CASE STUDY

Blue Bell Creamery
New Ink System

A Winning
Packaging Result

With Blue Bell in need of a singular
supplier and a new ink system,
ABX took on the challenge and resolved
it with flying colors.

For many companies, multiple suppliers for any resource, including packaging, often can be both inefficient and cost prohibitive. Blue Bell decided to stick with one supplier, that being ABX. Therefore, ABX needed to develop a new ink system to match all products of the Blue Bell line. ABX found a working solution fast to ensure a seamless, successful switch to a single film supplier.

About Blue Bell Creameries

Blue Bell Creameries, an ice cream manufacturer based in Brenham, Texas, produces a variety of frozen products including ice cream, sherbet and frozen snacks. As a supplier to Blue Bell, ABX was asked to develop a package utilizing flexographic surface printed inks on white opaque OPP film for frozen novelties. ABX’s trademark combination of expertise, innovative thinking, and collaboration created a winning solution, fast.

The Challenge

ABX was a supplier of much of Blue Bell’s frozen ice cream novelties packaged in films, but not all of the products. Blue Bell desired a single supplier for their frozen novelty lines that utilized film packaging—ABX. But first, ABX needed to match the former supplier’s capabilities without sacrificing quality, or without interrupting fast-paced production lines for one of the country’s top ice cream manufacturers.

The previous supplier printed these ice cream novelties via rotogravure. ABX needed to match the print quality with its flexographic method, especially in process areas. Additionally, the ABX team needed to develop an ink system with crisp printing while eliminating ink pick off on the Blue Bell packaging lines. Shelf appeal, performance, and machinability were all primary concerns.

“Blue Bell Creameries was looking for a film converter to deliver roto-gravure quality at flexographic pricing. ABX delivered. Their team worked really well with our marketing and production teams to get the best package for Blue Bell.”

Jakeb Brooks
PURCHASING AGENT, Blue Bell

The Solution

The Outcome

ABX mobilized its experienced technical team, including Product Development and Graphics. This solution required ABX to collaborate closely with the Blue Bell marketing and production team. The close partnership allowed both sides to create design solutions that were flexo-print friendly. To solve the ink issue and meet the challenging needs of the Blue Bell packaging lines, ABX also developed a unique ink system that provided excellent adherence to the printing substrate. This system also offered good machinability on the Blue Bell packaging lines.

Best of all, ABX developed this successful solution quickly, allowing Blue Bell to make the switch without any lag time.

Our Approach

Because of a collaborative, efficient approach, the ABX team created a solution that kept Blue Bell’s lines running without interruptions. Even with a switch from roto to flexo printing, customers received a product packaged in high quality, high-performing materials that also maintained a distinct shelf appeal.

The success of this project was based on some key tenets of ABX’s solutions and approach: work closely with customers to understand their needs, and treat them as true partners to work collaboratively and collectively on solutions.

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