An emerging trend seen for a couple of years is 3D printing. It has given rise to a new level of creativity and customization. Although manufacturers are making constant struggles in this field, still many efforts are required to make it the future of the retail sector. Below are some of the aspects which explain the relationship between 3D printing and the packaging industry:

3D Printing and Custom Printed Boxes:

3D printing is one of the most significant advancements in the industry. It is a process of creating a three-dimensional solid object from a computerized digital file. The 3-dimensional printed object is made by using the additive process. Successive layers of material are laid down until the thing gets completed. You can see each layer as a thin-sliced horizontal cross-section of the item. The production is controlled by software working on computer-aided design. 3D printing enables manufacturers to produce complex shapes using less material than traditional manufacturing techniques.

Complete packaging solutions like custom cardboard boxes for products, custom-size shipping boxes, a folding box, a pop counter, and other types of custom packaging. There have been various shifts concerning design and technology over the past few years. 3D printing is one of the emerging trends. Although it has not established its operations directly in traditional paper box packaging, it has significantly contributed to the food packaging sector.

• Launching of 3D Printing

A US company Smart Cups implemented the technology to launch a wide range of energy drinks. The company designed 3D-printed biodegradable cups which look like plastic. The ingredients of the energy drink are contained inside the packaging. As the customers add water, the contents get released. The packaging will stir the glass to ensure proper mixing. In addition to energy drinks, Smart Cups is working on hot, cold, and fizzy drinks for expansion. The technology shows that 3D printing is not only about on-demand packaging material or customization. Instead, it's a complete function change to make packaging a part of the product. Thus the advancements in 3D printing will change almost everything in the future.

• Pioneering Technology for Custom Printed Boxes

Another work started in July 2015. The experts from management consultancy McKinsey tried to implement 3D printing in the cosmetic sector. They viewed it as pioneering technology which could be the future of cosmetic packaging. Thus, they created "Multi Packaging Solutions," which can be manufactured following the customer's wishes and prototype. However, till now, this approach worked only for glass bottles or other decorative closures and not for cosmetic boxes. Hence, its mass production is expensive and time-consuming, making it a big challenge.

Benefits and Drawbacks:

• Benefits

In recent years, 3D printing gained market penetration in the packaging sector. Technology keeps on getting better each year, providing an array of opportunities for designers and brands to work. 3D printing is beneficial for creating on-demand packaging. This reduces the waste and volume of packaging which goes into the bin. 3D printing also offers personalized packaging for customers. Hence, it may include everything from a label to a presentation box or whatever the customer likes. In addition, it speeds up the innovation cycle and results in rapid prototyping.

Other benefits of using 3D printing include the goodwill of your brand. Do you know how they can work for the goodwill of your business? When your product packaging has the best quality printing, it will leave a good impression on your customers. It will improve your brand's image and take your business to the heights of popularity. Thus, premium quality printing can help to make your brand popular and build customer loyalty.

3D printing has helped a lot of brands to reach their sales targets. This is because it makes sure that all the printing elements look visible and apparent. When there are visible and readable textual details, they can improve your brand's image. Moreover, better readability will help people understand what you want to communicate with them. Hence, most brands go for this modern printing technology so that their products can have a better value in the market. Ultimately, it leads to higher sales and makes the business profitable.

• Drawbacks

On the other hand, additive manufacturing and 3D printing are incredibly time-consuming if we talk about drawbacks. It involves a high cost for mass production. To switch to 3D printing, the manufacturers have to revolutionize the packaging machinery. This demands enormous investment. Its operations and maintenance require highly technical staff. These are some of the things which might make it less acceptable. If we talk about other current custom packaging and printing techniques, the manufacturers can create hundreds of presentation packaging boxes in almost no time. Thus, the custom boxes wholesale business is affordable to start and requires more minor technicalities. The brands may easily switch to custom Kraft boxes and other recyclable alternatives to take an eco-friendly initiative. But, no one knows where we stand in the future. Hence, the increasing popularity of 3D printing may make it govern the packaging industry in the upcoming years.