Processes. Flexography — relief printing with flexible photopolymer plates, the workhorse of packaging. Gravure — intaglio printing from engraved cylinders, used for very long runs. Offset lithography — planographic printing, the standard for paperboard cartons. Digital printing — plate-free toner or inkjet printing suited to short runs. Screen printing — a stencil process depositing thick ink layers, used for displays, rigid items, and textiles.
Specialty and textile methods. DTF (direct-to-film) — inkjet printing onto a transfer film that is then heat-pressed onto fabric. Sublimation — heat transfer of dye into polyester fabrics or coated surfaces. Heat-transfer vinyl — cut or printed vinyl film applied to fabric with heat and pressure. Serigraphy — another name for screen printing, common in Latin America.
Prepress. Dieline — the vector template showing cut, crease, and fold lines. Bleed — artwork extended beyond the cut line, typically 3–5 mm. CMYK — the four process colors. Spot color — a premixed ink, such as a Pantone reference, used for exact brand colors. Reverse printing — printing on the inside of a transparent film so the ink is protected after lamination.
Materials. BOPP — biaxially oriented polypropylene, a common clear packaging film. EVOH — ethylene vinyl alcohol, a high-barrier layer. SBS — solid bleached sulfate, a premium white carton board. Flute — the corrugated medium between liners; E and B flutes suit fine print. FEFCO and ECMA codes — standardized numbering systems for corrugated and carton constructions.