DESIGN AND PRINTING: VISUAL PERFORMANCE SERVING PACKAGING
Packaging: welcome to the era of strategic, functional design
Packaging design is no longer just about appearance. It shapes the product experience, influences brand perception and integrates increasingly demanding technical, regulatory and environmental constraints.
At ALLFORPACK EMBALLAGE PARIS, players in design and printing present end-to-end approaches where creativity is embedded in an industrial logic. Material selection, shape optimisation, ink reduction or the integration of accessibility features are becoming key parameters considered from the earliest packaging design stages.
Specialised agencies and studios now work in close collaboration with technical teams. The goal is not only to appeal visually, but to design packaging compatible with production lines, logistics constraints and recyclability requirements.
This evolution reflects a deep shift: design is becoming a strategic lever serving overall packaging performance, rather than a final step in the process.
High-precision printing and advanced personalisation
In parallel, printing technologies are undergoing a major transformation. Digital printing, optimised flexography, modernised gravure or hybrid printing make it possible to reach unprecedented levels of precision and flexibility.
At ALLFORPACK EMBALLAGE PARIS, the solutions on show highlight the ability to produce shorter runs, expand the number of SKUs and integrate variable data. Personalisation is becoming accessible at industrial scale.
Brands can adapt visuals to different markets, promotional campaigns or limited editions, without compromising production line efficiency. Digital printing also supports market testing and faster launches by reducing costs linked to traditional plates or cylinders.
Print quality is no longer only about aesthetics. It plays a decisive role in the legibility of regulatory information, traceability and the integration of security features. QR codes, invisible markings, anti-counterfeiting elements: printing is becoming a tool for protection and transparency in packaging.
When technology enhances creativity
Technological innovation is transforming how visuals are designed and produced. 3D simulation software makes it possible to anticipate the final look across different substrates and finishes. Colour management tools ensure consistency across production runs and manufacturing sites.
At ALLFORPACK EMBALLAGE PARIS, the convergence between design and data is emerging as a strong trend. Connected solutions provide real-time monitoring of print quality, detect colour deviations and optimise ink consumption.
Artificial intelligence is also beginning to integrate into creative and industrial processes. It can analyse visual trends, suggest graphic variations or automatically adjust certain technical parameters to reduce defects.
The boundary between artistic creation and engineering is gradually fading. Design and printing are now part of a continuous innovation approach, where each technical improvement opens up new creative possibilities.
Sustainability and eco-design: shared imperatives across the entire packaging value chain
The environmental transition is profoundly reshaping the sector. Reduced solvent use, water-based inks, optimisation of printed surfaces and waste reduction: printing is adapting to sustainability requirements.
At ALLFORPACK EMBALLAGE PARIS, exhibitors highlight more resource-efficient processes that reduce energy consumption and facilitate packaging recycling. The choice of inks and varnishes is now assessed in light of their environmental impact and compatibility with existing recycling streams.
Design also plays a central role in this shift. Simplified visuals to reduce ink usage, removal of unnecessary elements and material harmonisation: eco-design is becoming a structuring principle.
This approach does not mean compromising on attractiveness. On the contrary, it calls for renewed creativity capable of reconciling visual impact and environmental responsibility.
By bringing together industry players, ALLFORPACK EMBALLAGE PARIS offers a comprehensive vision of the design and printing sector. Long perceived as purely aesthetic, this field is now asserting itself as a strategic driver of differentiation and innovation.
The combination of creativity, technical performance and environmental requirements is reshaping the packaging landscape. Through the solutions showcased at the exhibition, design and printing emerge as essential levers for building smarter, more responsible packaging that better meets the expectations of national and international markets.
To explore these innovations further and meet industry professionals, join ALLFORPACK EMBALLAGE PARIS from 24 to 26 November 2026 at Paris Nord Villepinte.
Image credit:
markus-spiske-iar-afB0QQw-unsplash
jakub-zerdzicki-m1rcaB0tStg-unsplash