In the world of cosmetics and beauty products, appearances do matter. Most beauty consumers judge a book by its cover, especially if they aren’t familiar with your brand. They can try your products if your packaging combines quality, value, and aesthetics. This rule applies to all types of cosmetic packaging, and cosmetic tubes are no exception.
Custom cosmetic tubes offer the utmost flexibility. You can customize them in various designs, materials, shapes, and sizes. Stay tuned as we explore different options for cosmetic tube printing, coloring, and overall customization.
Why Custom Cosmetic Tubes Matters
Custom cosmetic tubes mean using plastic or aluminum tubes that are made specifically for your brand. Then, they get decorated through cosmetic tube printing. These tubes, when properly customized, will have a recognizable and lasting impact on your target customers. In contrast to standardized tubes, customized tubes give your products a special value and appearance.
While appearance plays a crucial role in cosmetic tube customization, it’s not just about visuals. Here is why you need high-quality custom cosmetic tubes:
1- Ensuring Product’s Quality
The value of any cosmetic or beauty product goes beyond a beautiful exterior. Quality, integrity, and effectiveness keep consumers hooked to your products. This is why your customization choices should never compromise the quality.
For instance, efficient screen printing provides a desired finish without affecting the durability of your tubes. Also, adding a layer of UV coating gives the tubes a neat and polished appearance, whether matte or glossy.
Therefore, professional cosmetic tube printing and following UV coating add to the overall packaging quality. The former ensures that the printed information is integrated on the outer surface, while the latter ensures the printing remains resistant to wear and tear.
2- Expressing Brand’s Uniqueness
Using unique customization methods allows consumers to identify your products, as they look different from other products. Making a strong statement using custom cosmetic tubes can create an impact even on first-time customers.
For instance, using a custom color scheme or a distinct tube printing style emphasizes your brand’s identity and makes your products easily identifiable.
So, if your branding strategy relies on detailed images, you can find suitable solutions with offset printing. Conversely, if you rely on minimalistic graphics or text, screen printing can cover your needs.
3- Improving the User’s Experience
Most custom cosmetic tubes are convenient. For example, they come with high-quality applicators, pumps, or caps. Such accessories allow consumers to easily use and gently apply the product.
Moreover, a suitable printing technique for your tubes helps your customers use the product correctly. For instance, you can print storage and use instructions on your cosmetic tubes. This makes your customers make the most of their products without waste or spoilage risk.
4- Aligning with Industry Trends
Sustainability is a recent industry trend that is only becoming popular. This trend aligns with the use of safe cosmetic packaging materials, such as PP tubes.
As the industry continually embraces this trend, brands seek environmentally friendly customization and printing methods, such as digital printing, which works well with cylindrical tubes and rigid jars. For cosmetic squeeze tubes, you can consider paper label pasting. You can rely on speciallized machines to do the label printing and pasting.
However, the digital printing method minimizes the need for printing plates or chemical inks.
Also, the option of offset printing has witnessed some improvements to reduce its carbon footprint. For instance, there is a growing trend for using fewer chemical ingredients and incorporating soy-based oils instead of standard petroleum oils.
5- Reflecting Beauty
Custom cosmetic tubes combine functionality, convenience, and aesthetics. They are usually made of high-quality plastics and decorated with eye-catching printing or labeling options. This way, customized tubes can make an unforgettable impression.
Main Types of Cosmetic Tube Printing
As the types of cosmetic tubes vary, so do their printing options. These options include e.g., screen printing, offset printing, hot stamping, and digital printing. Their techniques, uses, and results vary widely.
Here’s a comprehensive comparison between these printing styles, so you can find a suitable option for your versatile tubes:
| Aspect | Offset Printing | Screen Printing | Hot Stamping | Digital Printing |
| Definition | It is one of the oldest printing methods in the indirect printing category.It involves transferring the ink from a metal plate to a blanket, which is then applied to the tube’s surface. | The process relies on a mesh screen that transfers and applies the ink into the custom cosmetic tubes. It is also known as silkscreen printing. | This is another indirect printing process and involves two phases: heating a metal die that contains the design and applying foil to a tube. Finally, the heated dye is pressed into the foil to make the design adhere to the surface.It also goes by foil printing and isn’t as common as offset screen and digital printing methods. | This is an innovative printing solution that applies graphics directly on the surface. It doesn’t use screens, blankets, or plates.Sometimes, surface treatment is required for better design adhesion.
