Digital Printing Press
Corrugated Cardboard

Digital Printing Press
Corrugated Cardboard

What does a digital printing press for corrugated cardboard do?

A digital printing press for corrugated cardboard prints directly onto packaging materials based on digital print data. Unlike conventional printing processes, no printing cylinders or plates are required. This allows print designs to be changed, adjusted, or adapted more quickly.

In industrial single-pass printing systems, the material is printed in a single pass. This enables high production speeds while maintaining precise print quality. Depending on the line configuration, both corrugated cardboard and solid board can be processed. Specific suitability depends, among other factors, on material thickness, surface, flatness, and absorbency.

Our Solution for Digital Printing on Corrugated Cardboard

The Delta SPC 130

represents a new generation of digital printing presses equipped with Koenig & Bauer Durst water technology. A versatile platform for monthly volumes from 0.5 million to 1.5 million sqm and fully automated production.

The Delta SPC 130 offers outstanding quality for flexo and offset migration. It features a fully digital line with non-impact printing, no crush, no OPV. Its food-safe, water-based inks have been developed to meet current and anticipate future regulatory and environmental standards.

Learn more about the Delta SPC 130

Learn more about the
VariJET 106

The CorruJET 170

is built for high production volume in excess of 1.5 million sqm per month. It features hybrid capabilities utilizing digital printing in combination with flexo towers. It delivers extremely sharp reproduction detail with food-safe, water-based inks to meet current and future regulatory and environmental standards.

Learn more about the CorruJET 170

Learn more about the
CorruJET 170

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No clichés or printing plates required

Print data can be processed directly. This saves setup time and setup costs and allows for last-minute changes to the layout, text, or graphics without additional tooling costs.

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Cost-Effective for Small and Medium-Sized Runs

Even small quantities can be produced cost-effectively. This makes digital printing particularly appealing for market tests, seasonal campaigns, promotions, and regional variations.

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Fast Production Times

The time from uploading print data to the finished packaging is significantly shorter than with conventional methods. This allows orders to be fulfilled more quickly and delivery times to be shortened.

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Personalization and Variable Data

Each package can feature customized content, numbering, QR codes, barcodes, tracking codes, or different designs—all directly during the printing process.

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High Print Quality

Fine details, gradients, photos, and complex graphics can be reproduced with precision. This results in high-quality printed images for brand packaging, displays, and retail packaging.

bedarfsgerechte und nachhaltige produktion

Demand-Driven and Sustainable Production

Packaging can be produced on demand, which reduces inventory levels and capital tied up in inventory. At the same time, less waste, no use of printing plates, and production tailored to exact specifications reduce resource consumption.

For which applications is digital printing on corrugated cardboard suitable?

Digital printing on corrugated cardboard is suitable for traditional packaging jobs that were previously often produced using conventional methods—including high-quality branded packaging, display solutions, and mass production.

The overview of applications highlights additional possibilities offered by digital printing: for example, flexible variations, smaller print runs, seasonal promotions, regional designs, or the integration of variable data.

Application	Advantages of Digital Printing
E-commerce Packaging	Flexible designs, changing content, and quick post-production
Brand Packaging	High-quality prints for a compelling product presentation
Display Solutions	Precise print quality for eye-catching packaging and point-of-sale designs
Seasonal Promotions	Short lead times for campaigns, promotions, and special editions
Market Tests	Small print runs without high setup costs
Regional Variations	Different languages, designs, or product information in a single process
Customized Packaging	Integration of variable data, codes, or personalized content

Digital Printing or Conventional Printing: Which Process Is Best Suited to Which Requirements?

When printing on corrugated board, the choice of the most suitable printing process depends largely on the print run, variety of designs, delivery time and required flexibility. Digital printing systems are particularly attractive when packaging needs to be produced at short notice, regularly adapted or manufactured in several different versions.

