“Two printers quoted, and the totals do not compare.”
Send both the same sheet: material, colours, finish, pack count, and who pays for plates, cylinders and the cutting die (the steel tool that cuts a carton).
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Industries · FMCG · Packaging printing
Packaging printing for food brands
For food brand owners who brief a printer. Know what to ask, what the law puts on the pack, and what to check on the proof.
A strategist calls you in one working day.
/ 01 Packaging printing for food brands
Packaging printing for food brands: what you buy and what you check
Packaging printing for food brands is the step after design. A converter, the factory that prints and forms pouch film, cartons and labels, puts your artwork on the material.
Food adds rules for ink, material and label text, so your brief to the converter decides if the pack is safe, legal and the right colour.
This page is about getting a pack printed. How the pack looks is on our FMCG packaging design page. Claims such as the word pure are on our food and beverage page. The wider plan for FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) is on our FMCG marketing page.
FSSAI is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Legal Metrology is the Department of Consumer Affairs rule set for net quantity and price. MRP is the maximum retail price. An IS number is an Indian Standard from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). We read each rule at its source on 1 November 2026.
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/ 03 Print methods
Print method by pack type and run size
Our view, from trade sources read on 1 November 2026.
| Pack type | Common method | Run size it suits | Check before you approve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stand-up or flat pouch | Flexo or gravure on film, laminated so the print sits between layers. Digital for short runs | Digital for small runs, flexo as runs grow, gravure for long repeats | The layer list. Print must not touch the food (3(10)) |
| Folding carton | Offset on board, or flexo. Digital for short runs | Offset or flexo for larger runs, digital for short ones | Is there a liner or inner pouch between print and food? |
| Stick-on label | Flexo or digital label press | Digital suits many flavours in small counts, as it needs no plates | The label must not separate from the pack (4(6)) |
Sources: Esko (22 September 2026), Packaging South Asia (2019, 2025). Offset and label rows are our view.
Go deeper
Read more about Packaging printing
Deeper reading if you want the research behind the plan.
Inks and materials for food-contact printing
Ink, film and board
From the Packaging Regulations, 2018:
| Part of the pack | What the Packaging Regulations say | Ask the converter for |
|---|---|---|
| Printing ink | Must conform to IS 15495 (3(9)) | The ink maker's written statement |
| Plastic film | Food grade (3(2)). A migration limit of 60 mg/kg or 10 mg/dm2, tested as per IS 9845, with no visible colour migration (4(4)(b)). Pigments to IS 9833 (4(4)(d)) | The layer list, and the NABL laboratory certificate (3(14)) |
| Paper and board | Food grade and free from contaminants (4(1)(c)). Schedule I names IS 1776 for uncoated folding box board | The board grade, and whether a liner sits between print and food |
| Recycled plastic | The compendium prints the old bar and a substitution, so ask which text is in force (4(4)(e)) | A written yes or no for any layer that touches food |
Source: FSSAI Packaging Regulations, 2018, Version III, read 1 November 2026
What the ink standard says
The 2004 text of IS 15495 says ink for a wrapper that touches food goes on the outside of the wrapper (clause 4.3.2). Set-off, ink rubbing onto the next surface, must be avoided (4.3.4). The food packager keeps the final responsibility (5.6). BIS lists a 2020 first revision, which we did not read. Printweek India reported on 24 March 2022 that it bars toluene and phthalates.
