Packaging prototypes
Print flat sample panels or qualified blanks for artwork approval, structural review and buyer presentations before committing to a longer production method.
Review the AJ2130G/R
Board Condition Controls the Printing Result
Corrugated board varies by flute, liner, coating, thickness, moisture and flatness. Dust, loose fibers, damaged edges and warping can affect vacuum hold-down, printhead clearance and the finished appearance, so qualify the exact production board rather than relying on a generic cardboard description.
Confirm the print face, sheet dimensions, artwork coverage, white-ink requirement and downstream cutting, scoring, folding or assembly. Approve a converted sample before setting production targets or choosing a printer configuration.
Corrugated packaging production overview
Qualify the Board Before You Estimate Finished Output
Direct UV printing can support packaging prototypes, retail displays and short runs on compatible corrugated board and rigid cardboard. The result depends on board construction, liner and coating, moisture, flatness, dust, hold-down, head clearance, ink layers and downstream converting requirements.
Retail display graphics
Produce compatible corrugated display panels with changing campaigns, regional artwork or short-run versions after flatness and handling have been approved.
Review cardboard printingPromotional board signs
Nest multiple rigid paperboard signs or inserts on the bed while controlling board edges, printable area, color consistency and inspection.
Review the AJ3220G/RRepeat short-run programs
Build repeatable work around a controlled board source, approved print face, artwork file, loading plan, ink recipe and finished-sample test.
Review the AJ3220EXSpecify the construction
Record board grade, flute, liner, coating, dimensions, thickness, weight, moisture condition and intended print face.
Control flatness and dust
Reject damaged or curled sheets and control loose fibers, surface dust, crushed edges and contamination before loading.
Plan hold-down and clearance
Confirm usable vacuum zones, safe head clearance, sheet edges, printable area and whether masking or a positioning aid is required.
Approve the converted result
Evaluate color, white opacity when used, adhesion, rub resistance and any cutting, scoring, folding or assembly required after printing.
Three wide-format production routes
Match Board Format and Workflow to the Right Platform
Start with the largest flat sheet, pieces per bed, board stability and approved ink-layer sequence. Then compare the 2.1 × 3.0 m and 3.2 × 2.0 m platforms using a timed pilot workflow that includes material conditioning, loading, printing, unloading and inspection.
Configurable 2.1 × 3.0 m platform
AJ2130G/R
- Maximum print area
- 2100 × 3000 mm
- Published print technology
- Ricoh Gen6, with Ricoh Gen5 listed as an option
- Useful when
- Mixed board sizes and configuration flexibility matter more than maximum output.
Scalable 3.2 × 2.0 m platform
AJ3220G/R
- Maximum print area
- 3200 × 2000 mm
- Published head configuration
- 4 heads standard, expandable to 8
- Useful when
- Large-board compatibility, bed nesting and scalable configuration are priorities.
High-output 3.2 × 2.0 m platform
AJ3220EX
- Maximum print area
- 3200 × 2000 mm
- Published head configuration
- 16 Ricoh Gen5 printheads
- Useful when
- Approved repeat work can keep board preparation, loading and inspection continuously supplied.
Published specifications describe equipment configurations, not guaranteed packaging output. Finished production changes with board condition, resolution, pass count, artwork coverage, ink layers, nesting, vacuum performance, loading, unloading, inspection, converting and operator workflow.
Information for a useful recommendation
Build the Printer Choice Around the Finished Package
“Cardboard” is not a complete material specification. Send these four groups of details so AndresJet can review board handling, ink strategy, downstream converting and realistic output before recommending a configuration or representative sample test.
- 1
Board specification
Board grade, flute, liner and coating, supplier, dimensions, thickness, weight, moisture condition, flatness and print face.
- 2
Artwork and appearance
Production file, coverage, color reference, viewing distance, kraft or white surface, white-underbase need and any varnish requirement.
- 3
Loading and converting
Flat sheet or qualified blank, pieces per bed, vacuum and masking needs, cutting, scoring, folding, gluing and assembly sequence.
- 4
Order and approval target
Quantity per design, designs per batch, turnaround, finished pieces per shift and required color, adhesion, rub or fold acceptance tests.
Cardboard and Corrugated Board UV Printing FAQ
Can every type of cardboard or corrugated board be printed with UV ink?
No. Liner paper, coating, flute, porosity, surface dust, moisture, flatness and previous treatment can change color, adhesion and handling. Test the actual production board after it has been conditioned and prepared in the intended way.
How do flute and board warping affect flatbed printing?
Flute construction influences rigidity and vacuum leakage, while curl or warp can reduce hold-down and create unsafe height variation. Confirm sheet condition, vacuum zones, masking, edge clearance and printhead clearance before running production.
