Boost ROI with Packaging Automation: Short & Medium Runs in Australia & NZ
The packaging landscape in Australia and New Zealand is shifting rapidly. Brands, manufacturers, and packaging providers are under pressure to deliver short and medium run packaging faster, more cost-effectively, and with higher customisation. Rising material prices, labour shortages, and growing demand for flexible packaging solutions have made efficiency a top priority.
This is where packaging automation steps in. By combining UV and water-based printers, digital cutting tables with automated loading and unloading, and smart production workflows, businesses can dramatically reduce labour costs, streamline processes, and increase return on investment (ROI). For packaging converters, printers, and manufacturers, automation is a necessity.
Understanding Short and Medium Run Packaging
Short and medium run packaging refers to producing smaller to mid-size batches of packaging, rather than the massive print runs of the past.
Short Run Packaging: Ideal for seasonal promotions, product launches, or custom designs.
Medium Run Packaging: Larger volumes, but still requiring flexibility and fast turnaround.
These runs are critical for industries such as:
E-commerce – custom, branded packaging for frequent small orders.
Food & Beverage – seasonal product lines, limited editions, and compliance labels.
Retail Brands – flexible packaging for fast-moving SKUs.
Pharmaceutical Firms – short runs for specific medications or dosage variations.
How Packaging Automation Reduces Costs
Cutting Labour Costs
Labour is one of the biggest expenses in packaging production. Automated systems - like digital cutting tables with integrated loading and unloading features - reduce manual handling and repetitive tasks. This minimises errors, speeds up production, and allows operators to focus on higher-value work. By replacing time-consuming manual steps, businesses can reduce labour costs significantly while increasing throughput.
UV and Water-Based Printers for Short Runs
Modern UV and water-based printers are designed to deliver high-quality, cost-efficient printing for short and medium run jobs.
UV Printers: Perfect for direct printing on corrugated boards and other materials, producing sharp, durable prints at speed.
Water-Based Printers: Eco-friendly, food-safe, and ideal for businesses with sustainability goals.
These printers help reduce setup times, lower waste, and improve the economics of smaller packaging runs.
Digital Cutting Tables & Custom Box Printers
Investing in digital cutting tables and custom box printers allows packaging manufacturers to adapt instantly to market needs.
On-demand production of corrugated packaging with precision.
Reduced downtime and faster turnaround.
Fewer material errors and improved accuracy.
These tools enable businesses to provide personalised packaging at scale, without compromising on cost or quality.
ROI and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Return on Investment Metrics
Automation delivers measurable ROI by:
Lowering labour costs.
Reducing waste and setup time.
Increasing output with fewer resources.
For many ANZ packaging businesses, ROI can be achieved within months rather than years, thanks to efficiency gains and reduced operating expenses.
Total Cost of Ownership Reduction
Beyond ROI, companies benefit from lower total cost of ownership (TCO). Automated equipment requires less frequent maintenance, has a longer lifespan, and integrates seamlessly with digital workflows. The result is sustained savings over time, not just short-term efficiency boosts.
Productivity Gains in Real Use Cases
For example, a food and beverage brand in Melbourne adopted digital corrugated printers and automated cutting systems. By reducing manual labour, cutting waste, and streamlining setup times, they lowered packaging costs by 25% within the first year. This investment improved production speed while freeing staff to focus on product innovation and marketing.
Pharmaceutical Firms
Safe, precise, short runs that meet strict regulations.
Reduced waste from overproduction.
Retail Brands
Quick SKU changes for new product launches.
Customised packaging to enhance customer experience.
Logistics Companies
Optimised packaging that reduces shipping costs.
Faster turnaround for high-volume fulfillment centers.
Who Benefits Most from Automation?
Packaging Manufacturers
Higher output with fewer resources.
Greater flexibility in handling different order sizes.
E-Commerce Businesses
Agile packaging that adapts to customer demand.
Ability to quickly launch promotions or personalised campaigns.
Food & Beverage Brands
Seasonal packaging without excessive costs.
Compliance-friendly, short-run solutions for new product testing.
For packaging converters, printers, and manufacturers, the future is clear: those who embrace automation will be positioned to deliver faster, cheaper, and more flexible packaging solutions. By embracing packaging automation, companies across Australia and New Zealand can lower production costs, improve operational efficiency, gain a measurable ROI quickly, reduce long-term total cost of ownership.
For converters, printers, and manufacturers, automation is no longer optional. It’s the key to delivering faster, cheaper, and more flexible packaging to meet the demands of today’s industries.
The future belongs to those who innovate - and automation is the first step forward.
