PACKAGING GUIDES

Black Shadows on Printed Boxes: Prepare a Useful Defect Report

An unwanted dark shadow on a printed box needs a specific defect report before a correction is agreed. Keep affected samples, identify the panel and compare it with the approved print reference; the appearance alone does not establish the press fault.

Floral printed carton panels shown for artwork review
Floral printed carton panels shown for artwork review

Describe the mark and its location

Mark the affected panel on a copy of the dieline. Describe whether the shadow repeats a nearby graphic, forms a band or appears in a particular area. Photograph the whole panel and a closer view under the same lighting. State whether it was visible before or after the box was assembled, without treating that observation as a diagnosis.

Keep the print reference and affected samples

Provide the artwork version, approved physical print reference and the affected production identifier. Retain examples of both acceptable and affected boxes, and record where they were found in the delivery. A photograph of an unrelated decorative box cannot demonstrate the fault on your print run.

Agree on the correction and a repeat review

Ask the printer to assess the retained samples and the proposed correction for the actual process. Do not prescribe ink, dampening or press-speed settings from a generic article. Before authorizing a replacement run, agree which panels and reference sample will be checked and how the reviewed result will be recorded.