Source: IS 15495:2004, clauses 4.3.2, 4.3.4 and 5.6, BIS listing of IS 15495:2020 and Printweek India, 24 March 2022, read 1 November 2026
Label print rules for a food pack
Where and how the text is printed
Letter heights and the veg symbol are on our FMCG packaging design page. These rules cover how text is printed:
| Rule | Where | What it means for the print job |
|---|---|---|
| Label text is clear and indelible | FSSAI Labelling 4(7) | Rub and fold a printed sample. The text must stay readable |
| A label must not separate from the pack | FSSAI Labelling 4(6) | Test a stick-on label on a cold or damp pack |
| All information together, or pre-printed in one place and added later in another | FSSAI Labelling 6(1) | Keep one empty, flat box for the batch and date code, away from seals |
| A retail outer wrapper carries all declarations unless it is clear | FSSAI Labelling 4(8) | A printed carton around a pouch needs the full text |
| Space round the net quantity: above and below at least the numeral height, left and right twice it | Legal Metrology 8(1) | Keep art, borders and seals out of that space |
| MRP and net quantity numerals contrast with the background | Legal Metrology 9(1)(b) | Check them on the real film, over the real colour |
Source: FSSAI Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020 and Legal Metrology Rules, 2011 (consolidated), read 1 November 2026
Plastic waste rules for pouches and films
Who registers, and the recycled-plastic targets
Producers, importers and brand owners of plastic packaging register on the Central Pollution Control Board portal and may not deal with an unregistered entity. The 2026 amendment sets these targets for brand owners, as a share of the plastic packaging used in the year:
| Category | What it covers | Recycled plastic to use: 2025-26, 2026-27, 2027-28, 2028-29 on |
|---|---|---|
| Category I | Rigid plastic packaging | 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% |
| Category II | Flexible packs of one or more plastic layers, sheets, sachets and pouches | 10%, 10%, 20%, 20% |
| Category III | Multilayer packs with a plastic layer and a layer that is not plastic | 5%, 5%, 10%, 10% |
Source: G.S.R. 133(E), 16 February 2022 and G.S.R. 237(E), 31 March 2026, read 1 November 2026
Where food rules and recycled content meet
A target does not apply where a law or FSSAI rule bars recycled plastic. A food-contact shortfall for 2025-26 can be carried forward for up to three years. Recycled plastic packaging must carry the marking in rule 11(2). Ask who prints it.
Source: G.S.R. 237(E), 31 March 2026, read 1 November 2026
Proofs, minimum runs and lead time
Proof checklist
Use this at the proof stage and on first delivery:
| Check on the proof | How, and the fault it catches |
|---|---|
| Colour | A physical proof on the final film or board, beside your last approved pack |
| Required text | Read it against the signed text sheet. Measure the net quantity and MRP numerals |
| Clear spaces | Mark the net quantity space, the code box and the seals. Nothing prints in them |
| Barcode | Scan a printed sample. GS1 India says to verify before bulk printing |
| Smell | Smell a sealed sample. Food grade means no unacceptable change to the food's smell or taste (2(1)(b)) |
| Sign-off | Your regulatory person signs the text, you sign the colour. Keep both dated |
Source: GS1 India and FSSAI Packaging Regulations, read 1 November 2026
Minimum runs and lead time
We found no dated public minimum run or lead time. A digital converter's sales and marketing contact told Packaging South Asia (1 October 2025) that digital has no minimum, that flexo suits about 10,000 to 20,000 pieces, and that its turnaround is about 10 days. That is one converter's claim. On plate cost, a Packaging South Asia writer (16 April 2019) said flexo plates cost less for a first run, and gravure cylinders cost less when a design is printed in two or more print runs. Ask each converter for the minimum run, plate charges and a dated schedule.
Source: Packaging South Asia, Hora Arts and Packaging South Asia, flexo versus gravure, read 1 November 2026
/ 04 Sound familiar?
Common problems when printing food packs
“The first run is not the colour we approved.”
Approve a physical proof on the real film or board, not a screen. Name key colours by number and agree the allowed difference in writing.
“Nobody can say if the ink is safe next to food.”
FSSAI says food-pack inks must conform to IS 15495 and the print must not touch the food. Ask for the ink maker's statement and the film's layer list.
“The barcode will not scan at the store.”
GS1 India, the barcode standards body, says to verify a barcode before bulk printing, and discourages shiny backgrounds.
“The pouch maker says plastic waste rules now apply to us.”
Brand owners and makers of plastic packaging register on a CPCB portal. Micro and small enterprises are excluded as brand owners.
