What Eco-Conscious Brands Are Choosing for Packaging Right Now

Sustainability isn’t a niche anymore — it’s the expectation. More brands are finding ways to lower their environmental impact without compromising on design, function, or brand experience. Packaging is one of the clearest places to start.

Locally Made or Offshore — Sustainable Either Way

At Inke, all our packaging is made with sustainability in mind — whether it’s produced locally or offshore.

For fast, efficient production with no minimums, we use CMYK digital print technology on FSC-certified, recycled materials right here in Australia. That means no setup costs, less waste, and fully recyclable output — ideal for brands who need flexibility or are launching a new product.

If you’re requiring more specialised finishing, where local production is simply not available, we also offer offshore manufacturing through trusted partners. You’ll still get high-quality, sustainable packaging — just with more customisation and better pricing at scale. We’ll help you determine the best production path based on what matters most to your business.

Kraft Over Coated (But Both Have Their Place)

Kraft packaging has become the go-to for brands that want a raw, natural aesthetic. It’s uncoated, recyclable, and instantly signals an eco-conscious decision — especially when printed with a single ink for a bold, minimal look.

That said, white and coated boards are still very much part of the eco conversation. All of our boards at Inke are FSC-certified and made using recycled content, so choosing between kraft or white simply comes down to your brand’s design direction. Both are recyclable and responsibly sourced — you’re in good hands either way.

Less Packaging, Smarter Design

Sustainability isn’t just about materials — it’s about reducing waste through smarter design.

Our mailer boxes are strong enough to ship on their own, meaning you often don’t need an additional outer shipper. That’s fewer materials, less weight, and a smaller environmental footprint.

And here's an insider tip: by printing your design on the inside only, using kraft-white board, you can still deliver a full-colour unboxing experience — while keeping the exterior minimal and unbranded. Completely safe for shipping like a standard box, ready for the bumps and scuffs of postal handling. No extra shipper needed.

Single Material Simplicity

The easier something is to recycle, the more likely your customer will do it. That’s why more brands are choosing single-material solutions — like corrugated board without plastic coatings, magnets, or complex laminates.

Simple builds are easier to reuse, flatten, or recycle at kerbside. They also help reduce customer confusion while delivering on your sustainability goals.

Water-Based Inks & Biodegradable Options

For brands looking to go further, we offer flexographic printing using water-based inks — a solution that, when paired with uncoated materials, can create a fully biodegradable end product.

These options are best suited to larger campaigns or high-volume drops (typically 2,000+ units for cost efficiency). For smaller brands or one-off runs, our CMYK digital print offers a sustainable, high-quality option — with no minimums, no setup costs, and less material waste.

Flat-Pack Formats That Travel Better

Eco-conscious brands are also choosing packaging styles that reduce volume in storage, freight, and fulfilment.

All of our mailer boxes, sleeves, folding cartons, and sample boxes ship flat — making them lighter to move, cheaper to ship, and better for the planet at every stage of the process.

Smaller Boxes, Less Void Fill

You don’t need to oversize your packaging to make it feel premium. In fact, custom-sized boxes help eliminate unnecessary space, reduce the need for filler, and often lead to lower shipping costs too.

It’s not just a more sustainable choice — it also delivers a more thoughtful, elevated brand experience when the box is opened. Pair it with custom tissue paper to create a layered unboxing moment that feels intentional and on-brand from the first tear. It's a simple touch that adds a sense of care, polish, and personality — without adding bulk.

Where to Start

Eco-conscious packaging doesn’t mean sacrificing style, scale, or creativity — it just means thinking smarter from the beginning.

• Leverage our CMYK digital print for smaller runs — no minimums or set up costs, less material, and fully recyclable
• Explore biodegradable flexographic printing for larger volume runs (2,000+ units)
• Use flat-pack formats to reduce shipping impact and storage space

Whatever your product or campaign, we’ll help you create custom packaging that supports your sustainability goals — while still making it look incredible.