VersaUV Prints a Wide Range of Realistic Flexible Packaging Prototypes

Like many business owners, Richard White of White Graphics in Downers Grove, Illinois has seen his company’s focus evolve over the years. White Graphics began in 1988 as a factoring company, bringing printers and die cutters together to develop and manufacture packaging projects. In response to client requests, they started producing mockups in-house, mainly out of corrugated cardboard. Now their specialty has shifted to short production runs and package prototyping.

Today, White Graphics produces flexible packaging, displays, cartons, pressure sensitive labels, mockups and sales samples. They have a staff of seven, and often work hand in hand with other local companies to complete large runs. Among their corporate clients are M&M Mars, Handi-Foil, and Packaging Corporation of America. These clients rely on White Graphics as an integral part of their product development cycle, providing them with high-quality innovative packaging solutions.

“In today's market, our clients are looking for innovative and cost effective packaging products. They don't want to get bogged down in the details, they just want it to work. If we can demonstrate that our product works, we win the business.”

To expand their production capabilities, White Graphics recently purchased a Roland VersaUV LEC-300 digital printer/cutter. White Graphics chose the VersaUV largely for its ability to run a wide variety of substrates. Since acquiring the VersaUV, Director of Digital Media Rob Torres explains, “We’ve really pushed the limits, and the VersaUV has handled whatever we’ve thrown at it. We’ve printed everything from small candy pouches on foils to point-of-purchase displays on solid bleached sulfate (SBS) board, all with great results.”

White Graphics also values the LEC-300’s CYMK+White printing function. “The white printing capability is something we’ve been wanting for quite some time,” said Torres. “The white undercoat really brightens up colors.” White Graphics uses Roland’s White ECO-UV ink to create an undercoat for full color printing on foil and other materials, and often applies ECO-UV Clear Coat on top to create a high gloss finish. “Right now we’re using more gloss than matte,” said Torres. “Having the flexibility to run either/or is a great benefit.”

The VersaUV’s finishing capability is a feature that White Graphics uses to produce unique surfaces on their packaging. They have experimented with simulated metallic finishes and recently built up layers of ink on 24 point board for a folding carton manufacturer to create an embossing effect. They have also been impressed with Roland Color, the company’s spot color matching software. “Originally, I was skeptical since the VersaUV prints with only four ink colors,” said Torres. “But the color conversion software has nailed every color.”