Pre-Print: Printing on Linerboard Before Corrugating

What Is Pre-Print?

Pre-print is a corrugated packaging print method in which graphics are applied to the flat linerboard roll before it is combined with the fluted medium on the corrugator to form corrugated board. Because the printing occurs on a smooth, flat surface — rather than on the uneven surface of finished corrugated — pre-print produces sharper, more vibrant graphics than standard post-print flexographic methods.

Pre-print uses wide-format flexographic presses that print directly onto the linerboard web as it unwinds from the roll. The printed linerboard is then fed into the corrugator, where it is bonded to the fluted medium and inner liner. The result is a corrugated sheet with high-quality graphics already integrated into the board structure.

Pre-Print vs. Post-Print

The key distinction between pre-print and post-print is when the printing occurs relative to corrugating. In post-print, graphics are applied after the corrugated board is formed. The corrugated surface introduces a slight washboard effect that can reduce image sharpness, especially in solid color areas and fine detail. In pre-print, the smooth linerboard surface eliminates this effect, producing cleaner graphics with better ink coverage uniformity.

Pre-print is best suited for very high-volume runs because the setup involves printing on large linerboard rolls that yield thousands of box blanks. For shorter runs, post-print flexo or digital printing is more economical.

Common Applications

Pre-print is widely used for high-volume consumer packaging in the food and beverage, household products, and personal care industries. Products sold through club stores and mass retailers — where branded shelf-ready packaging is essential — frequently use pre-printed corrugated. The method delivers consistent graphics across millions of units, making it ideal for national brands with high throughput requirements.

Pre-Print Through President Container Group

President Container works with pre-print suppliers to deliver high-quality pre-printed corrugated packaging for customers with large-volume requirements. Our team manages color separations, plate production, and quality coordination to ensure that your graphics meet brand standards from the first unit to the last. For lower-volume applications, we offer in-house flexographic and litho-laminated alternatives.