While printing on kraft board is acceptable, it does not look as good as printing on white paper. It’s brown and textured, and it affects how ink looks, so designs that look good on a white board don’t look good on kraft. The key to designing with kraft, not against it. Printing well on kraft and making a box that looks the way you want it to is a lot easier than you think.
Explain what the brown surface accomplishes.
Understand the material, so as to build upon it. Kraft is brown; the brown is underneath all colors you print.
White reflects light evenly in ink, which is why it is considered true on white board. The brown is visible and will mix with your ink on kraft, heating up and darkening all colors. Bright blue fades, soft pinks almost wash out and light colors barely appear. This is not a printing fault; it’s the nature of ink over brown.
The print changes color on the brown surface of:
- Warming every color.
- Darkening light shades.
- Muting bright tones.
So, once you know what the brown does, you’ll be able to design around it rather than around it.
Select Colors that Work with Kraft
Think about your color palette first as it will be of primary importance. There are colors that will work well on kraft, and some will not, so half the work is done with choosing the right colors.
Kraft is a natural tone so earthy and warm colors look great on it and complement the brown. All dark green, warm red, black, and rich brown print well. Bright neon shades and pale pastels, however, fade or get washed out. The best presentation of Kraft Candle Boxes is with a color scheme selected for the surface.
The colours that will do well on kraft are:
- Sooty green and brown colors.
- Warm, deep reds.
- Vivid, dark, and black colors.
Use it with kraft, and your colours come across as thoughtfully planned, not as boring.
White Ink Is Your Secret Weapon.
This is a method that a lot of brands miss. In standard printing, there is no “white ink,” as the paper typically provides the whiteness. White ink on kraft, you know everything.
Since Kraft is brown, no white will show through a design that requires white or light-colored places must be filled with actual white ink. White ink can be printed on top of, or underneath, other colors to enhance the latter, and may also be used as a design element.
White ink is beneficial because:
- Gives a brown surface a white finish.
- Clarifies the colors printed on top of it.
- Provides additional design possibilities.
White ink is the way to go if you’d like to get any light or bright color on kraft.
Maintain a simple and bold design.
Think about the style of the design itself. The simpler, the bolder the better; for Kraft, the fine and delicate is not the better.
Use of bold shapes, clear logos, and strong line work all reproduce well and are appropriate for Kraft’s rustic style. The textured brown surface doesn’t emphasize fine gradients, subtle shading or small detail. A clear, assertive design that embraces Kraft’s natural style is always better than a complicated one that is at odds with it.
Kraft suits designs are:
- Clear and easy to see.
- Simple in form and lines.
- Obviously not picky, but rather confident.
Align the design style with Kraft’s, and the print seems thoughtful.
Apply Texture, Do Not Fight It
Think of surface feel; this is something that is appealing about Kraft. Kraft is a natural, so it is not a problem; the best designs take advantage of it.
That’s why brands use Kraft: it adds a slightly rustic touch and texture! Attempting to make it smooth, shiny, and flawless tends to detract from the material and is rarely successful. Rather, embrace the natural, handmade quality of this fabric.
Play with the texture by:
- Embracing the natural feel.
- Not getting a “glossy” appearance.
- Embracing authentic craftsmanship.
The texture is a good quality, so make it stand out in the design.
Think about what you are going to do to end the year.
Consider finishes, as they will react differently on kraft. There are some that add a lot for little cost, and others that fight the material, so select carefully.
Foil stamping is an excellent choice on kraft as the shiny foil will stand out beautifully against the matte brown. The rustic feel is enhanced with embossing and debossing. However, heavy lamination (gloss) does not match the kraft’s natural lamination and can often look out of place. Kraft Candle Boxes will be most effective when the finish is the same as the material.
Completes suitable for kraft are:
- Use foil to create contrast for a striking effect.
- Embossing to add texture.
- Simple natural coatings.
Select finishes that enhance kraft’s natural beauty; avoid those that detract from it.
Always Test With a Sample
This is the one step which saves the most trouble. Due to its different fabric, a physical sample is even more important with kraft.
Colors that appear correct in a computer monitor can look totally different when printed on brown board. The printed sample is an exact representation of your design on kraft, allowing you to make adjustments before running a full kraft.
A sample is important because it:
- Displays the actual print colors.
- Explains how the design fits.
- Avoids a big mistake.
With regard to kraft, it is only by viewing a real specimen that one can be certain.
Final Thoughts
Printing is all about working with the brown surface of kraft, not against it. Earthy colors, statement prints, and white ink for anything pale will do you well – the brown uptakes all the colors and mutes them.
Maintain simplicity and confidence in the artwork, embrace the material’s inherent nature, and select appropriate finishes such as embossing and foil. Most importantly, always check a sample (not on the screen) as kraft changes color too much.
Get these right, and Kraft Candle Boxes will deliver a rich, natural, intentional look, the kind that made you choose Kraft to begin with.
