives a retail-ready look and room for product information.
Try this: use a cosmetic carton sample to check the fit and print before your first run.
Enterprise · 2,500 units and more
Specify the board, print, finish and any inside printing for every carton, along with colour references and an approved printed reference, so reorders stay consistent within agreed tolerances.
Keep master artwork files for each carton in one place.
Common mistakes
- 1Sending RGB artwork. Screen colours can shift when converted to CMYK. Supply CMYK files and check the proof.
- 2No bleed. Without the template's 10mm bleed, a thin white edge can show after cutting.
- 3Text too close to folds. Keep text and logos inside the 10mm safe zone.
- 4Forgetting the fit. Check the carton fits the product before printing a run. A sample saves expensive mistakes.
Offset printing questions
What is offset printing used for?
What's the minimum order for offset printed boxes?
How long does offset printing take?
Can you print inside the box?
Can I get a sample first?
Keep reading
Offset printed packaging
Planning a retail carton?
Send us your product size, quantity and artwork. Our Melbourne team will quote and send a digital proof, typically within 1 business day of receiving your artwork.