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Back in the mid-20th century, bespoke packaging sleeves were introduced to the commercial packaging industry. Unlike boxes, they are not full enclosures that provide high-grade protection to the packaged items. They are the outer branding layer around a box or a container, adding more visual appeal and branding details to the packaging. Tracing back to the 20th century, these high-end sleeves were used as belly bands around books and magazines in the retail and publishing industry.
From there, they got their name “belly bands”. Over time, especially in the 1990s and 2000s, sleeves began gaining popularity as a bespoke outer branding layer for various e-commerce businesses. The modern use of printed sleeves in retail and e-commerce is further accelerated in the 2010s. It’s driven by the rising need for cost-effective branding solutions and the continuous increase of small-scale businesses. Let’s explore in detail about these sleeves, their benefits, and manufacturing tips.
Bring next-level packaging for your valuable products. The smart, sleek, and affordable branding packaging sleeves are at hand to promote your business on a large scale. Typically made up of eco-friendly paper, cardboard, or corrugated stock, packaging sleeves are custom-printed slide-overs or wrap-around labels for your products and boxes. They often come printed with a brand’s logo, name, contact details, and other vital information.
Offering multiple benefits across various industries, custom-printed packaging sleeves stand out for the following key advantages:
Give a million dollars to your product’s packaging with the following 10 iconic and trending custom-printed packaging sleeve types:
Let’s explore all these types of packaging sleeves to find out their distinctions, uses, and other features:
Though made up of specialized corrugated layers, these are comparatively thinner packaging sleeves that slide over hot or cold cups. Their major purpose is to protect hands from heat and condensation of the beverage placed in the cup. Custom-printed cup sleeves are commonly used by:
Unique Functionality of Custom Sleeves for Multiple Cup Sizes & Styles!
Apart from a brand’s strong branding tool, these amazing sleeves are highly functional. They are known as the grip enhancers for holding cups. Moreover, they are recyclable and compostable packaging elements, excellent for attracting a large number of eco-conscious consumers.
They are a subtype of cup sleeves, often available in a complete branded composition. They feature a company’s unique introductory details, such as logos, names, contact information, and other branding elements. Printed coffee cup sleeves often come with a brand’s unique color combinations to help businesses stand out. They are ideally picked and used by the following:
Exceptional Qualities
Provide insulation against the warmth of coffee and enhance the overall aesthetics of the packaging. Specifically designed to meet the trending marketing values. Usually, comes up with high-resolution printing or premium foil accents.
Standing out as one of the highly advanced types of packaging sleeves, custom-printed shrink sleeves are heat-shrinkable plastic or polymer films. They are specifically designed to wrap tightly across the entire surface of a product or a box where heat is applied. Custom-printed shrink sleeves have the potential to resist the wear and tear of the transit route. They provide 360° branding and tamper-evident sealing. Usually, the following are packaged in these sleeves:
Top-Grade Distinction
Unlike paper sleeves, shrink sleeves conform to a tight coverage for the irregular and curved surfaces of different products.
They are usually made up of high-quality cardstock or a wide variety of sustainable Kraft paper. These top-notch sleeves are preferred to wrap around naked or boxed soap bars. Custom-printed soap sleeves are the go-to option for eco-friendly packaging. They are the best picks to help brands reduce their carbon footprint and play a vital role in eco-preservation. Generally, the following opt for these sustainable and premium sleeves to stand out in the market:
Fabulous Characteristics
Custom-printed sleeves for soap packaging balance minimal material use while ensuring high-level brand visibility. They are ideal for sustainable, handmade, and small-batch products.
They are paper or foiled sleeves that wrap around the base of an ice cream cone to make it easy and sanitary to hold. Besides providing the branding details on the packaging, these sleeves are profoundly known for their functionality. They make the ice cream cones easy to hold and grip and prevent the person’s hand from getting dirty with dripping ice cream. Custom ice cream cone sleeves are highly used in:
Why do they Stand Out?
Custom-printed ice cream cone sleeves stand out for their highly functional, grease-resistant characteristics. Detailed brand printing and custom shape manufacturing to snugly fit sugar or waffle cones.
They are specialized sleeves, designed particularly for waffle-style cones. They are usually wider and sturdier as compared to normal cone sleeves. This provides them with immense space to imprint branding details and help brands in their effective marketing. Bespoke waffle cone sleeves are popularly used in:
Supreme Quality
Custom waffle cone sleeves stand out for their flexibility. They can be custom-cut to match unique cone shapes or add a luxury touch to the packaging.
They are flat or folded cardboard wraps that slide over products or boxes. These printed sleeves often come with full-color printing or spot printing options. Businesses typically go with them for their matchless strength, sustainability, and luxurious appeal. As compared to paper sleeves, the cardboard sleeves are more long-lasting and visually appealing. They are one of the most preferred packaging sleeves in the following industries:
What Makes Cardboard Sleeves a Top Pick?
