Melbourne-based packaging company Onpack has partnered with emerging hydration brand Rippl to deliver a next-gen packaging solution that blends high-speed digital printing with fully recyclable aluminium cans, bringing sustainability and style together at scale.
Using advanced direct-to-can digital printing, Onpack empowers Rippl with flexible, eye-catching packaging that supports high-mix, short-run production without compromising on quality or turnaround time. Founded in 2023, Rippl offers high-alkaline, mineral-rich still and sparkling water in sleek, slimline cans tailored for full custom branding. Targeting events, corporate settings, and retail activations, Rippl is redefining hydration where every can serves not just as a product, but as a powerful marketing canvas.
“From day one, we set out to disrupt the water industry by offering the most cost-effective way to put your brand directly into your customers’ hands, while also being healthy and sustainable. That vision demanded more than just great mineral water – it required packaging that could carry a brand,” said Rippl CEO Bade Hilton.
Joining hands with Onpack
To bring its bold vision to life, Rippl joined forces with Onpack, tapping into the power of its state-of-the-art Hinterkopf D240 digital direct-to-can printer, the only one of its kind in Australia. Equipped with dual varnish units, the printer offers gloss, matte, and textured finishes, enabling stunning, seamless 360° graphics without the need for shrink sleeves or labels. The results speak for themselves.
Since the partnership kicked off, Rippl has produced 716 unique can designs and delivered over 300,000 cans to customers across the country. Each production cycle handles up to 70 different SKUs, printed in just 48 hours, then swiftly filled and shipped, showcasing a packaging model built on speed, flexibility, and flawless execution.
Onpack’s cutting-edge production is driven by Hybrid Cloudflow and CERM MIS sophisticated systems originally designed for the demanding pharmaceutical industry. These tools bring powerful version control, digital asset management, and real-time scheduling to the table, perfectly suited for managing high-mix, low-volume production with precision and efficiency.
“Because our process is entirely digital, we can transform a blank can into a fully branded product within 24 to 48 hours,” said Michael Nankervis, managing director at Onpack. “There are no plates, no setup costs, no waste – and that makes it viable even for one-off campaigns or limited editions.”
This seamless automation and integration has done more than just streamline operations, it’s fuelled Onpack’s expansion into a dedicated direct-to-object printing division, playing a key role in the company’s impressive 200 per cent revenue growth over the past two years. With plans underway to boost production capacity, slash lead times to just seven days, and introduce new packaging formats for the beverage and FMCG sectors, Onpack is poised to lead the next wave of digitally printed, sustainability-focused packaging in Australia. As demand grows for agile, eco-friendly solutions, Onpack is setting the pace for what the future of packaging looks like.
Image Source: Onpack's Dandenong South facility.
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