Is white ink required on kraft corrugated board?
Not for every design. White ink may provide an opaque base or selective white areas when the brown liner should not influence color. It adds ink, passes and registration requirements, so compare samples with and without white on the actual board.
Can the board be cut, scored or folded after UV printing?
It may be possible, but the complete sequence must be tested. Artwork placement, score lines, ink coverage, coating, fold direction and curing can influence cracking or appearance. Approve a converted sample rather than only a flat printed sheet.
Does direct UV printing replace flexographic or offset printing for every packaging order?
No. Direct UV printing can be useful for prototypes, short runs, variable graphics and fast design changes. Established analog processes may remain more economical for very long repeat runs. Compare the complete order, setup, finishing and approval workflow.
Open the Corrugated Board Printing Guide Hide the Corrugated Board Printing Guide
From representative sample to converted piece
Building a Controlled Cardboard Printing Workflow
Reliable packaging work combines a traceable board specification, controlled conditioning and cleaning, safe loading, approved ink layers and testing after cutting, scoring or folding. Define the full process before estimating finished pieces per shift or comparing equipment output.
Choose the decoration process around the order
Direct UV printing
Useful for prototypes, variable artwork and short-to-medium runs on qualified flat board without producing a separate plate or screen for every design.
Flexographic, offset or litho-laminated work
Can suit established repeat graphics and longer volumes, but plates, setup, paper or liner steps and changeovers should be included in the comparison.
Labels, vinyl or mounted graphics
May suit selected displays or packaging, but introduce separate media, printing, application, edge finish, labor and recycling considerations.
A six-step corrugated board qualification process
- 1
Identify the board. Record grade, flute, liner, coating, supplier, dimensions, thickness, weight, moisture condition and intended print face.
- 2
Condition and inspect it. Stabilize the board in the working environment and reject sheets with curl, crush damage, lifted liners, loose fibers or contamination.
- 3
Verify safe loading. Confirm vacuum zones, masking, bed clearance, edge condition, printable area and whether pre-cut or scored features can be handled safely.
- 4
Build the ink layers. Prepare color, white underbase, selective white and varnish around liner color, coverage, viewing distance and converting needs.
- 5
Print and convert a sample. Check color and adhesion, then perform the intended cutting, scoring, folding, gluing or assembly before approval.
- 6
Time a pilot batch. Include preparation, loading, printing, unloading, inspection, converting, rework, changeovers and packing.
Uncoated kraft and porous liners
- Expect liner color and porosity to influence the printed appearance
- Control loose fibers, dust and surface damage before loading
- Compare color-only and white-underbase samples when opacity matters
- Confirm ink coverage without crushing or distorting the flute
- Approve rub, fold and converting behavior on the actual board
White, coated or treated board
- Identify the exact top liner, coating and supplier specification
- Check wetting and adhesion rather than assuming a smooth face is compatible
- Control moisture, warp, protective layers and handling contamination
- Approve color, gloss and any selective-white or varnish effect
- Repeat the test when the board source or coating changes
Board condition and vacuum hold-down
Corrugated board is lighter and more air-permeable than many rigid panels. Flute direction, exposed edges, die cuts and local crush damage can affect vacuum leakage. Mask unused bed areas when appropriate and verify that the complete sheet remains safely below the required clearance.
Temperature and humidity can change moisture and flatness during storage. Keep test and production stock traceable, condition it in the intended environment and use an approved loading method rather than forcing a warped sheet flat without confirming stability.
A successful flat print is not the final packaging approval. Convert the representative sample and inspect folds, scores, edges, glue areas, rub resistance and finished appearance.
Calculate output from the complete packaging cycle
Start with the number and orientation of flat sheets or parts that fit safely on the bed. Add artwork coverage, resolution, pass count, print direction and every color, white or varnish layer. Pre-cut blanks, registration marks and multiple versions can add alignment and inspection time.
Then include board conditioning, dust removal, masking, loading, unloading, cutting, scoring, folding, gluing, inspection, rework and packing. A timed pilot batch using production board and artwork is the best basis for estimating approved finished pieces per shift.
Information to include in a board sample request
Representative board
Provide the intended grade, flute, liners, coating, dimensions, thickness and print face from the actual supplier when possible.
Production artwork
Send a real file with coverage, color reference, versioning, registration, white-underbase, selective-white and varnish requirements.
Converted construction
Share the dieline and planned cutting, scoring, folding, gluing, assembly and printed-side orientation.
Output and acceptance target
Define pieces per shift, designs per batch, turnaround, color tolerance, adhesion, rub, fold and finished-piece approval criteria.