Digitally printed beverage cans are giving brands greater flexibility to launch and scale products as CanSource expands its packaging capabilities. The TricorBraun company has introduced a 19.2-ounce digitally printed can while adding printing capacity at its Charlotte, North Carolina facility. CanSource now offers digital printing across five can formats, with low minimum order quantities, shorter lead times, and detailed graphics that can combine matte and gloss finishes. Brands can use smaller digital runs to test new products or seasonal releases before transitioning to higher-volume offset printing as demand increases.
From a business perspective, this model can lower barriers for beverage companies experimenting with new flavors, designs, and product concepts. Offering multiple printing methods through one supplier can also simplify sourcing as brands scale. CanSource's expanded capacity positions it to capture growing demand for flexible packaging while helping beverage companies respond faster to changing consumer preferences.
Image Credit: TricorBraun company/ CanSource
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Low-minimum Packaging
- Smaller production runs lower financial risk for emerging beverage brands while enabling more frequent market tests, limited editions, and seasonal product launches.
- Digital Can Customization
- High-resolution graphics with mixed matte and gloss finishes create room for packaging to become a faster-moving brand storytelling and differentiation channel.
- Hybrid Print Scaling
- Combining digital and offset printing through one supplier supports smoother transitions from early-stage product validation to mass-market distribution.
Sectors Adopting This
- Beverage Packaging
- Flexible can formats and faster turnaround times reshape how packaging suppliers serve brands seeking speed, variety, and lower launch complexity.
- Craft Beverages
- Independent breweries, canned cocktail makers, and specialty drink startups gain access to premium-looking packaging without requiring large upfront inventory commitments.
- Consumer Goods Manufacturing
- Agile production and sourcing models reflect a broader shift toward responsive manufacturing systems that adapt more quickly to changing consumer demand.
