Mondi has developed a recyclable brown kraftliner packaging solution with white digital printing for Riedel Glas, supporting the launch of the All American Bourbon glass series. The project shows how digital printing is opening new possibilities for premium branding on fibre-based packaging, especially when brands want a natural material appearance without losing graphic precision.

The packaging uses brown kraftliner, a substrate often associated with sustainability, strength and a more natural shelf presence. Traditionally, printing detailed graphics on uncoated brown materials can be challenging, particularly when the design includes fine lines, small text, high contrast elements and QR codes. Mondi addressed this by using high-performance digital printing with white ink at its Ebersdorf site in Germany.

The result is a packaging format that combines premium presentation with recyclability. For Riedel Glas, a manufacturer known for high-quality glassware, the packaging needed to match the expectations of a premium product while remaining aligned with current market demand for more responsible materials. Brown kraftliner supports the sustainability message, while white digital printing creates a strong visual contrast and refined finish.

Digital printing is allowing fibre-based packaging to deliver both sustainability cues and premium graphic performance without relying on conventional print plates.

Digital printing differs from traditional printing methods because it does not require plates or clichés. Instead, the artwork is transferred directly from digital data to the substrate using fine droplets of ink. This makes the process more flexible, especially for shorter runs, product variations, regional editions and packaging that requires frequent design changes.

For the Riedel Glas project, this flexibility is particularly relevant because the design includes integrated QR codes and detailed graphic elements. High opacity white printing is essential on brown kraftliner because the substrate colour can reduce contrast if the ink does not cover properly. Mondi’s investment in white digital printing enables sharper edges, clearer text and more reliable reproduction on uncoated brown paper.

• Brown kraftliner provides a recyclable fibre-based packaging structure.
• White digital printing creates strong contrast on dark natural substrates.
• QR codes can support traceability, product information and consumer engagement.
• Data-to-print technology enables design variation without additional plate costs.

Beyond visual quality, the technology offers operational advantages. Different print images can be produced within the same order, making it easier to create targeted designs or regional packaging variants. This is valuable for brands that want greater flexibility without the cost and time associated with conventional set-up changes.

Serialised barcodes or QR codes can also be added to individual packs, allowing each package to be uniquely identified through the supply chain. This supports traceability, automated processes and customer interaction. As packaging becomes more connected, printed codes are increasingly important for linking physical packs to digital product information, authenticity tools or recycling instructions.

The project also reflects a broader trend in premium packaging. Brands are looking for materials that communicate sustainability, but they do not want to sacrifice shelf impact, print quality or brand identity. Natural brown substrates can create a strong environmental cue, yet they require advanced printing technology to achieve the clarity and refinement expected in premium consumer goods.

Mondi’s collaboration with Riedel Glas demonstrates how innovation in printing can expand the design potential of paper-based packaging. Instead of treating recyclable kraft packaging as a simple or rustic format, the project shows that it can support complex branding, detailed typography and digital functionality.

For packaging converters, the development highlights the value of investing in print technologies that improve flexibility and reduce set-up complexity. For brands, it offers a way to combine premium storytelling, recyclable materials and digital connectivity in one packaging solution.

As sustainability, traceability and personalisation continue to influence packaging design, digital printing on fibre-based substrates is likely to become more important. Mondi’s brown kraftliner packaging for Riedel Glas shows how advanced white digital printing can turn a natural paper surface into a high-quality branded platform for premium products.