When it comes to packaging sleeves, there are endless options. From different materials and sizes to custom die cuts and embellishments, packaging sleeves offer a huge variety of customizations. This makes them the perfect choice for brands looking for unique packaging. No matter your industry, product size, or packaging needs, there is a packaging sleeve meant for you, and there is no better place to get your packaging sleeve than Greenerprinter.

What is a packaging sleeve?

Before learning about the different types of packaging sleeves, you need to know what exactly a packaging sleeve is. Packaging sleeves are printed strips of paper that are wrapped around a product. They are similar to a box but without a top or bottom. Packaging sleeves are a less expensive packaging choice that still protects your product while offering space for branding and other important product information. They are extremely versatile and can be used to package products from any industry. They can be created with a wide range of finishes or cutouts to add visual interest. You can even add a packaging sleeve on top of a box to add extra protection and a sense of luxury.

How are packaging sleeves made?

It all starts with a dieline. The first step in producing a beautiful packaging sleeve is creating a dieline using the product dimensions. This dieline defines the size and shape of the packaging sleeve. Once the shape of the packaging sleeve is decided, graphics can be added. These designs typically feature company branding and important product information. After the design is finalized, a few more decisions need to be made before production can begin. These decisions include what type of paper to use, if any scoring is needed to enhance folds, and if any extra finishing options, like embossing, varnish, or cutouts, are needed.

The packaging sleeve is now ready for production. First, the paper is printed on, using a commercial scale printer. These printers large quantities of high quality prints in a short amount of time. After the packaging sleeve is printed, any added finishing options can be added. There are specific machines for embossing, varnishing, or cutouts. Which finishing options you pick will determine which machines (if any) are used. If you choose a tab and slot closure method, these shapes will also be die cut during this step. After all printing and extras are complete, the packaging sleeves get sent to a creaser and folder. A creaser will add creases to future folds. This makes the folding much easier and prevents the paper from cracking. A folder transforms the packaging sleeve from a flat sheet into a 3-D sleeve. If you ordered your packaging sleeve to arrive flat or unfolded, these steps may be skipped. If you choose an adhesive closure method, the adhesive will be added at this time. Any final folds and finishing touches are made, and then your packaging sleeves are complete!

Depending on what production choices you make, some of these steps may be skipped or come in a different order.

Greenerprinter packaging sleeve options

Greenerprinter’s packaging sleeves come with a wide variety of customization options. Choose from the categories below to create a sleeve that meets your packaging needs.

Paper

Choose a stock from Greenerprinters wide range of papers. Thicker cover stocks are a great choice for packaging sleeves. Keeping the environment in mind, all of our papers are certified eco-friendly and contain the highest percentage of recycled paper possible. You can be sure that any paper you chose at Greenerprint is contributing to a more sustainable package.

Shapes

Greenerprinter offers rounded and rectangular shapes. Pick the one that best fits your product or reach out to us for help deciding. We are always happy to help you determine which options best meet your needs.

Closure Options

Packaging sleeves need some form of closure in order to stay secured around your product. Greenerprinter offers closure methods that use adhesive or biodegradable tab and slot closures. If you choose to use adhesive you can pick between using sticky tape or pre-glued sleeves. Choosing to use a tab and slot closure is more environmentally friendly because it does not use any adhesive. This also means these sleeves are 100% compostable.

Embossing

Looking to make your sleeves stand out? Embossing is a great option offered by Greenerprinter. Adding embossed elements adds dimension to your packaging sleeve making it appear more elegant and eye catching.

Greenerprinter also offers specific choices and recommendations for the following industries and products: Food, Socks, Soaps, Candles, Books, Towels, Blankets, and Retail. If your product falls into one of these categories then you’re in luck because Greenerprinter is perfectly situated with the experience needed to create your perfect packaging sleeve. However, don’t worry if your product does not fall into one of these categories. Greenerprinter is here to help make you a custom packaging sleeve that fits your individual needs.

With so many options, the possibilities may be overwhelming. To help you decide which features will work best for your product, we’ve curated a couple of examples and recommendations from previous clients. Read on to learn about a couple of amazing businesses that worked with Greenerprinter to create packaging sleeves that are perfect for their product.

Harvest and Mill

Harvest and Mill is a San Francisco-based organic clothing company dedicated to creating sustainable clothing entirely in the USA. To support this mission, Harvest and Mill needed sustainable packaging for their line of socks. Here is where Greenerprinter was able to help.

Packaging Goals: Made from sustainable materials and multiple versions for different sock sizes

To achieve these goals Harvest and Mill chose our 100# Royal Sundance Felt cover paper in a natural white color. This is a premium recycled paper with a luxurious feel and is described as having a texture similar to cloth. Perfect for a clothing company! Additionally, four variations of the packaging were created, one for each size (small, medium, large, XL).

Final Packaging Specs:

Paper: natural white 100# Royal Sundance Felt cover
Size: 9.5″ x 2.5″
Scoring: 4 parallel scores in the 2.5″ direction
Variations: 4 different versions for the different sock sizes

Radish

Radish is a San Francisco-based company that creates food solutions for company campus cafes and micro kitchens. They create custom employee meal plans with food from some of the best chefs in the Bay Area. They were looking for new packaging sleeves for their line of grab-and-go food. Here at Greenerprinter, we were able to create a packaging sleeve that worked perfectly for them.

Packaging Goals: Easy to transport, Many versions needed, Sustainable closure method

To achieve these goals Radish chose to have the packaging sleeves packed flat and delivered. This means the sleeves were simply scored by Greenerprinter and were folded by Radish after delivery. This means that the sleeves took up less space to store and transport. Radish also created a wide variety of designs to match each dish and chef. Each version is unique! Greenerprinter also worked with Radish to make the sleeve’s closure more sustainable. The first version of their packaging sleeve used double-sided sticky tape to secure the ends together. However, since tape isn’t the most sustainable option, the next versions of Radish’s packaging sleeves were made with a tab and slot closure. This reduces the use of tape and makes the sleeve biodegradable.

Final Packaging Specs:

Paper: 100# Silk Cover

Size: 4.5” x 17”
Scoring: 5 score lines in the 4.5″ direction
Closure Method: Tab and slot
Delivery Method: Packed flat and delivered

Variations: Many different versions inspired by the chef who created the dish

Feeling inspired by these packaging sleeve designs? Get ready to make your perfect packaging sleeve! We are looking forward to helping you create it. Get started on your packaging sleeve order with Greenerprinter today!

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