/ 05 Cost
What affects the cost
No price list. These things move the number.
PromotEdge does not publish a price list. The converter sets its own printing charges.
What affects the cost
- Pack type and layers
- Colours and finish, including a special colour matched by number
- Run size, and whether plates, cylinders or a die can be reused
- Flavours and sizes, as each is its own artwork
How we price it
- We talk for 30 minutes about your pack, run size and where you sell
- We look at your file and your printer's quote
- A written quote follows within 2 working days
What you get in the quote
- Print-ready files for your printer
- Proofs checked against the copy you approved
Printing is delivered through PEXORA, a joint venture of PromotEdge and Prodigy. You can also keep your own printer, and we prepare the files for it.
/ 06 Rules to know
Rules for printing food packaging in India
Read on 1 November 2026. Check the current text before you print.
The Packaging Regulations, 2018 need food-grade material and inks to IS 15495. The printed surface must stay off the food. Material that touches food needs a certificate from an NABL laboratory, a test lab with national accreditation.
The Labelling Regulations, 2020 and the Legal Metrology Rules, 2011 set how text is printed. The Plastic Waste Management Rules cover pouches and films. The folds below give the clauses.
General guidance, not legal advice.
Our beliefWe believe in process. Good results should repeat, not happen by luck.
/ 07 What happens next
What happens after you ask
For projects we think we can help, this is how it goes.
- 01
A strategist calls you
In one working day: a 30-minute call with one of our strategists about your business and what is not working.
- 02
You get a 1-page plan
A short, honest plan: what to fix first and what we would do. It is free.
- 03
A quote, if you want one
If you want to go ahead, we send a quote within 2 working days.
We confirm the timeline in the quote. Contracts start at 3 months, with 30 days' notice to stop. A single job, such as one event or one print run, is quoted as one project.
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What people say
What clients say about PromotEdge
“PromotEdge is one of the most hard working creative agency that LISTENS ! Do I need to say anything more ?!!!!Saurav is one of the most open person I have come across who is ready to speak abt the elephant in the room , that no body wants to talk about !”
Harsh GuptaManaging Director at Rishta FoodsFMCG
“PromotEdge and their team did an excellent job with our website. They engaged with every team member, understanding their needs with great patience before collating them into a user requirement and a design spec. The result was both aesthetically pleasing and usable. PromotEdge continues to support us and our ever-growing and very demanding wish list. We hope to grow this relationship beyond website design and into content development. I am confident that PromotEdge's team will continue to guide us in delivering product content to our global customers, making the website an important tool for product awareness and lead generation.”
Bimal ShahExecutive Director at Fine Organic Industries LimitedManufacturing
“I commend PromotEdge as a content and advertising partner. I applaud their top-notch team, swift problem-solving, and outstanding digital media work for my brand. I express my happiness and eagerness for a long-term partnership.”
Priyanka GuptaDirector at Nitya Gold & DiamondsJewellery retail
“We are thoroughly impressed with the extensive knowledge and professionalism demonstrated by PromotEdge. Their adept management of our digital and creative requirements has significantly contributed to our satisfaction with their digital marketing services and expertise.”
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“Working with PromotEdge has been an enriching experience for ABP at many different levels. Your understanding of the digital space, customized brand solutions and prompt servicing have helped us achieve our brand goals with so much ease.I would like to especially thank the creative development team, the digital strategy team and above all the servicing team with whom I have worked in close association with, for their all-round support. I wish you all the best in your upcoming projects and I look forward to collaborating with you in future as well.”
Satabdi SahuLead - Brand and Content at ABP EducationEducation“In the city of Kolkata , there are very few full service advertising agencies which are compact, agile, quick and yet have the vision and creative /executional abilities of large reputed agencies. My experience with PromotEdge has been extremely satisfying and they have done world class job for Brand Building exercise of LION INDIA.In my professional life spanning over 4 decades I have always worked with leading agencies like Lintas, Grey, etc so my benchmarking was rather high. I am delighted to say that i did find the agency measuring up nicely on every parameter of our expectations. The team […] comes majorly from experienced staff who have had experience in large agencies. Added to this is the” young oozing with unique new.”
