How to Reuse Your Cardboard Boxes for DIY Crafts

reuse cardboard boxes
Cassandra Rosas

Whether it is because you’re moving to a new home or because you’re just doing a lot more online shopping lately, collections of cardboard boxes are probably a part of your life or have been at one time or another. Boxes may seem useless, but cardboard can be reused in many ways before you end up recycling them.

In America, the average person uses approximately seven trees every year in paper products. Recycling cardboard only uses around 75 percent of the energy needed to make new cardboard, and every ton of recycled cardboard saves 9 cubic yards of landfill space.

Like paper, cardboard is made from wood fiber. There are two different types of cardboard: corrugated and chipboard, or paperboard. Corrugated cardboard is made in layers, with the middle core layer folded into a zig-zag structure. Paperboard is a grayish, single layer of cardboard that is more firm than paper but can be torn easily — think cereal boxes. Recycled cardboard becomes paperboard.

Tips for Recycling Your Cardboard Boxes

Cardboard is easily recyclable, and as long as you are recycling it correctly, you’ll save a lot of resources. Most municipalities have some kind of facility that will take your cardboard boxes as long as you break them down and flatten them for collection or drop off. Most towns will pick up your cardboard at your curb in large quantities, or you may have to go to a recycling center, in which case you should call ahead and find out what the rules are in your area.

Some waste collection services won’t take cardboard or paperboard if it’s wet. Wet cardboard fibers are less valuable for recycling centers. Water also makes the cardboard heavier, which ruins the value, since it’s sold by weight.

Sometimes, you can’t recycle your cardboard; if it’s contaminated with pizza grease or wax of some kind, you´ll have to toss the contaminated cardboard in the trash. Still, you may be able to compost it or use it to line your garden beds with it for weed control.

But for those who love to repurpose things, there are many ways to get some great use out of cardboard boxes before it’s time to send them to the recycling plant.

Ways To Use Cardboard Boxes Around the House

DIY household storage. Using cardboard boxes for storage seems like an obvious choice, but you can make it fancy. Wrap your cardboard boxes in decorative papers, wrappings, or simple labels to create low-cost home storage decor that is functional as well as beautiful. Simply take your box, some adhesive, and enough paper, fabric, or other materials, and wrap your box in an entirely new look. Mix and match the colors and patterns to give your shelves cupboards and other storage areas an attractive, coordinated look.

Shoe rack. Shoes already come in a storage box, so do you really need to buy another shoe shelf when you can build shoe storage out of the boxes they came in? You can assemble your cardboard box shoe rack in various ways — stack your boxes together using a glue gun to make them sturdy and secure. For a more intricate design, try this unique folded cardboard shoe rack.

Drawer dividers. Keep things tidy in your drawers with sturdy cardboard dividers. Imagine opening up your sock drawer, and every pair of socks is neatly visible. Drawer dividers are not only helpful for clothing, but also for the utility drawer, utensil drawers, and bathroom drawers.

Cardboard Boxes as Home Decor

Photo frames. Turn your cardboard boxes into photo frames, which you can decorate more efficiently than wood or other materials. Once you have decided the size of photos you’re going to frame, cut a piece of cardboard for the back, then cut another layer the same size to place over the top of it. Leave one end of the frame open to slide the photo into place, but use glue or staples to connect the frame layer to the backing. Try this tutorial for more ideas.

Lamps. Fold cardboard into different geometric shapes to make cool lamps and paper lanterns for beautiful accent light in your home. The sky’s the limit for ways to fold and cut cardboard into geometric shapes.

Mirrors. Make a sweet mirror frame out of boxes or cardboard using various shapes and adding some bling, like this amazing mirror made from toilet paper rolls and sequins.

Repurpose Cardboard for Your Pets

Cat hammock. Since cats love boxes, period, you may not even have to turn your cardboard box into anything special in order for your cat to think it’s a luxurious, private getaway just for them. But constructing a cat hammock is probably as much fun for you as the hammock is for your cat. Try some of these clever ideas for your cat’s hammock.

