Packaging is a powerful way to introduce your brand to the world. A dynamic box that showcases a clear message is way ahead in the race. Clarity, differentiation, and the wow factor are key design elements in a competitive retail environment such as specialty pet products.

You only have two dimensions to make a three-dimensional impression.
 
Today's cinema, animation, and television productions use innovative special effects driven by advances in technology. Collateral, collectibles, and merchandise related to these kinds of projects need to match their tone and action.

Is your company thinking past paper?
 
While paper is in high demand worldwide, your organization should be aware of all the high-quality substrates available for printing on—especially when you are considering specialty printing and premium packaging.
 
We recently invested in show-stopping application technology that elevated our ability to digitally print on all types of materials, increasing the wow factor on each project while lowering costs overall.
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The new Scodix Ultra 6000 adds to our already amazing equipment lineup, giving us even greater capabilities to add foil, metallics, embossing, and other special finishes to projects.

While other packages are sleeping on the job, yours can rise and shine.
 
The magic of specialty printing is in the sensory experience. Embossing, debossing, foils and lenticular graphics make people want to reach out and touch packages on display. This interaction is especially important in luxury markets where price points are higher, buyers are discerning, and brand competition is fierce.

2022 can’t get here fast enough.
Consumer demand is up, but supply chain slowdowns and worker shortages continue to cut into productivity and response time. However, print and packaging are as strong as ever, and businesses can differentiate their brands through these mediums.
Do it now because the floodgates will open next year, and you’ll want your products positioned ahead of the pack.

​In Part 1 of our Special Effects blog, we covered the fundamentals of special effects and finishing. Now let's talk about why it is worth the investment. Beyond the "what" of special finishing lies the "why". At Carlson Print Group, we are firmly in the "why not" camp because these techniques only add to your work's quality, value and overall appeal. 
Worth the investment
It's true – special effects are not free. There is an additional cost to add these to your print and packaging projects. In the end, we think you'll see that the benefits far outweigh the costs.

​As a company known for its special effects and finishing options, Carlson Print Group likes to stay on the cutting-edge of technology – and help others learn and grow their knowledge base about the techniques we use. We thought we'd take a moment to discuss the fundamentals of special effects and how they work to enhance print and packaging.
​From Ho-Hum to Extraordinary
You have an amazing design on the screen, but it feels flat and ho-hum once you see it in reality.

​At a time when consumer interest in catalogs, magalogs and direct mail is peaking, the pandemic and other economic factors continue to wreak havoc on supply chains across the globe.

These disruptions are causing serious paper shortages and, in some cases, price hikes. Recent reporting from Bloomberg estimates the average price of paper went up as much as 16% last summer. 

​When we're talking about people, it's what's inside that counts.
 
When it comes to luxury brands and products, the story—and the sale—starts outside the box. Along with packaging materials and design, print plays an important role in identifying very high-end products and connecting to their audience. Luxury packaging is an extension of the product itself, and the consumer should find that the package introduces and raises expectations of the product inside. 

​Carlson Print Group is excited to announce an investment in a new large format digital enhancement press that will save customers time and money, while making us better at what we do best—state-of-the-art specialty printing.
 
There are so many exciting applications and enhancements that can be done with print. With the Scodix Ultra 6000 press addition, we’re broadening our high-end, tailored enhancement offerings and actively growing in the packaging sector.