Easternpak Introduces Pre-Print Corrugated Packaging to Middle Eastern Markets

Pre-print packaging offers advantages for FMCG manufacturers and packaging design agencies.

Easternpak Ltd. has begun producing pre-print boxes for the Arabian Gulf market and expects to reach a six million sqm capacity per month of printed rolls by early 2007. The Dammam-based manufacturer has invested in two pre-print reel-to-reel presses with a range

of cylinder sizes. It is the first corrugated converter in the region to offer pre-print capabilities.

In contrast to post-print offered by other converters in the region, Easternpak prints paper rolls in up to eight colors, prior to producing them into sheets which are then converted into high-quality corrugated packaging, from clay-coated boards to kraft and recycled liners.

Pre-Print Advantages

Pre-print offers advantages over post-print capabilities, particularly cost reduction, precision printing on a wide range of pack sizes, and suitability for the environment.

Cost Reduction Fayssal Frem, General Manager of Easternpak, explains, “We are now able to serve customers in need of high volumes in less time and more cost-effectively.” Printing light-weight paper in large quantities is a main advantage in directly contributing to cost and waste reduction, which Easternpak believes must be shared with customers. “With pre-print,” describes Fadi Moubarak, Easternpak Pre-Print Manager,” we offer customers the same box strength obtained with post-print but using lighter top liner and with near offset-quality printing.”
Precision Printing on All Materials A fully automated ink dispensing system with computerized color matching guarantees color consistency and full color reproduction. The pre-print process ensures highly precise printing of fine details, edges, and barcodes. Coatings and gloss lacquers protect the printing.
Packs of All Sizes Easternpak’s range of pre-print cylinder sizes enables printing on any size pack. Manufacturers of fast moving consumer goods, such as food, beverages, detergents, electronics – and other products commonly found in supermarkets and department stores – can print greater quantities of package designs in single runs. Finally, Easternpak is committed to caring for the environment.  Therefore, the converter uses recyclable paper for pre-print and strictly water-based inks.

Pre-print technology will be rolled out shortly by Easternpak’s sister companies within INDEVCO Group: Unipak Nile in Egypt, Unipak in Lebanon, and members of Interstate Resources Inc. in the US.

For More Information

Fadi Moubarak
Pre-Print Manager
Easternpak Ltd.
2nd Industrial City, Street #135
Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel: +966-3-812 13 41
Fax: +966-3-812 13 05
E-mail: fadi.moubarak@easternpak.com