One Article to Understand the Customization Process of Paper Pulp Molding

Perhaps you’re now considering replacing your current packaging with eco-friendly materials — but still feel uncertain about many aspects of customization.

If so, the information below will be valuable to you. It will help you gain a deeper understanding of what’s involved in customizing paper-pulp products — from material selection and structural design to mold making, surface finishing, and unboxing experience. Let’s explore together!

Color Customization

For paper pulp gift boxes and paper mold trays, white or natural kraft color is recommended since they are the base colors of the raw material. Custom colors require higher minimum order quantities. The darker the color, the higher the production cost.

Printing and Decoration Processes

• UV Printing: Allows for multi-color printing with bright, vivid colors. Higher printing cost.
• Screen Printing: Suitable for single or two-color printing. Simple, mature process with lower cost.
• Pad Printing: Can print on curved surfaces, offering excellent detail reproduction. Higher cost.
• Hot Stamping (Gold): Gives a golden metallic shine with strong light resistance.
• Hot Stamping (Silver): Gives a silver metallic finish for a modern, minimalist look.
• Laser Foil Stamping: Creates strong dynamic optical effects, showing color changes when viewed from different angles.
• Seal Stickers: Often used to seal the opening of packaging boxes, also adding product info, decoration, and a stylish touch.

• Scodix Printing: Offers rich effects such as UV 3D embossing and digital foil stamping, but with higher costs and longer production time.

Mold Surface Finishes

• Glossy Finish: The mold cavity is polished to a very smooth and flat surface.

• Etched Texture: The mold cavity is processed with regular raised or recessed textures, such as fine sand patterns or leather textures. These patterns are then transferred to the paper-plastic surface during molding.

• Embossed Finish: The mold cavity is processed with three-dimensional raised and recessed designs. These designs are then copied onto the product surface during molding, giving the final product a 3D embossed look.

What is Wet Pressed Packaging?

Wet press means that after pulping, the pulp slurry is injected into the forming mold. A vacuum removes excess water to form a wet shape, which is then immediately transferred to a heated mold for pressing and drying.

Advantages:

• High production efficiency — the formed wet shape is pressed and dried right away.
• Smooth and fine product surface, looks attractive.
• Thin walls with higher density, saving space.

Disadvantages:

• Harder to remove from the mold if the slope is small.
• High breakage rate for designs with sharp corners or steep angles.
• Consumes more heat energy.

What is Dry Pressed Packaging?

Dry press means that after pulping, the pulp slurry is injected into the forming mold. A vacuum removes excess water to form a wet shape, which is then dried naturally or in a drying tunnel to about 40% moisture before being pressed into its final shape. This process is often used for lower-grade pulp products like egg trays or industrial pulp packaging.

Advantages:

• Lower heat energy use, reducing production costs.
• Can use recycled waste paper, making it cheaper.
• Thicker walls for better shock absorption and compression resistance.
• Good for electronic product packaging as it prevents static electricity.

Disadvantages:

• Rough surface, not as visually appealing.

• Thicker walls take up more space.

  
  

  

How To choose an integrated molded-pulp partner

Otarapack has many years of experience in molded-fiber packaging. 

We believe: Top solution = Design precision × Sustainability goals × Manufacturability × Brand story — in balance. Our mission Deliver sustainable premium packaging with user experience first—verifiable, traceable, and ready for mass production.

How we work

• Design precision: align structure and details, cut trial-and-error, speed time-to-market.
• Sustainability: molded pulp and recyclable options that look good and comply.
• Manufacturability: tooling + process in sync, with transparent yield and lead time.

• Brand story: turn touch, color, and unboxing into a manufacturable experience.

What you get An integrated path (concept → prototyping → ramp → quality control) with a dedicated design team and a rigorous QC team. Want high-quality eco packaging? Choose Otarapack—turn strong ideas into great products.