Anna Qin Reveals How Automation Powers Short-run Success
This image was created using Adobe Firefly's generative AI on a provided headshot of Anna Qin. | Credit: PRINTING United Alliance
Welcome to PRINTING United Expo Intel, the editorial series from Packaging Impressions that gives label and package converters a smart, witty look at the exhibitors shaping the future of custom-printed packaging. This week — Oct. 22–24 — we're live at the PRINTING United Expo at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. With more than 800 exhibitors spread across 1 million sq. ft. of exhibition space, this year’s show is the largest and most immersive in its history.
In this article, we feature Anna Qin, sales director of Aopack Ltd., who shares her insights on packaging trends, booth personality, and the tech-driven solutions powering short-run success.
Q: Which trend in labels or packaging do you secretly love or love to hate?
A: We absolutely love the growing demand for short-run, customized packaging. This trend aligns perfectly with our mission to provide efficient solutions for scattered orders and low-to-medium volume production. Our automatic box making machines excel at handling diverse, small-batch orders with minimal setup time, enabling brands to offer personalized packaging without compromising efficiency.
On the other hand, we sometimes love to hate the overemphasis on excessive packaging. While creativity and aesthetics are important, sustainability matters too. We advocate for smart design that reduces waste without sacrificing functionality or appeal. Our machines help producers achieve precisely that balance.
Q: Describe your booth using just three emojis.
Q: What’s the most unexpected label or package you’ve seen produced using your technology or materials?
A: One of the most surprising and impressive applications we've seen was the production of a massive, monolithic hinged lid folding box.
The sheer scale of this box was what made it so unexpected. When fully flat, the total length exceeded 4 meters with a width of more than 3 meters—pushing the boundaries of what many think is possible with an automated box-making machine.
Beyond its size, the engineering was brilliant. It was designed as a self-assembling box, requiring absolutely no gluing or tape for setup, making it incredibly user-friendly. Constructed from AAA heavy-duty, triple-wall cardboard, it was exceptionally robust and designed for multiple uses, representing a highly sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solution.
This project was a perfect demonstration of our machine's capability to handle extreme sizes and complex creasing patterns with precision, all in a single, automated process. It proved that automation can deliver not just efficiency, but also incredible strength and sophisticated design.
Q: If your booth had a theme song, what would it be and why?
A: “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” by Daft Punk.
It captures the essence of what Aopack machines do:
- Harder: Tackling challenging orders and materials
- Better: Consistently improving quality and reducing errors
- Faster: High-efficiency production with quick setup
- Stronger: Durable, reliable, and built to last
Plus, the electronic vibe matches our tech-driven approach!
Why should label and package converters stop by your booth at PRINTING United Expo?
Stop by Booth #3684 to discover how Aopack unlocks profitability in short-run, customized packaging. Our compact, automated machines turn scattered orders and low-to-medium volume production—often seen as inefficient—into your most lucrative opportunity. See live demos of our technology that handles over 150 box styles in one pass, and learn how to capture this high-margin market with unprecedented speed and ease. Transform your business model with us.