Cat scratching structure. Cat scratching apparatuses are known for being expensive and taking up a lot of room. Not anymore. Make your own cat scratching post or pad out of leftover cardboard, and feel no shame about throwing it into the recycling bin or compost pile once your cat is finished with it.

Dog house. A home for Fido is easy to build out of cardboard, and it makes a great little indoor hideout for your dog. Simply cut a door big enough for your dog to enter, toss in his favorite blanket and chew toy, and your old cardboard box is now a doghouse.

Dog bed. Cut a couple of large or small boxes down to a more shallow profile, and stack them inside each other for durability. Add some pillows and blankets for your dog to snuggle with.

Birds houses. If they’re made out of sturdy cardboard boxes and painted with a waterproof coating, you can create a range of beautiful birdhouses for your covered patio.

Ways to Reuse Cardboard Boxes in the Office

Filing and storage. Sturdy cardboard boxes are great for storing old files and other office essentials that you need to keep but want out of your sight. Clearly label the boxes, and put them in the storage closet.

Decorative storage. You can make some attractive office decor with nice little cardboard boxes, adding your own special touches. Use fabric, decorative paper, ribbons, or other items to adorn your boxes. Use oatmeal boxes for pen holders or glue cereal boxes open on one side together to store files.

Markers, pens, and pencils caddy. A handy desktop caddy is easy to make with a low profile box as the tray or base and adding tubes or boxes in which to stand up your markers, pens highlighters, rulers, and other supplies. Color coordinate the design with your office decor.

DIY Cardboard Playhouses & Crafts for Kids

Pretend kitchen. Every appliance in the kitchen is box-shaped, which makes cardboard boxes great for creating a play kitchen the kids will adore. With a few cuts, a hot glue gun, some paint, your child’s imagination, and your ingenuity, you can create a refrigerator, sink, stove, dishwasher, and microwave. Use cardboard to make accessories, like a toaster, pots, and pans, and even cardboard play food.

Dollhouse. Making cardboard dollhouses is a super fun and creative project for kids—and adults—of all ages. A cardboard house can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. Keep it simple with a single box for creating a miniature room—paint the interior, add cardboard furniture, and make little dolls out of clothespins or sticks—or go wild, and make an elaborate, multi-box, multi-story home with doors between rooms, stairs, and a rooftop garden.

Fort. Little kids love big boxes, especially when they’re big enough to make into a fort. As with cardboard dollhouses, a cardboard fort can be as simple or as epic as you want it to be. Toddlers will be happy with anything they can walk into and hang out inside. Bigger kids—and many adults—will find great joy in creating a large structure with rooms and tunnels. Just make sure you check the weather so you’ll be able to enjoy your fort before it rains.

Car, rocket ship, submarine. Whatever type of vehicle your kid is into, you—or they—can make it out of a cardboard box. Use scissors or a utility knife to cut doors and windows, and have your kids use markers to draw on the details, like the wheels, handles, and controls—or make them out of cardboard and glue them on.

Wild card boredom-buster. Give your kids a bunch of cardboard boxes on a rainy afternoon and see what kind of magic happens.

With a little creativity and imagination, you can turn your cardboard boxes into something fantastic, giving them a longer life, reducing waste, and lowering your carbon footprint. Getting clever and creating things like DIY storage bins, shoe racks, dog beds, and birdhouses can give you an enormous amount of satisfaction, and crafts like these help you relax and be creative. Kids and pets love cardboard boxes of all kinds, keeping them busy for long periods—and once they’re done with their creations and no longer interested, you can recycle the boxes. Repurposing your cardboard boxes is good for the planet, great for the kids’ imaginations, and benefits your health. Good thing you saved all those boxes!

Five Reasons Self-Adhesive Labels Make Sense

Labels
Self-adhesive labels are a useful item for businesses to have around. We often think of them in terms of product labeling, like what you see on wine bottles. But they can offer much more benefits and come in a variety of handy designs that make work and branding easier.