Hardeep SinghMarketing Consultant“It’s a great way to be back at PromotEdge. I had a great time working them in Kolkata Tunderbolts doing the Volley Biswas character and they all are like good friends like family Saurav Bhaiya, […], and as I speak, I see Sayantan da walking in. HA HA! But it’s been a great experience I am glad to again meeting them and being here at the PromotEdge. Make Calcutta relevant again.”
Priyam GhoseContent Creator
“PRAN & PromotEdge have been working together for last 1.5 years. Throughout, the work experience is good and satisfactory.As a client, we found PromotEdge very professional and dedicated towards any project assigned to them.Most importantly, They have a bunch of energetic young people who always think from clients’ point of view and come up with the solution which is appropriate for them.I would personally refer PromotEdge to those who want creative and contemporary work.We wish PromotEdge a successful journey ahead.”
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Medha SharmaStrategic Head at TATA MetaliksSteel and metals
“I am delighted with the successful launch of our new website, thanks to the exceptional support from PromotEdge. I extend my gratitude to Benjamin and the team for their dedication and hard work, which has resulted in a new, fresh-looking site that perfectly meets our expectations.”
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“We have been working with PromotEdge for almost a year. We have engaged them to manage our Digital marketing campaigns and are impressed with the outcome. Within weeks, we had noticed an increase in performance and they continuously worked on adapting to a new strategy if required to get the maximum mileage for us based on our requirements. A big thank you to their team, and I would highly recommend them to anyone who is considering growing on their Digital Space.”
Shubham GadodiaDeputy Brand Manager at Shyam Metalics GroupSteel and metalsPrime Volleyball League
“I would just like to congratulate, PromotEdge Led by Sayantan and his Team who have done an absolutely fantastic job of branding for the Kolkata Thunderbolts, the Branding, the social media campaign was bang on, and I think it help not just the Kolkata Thunderbolts but its really helped me because in the East there was at least one Team that looking very well promoted and branded. Thanks guyz, well done.”
Joy BhattacharjyaCEO at Prime Volleyball LeagueSports“I had a great time in Kolkata, I met entire PromotEdge team and they are amazing. Design language that they follow is crazy, the copywriting is crazy. I think they are one of the best digital marketing agencies, not just in Kolkata, entire eastern region and I think brand should not leave the chance to interact with these guys, make stories together.So, if I had something here, I would have definitely collaborated with them and worked. Now is the time, I mean it’s not even a question whether digital is important or not you don’t have an option today. Go digital work with PromotEdge and create your brand stories. Thank You.”
Manish PandeyConsultant & Coach to Content Creator“The PromotEdge Agency stay with us all these 3 days, since when we arrived..more, more than 3 days. Since in the airport, they stayed together with us (FIVB team).Sayantan and his team is providing you to see this video.I just (want to say) _Shukriya_. Thank you so much for your team, because we are here in front of the camera but all the team is behind. The entire team together did this great job so that you can see how much volleyball is a lovely sport.”
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“I've known PromotEdge for quite a few years. PromotEdge is passionate, knowledgeable, and destined for success. What stands out is their positivity, energy, passion, and innovative thinking. They bring a warm presence to their work. Best wishes to PromotEdge.”
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“An aligned partner is always a welcoming step. Someone who can think deep through lines, understand the matrix of product management. Fortunate enough, PromotEdge has been a partner in progress for me. Their uniqueness lies in their hands down knowledge of delivering the strategy and communication needed for the hour. A practical approach to ensuring return of investment has been the day one mantra. An advisory to an executionist, the systematic approach by team PromotEdge has been the impeccable.”
