The online catalogue of printing companies is growing every day. In addition to the traditional flyers, calendars, brochures, leaflets or business cards, these online printing services offer increasingly specific and complex products that were previously reserved for specialist printers. It is possible to order, for example, a wide variety of advertising objects such as clocks, large-format products such as stand structures or outdoor signage, or even classic printed matter with a wide range of finishes from 3D varnish to multicolour gilding. And today, a new type of product is making its appearance, packaging and, more specifically, food packaging.
Food contact packaging without manufacturing constraints
These food contact packaging must comply with numerous regulations, both at the European and French levels, in order to ensuring consumer safety . These constraints concern packaging materials, but also printing inks and varnishes. And some inline printers have now done a lot of development work to make this type of sensitive packaging accessible to all food professionals.
These complete range of food packaging in flat cardboard are a real breakthrough for all printers, retailers and agencies who can offer these products without the technical and sanitary constraints of manufacturing.
Cardboard food packaging, a market with strong growth prospects
And market opportunities are growing in the take-away and fast food sectors. Numerous studies show that consumers want packaging made of paper and cardboard, which are the most recycled materials and not plastic.
Moreover, this market will continue to grow, boosted by French legislation. It has already been banned since 1 January 2008 er january 2020 to make single-use plastic disposable tableware available to consumers, and as from 1 er as of January 2021, it will be the turn of non-reusable or recyclable take-out packaging, such as polystyrene containers that are used as burger boxes (according to article 62 of Law No. 2018-938 of 30 October 2018 for balanced trade relations in the agricultural and food sector and healthy, sustainable and accessible food for all ).
Take-away and event sales, new markets opened up by these new online printing services
To meet these new needs for cardboard packaging, event organizers and other professionals can order and customize many types of packaging simply online.
Product ranges with various designs and formats are suitable for a wide range of applications. Gift boxes or sandwich rings are all designed for bakeries and pastry shops, burger boxes, French fry cases and snack trays are ideal for bar snacking or event catering. But many other uses are possible. With orders from as little as 100 copies, printers, communication agencies and retailers can offer packaging for very special occasions, such as private events or for marketing purposes.
