How to Print Clearly on Kraft Packaging

Kraft packaging consists of natural brown paper. It is eco-friendly, durable, and in favor for use in boxes, bags, and wrapping. However, since it is brown, printing color on it is not the same as printing white paper.

Why Printing Can Look Bad on Kraft

Prints can appear dull or fuzzy on Kraft paper sometimes. That’s because:

• Kraft paper absorbs ink
• It contains a textured surface.
• The brown color alters the appearance of ink.
• Yellow or pale blue may not appear well.

Printing Clearly on Kraft Packaging

Use Dark and Dark Inks

Select dark ink such as:

• Black
• Navy blue
• Forest green
• Burgundy

These appear well on brown paper. Avoid light colors since they will appear washed out.

Use White Ink Wisely

White ink looks really nice on Kraft paper, but white ink is not something that everybody can print with. Check with your printer to see if they are able to do this. White ink really makes things stand out, particularly logos or text.

Select the Right Printing Method

Not every printing technique is suitable for Kraft paper. You will need to select one that produces clear and bold printouts. One of the best is screen printing. It employs heavy ink, which adheres to the surface of the Kraft paper rather than absorbing. That is ideal for simple and bold prints. Screen printing is ideal for boxes and bags and provides a clean, solid appearance.

Another wonderful choice is foil stamping. This does not apply to ink. It is done using shiny foil that is pressed onto your design on the paper. The foil can be gold, silver, or any other color. It appears elegant and professional. It works well for printing logos, names, or essential components of your design. Foil stamping is a method of personalizing your packaging.

Flexographic printing is most suitable for large volumes like mailer boxes. Flexographic printing is cost-effective and fast.  Flexographic printing is most suitable with bold colors and single forms.

 If your design has a lot of solid space, flexographic printing will give it a bright and clean appearance.

You might even want to use digital printing, but that is best for little orders. It is also best for detailed or colorful work. But remember, one thing, brown Kraft paper, so pale colors are lost. Your printer will then need to print white ink as a base for colors. This white coating makes the colors stand out and look true and dazzling. Not all printers do this, so don’t forget to ask.

Add a White Base Layer

Kraft paper is dark brown. That will make the ink appear differently. When you need to print bright colors like red, yellow, or pink, the ink will commingle with the brown and look dull or dirty. To prevent that, have your printer add a white underbase before you print your colors.

An underbase of white is a white opaque base coat or background.

It’s covering up the brown paper and prevents your ink colors from appearing their true hue. For instance, if you print red ink directly to Kraft, it will appear brown or dirty. But if you print white first and then print red on top, the red will appear bright and pure. Having a white base layer is the game changer when you want your design to stand out on Kraft paper.

Use High-Resolution Designs

The texture and surface of Kraft paper are coarse. Because of this, low-quality images or designs with blurred lines will not print nicely. Your design can be smudgy or untidy. To achieve the best outcome, always utilize high-resolution graphics and images.

The ideal print resolution is 300 DPI (dots per inch) or greater. This would result in your design containing more small dots, and as such, it would appear sharper and clearer. High-resolution files ensure that all your details, letters, and shapes in your design print to your expectations. Even a simple logo or text may end up appearing ugly if the resolution is poor. So, double-check your file quality each and every time before having it printed.

Test Before Final Print

Kraft packaging printing tips doesn’t always go according to plan. The brown paper alters the appearance of colors. The texture also influences how clean the print of the design is. That is why testing your design before you print a big batch of packages is extremely important. This process allows you to catch errors early.

Request a sample or proof from your printer. A sample is a printed copy of the actual box, bag, or label. It displays how your design would appear on the real Kraft material. It allows you to view the precise color, sharpness, and location of your logo, text, or image.

When you receive the sample, examine it well. Check the brightness of the color. Colors appear bright on the computer monitor but could be darker or more subdued when printed on Kraft paper. Ensure the writing is readable. Fine or fine-writing-text might disappear on the brown color. In case your design has fine details, ensure that they are not blurred or unclear.

If something doesn’t seem quite right, you can make adjustments beforehand before printing in large quantities. Maybe the colors need to be darker. Maybe the font needs to be bigger. Maybe some of your design isn’t printing at all. Getting these things up front will save you from wasting money and time on boxes that are ugly.

This test print also helps you rest easy. You’ll feel confident that your finished packaging will appear as you’ve designed. It’s a little step, but it can avoid giant issues. Whether you’re producing 100 boxes or 10,000, always test first. It’s the smartest decision you can make prior to full production.

Keep Your Design Simple

Kraft paper is brown and textured by nature. Due to this, straightforward designs will do. Try bold fonts that are thick and readable. Use large icons or symbols rather than small ones. Make your layout clean with sufficient gaps between every component of the design. Do not use small details or narrow lines, as they might appear blurry or confusing once printed out. A clear design appears more contemporary and makes your message more noticeable. Less is more for printing on Kraft paper.

Print on Coated Kraft Paper

There are some types of Kraft paper that have a light coating on the surface. The coating keeps the ink from soaking into the paper, but instead stays on top of the paper. When the ink soaks in too deeply, prints become weakened or washed out. But with a coated surface, the print is sharper and cleaner. The coating also softens the paper slightly. It might be more expensive than regular Kraft paper, but it could mean better results. Ask your printer or supplier if they carry coated Kraft paper.

Don’t Forget Finishing Touches

Once you have printed out your design, you can also add finishing touches to make the look of the packaging even better. One of these is UV coating. This is a glossy finish that goes over your artwork. It brightens up your colors and gives a professional look.

Another is embossing or debossing. This is when sections of your artwork get raised or pressed into the paper. It creates a good feel that humans can touch. You can play around with spot gloss. This provides a dash of shine to only a few parts of your design, like your logo or a highlight word. These small elements make your Kraft packaging upscale and stand out on store shelves.

Bonus Tip: Use Kraft Color to Your Advantage

Bright or flashy colors aren’t always needed when printing on Kraft paper. The brown natural color of Kraft creates a strong, earthy, and greenish look. Customers like this look most because it comes across as natural, simple, and real. This is best for businesses that want to convey how much they care about the environment or healthy lifestyles. It’s also best for handmade, organic, or rugged-looking products.

Printing plain black ink on Kraft can make your packaging seem bold and to-the-point. White over Kraft is a crisp and clean appearance. Those simple color choices are not boring. In fact, they’ll make your brand pop more because they contrast nicely with the natural paper. Instead of fighting the brown background, harmonize with it. Incorporate its natural color into your design to save money and still look cool.

Final Thoughts

It’s hard to print on Kraft packaging, but not impossible. The secret is understanding how the paper responds to ink. First, always employ dark and bold colors. These are the colors that best show up on the brown paper and are also free from muddiness once printed. Second, employ the right printing process. Printing processes such as screen printing, foil stamping, and flexographic printing are friendlier to Kraft than regular printing.

Third, proofread first before you print out hundreds of boxes or bags. Ask for a sample to check what your design will be like in real life. If it is not right, you can fix it early. Finally, take note of adding white ink or foil to your design. These little extras add a professional touch and make your custom packaging prettier. Kraft paper isn’t just green—it makes your brand look robust and authentic as well. With the right measures, you can create lovely, transparent, and professional packaging that your customers will remember and love.