Customers want packaging that feels personal and memorable, while brands are more focused on controlling costs and delivery times. You might think those goals are mutually exclusive, but we’re excited to let customers know that Boxes To Go has invested in the IECHO SKII digital cutting table. This innovative packaging technology lets us produce complex, short‑run and on‑demand packaging without long lead times or expensive tooling. We’re thrilled to be sharing this solution with you!
Not only is it faster for our customers, meaning you get your packages quicker, but it also reduces cost and creates more flexibility for smaller or custom runs. The IECHO SKII allows us to move away from traditional technologies like die tooling (a slow and expensive technique used to cut and stamp packaging) and embrace digital cutting and automation instead, meaning brands can order one‑off personalised runs, low minimums and consistent quality – all at competitive unit rates.
Below we walk through what the IECHO SKII is, how it helps customers, the industries that benefit, how it compares to competitors and practical next steps for brands.
Introducing Boxes To Go’s new IECHO SKII for improved packaging automation
Packaging automation involves using smart machines to speed up how custom boxes are made, so brands can get exactly what they need, faster.
Boxes To Go’s IECHO SKII brings that promise to life. The IECHO SKII is a high‑precision, multi‑industry digital cutting table that cuts, creases and converts a wide range of materials with speed and accuracy. It delivers real benefits for your business: faster turnaround times, lower setup costs, consistent quality and the flexibility to run short or personalised jobs without the delay or expense of traditional methods.
What this means for your business
With the IECHO SKII, Boxes To Go can offer faster turnaround times and improved quality to customers. Some of the key benefits include:
Improved quality and highly accurate cutting
IECHO’s precision and tooling flexibility translate directly into customer benefits. The machine is highly accurate, with cutting speeds up to 2,500mm/s, which improves edge quality and registration for printed stocks. This means cleaner edges and sharper creases for a premium finish, and strong performance on thicker boards, so quality stays consistent across all runs.
Less downtime between jobs and more complex designs
Three quick-change tooling modules mean we spend less time swapping tools and more time making your orders. A wide range of tools (multi‑angle cutting, creasing options for different board thicknesses, plotting pen, and high‑speed knives) lets us produce more complex box shapes and protective inserts in-house, so you get faster delivery, lower costs and fewer suppliers to manage.
Less manual handling and consistent quality across jobs
We bought the IECHO SKII with future automation in mind. Its auto‑feeding capability and automatic tool set-up means we can plug it into automated workflows easily. This reduces manual handling and keeps quality consistent across longer runs.
Consistent quality and reduced waste
IECHO’s motion control and nesting algorithms also means we use less raw materials per job, which lowers waste and reduces your unit costs.
These advantages let Boxes To Go offer shorter lead times, more intricate designs and lower per-unit costs for moderate production runs compared with providers who rely on conventional packaging methods.
This combination of speed, accuracy and smarter material use is central to our move to digital , helping us deliver better, more efficient, lower‑waste packaging for your brand
How packaging automation can reduce rejects and waste
We’re big believers in reducing waste where we can. Improved precision and registration means fewer rejects and returns. Better, consistent creasing and cutting give us boxes that fold and fit correctly, reduce transit damage, and deliver a more reliable unboxing experience for customers. That’s why sustainability is central to what we do: it’s better for your brand and for the planet.
More flexible structures for on-demand packaging
Broader material compatibility and a wider set of tools gives you more creative and protective options, without big setup fees. That means you can experiment with new box structures, use thicker boards, or add custom inserts. Your packaging can protect products better and create a more memorable unboxing experience, without the usual cost or delay.
If you want to see how this works in practice, we’re short‑run specialists who deliver fast, flexible, and cost-effective packaging solutions – perfect for launches, promos, or one-offs.
Ideal for on-demand customisation in all industries
The IECHO SKII supports any brand needing flexible, accurate and fast packaging production. Ecommerce brands benefit from branded mailers, inserts and personalised packaging on demand. Product development teams get rapid prototyping cycles that accelerate time to market. Retail and DTC brands launching seasonal or limited collections can produce small batches affordably, while B2B clients requiring complex protective inserts or presentation packaging gain faster turnaround and tighter tolerances.
Because the machine handles everything from corrugated board to foam and vinyl, brands across wellness, cosmetics, electronics, food and industrial products can all find new design and production options.
The pricing impact and operational efficiency of packaging automation
Traditional die tooling methods require upfront fees: a one off charge to make the custom metal cutter that stamps and creases a box design.
But with Boxes To Go’s new digital cutter, we can remove that cost to the customer, so short runs and prototypes are faster and cheaper. This is ideal for product testing, limited editions or seasonal lines, where committing to large die costs is prohibitive.
With no die tooling fees and smarter nesting, unit cost falls for many jobs, especially those that used to be uneconomical as short runs and automated workflows keep production efficient for quicker delivery.
To explore options and see potential cost comparisons, check our custom shipping boxes and production page.
Getting started with on-demand short runs: practical steps for brands
If you’re interested in experimenting with prototypes or short runs for your business, here are a few steps you can start with:
- Start by auditing your SKU mix to identify candidates for digital short runs. Think seasonal promotions, limited releases, pilot SKUs, market tests, personalised campaigns or wholesale samples.
- Create simple prototypes and run a short pilot through Boxes To Go to validate materials and designs.
- Measure customer response, unpacking feedback and damage rates, refine the design.
- Scale up once you’ve validated cost, performance and demand.
Boxes To Go can support design, prototyping and production from start to scale!