Every corrugated printer strives for the same goal: clean graphics, consistent color, and reliable performance across every box. Yet achieving “perfect” corrugated print isn’t easy. Fluted substrates, recycled liners, and varying absorbencies make ink control a constant challenge.
At Apex International, we’ve spent years studying how engraving geometry, ink behavior, and substrate type interact. Through our GTT 2.0 Technology and extensive print trials, we’ve learned that true print perfection starts long before the press run. It starts with the anilox.
The Science of Ink Control
Anilox rolls are precision tools that meter ink. Each cell’s shape, volume, and depth dictate exactly how much ink transfers to the plate. In corrugated printing, even a small variation can lead to over-inking, flooding, or mottling.
GTT 2.0, Apex’s patented continuous-channel engraving, was developed to solve this problem. Instead of traditional cell walls that trap air and create uneven transfer, GTT’s open channel design delivers smooth, consistent ink flow. The result is predictable coverage, faster color matching, and reduced waste, especially on high-volume corrugated lines.
The Substrate Challenge: Recycled and Lightweight Liners
The global shift toward sustainability has increased the use of recycled papers. While environmentally beneficial, 
these substrates absorb ink differently and can easily over-saturate, leading to washed-out colors and fuzzy graphics.
Our Perfect Print Box project demonstrated that GTT 2.0 can overcome these limitations. Even on 100% recycled kraftliner, printers achieved vibrant color, sharp logos, and uniform solids. By controlling ink release at the cell level, GTT 2.0 eliminates the inconsistencies that make recycled substrates so unpredictable.
Precision Equals Predictability
Every customer expects their brand to look perfect every time. The key to that consistency is repeatable volume control. When an anilox roll delivers the same amount of ink every time, press operators can focus on efficiency instead of adjustment.
That predictability translates to faster changeovers, less ink waste, and higher customer satisfaction. It also builds confidence, not just in print quality, but in your production team’s ability to deliver excellence under any condition.
Beyond Print Quality: Efficiency and Sustainability
Perfect print isn’t only visual it’s operational. With GTT 2.0, converters report lower ink consumption, reduced downtime, and extended roll life. By metering ink more efficiently, the technology helps reduce energy usage and waste, contributing to a more sustainable print process.
Each improvement compounds: less ink, less wash-up time, and fewer adjustments, adding up to measurable savings and a smaller environmental footprint.
Real-World Proof: Corrugated Box Success
Apex’s Perfect Print Box project highlighted what’s possible when technology, design, and process align. Printed on super-light and recycled liners, each panel of the box demonstrated a specific print challenge, from clean skin tones to kraftliner interior print.
The results spoke for themselves: bright, balanced colors, sharp details, and repeatable performance. It’s proof that the right engraving doesn’t just solve problems. It transforms them into competitive advantages.
Defining “Perfect” for the Future
Perfect corrugated print isn’t a static goal. It evolves with new materials, customer expectations, and sustainability demands. The future belongs to printers who embrace precision, data, and continuous improvement, the same principles behind Apex’s innovations.
Whether you’re printing e-commerce packaging or high-graphic display boxes, Apex technology ensures that what leaves your press represents your brand at its best.
Contact us today and see how precision engraving transforms corrugated print from good to perfect.
