Embossed/debossed tubes offer unique texture and visual appeal

Berry Global, Inc. (Evansville, IN) has been granted a patent related to registered embossing on laminate tubes that extends the vendor’s premium, customized decorating techniques for Personal Care products.

The company’s unique process precisely aligns intricate artwork—words, logos or images with embossing or debossing to enhance the look and tactile experience of laminate tube packaging.

Such tubes are a poly-foil-poly structure that has polyethylene on either side of a thin gauge of foil and some laminate structures also incorporate paper, according to the Tube Council.

The new process allows eye-catching 360-degree decoration for 1 ½-, 1 3/8-, 1 3/16- and 2-inch diameter laminate tubes, creating a premium package which stands out on-shelf and enhances a customer's brand.  PlasticsToday learned the maximum tube length is eight inches and that additional sizes are in development.

"Personal care packaging is all about premiumization now and this offers brands a new and exciting way to communicate luxury" says Rebecca Vara, Vice-President of Sales - Personal Care, who informs PlasticsToday that samples are readily available and the technology is production-ready.

“The process is done in-line with the standard printing process, it does not add any steps to the process,” Vara explains.

When asked about costs versus standard tubes, Vara responds "that depends on the surface area embossed and corresponding type of decoration, whether foils, silkscreen, flexo, or other technique.  Each new design is unique and requires its own set of plates, like normal artwork. It is a cost-effective way to provide decoration which has a premium look.

“Embossing can be used in combination with various varnishes including matte, gloss and soft touch,” Vara adds, saying that “embossing in conjunction with foil decoration allows for optimal use of the technology.”

Vara declined to identify for PlasticsToday any customers that were testing or using the technique, indicating that the company cannot comment on products in development.