by Cassandra Balentine
Digitally printed corrugated packaging is trending upwards and customer expectations simultaneously evolve.
The Atlantic Packaging (AP) Group of Companies offers solutions from corrugated and decorative packaging to recycling services and paper bags. A vertically integrated manufacturer, the organization does more than provide corrugated packaging.
“Our customers are looking for packaging that not only performs but also gives them flexibility and ability to stand out in competitive markets. Whether that’s running shorter quantities, responding quickly to market changes, or creating unique designs for promotions and seasonal opportunities. Digital corrugated printing in our Ontario business division addresses these needs by reducing barriers such as tooling costs and long lead times, while still delivering the high-quality graphics that brands expect,” says Anthony Memme, digital print manager, AP Products.
Headquartered in Canada with divisions in the U.S., AP is a privately owned company with over 3,600 employees and more than 20 manufacturing facilities serving customers across North America.
Products and Services
AP offers a range of product lines and services. Within its corrugated print business, corrugated packaging is its biggest business focus. However, the company is more than corrugated. Going beyond the box, it has paper mills, paper bags, retail and display, and preprint business units.
Digital corrugated printing currently represents an important but relatively small portion of its overall corrugated business. Memme says this is expected, given the scale and complexity of AP’s operations.
“Adoption of new technologies, including digital print, naturally takes time, especially with some of our larger customers that operate on longer design cycles. However, there is steady growth as more customers recognize the unique opportunities and advantages digital printing offers. We’re confident that digital will continue to gain momentum as customers experience the unmatched flexibility and value it brings to their packaging strategies,” comments Memme.
To create its digital corrugated print work, AP relies on machinery from Koenig & Bauer Durst, a relationship that Memme says is built on partnership and collaboration. “As with any new technology, there are challenges along the way, but its team is steadfast in supporting us throughout the process. They share our commitment to success, not only for AP but also for the customers we serve. This alignment gives us the confidence to continue investing, innovating, and delivering high-quality, customer-focused packaging solutions.”
In 2023, AP Products—the Ontario business division within the AP Group of Companies—installed the Koenig & Bauer Durst Delta SPC 130. The water-based corrugated press was purchased with one clear objective—to prioritize customers’ evolving requirements.
“We needed a solution that could meet their rising demand for high-graphic corrugated packaging while giving them greater flexibility in how they respond to the marketplace,” shares Memme. “The Delta SPC 130, a high-speed, single-pass press using water-based inks, allows us to do just that. It supports our customers in managing inventory, handling brand proliferation, adapting to changing market conditions, and introducing more creativity and innovation into their marketing programs.”
Innovation and flexibility were also central to AP’s decision. “The Delta SPC 130 enables quick response to changing market conditions, whether it’s managing inventory more effectively, supporting brand proliferation, or offering the freedom to add creativity and agility into marketing programs,” says Memme.
Sustainability was another key factor in its investment decision. “By investing in water-based digital printing technology, we’re reducing environmental impact while maintaining the highest print standards,” continues Memme.
AP Products also utilizes a range of finishing equipment to make sure its digital corrugated board printing can deliver exactly what its customers need. “For higher volume work, we complement the speed of the press with traditional flatbed and rotary die cutting as well as gluing, ensuring orders move efficiently through production. For specialty projects and smaller quantity runs, we also use digital CAD tables, which give us the flexibility to handle unique designs and quick-turn requests. This combination allows us to support everything from large-scale production to highly customized packaging solutions,” shares Memme.
Investing in a new technology does not come without challenges.
Memme identifies one of the biggest challenges with single-pass, direct digital printing is board warp. He explains that this technology requires corrugated board that meets much tighter tolerances than conventional printing and converting machines, so maintaining consistent board quality is critical. “It all comes down to the vacuum being able to hold down the board, and perhaps the tolerances need to be wider.”
Another challenge is on the customer side as a new technology adoption. “We work closely with our customers and brand partners to help them see the opportunities that single-pass digital brings. That means debunking some of the myths about digital printing and encouraging a shift in mindset, from viewing it as just another print method to recognizing how it can open new possibilities for packaging. By embracing this change, marketers and customers can take advantage of the flexibility, creativity, and responsiveness that digital makes possible,” offers Memme.
Recent Work
AP Products recently completed a project on the Koenig & Bauer Durst Delta SPC 130 for one of its long-standing customers, the third-largest brewer in Canada—Sleeman. “This customer typically runs its high-volume items using preprint, but in this case, it wanted a smaller quantity promotional run—for a marketing campaign—while still keeping the main graphics consistent with their existing look,” explains Memme.
Traditionally producing this job with preprint requires a major investment in tooling and setup. “By leveraging digital, we delivered exactly the quantity our customer needed at a significantly lower total cost, even though the unit cost per box is higher at smaller volumes compared to preprint,” shares Memme.
What made this job unique was the ability to not only match Sleeman’s established branding, but also activate a creative promotion quickly without the usual lead times associated with preprint.
Up and Coming
As market demands evolve, AP Group of Companies listens to customers and aligns its capabilities with their goals—whether that’s faster speed to market, increased creative freedom, or more sustainable and efficient ways to manage their supply chain. “Our focus is always on enhancing the customer experience and making sure we’re prepared with the right solutions as their needs and the technology continue to advance,” concludes Memme.
Nov2025, Industrial Print Magazine
