How Corrugated Packaging Providers can deliver Personalisation at scale through Corrugated Packaging

In today's rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape, the unboxing experience has become a pivotal touchpoint between brands and consumers. Recognizing this, Packsize and EFI have collaborated to introduce the Packsize EFI X5 Nozomi, a groundbreaking solution that empowers packaging providers to deliver personalized and memorable unboxing experiences to their brand, retail, and 3PL customers.

In today's rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape, the unboxing experience has become a pivotal touchpoint between brands and consumers. Recognizing this, Packsize and EFI have collaborated to introduce the Packsize EFI X5 Nozomi, a groundbreaking solution that empowers packaging providers to deliver personalized and memorable unboxing experiences to their brand, retail, and 3PL customers.

The Evolution of Unboxing

The unboxing experience begins the moment a package arrives at a consumer’s doorstep. It's not merely about the product inside but encompasses the entire journey—from the box's appearance to the ease of opening. A thoughtfully designed unboxing experience can enhance customer satisfaction, foster brand loyalty, and encourage repeat purchases.
However, many businesses have traditionally relied on plain, monochrome boxes, missing out on the opportunity to make a lasting impression. Moreover, the use of standard-sized boxes often leads to excessive void fill, increased shipping costs, and a negative environmental impact due to wasted materials.

Introducing the Packsize EFI X5 Nozomi

The Packsize EFI X5 Nozomi addresses these challenges head-on. This innovative system combines Packsize's expertise in on-demand, right-sized packaging with EFI's advanced digital printing technology. The result is the world's first full-color, on-demand, right-sized box system that prints, cuts, creases, glues, and erects customized boxes with high-resolution graphics in a single seamless process. Video



Key Features and Benefits

1. Reduced Costs: On average, corrugated materials are reduced by 26% and void fill materials are reduced by 67%. With the ability to print shipping information, hazard labels, and other custom labels directly into the box design, the X5 Nozomi also eliminates the need for secondary labeling labor and materials costs while also reducing the opportunity for error.

2. Full-Color Printing: The X5 Nozomi enables businesses to digitally print vibrant, high-resolution graphics across the entire box surface. This capability transforms ordinary packaging into a powerful branding and/or advertising tool, allowing for dynamic visuals that captivate customers upon arrival.

3. Print Variation: Each box can be tailored in size and design, facilitating targeted marketing efforts, on-box advertising, and personalised messages. This level of customization fosters a deeper connection with customers, making them feel valued and enhancing their overall experience.

4. Streamlined Production: By integrating multiple packaging processes—printing, die-cutting, folding, and gluing—into one automated system, the X5 Nozomi reduces labor requirements and production time. Businesses can produce a ready-to-pack, right-sized box in as little as six seconds, achieving speeds of up to 600 boxes per hour.

5. Sustainability: The system promotes eco-friendly practices by producing right-sized boxes, which minimize material waste and reduce the need for void fill. Additionally, the use of genuine EFI LED inks ensures compliance with recyclability standards and environmental certifications.

Transforming the Unboxing Experience

The unboxing experience is a critical aspect of customer satisfaction and brand perception. A well-executed unboxing can lead to positive reviews, social media shares, and increased customer loyalty. The Packsize EFI X5 Nozomi empowers businesses to elevate this experience through:

• Personalised Packaging: By leveraging variable data printing, companies can create unique designs for each customer, incorporating personalised messages, promotional offers, or branding elements that resonate on an individual level.
• Brand Storytelling: Full-color graphics allow brands to convey their story, values, and product information directly on the packaging, creating a cohesive and immersive brand experience from the moment the package is received.
• Sustainable Practices: Modern consumers are increasingly eco-conscious. Offering right-sized, recyclable packaging demonstrates a brand's commitment to sustainability, which can enhance brand image and appeal to environmentally aware customers.

Industry Implications

The Packsize EFI X5 Nozomi presents a transformative opportunity for corrugators and sheet plants to move beyond conventional manufacturing and embrace personalisation and customization at scale.

How is this accomplished? The packaging provider offers an all-inclusive Corrugated Packaging as a Service (CPaaS) to brands, retailers, and 3PLs by co-locating the X5 Nozomi solution at their customer’s warehouse and/or fulfillment center.  In addition to hardware, the service includes fanfold (Z-fold) corrugated, EFI inks, packaging design services, and support personnel.  Proforma estimates show healthy margins due to cost reductions across labor, materials, shipping, warehousing, and administration costs.   To avoid large CAPEX requirements for the end customer, a “click charge” can be leveraged to cover all expenses and markups for the corrugated provider. 

Key Benefits of the X5 Nozomi through CPaaS

Conclusion

By adopting the Packsize EFI X5 Nozomi and transitioning to a Corrugated Packaging as a Service (CPaaS) model, corrugated packaging suppliers can future-proof their business while offering customers greater flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability.
Brands and Retailers no longer have to order months in advance or deal with surplus inventory—they can get exactly what they need, when they need it.

For corrugators, CPaaS means:
✔ New revenue streams
✔ Stronger customer relationships
✔ A competitive edge in the evolving packaging market

The time to embrace Corrugated Packaging as a Service is now, and the X5 Nozomi is the perfect tool to make it happen.

Kerry Sanders is the VP Business Development for EFI and leads a team focused on driving adoption of EFI digital printing solutions for corrugated packaging. Kerry's unique perspectives are informed by his executive experience in business development, operations, and marketing for Fortune 500 companies. Kerry will be speaking at the SmartHub Conference taking place at Personalisation Experience from 6 - 9 May 2025 at Messe Berlin. The topic he will be discussing is how corrugated packaging providers can deliver personalisation at scale through Corrugated Packaging As A Service (CPaaS). Register to attend the conference and the event here and use promo code FESJ513 before 8th April and pay only 50 euros for your entrance ticket.