Affordability

Having a roll printed up is fairly easy and quite affordable. You can have a variety of designs created to suit various purposes. This way you can quickly affix it on your product or whatever outgoing package or letter and not have to worry about presentation as you will already know what the labels look like. You are assured of uniformity of presentation. And given that there are many printers that do this work, a little comparison shopping should help secure you a competitive rate.

Versatile Design

Packaging labels can be designed to suit whatever sizing, shape, or color the client wants. You can use them to tag products, as a sticker on packages with your return address and contact details, to display your logo and QR code to your website, and much more. However complicated or simple the design, there should be no problem in creating just the look you want.

Durability

Self-adhesive packaging labels tend to be quite durable. They are not easily damaged, even with rough handling. Exposure to very high or low temperatures also rarely affects them. They also tend to be water resistant and will often adhere well. This makes them highly reliable no matter the stresses they suffer.

Ease of Use

Applying these stickers onto packages, letters or products is very easy when they self-adhering. You simply need to peel the backing off and affix the sticker where you want it. this cuts the need to specially have to make a sticker each time you need on. You just take what you need from the roll and have it on within a second. Once in place the item is good to go.

Time Saver

Before such stickers were in use, one had to either hand write, or type out and print out the design. Often, this would also require having to keep a store of glues or other adhesives to help affix the sticker. This could often lead to a mess and even a damaged tag. As said there is uniformity in presentation when you use these stickers. The fixed design with all the details you require are readily available, making labeling a quick action to undertake. This helps make production or shipping much faster.

Corrugated Carton versus Cardboard for Shipping

For the layman, it can be difficult to know if there is any difference between corrugated carton versus cardboard. Whenever we receive a shipment in a box, we do not often pay attention to the design features, rather we focus on the contents within. However, there are some differences that make one option preferable to the other.

What Is a Corrugated Box?

Corrugated boxes are made up of paperboard with three layers. There is an inside liner, some fluted corrugated sheet, and then an outside liner. This design helps make the box capable of supporting heavy weights. Despite its relatively lightweight nature, the thickness and sizes of a corrugated fibreboard box can vary greatly to accommodate products of various sizes and weights. This includes the number of flutes and their profiles.

What Is a Cardboard Box?

Cardboard box construction usually features just a single sheet of heavy-duty paper or paperboard. Cardboard boxes are much lighter and have thinner walls than corrugated boxes. They are typically used to carry lightweight products like cereals and small plastic toys. Though they also come in varied strengths, the walls are weaker than what you get with corrugated boxes.

Why Corrugated Is Better Than Cardboard for Shipping

Corrugated boxes have thicker walls that offer better protection and shock absorption. This makes them more suitable for transport and handling over long distances than ordinary cardboard boxes.

Even with lightweight products that can just as easily be housed in cardboard, corrugated boxes are preferable because of the risk of mishandling and damage during transit. If the product is damaged because it was not suitably protected by the packaging, it will cost the business more to have to compensate the customer or send a replacement product.

Furthermore, often when goods are in transit, they will be stacked. Corrugated carton boxes have better tensile strength to support such pressure without causing damage to the contents within. They are the preference when arranging boxes on a pallet.

The air pockets created within the corrugated boxes walls by fluting and layering also create extra padding. This extra padding acts as a buffer, protecting the contents within. This increases the chances of the item arriving at its destination intact.

When it comes to water damage, corrugated boxes are typically given a wax or laminate treatment that makes them resistant to water and more likely to remain stable even when exposed to moisture.

A corrugated carton is a wiser choice for shipping. While a cardboard is much thinner and perfect for other products, a corrugated carton is the best choice for shipping.

Making Product Displays More Meaningful

Display
When people shop, they are heavily influenced to impulse buy thanks to appealing and fun displays. This can lead to stronger conversions and sales that are a boon to businesses’ profit-making. Here we will look at some great ideas on how to make these attractions more interesting and likely to capture the attention of shoppers milling around.

