Finishing methods for packaging products

Abstract

The article provides information about enhancing the competitiveness of a product on the market by means of surface treatment techniques and methods of creating a unique design which is one of the final processes in the preparation of packaging products. Packaging created using innovative ideas is a very important factor for expensive products. These include: cosmetics boxes as well as high-end packaging. Exclusive decoration of the packaging of such products serves to show the quality of the product and distinguish it from counterfeit products. Decorative and exclusive coatings ore widely used for these processes. One type of finish is varnishing. This method protects products from external influences and helps to improve their appearance. The lacquering method gives a glossy effect when using UV-glossy varnishes and a metallic imitation when printing with metallic varnishes. For the production of multilayer packaging materials for liquid foodstuffs on various substrates, extrusion lamination is used, which protects against external influences and gives a glossy effect that enhances the product's appearance. Hot stamping with aluminium foil is proven to be the most common type of finish, due to the possibility of obtaining different textures and types of aluminium foil. The application of fine metallic powder only on smooth materials belongs to the bronzing process and is the most economical and profitable option in comparison with hot stamping with aluminium foil and printing with metallic inks. It is stated that twice as much effort is required to do hot stamping. The blanket process requires 4 times as much force than aluminium foil embossing. It follows that when choosing the type of finishing in order obtaining indelible and clear prints which are resistant to mechanical influences and whose aesthetics ensure recognisability of the corporate style for the packaging products, the labour input and cost of the process must be taken into consideration