From design to finished product, tailored to your needs.
Trusted by leading brands
Made in Hungary
Structural Design
30+ years of experience
From design to production
"We believe that we create value every day through packaging."
János Szakál
Our story began with gift boxes made from colorful wrapping paper. Several thousand of the very first products—taken to the Debrecen Christmas Market—found new owners; at this stage, we were not yet an established business, but we already had serious plans.
We established Sz.Variáns Bt. In the name, "Sz" refers to the surname Szakál, while "Variáns" (Variant) alludes to packaging variations. Our first premises consisted of a rented 70 m² industrial kitchen equipped with a few second-hand machines—and for phone calls or faxes, we even had to go over to the neighbors.
We were among the first in Hungary to begin using open-flute corrugated paper. We used it to create paper bags with cord handles, as well as boxes for wine and other products—opening up a new direction in our production.
We have received our first professional recognition for our candle packaging in the 'Kreatívpapír' (Creative Paper) competition, within the category of packaging designs and materials.
We manufactured packaging materials for IKEA made from colorful, open-flute corrugated cardboard, which were shipped to many parts of the world. As we grew, our team expanded as well—by then, there were 18 of us working at the company.
We added exclusive paper bags to our product range, and they have remained a key part of our packaging offering ever since.
We have reached another important milestone: we have moved into our own 1,200 m² premises and opened a commercial office in Budapest.
We have expanded our technological capabilities with a plotter-based cutting machine. More precise and rapid prototyping has significantly broadened our design possibilities.
We have become a key supplier of packaging materials for the Herendi and Zsolnay porcelain manufactories.
We have installed our first five-color Heidelberg offset printing press. This has taken our in-house production and printing capacity to a new level.
We have outgrown the premises we purchased four years ago, so we have relocated our printing division to a new site.
We are participating as exhibitors at the promotional products trade show in Düsseldorf.
We participated as exhibitors at the Pack & Gift luxury packaging trade show in Paris. Since then, international industry events have continued to play an important role in helping us discover new technologies and solutions.
We have auttomatised the gluing of paper bags, further increasing our production capacity and efficiency.
We purchased the property that would become our current headquarters: a 2,500 m² building complex on an 8,000 m² site. This laid the foundation for further expansion and development in the years to come.
We began modernizing our new premises and constructing an additional 1,000 m² production hall. We also expanded our machinery with a foil stamping machine and an automated die-making system.
We relocated to our new premises, incorporating modern energy-efficient solutions into the facility's design. We also installed a 50 kW solar power system.
We installed a new machine for manufacturing rigid boxes, along with a dedicated board-making production line. That same year, we also participated as an exhibitor at the ISM ProSweets trade fair in Cologne for the first time.
As rigid box production continued to grow, we expanded our machinery with a KAMA automatic die-cutting machine and a Japanese automatic stripping machine.
We installed a new five-colour Heidelberg printing press and an automatic gluing table. We also expanded our production facility with a new manufacturing hall of nearly 500 m².
We attended industry trade fairs and events across Europe, from Düsseldorf to Paris.
Development continued even during the pandemic. We installed a digital laser cutting and die-cutting machine, as well as a digital printing machine capable of four-colour printing on paper bags and corrugated cardboard. We also upgraded our sheet laminating technology.
Despite the pandemic, material shortages and significant price increases, we managed to maintain production and meet growing demand. This period taught us valuable lessons about adapting quickly to changing circumstances.
We installed our MGI 3D UV spot varnishing and digital foil stamping machine, further expanding our premium finishing capabilities. To improve production efficiency, we also reorganized the entire factory layout while continuing to strengthen our commitment to Lean manufacturing principles.
Thirty years have passed since Sz.Variáns was founded in 1994. From a 70 m² rented industrial kitchen to a modern production facility in Debrecen, we have come a long way – with packaging design and custom packaging manufacturing remaining at the heart of everything we do.
We installed a new five-colour Heidelberg printing press capable of full UV ink and varnish printing. This investment significantly expanded our printing capabilities.
We will continue creating extraordinary packaging solutions in the decade ahead.
Street food packaging
For street food packaging, practicality, the right size, safe construction, and visual appearance are all equally important. A well-designed takeaway box needs to withstand transport, be easy to handle, and present the brand clearly and professionally.
At Sz.Variáns, we design and manufacture custom paper boxes and paper-based takeaway packaging for street food, fast food, and other food service applications.
Rigid boxes
Rigid boxes are sturdy, durable packaging solutions that provide a premium appearance and reliable protection for products. Their structure, size, printing, and finishing can all be fully customized.
At Sz.Variáns, we manufacture custom rigid boxes for cosmetics, gifts, jewelry, confectionery, and other premium products. They can be produced with various closure types, internal inserts, and finishing options, tailored to the specific product and brand identity.
Beverages packaging
Beverage packaging does more than simply surround a bottle or drink product. A well-designed box helps protect the product during handling and transportation while providing valuable space for branding, graphics, and product information.
Paper bags
A paper bag does more than simply carry a product. A well-designed bag needs the right size, sufficient strength and a comfortable handle, while also providing a visible surface for branding, logos and graphics.
Bakery and confectionery packaging
Cake, pastry and praline boxes with matching trays.
Industrial packaging
Mailer, collective and transport boxes with inserts.
Carton boxes
Folding carton packaging from confectionery to fashion.
Tell us what you need and our colleagues will get back to you shortly.
