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Printing boxes in-house used to be the exclusive domain of large commercial printers. Today, thanks to next-generation single-pass inkjet and UV flatbed printers, even SMEs can produce custom packaging from the very first piece — no minimum orders, zero lead time.
This guide gives you an overview of the available technologies, the best models for every type of production, and everything to consider before choosing your box printer.
Outsourcing packaging to an external supplier means accepting high minimum orders, long lead times, and fixed costs that are hard to manage for short runs. Bringing box printing in-house completely changes the equation:
The result is a more flexible cost structure, ideal for job-shop production or catalogues with many product variants.
The best technology for printing on corrugated cardboard and paper-based substrates. The printhead is fixed while the substrate passes underneath at high speed — up to 30 m/min — delivering high productivity and low cost-per-print. Bright colours, water-based pigment inks, suitable for indirect food contact.
UV curing allows printing on any rigid or semi-rigid substrate, including die-cut cardboard, wood and plastic. Suited to shorter runs and special materials, with options for white ink and spot varnish.
The GreenBox EVO is the ideal solution for printing corrugated boxes, paper shoppers and flat packaging in-house. Its aqueous CMYK single-pass inkjet technology delivers 30 m/min, up to 1,200 dpi resolution and pigment inks certified for indirect food contact. No minimum order, plug-and-play, compact footprint.
The GreenBox 3 is the latest evolution of the GreenBox family, designed for brands requiring superior print quality on a wider range of substrates. Perfect for premium packaging with accurate colours and sharp details, without sacrificing digital flexibility.
The EDM-650X with dual-head configuration is the answer for high-volume operations or those needing to cover large formats at speed. Multi-head single-pass system designed for continuous production lines and industrial environments.
The choice depends on three key factors: your monthly production volume, the type of substrate you need to print on, and your budget.
For lower volumes or job-shop production with many variants, the GreenBox 3 or GreenBox EVO are the optimal choice. Low start-up cost, no inventory management, maximum flexibility.
When productivity is the critical factor, the dual-head EDM-650X delivers industrial capacity with digital flexibility. Ideal for structured production lines looking to bring printing in-house without compromise.
For standard corrugated board and shoppers: GreenBox EVO. For premium-grade cardboard and micro-flute: GreenBox 3. For special substrates or industrial volumes: EDM-650X.
If you are considering purchasing a box printer in 2026, factor in the Industria 5.0 incentive (formerly hyperamortisation): for qualifying 4.0 capital goods with energy-efficiency features, the tax enhancement reaches 180% for investments up to €2.5 million. With a 24% corporate tax rate, the effective tax saving can reach 43.2% of the asset value.
In practice, a GreenBox EVO at €39,000 has a real net cost of approximately €22,000. A substantial difference that can change your ROI calculations entirely. See our full guide on the 2026 super-deduction.
There is no single best box printer: the right choice depends on your production mix, the substrates you use and your expected volumes. If you are unsure, the fastest way to find the right solution is to talk to an expert.
Book a free consultation or visit our demo room in Sesto San Giovanni: every machine is running and you can see first-hand the print quality on paper and cardboard.
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