Crown Beverage Packaging North America, a business unit of Crown Holdings, Inc., has opened a new graphics studio. Located in Ambler, Pennsylvania, the 14,000-sq.-ft. facility features cutting-edge technologies that shorten product development timelines and allow for design mockups in real time. It also enables customers to have hands-on involvement alongside on-site experts to produce finished packages.

The studio provides a comprehensive suite of services, ranging from consultation and color and ink recommendations to separation and a preview of the finished product. In-house staff with expertise in can design, color, pre-press and layout are available to guide the entire process. The team helps marry creative imagery with the unique billboard presentation that beverage cans offer, while helping minimize potential production issues. The studio also features a Can Academy that educates customers on the can-making process and where graphic design falls into that production cycle. With a wide array of design samples and applications on-site, customers can get an up-close look at Crown’s innovations and take inspiration for their own packaging.

The graphics studio is also equipped with advanced technologies that can quickly turn design concepts into reality. A state-of-the-art pilot line can produce a sample package on-site, confirm that colors and separations are accurate and allow for designs to be reviewed and revised on-the-spot. On-site INX representatives are available to provide ink expertise and guidance. A high-quality digital proofing line can create quick mockups without the full process of conventional piloting, previewing designs on demand and ultimately speeding the transition to commercial production. The studio also handles production of printing plates for all U.S. and Canadian plants, including standard computer-to-plate (CTP) plates and high-quality printing (HQP)/direct laser engraving (DLE) plates.