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“As a progressive and emerging digital marketing company, PromotEdge is doing something right to enhance the experience of companies associated with them.The format they have created is great, there is a smooth flow of communication, great brainstorming sessions and additionally super ideations and executions.Pritha, the account manager, has always been supportive. Whether day or night, weekday or weekend, she came through and solved the problems.…”
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“I really want to thank Sayantan and his team from PromotEdge because what I find good in them is that, the team.When the team is wonderful, the outcome will definitely be wonderful. I have seen the first cut of the reel which they shot the first day, and they gave us on the morning of the second day.The entire first day they worked so hard and over the night they have edited and on the morning they shared it with us.This is just fabulous and the commitment they have shown. The FIVB team has said that they are very happy with team PromotEdge.And when I showed this clip to my friends, those who are from this industry, they (also said that they) have done a fabulous work.So happy and compliments to the team -- Sayantan and PromotEdge team.Thank you.”
Abhijit BhattacharyaFormer Captain Indian VolleyBall Team; and Founder of Brahmaputra Volleyball LeagueSports
“Hi, my name is Hitesh Malhotra. I'm working in FIVB. We are working with PromoteEdge (with Team Sayantan).I would like to give you a brief detail. So when we started this project, we had a good discussion with them. And personally, I feel PromotEdge is kind of a one stop solution for us. So basically, they provided us the whole storyboarding regarding the digital assets and how we can use those with our ambassadors programme.They helped us a lot to structurize the whole concept from our side. So in fact, there were a lot of great ideas they provided, guiding us...what we should do and what we should not do in this regard.And the best part was that they were very clear from there, from the whole blueprint. So they understood our request from the proposal and then accordingly they executed it.”
Hitesh MalhotraSports Development at Fédération Internationale de Volleyball - FIVBSports
Food brand with a pack to print?
Send us your artwork and your printer's quote, and we'll tell you what to check first
Common questions
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PromotEdge publishes no price list, and the converter sets its own printing charges. The cost depends on the pack type and layers, the colours, the run size and how many flavours and sizes you print. Ask each converter to quote the same sheet.
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Flexo prints from raised plates, gravure from engraved cylinders. A Packaging South Asia writer (16 April 2019) said flexo plates cost less for a first run, and gravure cylinders cost less when a design is printed in two or more print runs. Digital suits short runs. Ask for a written quote on each.
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Yes. The FSSAI Packaging Regulations, 2018 say printing inks for food packs must conform to IS 15495, and the printed surface must not touch the food. BIS lists a 2020 first revision of that standard. Check the current text with your converter's ink supplier.
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FSSAI's labelling rules and the Legal Metrology rules list the items: food name, ingredients where needed, allergens, veg or non-veg symbol, owner's name and address, FSSAI logo and licence number, net quantity, MRP, batch, dates and consumer care details. Your regulatory person signs off the text.
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The Legal Metrology Rules (rule 8) say the area around the net quantity declaration must be free of printed matter. Above and below, the gap is at least the height of the numeral. Left and right, it is at least twice that height. Check the current text.
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We found no dated public minimum run for India, and each converter sets its own. A digital converter told Packaging South Asia on 1 October 2025 that digital has no minimum and flexo suits about 10,000 to 20,000 pieces. That is one sales view. Get minimums in writing.
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Ask for a physical proof on the final film or board. Read the required text against your signed text sheet, measure the net quantity and MRP numerals, scan the barcode, and mark the empty box for the batch code. Sign the text and the colour separately.
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They affect the pouch, which is plastic packaging. Brand owners other than micro and small enterprises, and makers of plastic packaging, register on a CPCB portal, and recycled-plastic targets apply by category from 2025-26. Recycled plastic packs need a marking under rule 11(2). Check the current text.
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Before work starts, we agree in writing who your main contact is, how often you meet, and who signs off each piece of work. The person who plans your campaign talks to the person who designs it every day. The seniors you meet at the first call are the people who run your work.
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We work across India, with deep roots in East and North-East India. We visit you in your city every month, and we review progress with you online every week, so quality and delivery stay on track. When a job needs it, we place our team at your site.