Finishes should not be added simply because they look premium. Choose what the packaging needs to achieve, and we will show a finish combination that supports it.
A low-reflective matte surface gives metallic foil something to contrast against, and a litho-laminated liner keeps the whole panel smooth and evenly printed.
See why this combination works →Cello material and machine setup, foil tooling and foil material, plus offset print and mounting where litho-laminated.
Litho-laminating — also called litho-lamination or mounting — combines a high-quality printed outer sheet with the structure of corrugated cardboard. Artwork is offset printed onto a smooth liner, finishes such as cello, foil or embossing may be applied, and the sheet is then mounted, die-cut, creased and glued.
The result is a strong corrugated package with a smooth, highly finished outer surface that can achieve a presentation similar to premium rigid packaging — while often folding flat for storage and freight.
Select a layer to see what it contributes. Every layer is listed in full below the diagram.
The outer sheet is offset printed on smooth paper or artboard. This is where photographic detail, fine typography, gradients and consistent brand colour are reproduced.
Pakko does not manufacture rigid boxes. We use alternative corrugated box styles, litho-laminated and premium finished, to create a similar presentation effect. The comparison below is a reference point only — the right solution depends on product weight, box style, durability, quantity, presentation expectations and budget.
Rigid boxes are generally made from thick, non-collapsible board wrapped with printed paper and supplied assembled — a construction Pakko does not manufacture. Litho-laminated packaging uses a printed liner mounted onto corrugated board and can often be designed to fold flat before use, which is how we achieve a comparable premium presentation.
Because the artwork passes through several processes, planning and registration matter. Finishes should be discussed before the artwork and packaging structure are finalised.
Prepress review of the print file, finishing layers, dieline, registration allowances and proofing before anything reaches a press.
An educational selector, not a quotation calculator. Choose a surface, a detail and a structure to see what the combination delivers and which production stages it introduces.
Embossing raises selected areas of the packaging surface to create a three-dimensional effect. It is often used to highlight a logo, brand mark, pattern, border or key design feature — subtle and unprinted as a blind emboss, or aligned with printed artwork or foil.
Choose embossing when you want the design to rise from the surface. Choose debossing when you want it pressed into the surface. Both need dedicated tooling, machine setup and an additional production stage, and both can be combined with foil for greater contrast.
These are examples, not the full range. Metallic, matte, pearlescent, holographic and coloured foils are available well beyond gold and silver. Foil selection is confirmed during quoting and may depend on supplier availability and the packaging specification.
Foiling applies a thin foil layer to selected areas using heat and pressure. It is commonly used for logos, borders, typography and decorative elements — creating a metallic effect that standard CMYK printing cannot reproduce.
Foil works best used selectively. Very fine lines, small reversed text, complex artwork and foil over folds or crease lines may be difficult to produce consistently. Supply foil artwork as a separate, clearly identified vector layer.
Cello glazing — also called celloglaze or film lamination — applies a thin film over the printed surface. It can improve the appearance of print while adding protection from handling, rubbing, moisture and scuffing. Pakko can assess matte, gloss, soft touch and anti-scuff films against your artwork, board and packaging specification.
Cello adds a film layer to the printed surface, which may affect recyclability or material separation depending on the film, board and local recycling system. Where sustainability and plastic reduction are priorities, Pakko can discuss alternative print protection methods.
Spot UV cures a clear high-gloss varnish onto selected areas of the printed surface only. Against a matte panel it creates shine, depth and a subtle tactile edge — without introducing another printed colour.
A clear, high-gloss UV varnish applied to selected areas of the printed sheet and cured instantly under UV light. Everything around it stays untouched, so the contrast between the varnished and unvarnished areas does the work.
Spot UV reads strongest over a matte cello surface or an uncoated stock. A gloss logo, pattern or product image against a low-reflective panel gives depth and shine without adding another printed colour.
Supply the varnish areas as a separate, clearly named vector layer, in register with the print. Keep fine lines and small reversed text within production limits and clear of creases.
Spot UV requires its own plate or screen, varnish material, machine setup and an additional pass. It is quoted separately and may extend the production lead time.
Every combined finish adds another stage to the production process. Setup costs, tooling, tolerances, minimum quantities and lead times are assessed as part of the quote.
Additional finishes are not included automatically in the base cost of a custom printed carton. Select a stage to see what can add cost.
Finishing layers have to be built and checked before anything is made.
Each additional finish introduces another material, setup or machine process. Pakko will confirm the required stages and include them in your custom quote.
Answer as many as you like — you can change any answer at any time.
Your recommendation updates as you answer. Nothing here is a technical guarantee — it is a starting point for a conversation with Pakko.
Discuss this finish with PakkoThis guide provides a starting point. Material, artwork and manufacturing suitability must be reviewed before quoting.
Finishing artwork should be considered during the design stage rather than added immediately before production. Toggle the layers to see how a finishing file is built up.
Do not rely only on how a metallic, raised or recessed finish appears on screen. Physical materials, lighting, foil colour, board texture and print coverage all influence the final result.
Yes. Foiling, embossing, debossing, cello glazing and litho-lamination are additional production processes. Tooling, machine setup, materials, handling and extra production time may apply, and the cost is incorporated into your custom quote.
Each finishing process requires its own preparation and machine setup. When several finishes are combined, multiple setups or production passes may be required.
Foiling, embossing and debossing commonly require custom tooling. The cost depends on the artwork, size and finishing method. Pakko will confirm the tooling requirements before production.
Tooling may be reusable when the artwork, size, position and packaging specification remain unchanged. Changes to the design or carton may require new tooling.
Embossing raises the design above the packaging surface. Debossing presses the design into the surface to create a recessed impression.
Litho-lamination is the process of mounting a high-quality printed sheet onto corrugated cardboard. It combines detailed print reproduction and premium finishes with the strength of corrugated packaging.
The terms are often used interchangeably. Mounting refers to adhering the printed sheet to corrugated board. Litho-lamination generally describes the complete process when a lithographically printed liner is mounted onto the board.
It can achieve a smooth and premium presentation similar to a rigid box, particularly with matte cello, foil, embossing or debossing. However the construction differs — litho-laminated packaging uses a printed liner mounted onto corrugated board, while rigid boxes are generally made from thick wrapped board. Pakko does not manufacture rigid boxes; we use alternative corrugated box styles to create a similar effect.
Many litho-laminated carton styles can be designed to fold flat, although this depends on the structure, gluing method and presentation requirements.
Yes. Foil and embossing can be aligned to create a raised metallic feature. This requires specialised tooling, accurate registration and additional setup.
Cello glazing is generally applied to a printed sheet before it is mounted onto corrugated board. The correct production sequence depends on the packaging design and board specification.
No. Cello glazing provides additional surface protection, but it does not make a cardboard carton completely waterproof.
Usually. Additional finishing introduces further machine processes, handling and quality checks. Complex combinations may require longer production lead times, and plate or tooling production adds time at the start.
No. Suitability depends on the board, coating, print process, carton structure and artwork. Pakko must review the complete specification before confirming availability.
They may be available, but custom tooling and machine setup can make the unit price higher on short runs. Setup costs are spread across the run, so finishes are generally more economical at suitable volumes. Pakko can recommend alternatives based on your quantity and budget.
Yes. Share your packaging dimensions, product, quantity, artwork, desired appearance and budget, and Pakko can recommend an appropriate material, print method and finish.
