A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words – Part II

Separation for two-piece metal decoration requires specific skills and know-how in order to achieve repeatable print at commercial speeds.

In part one of this series, we learned how to best leverage today’s advanced printing techniques and technologies. Next up, Paul Fennessy, Director of Graphics, Crown Beverage Packaging North America, explains why special considerations should to be taken into account when adapting a design to be printed on the surface of a beverage can.

At the start of any project, Crown’s first step is to evaluate the graphics and make recommendations for enhancing the size, quality, colors and so forth. Scaling and balancing images for a rounded surface requires an extra layer of quality assurance. Much of this has to do with transitioning the initial two-dimensional design concept to the three dimensions of a beverage can. Crown works closely with its customers to facilitate this transition and utilizes its experience to identify potential difficulties on the printing press.

Once the desired parameters have been achieved and the final design is approved, a color separation is provided to the printer. Package mock-ups are created so that customers can quickly and accurately evaluate how the final design will look when printed on metal.

From concept to output, the quality of a package is in many ways only as good as the support of your supplier. A package’s impact is influenced by the quality of the design separations, color matching and of course the original image selection. Crown is there for its customers every step of the way, offering support during the design’s conception, providing recommendations to maximize press efficiencies and anticipating and solving printing challenges before they happen. The company’s responsive customer service team can also help to reduce delays due to print errors and ultimately deliver a quality package.

Visit the Decorations section of our website to learn more about available printing options, finishes or enhancements. Or, download our various beverage can design templates to explore the best shape and size option for your vision.