Printing Plates

Digital Printing on Corrugated Board No printing plates required

Conventional Printing Printing plates required

Setup

Digital Printing on Corrugated Board Short preparation time

Conventional Printing Greater setup effort

Small and Medium Print Runs

Digital Printing on Corrugated Board Highly cost-effective

Conventional Printing Often less efficient

Design Changes

Digital Printing on Corrugated Board Quick to implement

Conventional Printing Additional effort required

Customization

Digital Printing on Corrugated Board Highly flexible

Conventional Printing More complex

Variable Data

Digital Printing on Corrugated Board Can be integrated directly

Conventional Printing Additional process required

Inventory Levels

Digital Printing on Corrugated Board Production based on demand

Conventional Printing Often requires larger quantities

Test Markets and Promotions

Digital Printing on Corrugated Board Highly suitable

Conventional Printing Longer lead time

Quality, Flexibility, and Demand-Driven Production in Digital Packaging Printing

Precise Print Images for High-Quality Packaging Solutions

Modern digital printing systems ensure impressive print results on corrugated cardboard:

high-detail reproduction of images, gradients, and graphic elements
a premium look for branded packaging, point-of-sale displays, and presentation packaging
reliable print quality even with frequently changing designs or variations

Flexible Production with Short Lead Times

Digital printing enables fast and adaptable packaging production:

no downtime due to changes in printing plates or plates
new designs can be produced quickly once the print data has been approved
ideal for product updates, promotions, launches, and time-sensitive packaging projects

Resource-Efficient Production Based on Actual Demand

Through demand-driven production, digital printing can reduce material usage and warehousing costs:

reduced waste and less setup waste
no consumption of printing cylinders or plates
production of appropriate quantities instead of large inventories

FAQ: Digital Printing Presses for Corrugated Cardboard

How quickly can corrugated cardboard packaging be produced digitally?

Digital printing presses enable short turnaround times because print data is processed directly and there is no need to prepare printing cylinders or plates. New packaging designs can be quickly put into production once the print data has been approved.

How do digital printing presses for corrugated cardboard differ in terms of printing speed?

Print speed depends heavily on technology, line configuration, material, and production requirements. Single-pass printing systems, such as the Durst Delta SPC 130, are designed for industrial productivity and print on the material in a single pass.

Is digital printing on corrugated cardboard more expensive than traditional printing methods?

Not necessarily. Conventional printing methods involve costs for printing plates, setup time, and waste. These factors are largely eliminated in digital printing. As a result, digital printing is often more cost-effective, especially for very small runs as well as small and medium runs.

In addition, a print image optimized for digital printing can help reduce ink consumption, material usage, and production costs.

At what print run size does digital printing become cost-effective?

Digital printing offers its greatest advantages for very small to medium print runs, as well as for frequently changing designs. Since no printing cylinders or plates are required, there are no setup costs, no long setup times, and a significant reduction in setup waste. This makes it possible to produce even smaller orders cost-effectively.

Is the color quality in digital printing comparable to that of conventional printing on corrugated cardboard?

Yes. In many applications today, digital printing achieves a color quality comparable to that of conventional printing processes—while offering greater flexibility and shorter production times. Digital-printed corrugated cardboard meets high standards for print quality, particularly in brand packaging, displays, and high-quality retail packaging.

Can custom corrugated cardboard packaging be produced?

Yes. Digital printing presses enable personalized packaging with variable data such as QR codes, serial numbers, barcodes, tracking codes, regional designs, or customized marketing messages—without interrupting production. Yes. Digital printing presses enable personalized packaging with variable data such as QR codes, serial numbers, barcodes, tracking codes, regional designs, or customized marketing messages—without interrupting production.

Is digital printing more sustainable than traditional printing methods?

Digital printing can be more sustainable because it produces less waste, requires no printing plates, and allows packaging to be produced on demand. This reduces material consumption, inventory levels, and potentially also transportation costs.

Can multiple designs be produced in a single print run?

Yes. Different designs, language versions, or packaging variations can be printed within a single production run. This reduces inventory and increases flexibility in packaging production.

Which types of corrugated cardboard can be printed on?

Suitability depends on the line configuration and the material. Depending on the feeder specifications, materials ranging from approximately 0.7 to 1.5 mm up to a maximum of 12 mm can be processed.

In addition to corrugated cardboard, solid board can also be printed on, depending on the material properties. Key factors include surface quality, whiteness, material thickness, flatness, and absorbency.

Can food be packaged directly in the printed corrugated cardboard packaging?

That depends on the application, material, color, and compliance requirements. For dry foods, suitable packaging solutions may be available, provided that the requirements of the relevant declaration of conformity are met. Specific suitability should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Is digital printing on corrugated cardboard more sustainable than traditional printing methods?

Digital printing can contribute to a more sustainable production process because it generates less waste, requires no printing cylinders or plates, and allows packaging to be produced on demand. This helps reduce material consumption, inventory levels, and transportation costs.

Knowledge Base

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