Substrate

A substrate is the surface or material that something is printed on. It’s basically the “base layer” that receives the ink. Substrates can be paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, fabric, film, or any other material used in printing and packaging. Different substrates absorb ink differently, which affects color, durability, and overall print quality.

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Why it matters:

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Choosing the right substrate is important because it affects how the final product looks and performs. The same design can appear brighter, duller, stronger, or more detailed depending on the substrate used.

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Benefits:

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• Better print quality: The right substrate makes colors accurate and text sharp
• Durability: Stronger materials protect products during shipping and storage
• Customization: Allows brands to pick the best material for their product (matte, glossy, rigid, flexible, etc.)

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Use cases in print and packaging:

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• Labels: Printed on films, foils, or coated papers
• Boxes and cartons: Printed on cardboard or corrugated board
• Flexible packaging: Printed on plastic films for snacks, cosmetics, or medical products
• Marketing materials: Printed on high-quality papers for brochures and posters

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A substrate is the material you print on, and it plays a major role in how your final packaging or printed piece looks and performs.

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