Touch and Feel

One of the reasons people still prefer to visit brick and mortar stores is because it gives them a chance to physically see and feel products before they buy. More so when it is a new product being introduced into the market. Pop-up displays should be able to give consumers a chance to see the product out of its packaging, getting a stronger idea of what they are investing in. Whether it is a perfume or smartphone, let the box contents be clearly visible and where possible allow potential buyers to sample or test out.

Plant Power

Where the display space is generous, consider surrounding it with plants or flowers. Not only do they help reduce noise pollution, but they also provide a cool and calm environment in which potential buyers can focus on what is on offer. A green display can work well in creating an inviting atmosphere and reduce the stress levels of shoppers.

Make It Informative

Do not just make your display colorful and dazzling with light and video features. Sure, these will draw attention, but you need to add value to the customer experience. Ensure your display offers helpful information on the product. Maybe include details on its great ingredients or how it should be used. educating viewers is a good way to help them quickly arrive at a purchase decision without having to look for an employee or merchandiser to explain it to them.

Keep It Seasonal

There are certain shopping cycles you should pay attention to. From holiday gift shopping to back-to-school. Tailor your displays to match the prevailing season. Shoppers will be more attracted to deals that better relate to their current needs.

Adopt Technology

There are great new technologies that can be incorporated into pop-up displays. Touchscreen technology has proven increasingly popular as a means to allow customers to get additional information on products, explore catalogs, and much more. This will also give your brand a youthful and upmarket feel.

Minimalism

Avoid over stuffing your display with too much merchandise. Also, take into consideration the floor or counter space you are being given to place your display. ensure the sizing does not make the display appear overwhelming. Too much and your products may come off looking cheap. Less is more and it will give your display a more exclusive quality.

Opt for a Green Packaging Company

When shopping around for a supplier of packaging for your products, you will likely encounter a very wide field of potential box manufacturers. But not all manufacturers are made equal. Going for a green packaging company is ideal for several key reasons.

Carbon Footprint

By sourcing your packaging from a company that uses sustainable resources or recycled materials, you are ensuring that you do not contribute to the depletion of the limited natural resources we already have. This means you leave a lower carbon footprint which is good for the environment and us all.

Biodegradability

It also means that whatever packaging you end up using for your products, will be decomposed or can be recycled. These are qualities that even consumers appreciate. No one likes to throw away packaging they know will probably end up in a landfill for generations. This is especially important to younger generations that have grown more conscious of how their buying decisions will affect the environment. Many are inclined to be loyal to businesses that share the same values.

Sustainable Reuse and Recycling

Cardboard boxes made by a packaging company can be easily reused and recycled multiple times. Many end-user customers appreciate receiving their products in these boxes. They will often save them for some later reuse if not damaged. If they do become damaged, they are then sent for recycling, sometimes getting some money for this action. The recycled boxes then go into making new ones. A process that is sustainable and reduces carbon footprint.

Cost Savings

Many green packaging companies in Canada can offer their products at a much lower cost than their competitors. This is because they use recycled materials that are also already partially processed and can be more easily and quickly turned into new packaging products. This is a great cost-benefit to their customers who get to spend less on this expense. Not to mention the lightweight nature of paper-based packaging materials. it means lower shipping costs without having to sacrifice tensile strength or protection.

Reduced Plastic Waste

In many cases, paper packaging can often make a good substitute for plastic packaging. Making this switch can be great for environmental conservation efforts. Plastics that find their way into landfills and oceans are made with petrochemicals that can be very harmful to human, animal, and plant life. Plastics also utilize a lot of energy during their manufacturing process, which is another cost to the environment.

How To Make Your Gift Boxes More Enticing

gift boxes
When people place gift orders, they are often given the option to have their item placed in a gift box. This special packaging is distinct from normal packaging as it is designed to impress the recipient even before they have a chance to discover what is on the insider. This is a great way to delight people and make the purchase more memorable.

Having your brand being remembered more fondly is a great way to establish customer loyalty and increase the likelihood of repeated patronage. Here we will consider ways in which you can make your gift boxes more appealing to both buyers and the gift recipients.

