Emballator creates competitive packaging through design, decor and high-tech printing

Posted 2023-09-07

A strong offer in prepress and printing is crucial for the customer to get unique, brand-building, high-quality packaging. And that’s why Emballator in Ulricehamn constantly invests in its printing expertise.

Reinhard Grote works as a repro technician at Emballator’s printing house in Ulricehamn – and is an authority in his field. He is a trained typographer and printing specialist with a German degree. In 1995 he was involved in setting up the repro department in Ulricehamn and since then he has followed the development with joy.

”Being able to offer customers a high-quality and cost-effective print that is accurate in color reproduction, that strengthens the customer’s brand and facilitates selling is extremely important. Printing technology is constantly developing with new opportunities, provided that the company has the courage to make the investments. Emballator does, and that’s why my job is also so incredibly fun,” says Reinhard Grote, highlighting the high-tech 6-color printing press that was installed a couple of years ago.

Glossy, matt and metallic

”With the six-color printer, we cover the majority of jobs – from four-color in CMYK to CMYK with one or two spot colors in one and the same intake. It provides very good efficiency and quality. We also have the option of four-color separation of the spot colors (to the extent that the color spectrum allows) in a way matches the customer’s color scale. Printing white is always a challenge on sheet metal and you have to prepare the customer that it is difficult to meet the graphic profile exactly. But I think we are succeeding very well with this”, Reinhard says.

With the fifth and sixth unit in the printing press, great flexibility is given to different effects. But decorative spot colors are not the only option for those who want to create exciting effects. Varnish also offers many possibilities.

”By adding a ‘glossy’ finish in the protective varnish, we can create a high-gloss effect. This is very much appreciated and I personally think it gives an incredibly nice result. But it is also possible to create matte lacquered surfaces. With a partially printed matte varnish on top of ‘glossy’ varnish, specific details in the decor are highlighted. Then the light and colors are reflected in different ways on the surface and create super cool effects. With partial white printing, we can control that colored surfaces or background images corresponds with the glossy plate, giving an exciting natural metallic effect. By consulting with our repro department, the customer simply gets the best out of their product.”

Creativity starts with knowledge

Today, the Emballator in Ulricehamn printing house has around 30 employees who work in three shifts. In addition to the six-color press, they also have a conventional two-color printing press to be able to offer the entire width as well as two varnish paint lines. Of course, it’s all about helping the customer create selling packaging that does the job on the shelf. Several of the customers are active within the paint industry.

”Having knowledgeable sales people and skilled staff in pre-press and printing who can propose different options to the customer and manage the idea up to sales packaging is the key to success!” states Reinhard Grote.

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