Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! All our products and services are custom made to order. At Packaging Products Production, we specialise in creating bespoke solutions tailored to your specific requirements. Whether you need custom labels, signage, engraving, or packaging solutions, our experienced team works with you to bring your vision to life.

Our multiple printing technologies allow us to produce short runs of custom designed labels for a wide range of purposes with minimal or no setup costs (providing your artwork meets our specifications).

From simple, low-cost economy self-adhesive paper labels to glossy, full-colour, photo-quality product labels with intricate custom shapes, we can offer a labelling solution for most applications. Our label categories include:

• Full Colour Labels: Photo-quality finish on paper or vinyl with unlimited colours
• Economy Labels: Simple, cost-effective labels with up to 3 spot colours
• Blank Labels: Plain labels for thermal transfer and handwriting applications
• Plastic Labels: Durable synthetic labels for harsh environments
• Resin Labels: Premium domed labels with 3D effect
• Signage Labels: Professional signage solutions for indoor and outdoor use

Our state-of-the-art equipment means we can offer a range of engraving methods on various materials suitable for most requirements. Our engraving services include:

• Precision CNC engraving on metals, plastics, and wood
• Laser engraving for fine detail and complex designs
• Deep engraving with colour fill options
• Laser cutting for custom shapes and profiles
• Metal plaques for awards and commemorative applications

We can engrave on materials including aluminium, brass, stainless steel, bronze, acrylic, wood, and various plastics.

Yes, our minimum order quantities vary by product and service:

• Printed labels: $174 minimum order (excluding GST and freight)
• Engraving services: $50 minimum order (excluding GST and freight)
• Digital printing: Often enables smaller quantities from as few as 10 pieces
• Screen printing: May require larger minimums for cost-effectiveness

Contact us to discuss your specific requirements, as we can often accommodate smaller quantities for urgent or specialty applications.

Production times depend on the complexity and quantity of your order:

• Simple digital printing: Often completed within 2-3 business days
• Standard production: Up to 5 business days after proof approval
• Complex custom projects: May require 2-3 weeks
• Engraving projects: Typically 3-5 business days after approval

Production time is workload dependent and can vary. Please enquire at time of ordering about our current lead times, and we’ll do our best to help you out should you need something sooner. Allow additional time for shipping.

No, delivery costs are additional to the quoted price. We offer various delivery options including:

• Courier delivery throughout New Zealand
• Freight services for larger orders
• Local pickup from our Lower Hutt facility
• International shipping available for specific products

Delivery costs depend on the size, weight, and destination of your order. We’ll provide accurate delivery costs when quoting your project.

Payment is required prior to scheduling your job for production. We accept:

• All major credit cards
• Direct credit deposits (please wait for invoice before paying)
• Account terms available for approved commercial customers

For direct credit payments, please include the invoice number in the reference field. Account terms may be available for established commercial customers subject to credit approval.

Yes, we offer reseller agreements for qualified partners. Please contact us directly on 0508 33 44 66 to discuss:

• Volume pricing structures
• Territory arrangements
• Marketing support
• Technical training
• Account management services

Material selection depends on your specific application requirements. Key considerations include:

Paper Labels: Cost-effective for indoor applications, short to medium-term use Vinyl Labels: Weather-resistant for outdoor use, excellent durability Polyester Labels: Chemical resistant, high-temperature applications Polypropylene: Moisture resistant, good chemical compatibility Specialty Materials: Available for specific requirements including food-safe, tamper-evident, and extreme environment applications

Please see our materials page for detailed specifications, or contact us for material recommendations based on your specific application.

Yes, we stock various adhesive options:

• Standard (permanent): General purpose permanent adhesive
• Removable: Clean removal without residue
• Super sticky: Enhanced adhesion for difficult surfaces (vinyl labels only)
• High-temperature: For elevated temperature applications
• Low-temperature: For cold storage and freezer applications
• Specialty adhesives: Available for specific requirements

Engraving material selection depends on your application requirements:

Metals: Brass (traditional elegance), aluminium (modern, lightweight), stainless steel (maximum durability), bronze (heritage appeal) Plastics: Acrylic (excellent clarity), phenolic (high contrast), ABS (impact resistant), polycarbonate (high strength) Wood: Hardwoods for premium applications, softwoods for cost-effective solutions Specialty Materials: Glass, stone, composites for unique applications

Check out the options on our materials page or contact us for recommendations based on your specific requirements.

Yes, we can engrave most customer-supplied items. However, we will need to physically inspect the item and understand your requirements before we can assess feasibility and provide pricing. Factors we consider include:

• Material compatibility with our engraving equipment
• Size and shape constraints
• Surface condition and preparation requirements
• Desired outcome and quality expectations

Please bring or send your item to us for evaluation before finalising your project.

