A variety of high-specification processes are carried out to ensure bright, hard wearing and attractive decoration on beverage cans. It begins with surface pretreatment of the can, which is cleaned and coated to prepare its service so that ink would adhere properly. This pre-treatment includes chemical washing and base coating.
Most beverage cans are decorated with lithography - also called offset printing. This method can be used to apply up to six different colors of the same design in straight pass, and create a variety of colorful designs. Thanks to the accuracy of lithography, very fine elements are faithfully depicted and can be set up from 600 dpi (dots per inch) through a maximum resolution of 1200.
Arguably the most transformative innovation to have taken place in terms of innovations surrounding can decoration was digital printing technology. For short lengths and custom layout designs, it provides better adaptability for quicker modifications with individuality. Another high artisanal level of finishing is digital printing that can be applied directly onto the cans and produce superior quality images and texts without plates. With this technique, set up times and costs are greatly reduced rendering it ideal for limited edition or seasonal products.
Shrink Sleeves are yet again another favorite decorating tool for beverage cans. These are plastic sleeves that get printed and then shrink to the can size when heated. Shrink sleeves cover 360 degrees and take up significant space for branding, design etc. This technique is especially handy for more detailed and colorful designs that have a full coverage requirement. Shrink sleeves are available in special effects such as metallic finishes and textures that significantly improve the overall visual appearance.
Embossing and debossing decorate the can. Adds a hand touch feel That includes the raised or recessed designs that are used, which can give completely different textures to a consumer grabbing it off of a shelf. Cans with embossing or debossing can signal premium craftsmanship.
Beverage cans decoration is given a finishing touch with specialty inks and coatings. Thermochromatic ink changes colour with heat, so you get a visual indication of whether your buzz will be boiling hot or nicer at room temperature. For instance, the color of a design can alter to show that a can is chilled and ready for consumption. This added bonus of a UV print ink is that the images will glow when exposed to UV light, offering another level or ability for marketing packaged drinks for night clubbing and other special events.
Sustainability is more and more a trend in can decoration. The use of water-based inks and coatings limits the release to atmosphere accompanying VOCs used during printing. What's more, as inks and materials used to decorate the cans are continuously improved so that they remain fully recyclable without contaminating recycling streams.
And in the words of branding expert Michael Johnson, "Packaging is the silent ambassador of your brand." This emphasizes how crucial it is to have a good can decoration that represents the brand and alert for customers.
Realized through augmented reality (AR), the can decoration is an unprecedented advancement. Consumers simply scan a code on the can with their smartphone to view interactive content, games or more information about the product. This technology is making consumers reimagine packaging and transform it into an entirely new way by merging physical with digital.
State-of-the-art decoration techniques are used in Beverage Cans to make the outside of cylinder walls not only protect what is held but also act as powerful marketing devices. Using lithography, digital printing or even things like shrink sleeves, embossing and specialty inks combined with the integration of AR are all options to create stunning packaging that is also functional within a competitive market.