As a trailblazer in digital printing and packaging, we spend a lot of time working with innovative clients who have discovered that we can do pretty much whatever’s in their heads. And we do it collaboratively, quickly, sustainably, within our client’s regulatory guidelines when appropriate, and in runs of any length.

What is digital printing?

How can we make such a claim? It’s partly our deep experience as part of the DCK group and partly our very flexible friend, the HP Indigo Digital Press. CoLab is one of a very few companies in Ireland that has one, and we are delighted to show off its capabilities, especially when compared to the outdated, costly, wasteful plate-based machines we grew up with.

In fact, digital printing is to plate-based traditional printing as a Tesla is to a Skoda. Yes, both cars have four wheels and a roof, but that’s where the comparison stops, in everything from sustainability, to flexibility, to plain ability.

Digital printing delivers agility that is vital in today’s fast-changing marketplace. Unlike traditional offset and flexo printing, all colours are printed in a single pass. This saves cost and time because we don’t have to keep changing plates. It’s this flexibility that has made digital printing on-demand the biggest trend in our industry and a game changer for our clients.

The difference with digital

Say you’re a small batch whiskey distiller. You produce a superb product, but it has to outshine deep-pocketed competitors with global visibility. A collaboration with us could result in individualized, short-run high-impact packaging that showcases your unique benefits - each box, for example, could show a different step in the distillation process.

We could even personalise the box to the individual customer. Imagine a ‘whiskey of the month’ subscription where each customer got their own personalized box, with tasting notes and their name on each one. A loyalty programme that’s not only ‘sticky’ but also a conversation piece.

Another example is a pharmaceutical package that has strict regulatory requirements for display, patient information and the tracking that is essential for controlled substances. Whether it’s a short run or a major introduction, our solution incorporates security substrates to prevent product tampering, such as shrink bands, overwrap, and lidding films to protect consumers.

At the other extreme is mass customisation, where, despite large volumes, versioning and localisation can create a product - a beverage, a packet of crisps, a flavour of yoghurt - that looks and feels unique while standing out on a crowded retail shelf. Marketers have developed sophisticated strategies to maximise impact at retail and a digital packaging partner is an essential component in the mix. This example stems from the recent billionaires’ space journeys in the US:

Photo by Peter Bond on Unsplash

SKITTLES announce it's creating a new, limited-edition Zero-G pack to commemorate the brand leaving Earth's atmosphere for the first time ever.

Designed for “extraterrestrial and earthly travels,” the new Zero-G pack features intergalactic, aluminum packaging and is filled with blue and purple candies. “We're thrilled to bring better moments to fans by marking SKITTLES' first trip to space with limited edition packs and look forward to pushing the boundaries of confectionery space exploration.”

Finding the right partner

In any business endeavour, there is a shortlist of elements that are under your control, one of which is choosing a creative partner for your most demanding projects.
What should you look for in a creative partner?

A track record: you shouldn’t be, as they say, their first rodeo.
Commitment: however large or small, challenging or deadline-driven your project is, they should be there for you
Aware: recycling, focusing on cutting out waste, using sustainable methods - these aren’t nice to have, they are an essential part of business now, and your partner should be all-in with this
Focused on outcomes: the bottom line is, actually, the bottom line. Your business partner must work with you to deliver an exceptional result, at an agreed price and within the right timescales.

Developing products like these is a collaborative journey. All the parameters have to be understood by all parties, from costs through materials to delivery times and locations. We bring expertise and our flexible friend the HP Indigo. You bring the challenge.

Let's get to work