We prefer vector files (AI, EPS, or PDF) for best results. Our artwork requirements include:

File Formats: PDF (preferred), AI, EPS, PSD, JPG, TIFF Resolution: Minimum 300 DPI for raster images Colour Mode: CMYK for printing (we can convert RGB files) Fonts: Outlined or embedded fonts required Bleed: 3mm bleed for cut products Margins: Keep important elements 3mm from cut lines

Artwork that meets our specifications incurs no setup costs. Artwork requiring modification incurs charges at $15 + GST per 15 minutes.

You can submit artwork via:

• Email attachment for files under 10MB
• File sharing services (Dropbox, WeTransfer, etc.) for larger files
• USB drive or physical media
• Our online upload system (when available)

Please include clear instructions and specifications with your artwork submission.

Bleed is the area of your design that extends beyond the cut line. Due to variations in cutting (up to 1.5mm), bleed ensures that your printed image reaches the edge of the finished label. Without bleed, you may see white edges where the cutting varies.

We recommend a minimum 3mm bleed for all cut products. You can read more about creating bleed in our artwork guidelines.

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (K) – the four ink colours used in commercial printing. Unlike computer monitors that use RGB (Red, Green, Blue) light, printed materials use CMYK inks that absorb or reflect light to create colours.

We print with a CMYK ink system, so artwork should be created or converted to CMYK colour mode for best results. We can convert RGB files, but colours may shift during conversion.

In our context, spot colour refers to:

• Specific ink colours mixed to exact specifications (like Pantone colours)
• Thermal transfer ribbon colours available for economy labels (18 standard colours)
• Screen printing inks for precise colour matching

Spot colours provide exact colour matching and are ideal for brand consistency and vibrant results.

Most image editing software defaults to RGB mode, but commercial printing requires CMYK. We recommend converting before submitting artwork so you can see any colour changes:

Adobe Photoshop: Image > Mode > CMYK Color Adobe Illustrator: Edit > Select All, then Filter > Colors > Convert to CMYK Other software: Look for colour mode or colour space options in your software’s menus

We will convert RGB files if needed, but recommend you convert first to preview any colour shifts.

An outline path is text that has been converted from editable text to graphic shapes. This ensures that your text appears exactly as intended, regardless of whether we have the specific font installed on our systems.

Outline paths prevent font substitution issues and ensure consistent appearance across different computers and printing systems.

Select the text you want to convert, then:

Adobe Photoshop: Layer > Type > Convert to Shape Adobe Illustrator: Type > Create Outlines Adobe InDesign: Type > Create Outlines CorelDRAW: Arrange > Convert to Curves

Always keep a copy of your original file with editable text in case you need to make changes later.

Yes, we can handle variable data including:

• Sequential numbering
• Database-driven information
• Personalised text and graphics
• Barcode generation
• QR codes with variable data

Variable data is available for most printing methods except full-colour paper labels. There is a $25 + GST setup cost for variable data projects. Please discuss your requirements with us for specific capabilities and pricing.

Thermal transfer printing uses heat to melt wax or resin ribbon onto paper, creating durable prints. We describe these as “economy labels” because they offer:

Advantages: Cost-effective, proven technology, good durability Limitations: Maximum 3 colours, limited colour matching, paper only, standard shapes and sizes only

Thermal transfer is ideal for simple designs requiring cost-effectiveness rather than photo-quality results.

Computer monitors and printing inks have different colour capabilities (colour gamuts). RGB monitors emit light to create colours, while CMYK inks absorb and reflect light. Some bright RGB colours cannot be reproduced exactly in CMYK printing.

This is why we recommend:

• Converting to CMYK before submitting artwork
• Requesting printed proofs for critical colour matching
• Using Pantone spot colours for exact brand colour matching

Upon receipt of your artwork, we’ll produce a proof of the finished product and request your approval prior to production. You can choose:

PDF Proof: Digital proof showing colours and layout (standard for most projects) Physical Sample: Actual printed sample (recommended for critical colour matching)

We offer one sample proof for most printed label options. Additional samples may incur extra costs. Printed proofs are especially recommended when:

• Colour matching is critical
• You haven’t supplied CMYK artwork
• You’re using economy labels with limited colour range

Yes, there is a minimum charge of $10 + GST per additional design variation. This covers the setup and preparation time for each unique design. Multiple designs in a single order can often be accommodated efficiently.

Yes, our experienced design team can help with:

• Artwork creation from your concepts
• Design optimisation for printing processes
• Technical file preparation
• Brand guideline compliance
• Material and process recommendations

Design services are charged at $15 + GST per 15-minute increment. We can work from your existing concepts, create new designs, or optimise artwork for best printing results.

You can place an order by:

• Phone: Call 0508 33 44 66 to speak with our team
• Online form: Use our contact form on the website
• Email: Send your requirements to our team
• In person: Visit our facility in Lower Hutt

If you’ve used our online quote system, you’ll receive a reference code to include with your order. We’ll confirm all details and provide final pricing before production begins.