Tailored Designs

Order these small boxes in a variety of designs, some tailored towards the prevailing shopping season, like Christmas. Others should be customized for specific events like Mother’s Day, anniversaries, or birthdays. Many shoppers appreciate having the design distinctly tailored to events. It can mean not having to add a card or label as the recipient will know why they are receiving it on sight.

Add A Bow

Adding a bow is a great way to make the design more special. People always smile on receiving a box with a bow on it, whether tacked on or wrapped around and knotted. You can even keep it minimalist by having a bow design printed on the box itself. This may be more convenient if the package is not being hand-delivered but rather will travel a longer distance through commercial shipping. Less likelihood of additions being squished or otherwise damaged in transit.

Insert Samples

Businesses can use gift boxes as a great opportunity to further market their brand. They can include small samples of related products or a note of thanks to the recipient for choosing their brand. Box manufacturers can customize these boxes with inserts to better present the product and hold small samples. This kind of presentation can do much to make the brand seem more luxurious.

Spritz A Scent

A scented box is another way to add an air of exclusivity to your brand. Recipients will be further delighted when the box carries an appealing scent. Choose fragrances that match the occasion or type of recipient. For instance, female recipients may prefer more floral scents over muskier or woodsy scents that would appeal to men. Or keep it in keeping with the season. For instance, use rose perfumes for Valentine’s day gifts and bakery-related scents like vanilla for Christmas presents.

Why Choose Folding Cartons for Perfume Boxes

folding cartons
Developing a perfume brand can be an exciting business. It Is quite an artistic endeavor and calls for having a fine nose. Achieving that perfect scent that is a reflection of the taste and impression you want to make is not easy. But when you hit those particular high and low notes you desire so perfectly, it is time to move on to the next phase, packaging.

Those that buy perfumes do so with their nose and their eyes. Often, the bottle and box can be just as important as the perfume contained within. Folding cartons make for the perfect choice for boxing for several key reasons.

Solid Construction

While perfumes are thought of as delicate, the best quality typically comes in a heavy glass bottle. Coupled with the liquid inside, it needs a packaging that can support this weight admirably. A folding carton does a good job here as the material is rigid and comes in various weights that can be customized to suit the contents.

Customization

There are many perfumes in the market so it pays to stand out. Working with printed folding cartons that can be customized in a myriad of ways is ideal. From windows that give a glimpse of the bottle within to gold-embossed writing, there are many ways to make your product appear unique and appealing to your target market. Graphic designs work well on these boxes, allowing you to have any kind of writing, imagery, or shading you desire brought to life. The boxes can also be customized in a variety of shapes and sizes to match whatever shape and size of bottles need to be contained.

Water Resistance

When dealing with a liquid product in breakable containers and shipping, there is some good chance accidents may happen. A bottle or few breaking and spreading liquid should not however be a cause for distress. Utilizing folding cartons made with wet strength paperboard can make your boxes moisture resistant. This type of material copes well when exposed to liquids as it possesses a barrier that prevents penetration that would lead to curling. So a little damage with part of a shipment should not mean a write-off.

Environmental Concern

A folding carton is made using biodegradable and recyclable material. This can even be indicated on the box. Besides being good for the environment, it can also be a selling point to customers. Many young consumers have become more concerned about their carbon footprint. They appreciate businesses that help minimize it.

How Eco-Friendly Packaging For Your Foodstuffs Makes Sense

eco-friendly packaging
There are many businesses that need packaging for their foodstuffs. From bakeries to catering services, the food business is one that requires careful and hygienic handling of the product. In more recent times, there has also been some consideration given to how this packaging affects the environment.

Many have seen the garbage islands floating at sea that are made up of plastics from food packaging. This sad outcome and the public outcry has pushed many food businesses to be more thoughtful about what types of packaging they use. Here is why Eco-friendly custom boxes make for the right choice.

