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Design & ArtworkFlexo vs. Litho-Lamination vs. Digital: Which Print Method?
Two boxes can be the same size and board and look completely different depending on how they’re printed. The three common corrugated print methods — flexo, litho-lamination, and digital — trade off color quality, setup cost, and run length, and choosing the right one controls both look and price.
Here’s what each method does and when to use it.
Flexo for economical spot color at volume
Flexography prints directly on the board from a plate, which is economical for 1 to 3 spot colors at high volume. It’s the standard for plain and lightly branded shipping cartons where cost per box matters more than photographic detail.
Litho-lamination for photographic color
Litho-lam prints a high-resolution offset sheet and laminates it to the corrugated board, giving edge-to-edge, photographic color that flexo can’t match. It’s the choice for retail displays, premium e-commerce, and unboxing where the print sells the product.
Digital for short and variable runs
Digital printing skips plates entirely, so it’s ideal for shorter runs, prototypes, and variable or seasonal designs. It carries full color with no tooling cost, making small branded runs affordable.
| Method | Color | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Flexo | 1-3 spot colors | High-volume plain shippers |
| Litho-lamination | Full photographic | Retail, premium e-commerce |
| Digital | Full color, no plates | Short & variable runs |
Match the method to the job: flexo for cheap volume, litho-lamination when the print sells the product, digital for short or changing runs.
Tell us your artwork and quantity and we’ll recommend the right print method and mock it up — free, within one business day.