Packaging Personalisation: Your Questions Answered

What is packaging personalisation?

Packaging personalisation is the process of adapting suitable packaging so that it reflects a particular business, product or brand. Depending on the format, this can involve printed artwork, brand colours, imagery, product variations or labelled designs.

The aim is to combine the practical requirements of the packaging with a consistent visual identity. As a result, customers can recognise the business not only from the product itself, but also from the packaging used to present, sell or serve it.

Can both paper and plastic packaging be personalised?

Yes. Parkers Packaging offers personalisation options across suitable paper and plastic packaging, although the production method differs between the two.

For paper products, branding can be printed directly onto suitable cups, tubs and lids. For plastic products, options can include In Mould Labelling (IML) and Post Mould Labelling (PML).

Therefore, businesses are not limited to a single packaging material when developing a consistent identity. The most appropriate option depends on the food product, packaging format, quantities and intended use.

What paper packaging can be personalised?

Parkers offers a range of paper formats that can carry personalised print. The product brochure includes examples such as impulse tubs, retail pots and paper scooping cups in a variety of sizes.

For example, the 100ml and 125ml impulse tubs can be produced with personalised print and paired with suitable spoon and lid options. The 500ml retail paper pot can also be personalised, while selected lids can carry product or flavour-specific designs.

Paper scooping cups are available across different portion sizes too. Depending on the chosen product, businesses can use print to carry artwork and branding directly around the visible surface of the cup.

Because each format has different manufacturing requirements, minimum quantities vary between products. It is therefore better to select the most suitable packaging first and confirm the current requirements for that particular format rather than assuming one minimum quantity applies to every paper product.

What is the difference between CMYK and spot colour printing?

The right print method depends largely on the artwork.

CMYK printing combines cyan, magenta, yellow and black to create a wide range of colours and shades. This makes it particularly suitable for detailed artwork, illustrations and photographic-style designs. The Parkers brochure notes that most printed designs can be achieved using this process.

Special spot colours, meanwhile, can be useful when a design needs a very specific brand colour or specialist finish. Pantone references can help create greater colour consistency, with different references available for coated and uncoated surfaces.

As a result, a design does not need to be adapted to one universal printing method. The artwork and desired finish can help determine which approach is most suitable.

How can plastic packaging be personalised?

Suitable plastic packaging can be personalised through labelling methods such as IML and PML.

In Mould Labelling (IML) applies the label during the manufacturing process. The label is positioned using automated equipment and bonds to the packaging as the product is formed. This allows a large printable area and can create a highly integrated finish.

The Parkers brochure shows IML applications across products including 1 litre packaging, 2 and 4 litre lids and Napoli lids. This makes the method particularly relevant where businesses want branding to form part of the finished container or lid.

Post Mould Labelling (PML) works differently because the label is applied after the packaging has already been manufactured. This can provide additional flexibility for different designs or flavour profiles and can be useful for applications such as seasonal ranges.

Can the colour of plastic packaging be personalised too?

For some products, yes. The available options depend on the particular packaging format and production requirements.

For example, the brochure explains that selected 1 litre containers and lids can be produced in a variety of polymer colours to complement a brand. Other personalised plastic formats may use the container or lid colour alongside printed labelling to create the finished appearance.

However, colour availability and minimum quantities can vary, so these requirements should be discussed when selecting the packaging.

What artwork do I need to provide?

Parkers asks customers to supply high-definition artwork for personalised projects. Once the artwork has been received, a proof can be prepared for approval.

It helps to have your core brand assets ready before starting. These may include your logo, colour references, illustrations, photography and any product-specific information that needs to appear within the design.

Importantly, artwork also needs to work with the shape and printable area of the chosen packaging. A design created for a flat graphic may need to be positioned differently when it wraps around a paper cup or sits within the printable area of a plastic lid.

How does the packaging personalisation process work?

The Parkers brochure sets out a straightforward process for personalised production:

1. Select the product: choose the most appropriate packaging format for your requirements.
2. Supply the artwork: provide high-definition artwork so that a proof can be prepared.
3. Approve the proof: check the design carefully and approve it before production begins.
4. Production and quality control: the packaging is produced and put through the relevant quality control process.
5. Dispatch: the completed order is prepared for delivery using secure couriers.

Lead times begin once the artwork has been approved, so having the required artwork ready and checking the proof promptly can help keep the project moving.

Are there minimum order quantities?

Yes, but there is no single minimum quantity for every personalised product.

Minimum quantities depend on factors such as the packaging format, manufacturing process and decoration method. The brochure shows different requirements across paper cups, retail pots, plastic containers, Napoli lids and tamper evident formats.

For this reason, businesses should consider their expected usage before choosing a particular option. A packaging format that works well visually still needs to make sense for the quantities the business expects to order and use.

How long does personalised packaging take to produce?

Lead times vary according to the product, quantity and production method. In addition, the production period normally starts after artwork approval rather than from the initial enquiry.

Some products may also have different requirements. For example, the Parkers brochure notes that non-stock tamper evident products can have lead times of around six to nine weeks depending on the product and quantity required.

Therefore, businesses planning for launches, seasonal ranges or other fixed dates should discuss timings early in the project.

Is there a production tolerance on personalised print?

Yes. The Parkers brochure states that bespoke print production operates with a 10% plus or minus tolerance, produced to the nearest case quantity.

This is worth considering when calculating how much packaging your business requires, particularly when planning stock levels around a new product launch or a specific production run.

What should I decide before starting?

Before starting a packaging personalisation project, it helps to establish the practical requirements first. Consider what the packaging needs to contain, the size required, whether paper or plastic is more suitable, the quantities you expect to use and how customers will interact with the finished product.

Then consider the branding itself. Think about which colours, artwork and product information need to appear and whether the design will need to work across several packaging formats.

By considering both sides together, businesses can develop packaging that works practically while still presenting a consistent and recognisable identity.

How can Parkers Packaging help with packaging personalisation?

Parkers Packaging works with businesses ranging from start-ups to larger brands and offers personalisation across suitable paper and plastic packaging formats. Options include printed paper products, IML, PML and different print approaches depending on the artwork and chosen packaging.

The right solution will depend on your product, quantities, artwork and production requirements. To explore the available commercial options and discuss a project with the Parkers team, visit our Bespoke Packaging page.

For more information, contact us below