Printing

White ink printing on kraft

White ink lets you print crisp white logos, typography and line art on natural brown kraft boxes, mailers, pouches and bags, or lay down a white base coat underneath colors so they stay bright instead of turning muddy against the brown board.

  • No die or plate charges
  • Works alone or under color
  • Reply in 5–7 minutes, 24/7

Custom dielines · Free 3D mockup before you pay · Free US shipping

Kraft board with a white-ink logo, and amber ink printed straight on kraft next to amber over a white base
Studio render of example brands
  • AI-to-print studio includedAI concepts rebuilt onto exact dielines + 3D mockup
  • 4–5 day rush specialistsPriority press lanes built for tight launch deadlines
  • No die or plate chargesZero setup fees + 10% off your first custom order
  • Pantone match guaranteedIf a Pantone color is clearly off, we reprint
In short

What is white ink on kraft?

Standard CMYK printing has no white ink cartridge: anything left white in a file simply exposes the paper underneath, which works on white stock yet leaves brown showing on kraft. White ink printing adds a dedicated opaque white pigment channel that either stands alone as clean white artwork or prints first as a selective underbase beneath CMYK or Pantone colors.

How it works

How does white ink on kraft work?

  1. 01

    Mark white elements on your art

    Send your logo or tell us which parts should print white (or stay bright over a white base) on brown kraft.

  2. 02

    Opaque white ink lays down first

    Opaque white pigment blocks the brown kraft fibers where needed while leaving the rest of the board natural.

  3. 03

    Colors print crisp on top

    If your design also uses CMYK or Pantone colors, they print cleanly over the white base without darkening.

Is it for you?

When to choose it, and when to skip it

Choose it when

  • Clean white logos, borders and ingredient text on natural brown kraft cartons, mailers and bags
  • Keeping bright yellows, pinks, sky blues or skin tones true on brown kraft via a white ink underbase
  • Printing scannable white-backed barcode boxes straight onto kraft packaging
  • Clear labels or kraft pouches that need opaque white lettering

Skip it when

  • Flood-coating 100% of a kraft box in solid white ink: starting with white card or white corrugated board looks cleaner and costs less
  • White card or white mailer boxes: white stock is already white, so you do not need white ink

How it works

Request a quote with white ink on kraft

Tell us what you’re packing and how many. The form opens with white ink on kraft ticked. Your dedicated account manager prepares pricing for each quantity.

  1. 01

    Tell us what you’re packing

    Pick your box, bag or label, enter a rough size and up to 3 quantities — or drop in an AI design.

  2. 02

    Compare custom pricing

    Your dedicated account manager prepares tailored pricing for each quantity tier you picked.

  3. 03

    Dieline & 3D mockup, free

    Our studio prepares print-ready artwork on your exact dieline and sends a 3D mockup. Nothing prints until you approve.

  4. 04

    Printed & shipped free

    Produced in 10–14 business days (4–5 day rush available) and delivered free to all 50 US states.

Prefer to talk? or see how ordering works.

Compare

White ink on kraft vs Pantone color printing vs full color (CMYK) printing

White ink on kraft vs Pantone color printing vs full color (CMYK) printing
MethodHow it worksSuitsExact brand color?Plate chargesQuote
White ink on kraftLays opaque white ink onto brown kraftWhite logos or bright color on kraftPairs with CMYK or PantoneNoneGet a quote
Pantone color printingUses pre-mixed ink from a Pantone codeSolid brand colors and 1–2 color logosYes, guaranteed match or we reprintNoneGet a quote
Full color (CMYK) printingBlends cyan, magenta, yellow and blackPhotos, gradients and multi-color artClose; use Pantone for exact matchNoneGet a quote

Where it works

Which packaging can have white ink on kraft?

Pick any of these in the quote form. Each button switches the form to that packaging, with the option ticked where the form has it.

Ready to order? See custom kraft boxes and custom kraft mailer boxes.

Ready to add white ink on kraft?

Send a rough idea: a product, a size and a quantity, and we’ll tailor your quote across up to 3 volume tiers.

Artwork

How to set up your artwork for white ink on kraft

Not sure? Our free artwork check sets it up for you.

  • Put white ink areas on a separate vector layer or spot swatch named White_Ink so white is never mistaken for unprinted background
  • Use solid vector shapes rather than soft white feathering where possible for the cleanest edge
  • Include a solid white ink rectangle behind retail barcodes printed on brown kraft
  • Do not know how to set up a white spot channel? Just tell us which elements should print white, and our designers build the layer for free

Cost

Does white ink on kraft cost more?

