Endless Possibilities for Brands that Design Beyond Boundaries

At Carlson Print Group, our commitment to cutting-edge technology drives us to create innovative ways for our clients to explore premium print techniques. Using state-of-the-art equipment—including a versatile eight-color press with a double coater—we can achieve remarkable effects in a single pass, including Colour Foil™ and Cast & Cure™ applications. This breakthrough saves time, reduces costs, and opens new possibilities for packaging that stands out.

​Specialty treatments allow designers a high level of creative flexibility, enabling them to add printed accents to their designs in intricate patterns, gradients, and even overprinted colors and textures, creating visually stunning effects without the added cost or time of multiple passes. Our technology gives designers the freedom to incorporate specialty print elements without the limitations of needing specialized dies for each intricate detail.
 
To highlight these advancements, we developed a series of demonstration boxes that showcase the transformative potential of integrated print treatments. Each box features the same image but with unique print techniques applied to demonstrate how brands and designers can enhance their packaging and entice customers.

Start Out with Classic Refined Color
The first box in the series represents a baseline, employing the standard four-color process with an aqueous coating. This is a familiar approach for most projects, delivering reliable, colorful results. However, it demonstrates how this traditional print method compares it to the enhanced techniques applied to the other boxes.
 
How Brands Can Benefit:
While a traditional four-color package is a reliable go-to for many projects, brands can utilize this as a starting point and then consider upgrading to the more advanced techniques showcased in subsequent boxes to create a stronger visual and tactile impact. Think: non-retail packaging, grocery packaging and other understated retail items.​

Next, Add Striking Contrast and Dimension
This box uses both gloss and matte UV coatings in a single pass, creating striking contrast and dimension. Gloss elements pop against the subtlety of matte, providing a simple yet elevated finish.
 
How Brands Can Benefit:
This technique is perfect for packaging where selective emphasis on key design elements, such as logos or images, can make a product stand out. The interplay of textures draws attention and conveys sophistication. Think: corporate gifts, cosmetics, small appliances, and higher-end food packaging.

Deliver A Sensory Sensation
Soft-touch coating transforms this box into a sensory experience. Its smooth feel contrasts beautifully with the glossy accents and Colour Foil™ gold lettering, creating a design that’s as engaging to hold as it is to see.
 
How Brands Can Benefit:
Ideal for luxury or premium products, this combination elevates packaging by evoking a tactile connection. Brands in industries like cosmetics or electronics can use this to enhance perceived value and encourage customers to physically engage with their products. Think: make-up or perfume, tech items, and specialty products.

Adding Dynamic Visual Play
Cast & Cure™ introduces a shimmering prismatic effect that captivates with its play on light. Patterns like LS-05 create dynamic visual appeal, instantly drawing attention and inviting customers to look closer.
 
How Brands Can Benefit:
Perfect for industries like toys, beverages, or seasonal products, this effect can create excitement and differentiate a product on the shelf. The interactive quality encourages customers to handle and explore the packaging. Think: holiday packaging, hair care products, or confectionary items.

The Ultimate Package with the Full Potential of Premium Effects
This final box combines multiple treatments—including Gloss UV, Colour Foil™, and Cast & Cure™—to demonstrate the full potential of premium print effects. The result is a cohesive, multi-sensory experience that blends visual brilliance with tactile elements.
 
How Brands Can Benefit:
This all-encompassing approach is perfect for flagship products or campaigns where maximum impact is key. It tells a brand story by integrating multiple layers of design and finishes to communicate quality, innovation, and creativity. Think: special releases, anniversary reissues, posters, luxury items, or new releases for an established brand.​

Bring Your Packaging to Life
Let Carlson Print Group help you explore how these premium print techniques can elevate your packaging and entice your customers. Whether adding a simple enhancement or layering multiple effects, you can transform a basic box into a compelling brand story.
 
Request a sample box today to experience the possibilities. Click here to get started.