How We Delivered a Premium Print Solution That Elevated Raptor Performance Shocks' Packaging

Since 2022, Great Northern has partnered with Raptor Performance Shocks — a leader in high-performance suspension systems for snowmobile and marine applications — to produce retail and e-commerce packaging that reflects the precision and quality of their brand. When Raptor updated their artwork to include more complex tonal gray elements alongside their signature black, our team recognized an opportunity to elevate the print quality and enhance the overall retail presentation.

The Challenge
Raptor’s refreshed artwork introduced subtle gray transitions that are difficult to reproduce cleanly using traditional gradient techniques on corrugated materials. Our prepress experts identified that relying on a black gradient risked creating a pixelated appearance — a result that fell short of the high standards shared by both Raptor and Great Northern.

Rather than accept a compromise, we recommended a refined approach that would deliver smooth tonal definition and maintain the integrity of Raptor’s brand. To ensure Raptor could move forward without hesitation, Great Northern absorbed the cost of the additional plate needed for improved gray accuracy — reinforcing our commitment to quality and partnership.

The Solution

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High-Quality Print

Stochastic dots offer a softer look that helps keep definition in small areas.

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Consultative Team

Our team works with you throughout the entire process to ensure you receive your ideal package.

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Cost-Effective

We converted the artwork from potentially being three colors down to one.

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The Bottom Line

Fast forward to this current project, there were three separate colors noted, black and two different shades of gray. We were able to use past experiences to call out our concerns to our prepress team as they reviewed the new art. Fortunately, while this project was going on, we were working with our print vendor on a new dot pattern called stochastic dots.

Our pre-press team identified this project as a good fit for stochastic dots and put together some examples of what this pattern would look like when printed. This gave Raptor Performance Shocks a better understanding of our process and made them feel more comfortable with our approach to their artwork. After receiving the order, Raptor Performance Shocks was very happy and impressed with how these boxes turned out.

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Get Started Today!

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    High-Quality Print for a Corrugated Retail Package

    What Makes Great Northern Different?

    Consultative

    We provide valuable packaging expertise for our customers to optimize the supply chain and stand out in the retail environment.

    Creative

    Work with our award-winning design team to create impressive packaging that protects your products and makes your brand stand out.

    Cost-Effective

    Our solution-focused engineering teams develop functional packaging that helps our customers achieve their ROI targets.

    Reliable

    We keep our projects on track for success by staying within budget and meeting deadlines so you know when your packaging will be ready.

    Responsive

    We're always available to discuss timelines, project specifications and more - reach out today to talk to our team about your packaging needs.

    Quality

    All of our work is completed in-house, allowing us to ensure the highest quality for everything we manufacture.

    Great Expectations

    Great Expectations is more than a tagline, it is an attitude. At Great Northern, customer challenges are met by an undying spirit to doing what others can’t or won’t. It’s in our DNA. And it is what our customers have come to expect with Great Northern.

    How can we exceed your expectations?