Preprinted liner boards are used to enhance the appearance of corrugated packaging by providing a smooth white surface that can be printed with high end color graphics. You’ll agree that a printed brown corrugated box doesn’t have quite the same visual impact that a white liner printed with four color process inks does. The use of preprinted liner boards has increased in recent years because it’s proven that a more attractive box can influence buying decisions at the point of purchase.
The industry leaders in this type of printing are companies like Boise Cascade; Packaging Corporation of America; Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.; Weyerhaeuser Co.; and Temple-Inland, Inc., International Paper Co. and Willamette Corporation. Preprinted liner boards are used in a variety of situations, from food packaging and beverage carriers, point-of-purchase displays and packaging for other high end merchandise. In this article we’ll be discussing preprint formulations as they apply to inks and overprint varnishes. Preprinted liner board has to exhibit high print quality, be visually vibrant and have a high level of gloss.