Besides adding more durability, custom-printed cardboard sleeves are known for their classy premium feel. They are flexible enough to include UV coating, embossing, debossing, die-cut features, and other such add-ons.
These custom-designed sleeves are made up of natural brown Kraft paper, sometimes unbleached and fully recycled varieties. They are simple, sustainable, and rustic, complying with industrial regulations, and helping brands reduce their carbon footprint to attract a large number of eco-conscious buyers. Bespoke Kraft paper sleeves are a great option for:
Distinctions of Kraft Paper Sleeves
They are simple, rustic, and fully recyclable. These high-end sleeves are perfectly designed for brands that emphasize natural aesthetics and eco-values.
These are premium-quality packaging sleeves with custom-shaped cut-outs and perforations, revealing a part of the product or package beneath. They are ideal to build a brand’s trust among its audience and drive more sales shortly. Whether you want general round, rectangular, oval, or unique custom shapes for the die-cuts, these sleeves are available in all formats as per your demands. Here are some of the common areas where these sleeves are highly recommended and used:
Differences made by Custom-Printed Die-Cut Sleeves
These highly customizable and visually engaging packaging sleeves stand out for their luxury and interactive effects.
They are unique and professional packaging sleeves, designed to slid over a box to enhance its branding, customization, and seasonal updates without changing the overall composition of the main box. Custom box sleeves are cost-effective yet efficient solutions for rebranding or limited edition runs. Countless brands use them to enhance their recognition, visibility, and sales in the market. Typically, these functional sleeves are used by:
Top Feature
High-grade customization is the stand-out characteristic of these sleeves. They are the ideal option to add a layer of personalization and customization to existing packaging.
Here is a step-by-step short guide on the preparation of bespoke packaging sleeves. Let’s explore each step and get the amazing packaging sleeve without investing much:
Below are the essential materials that are required for making the best-quality, durable, and aesthetically amazing packaging sleeves:
Once you’re prepared with all the necessary materials and tools, start measuring the product or package. Use a ruler to measure the width, depth, and total circumference of the wrap-around. Add a 1-2 cm overlap for gluing/taping the ends together.
Open the design software and create a canvas with the correct size. Make sure the length is equal to wrap-around measurement and height is usually between 5 to 10 cm, depending on the project. Add your company’s logo, name, graphics, patterns, QR, and barcodes. Once the design is ready, save it in PDF or high-resolution PNG format. Canva and many more advanced tools are highly recommended to get your desired custom designs.
Load cardstock into your printer and use high-quality print settings for the best results. Let the ink dry properly and completely before cutting to avoid smudging.
Use a ruler and pencil to mark cut lines (if printing multiple sleeves per sheet). Cut cleanly on the marked areas with scissors or a craft knife.
Center the sleeve on the front of the box or product. Wrap it around snugly but not too tight. Secure the overlapping ends at the back with the help of a double-sided tape, a glue stick, a sticker seal, or a branded tape. Score the fold lines lightly with a craft knife for sharper folds.
Use a custom sticker to seal it in front for branding. Add embossing, foiling, and debossing to give more texture and a luxurious feel to the packaging. You also have the option of die-cut windows and layered effects to make your packaging sleeve stand out.
By following the above-listed bonus tips, you’re more likely to get the most out of your packaging sleeves.
Custom-printed packaging sleeves are increasingly trending all over the globe for offering effective marketing possibilities. At CPP Boxes, we design a wide variety of impressive and informative packaging sleeves at wholesale prices. Contact us today at 888-395-0493 or quotes@cppboxes.com and get the customized packaging sleeve right at your doorsteps in just 7-9 business days.
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Blake Harper is an experienced and dedicated packaging engineer with a deep passion for creating innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective packaging solutions. He holds a degree in Packaging Engineering, where he gained a strong foundation in materials science, product design, and manufacturing processes. With years of hands-on experience, Blake has honed his skills in optimizing packaging designs for a wide range of industries, including consumer goods, electronics, and food packaging.
Currently, Blake has been with CPP Boxes, a leading packaging solutions provider, for several years, where he has played a key role in designing packaging that balances functionality, cost efficiency, and sustainability. His work at CPP Boxes has involved designing protective packaging, improving supply chain logistics, and developing eco-friendly solutions that reduce waste and environmental impact.
Blake's expertise lies in selecting the right materials, creating structural designs that maximize protection and minimize costs, and ensuring that packaging meets both consumer expectations and industry standards. His approach integrates creativity with technical know-how, always striving for solutions that are both practical and innovative.
Passionate about environmental sustainability, Blake is always exploring new ways to incorporate eco-friendly practices into his work. He is committed to advancing packaging technologies and methodologies that reduce waste, improve recyclability, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Throughout his career, Blake has become known for his strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and his ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to meet project goals.