Often, it goes by copying. |
| Pros | ● Vibrant appearance and detailed printing for various fons and multi-color designs.● Fast results for multi-color designs without waiting for one color to dry to add another.
● Generally affordable because it’s a direct printing technique. ● Cheap for medium and large run |
● Suits different materials● Works with textured, dented, curved, and irregular surfaces
● Highly customizable with various design shapes, colors, and inks. ● High-quality and durable finish ● Affordable setup and saves costs, especially for medium or large runs |
● High-end appearance with metallic finish● Adds a noticeable texture to your custom cosmetic tubes
● Compatible with other printing styles |
● No setup costs● Fast results
● Suitable for small runs ● Easy and fast editing ● Minimal risk of counterfeiting or design copying by using hidden or visible design details. |
| Cons | ● Suitable for flat, regular, and smooth surfaces● Not affordable for trials or limited editions.
● Not very fast with small runs. ● Complex and time-consuming editing process |
● Expensive and time-consuming for small orders● Requires lots of manual labor
● Less efficient with detailed graphics. |
● Not suitable for very fine details like small letters● Works well only with smooth and flat surfaces
● Not compatible with all colors. ● Expensive due to foil and dye costs |
● Not suitable for squeeze tubes, as the printing technique is still inefficient in handling the flexible nature of these tubes.● Expensive for larger orders
● Limited options for metallic designs. ● Limited compatibility with different inks and packaging materials compared to offset or screen printing. ● Less durable and lower quality than traditional options |
| Environmental Impact | Less eco-friendly due to the use of inks and paper and the constant need for aluminum plates with each design.However, these effects can be improved by printing on demand policy, using vegetable-based oils, and frequent recycling of plates | Less eco-friendly due to using water and inks. However, there is a potential for more sustainable solutions through proper management of water-based inks, using plant-based oils, reducing wastewater, and use of recyclable materials. | More eco-friendly because there are no chemical solvents involved and no waste of natural resources. However, it has an environmental impact due to the use of foil. | More eco-friendly due to on-demand printing and reduced waste. However, it is associated with using more ink compared to offset and screen printing. |
Things to Consider for Efficient Cosmetic Tube Printing
The diversity of printing techniques can make you feel overwhelmed and unable to choose easily. However, careful study of each option and its perks and downsides can make your decision sound and reliable. Besides, you will need to consider the following factors:
Team up with Reputable Provider
Working with an experienced and successful printing service provider is a game changer. They can spare you time and money wasted on poor-quality prints or unmet deadlines. Make sure you communicate well about your specific requirements and needs. Additionally, you should investigate their market reputation and look for relevant reviews and proven track records with similar cosmetic brands.
Request Samples, Prototypes, and MOQs
Asking for samples for your first-time arrangements is crucial. It allows you to witness firsthand what your printing partner is capable of. Additionally, this step spares you from being trapped or stuck with large quantities of defective custom cosmetic tubes.
It is also useful to bring up the MOQ topic in your early discussions. Usually, the MOQ for traditional printing methods, like offset printing, is 10,000 pieces. Generally, each printing style has different limits.
For instance, digital printing allows for small runs, while offset printing is costly for the same order. However, you can benefit from some providers’ offer for free offset printing when your design is limited to 6 colors.
Budget and Cost
Compare your budget with the expected cost of each printing method. However, don’t ignore the long-run potential of cost saving. Also, consider the expected or added value of each printing technique. For example, hot stamping adds a luxurious touch to your tubes, while offset printing emphasizes the graphic details of your designs.
Consider Target Audience Preferences
Get to know your target audience well before committing to printing orders. Study their aesthetic preferences and what they consider a beautiful finish. Are they on the minimalist or luxurious side? Do they appreciate sustainable efforts or overlook environmental impacts? Valuable knowledge plays a huge role in your decision.
For instance, according to a report by BOOM and Company, around 60-70% of U.S. consumers are ready to pay more to get their products in sustainable packaging. Also, ensure your printing choices align with your brand image and vision.
In summary, custom cosmetic tubes can make or break the deal for your beauty brand. Make sure you present your tubes in a beautiful way that appeals to your audience and represents your brand. Cosmetic tube printing is a cornerstone in the customization process. Therefore,study the different printing options and their expected value to make a successful business decision.
