Flying folding cartons and corrugated boxes
When you ask a well-known figure from the folding carton and corrugated industry what country they think ranks highly in regards to packaging, they often mention the Netherlands. The country is highly acclaimed as it has superior printing technology, modern equipment, and an abundance of good product ideas.
Usually I make reports about factories of corrugated and folding cartons that I have visited. This time I would like to write about paper containers that I found on a Dutch airline. This is something I can do even though I have not visited any factories in the Netherlands yet.
As the non-stop 11-hour flight from Narita to Amsterdam reached somewhere between Niigata and the Japan Sea, flight attendants started serving a hot towel packed in a paper container with the printed message, “Love from the Netherlands”. Then, Japanese or Western food was served. The main dish container was covered by an abstract pattern coated sleeve which read “Tasty Japan”.
An after-meal drink was served in a paper cup with a windmill printed on it. In the aircraft galley there was also a tray with self-service snacks and sweets on it. It was made of e-flute corrugated board with direct flexographic printing. After a long flight, sandwiches and mineral water were served as a light meal. Both the paper sandwich container and the paper cup were double-sided printed with a sketch of the Amsterdam townscape on them. It was so beautiful that it really could have been a collector’s item. (See image)
The printed images on the boxes are changed regularly. For example, on the previous day, I found patterns of Delfts pottery in dark blue on a white background. The printing was nice and well represented the country with its famous artwork. Either matte or gloss surface finishing was delicately portrayed to the point where it actually looked like real pottery. I asked the cabin attendants what they thought of the paper containers. They replied to me with smiles, saying “It’s light and easy to carry,” and “I am more efficient with folding empty containers while collecting,” or “Very cool.” On behalf of this industry, without any permission, I grant an award to this airline.