White ink adds a spot ink channel on kraft orders and is included in your per-quantity quote with no die or plate charges. Using white ink selectively on logos and key graphics keeps the natural kraft look and avoids unnecessary ink coverage. Common searches we quote include white ink printing kraft boxes, white underbase on brown kraft, printing white on cardboard, kraft box with white logo, white ink packaging, opaque white ink on clear labels, white ink on black and dark boxes, spot white ink layer setup, white backup under cmyk on kraft, high contrast white print on brown board, vector spot white channel dieline, white ink on clear pouches and stickers, double hit white ink packaging and when to use white ink in packaging.

Every quote is free, with tailored pricing for each quantity tier you compare.

Get a quote with white ink on kraft

Ways to pay less

  • 10% off your first order
  • We beat a written US competitor quote for the same specs
  • No die or plate charges
  • A lower unit price at bigger quantities
How the price beat works

Why CubitPack

One account manager, from first question to delivery.

  • 1-on-1

    Dedicated account manager

    Work with one packaging specialist from sizing and dielines through proof approval and delivery.

  • Free

    AI & custom design studio

    Bring print-ready files, a rough logo, or an AI-generated box idea — we rebuild every element onto your exact dieline for free.

  • 3D

    Approve before you pay

    Review a high-detail 3D mockup and flat digital proof of every panel, flap and finish before paying a cent.

  • 10–14

    Business days to deliver

    Counted from proof approval and payment, with free shipping across all 50 states. Rush orders ship in 4–5 days.

Our promises, in writing

  • Reprint or refund. If we get it wrong, tell us within 14 days with photos and you choose.
  • Pantone guaranteed. If a Pantone color is clearly off, we reprint it.
  • Damaged in transit. We reprint the damaged units free and handle the carrier claim.
  • Cancel free. Any time before you approve your proof, with a full refund.

At a glance

White ink on kraft at a glance

Works on
Kraft card / product boxes, kraft mailer boxes, kraft shipping boxes, kraft stand-up pouches, kraft mylar bags, kraft paper shopping bags, kraft inserts, kraft wrapping paper and kraft cards.
Best for
Crisp white logos or bright, true-to-swatch colors on natural brown kraft.
Cost
White ink adds a spot ink channel on kraft orders and is included in your per-quantity quote with no die or plate charges.
Before you pay
A digital proof and a 3D mockup
Account support
One dedicated account manager from quote to delivery

FAQ

White ink on kraft: questions

If my design file has white text, will it print white on kraft automatically?

Not unless white ink is selected. In normal CMYK printing, white means zero ink, so white text simply shows raw brown kraft. Selecting White ink on kraft tells our prepress team to print opaque white ink there.

How opaque does white ink look on brown kraft?

Opaque white ink reads clearly and crisply against brown kraft, with a subtle natural warmth from the underlying fibers that fits kraft packaging well. You preview the contrast on your 3D mockup before paying.

Can I print white ink plus black or Pantone colors on the same kraft box?

Yes. Pairing white ink with black or a deep Pantone color (such as forest green, navy or terracotta) is one of the sharpest two-color combinations on kraft.

Why put a white ink underbase beneath colored logos on kraft?

Without a white base, yellow ink on brown kraft turns mustard and light blue turns slate. Printing white ink directly underneath lifts the color so it stays bright while keeping raw kraft everywhere else.

Are there plate charges for adding a white ink layer?

No. CubitPack charges no die or plate fees, even when your file includes a separate white ink channel.

Can I request a free digital proof and 3D mockup showing white ink on kraft on my box?

Yes. Every order with white ink on kraft includes free design help, a custom dieline, a 2D digital proof, and a 3D mockup before you pay so you can check placement and finishes.

Are there any die or plate charges when adding white ink on kraft to my custom packaging order?

No. CubitPack charges zero die or printing plate fees on white ink on kraft, and standard US shipping to all 50 states is included in your written quote.

How fast can I get a custom quote comparing unit prices with and without white ink on kraft?

Send your product dimensions and up to three quantity tiers in the quote form, and your dedicated account manager replies in 5–7 minutes, 24/7, with side-by-side pricing.

Can I see white ink on kraft in person inside the CubitPack sample kit or on a physical prototype?

Yes. You can order our physical sample kit (credited to your first order) to feel board and finish swatches, or request a custom pre-production prototype before a full run.

Sources

Sources for this page

  1. Wikipedia: Spot color (White underprint): using opaque white spot ink on non-white kraft or transparent packaging substrates
  2. FINAT — Technical Handbook for Opaque White Ink & Clear/Kraft Substrates: opaque white ink underbase layers beneath CMYK on brown kraft board and clear film labels

Printing

More printing

Other options: Materials · Finishes · Add-ons

Get started

Get a price with white ink on kraft.

Bring a rough size, a logo, or an AI concept. One dedicated account manager guides your custom packaging from dieline and 3D proof to delivery.