Carbon Footprint

Many of the daily activities we perform will have some impact on the level of greenhouse gases emitted into the environment. These days, people want to shop for products that contribute lower amounts of carbon emissions. When it comes to packaging, we consider everything from the harvesting of raw materials like trees, to the final production and dispatch to buyers. Eco-friendly packaging is typically made from locally sourced and renewable raw materials, or recycled material. These options have a far less negative impact on the environment, that both manufacturers and consumers can appreciate.

Hypoallergenic And Toxin-Free

Most biodegradable packaging is chemical-free. It is often much safer for anyone with allergies to handle compared to more traditional forms of packaging that contain synthetic materials and inks. Manufacturers try to eliminate the use of toxic inks and other decorative printing processes that can compromise the ability to recycle this packaging. Luckily, there are many printing processes that can be used to decorate the packaging attractively without causing any health concerns.

Biodegradable Eco-friendly Packaging

At the end of their life cycle, eco-friendly custom boxes are biodegradable. This means they can no longer be recycled, but will quickly degrade without causing a negative impact on the environment. The carbon emissions that will result will also be quite low when compared to traditional packaging that takes longer to decompose and can leak toxic materials unto the earth.

Branding Message on Eco-friendly Packaging

Consumers are becoming more aware of what goes into their products and how they can affect the environment. They want products whose content and packaging has been carefully considered by the manufacturer. They are more inclined to support those businesses that have the same level of concern for the environment. Using Eco-friendly packaging sends a message to your consumers that you understand this and are making environmentally conscious decisions for everyone’s benefit.

Using Large Shipping Boxes for Holiday Gifts

large shipping boxes
It is that time of year when many of us have to spend time scrambling around for gifts for loved ones. Thankfully, it is also when most stores and online sites offer great discounts that help ease the strain on our pockets. However, this does not mean you should not look at other ways to make some savings. Let us look at how putting some extra thought into the boxes for shipping can help.

Shop Early

Discounts start early, often right after Halloween leading up to Black Friday. It can seem a bit odd to shop at this time but you can save a bundle and often secure the best items before they go out of stock in later weeks. Just find an empty closet to stash your gifts away until it is time to ship them.

Bundle Your Gifts

Particularly for those with larger families, chances are several of the people you are sending a gift to live at the same address. Instead of having them arrive individually, consider sending them out in large shipping boxes. This can work well with small items, several of which should be able to fit comfortably in a single box.

Pack It Right

Even as you put several items in a single box, be sure they do not bang into each other and become damaged. The best way to ensure this does not happen is to use packing material such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts and newspaper.

Shop Around

Shipping costs can vary greatly between providers. Thankfully, many can provide an estimate so you can easily choose the most cost-effective shipper for the selected destination. Go online or simply call to get a quote. You will need to have a scale to give them the weight of the package. You may also need to provide dimensions and the ZIP codes of the destinations.

Ship Early

It is no secret that the closer you are to the high holidays, the more pressure there is on shipping services. So if you delay sending out your boxes for shipping, you will have to pay more for the likes of next day, express, or priority mail services. Find out about ground delivery rates that tend to be the lowest, but also the slowest. This is also another reason to consider shopping early online. There are often free shipping options available that can be a big saving. If you wait too long, the next available delivery slot may be too late.

Tips to Making Your Custom Retail Packaging Stand Out

custom retail packaging
Retail packaging refers to the final presentation of products when they reach store shelves. It is what end-consumers see when shopping. This impression matters as it can have a strong impact on buying decisions, and ultimately, your revenues and profit.

Practically all items that are in stores have competition. It is almost impossible to find one company monopolizing a product line. For this reason, it becomes important to choose custom retail packaging that lets your product stand out from the crowd. Here is how you can accomplish this.

Minimalism

Keeping your retail packaging simple is vital. As they walk down the shopping aisles, shoppers tend to make decisions on the products they will add to their carts quickly. So they need to be able to glean key information fast. When designing packaging, it needs to focus on giving that key information at a glance. Whatever design or writing you apply should be simple for this purpose. They should be able to immediately tell what the name of the product is and what it is fast.

Distinction

While packaging should be simple, it still needs to stand out. As said, there is much competition in most categories of retail items. Blending in can mean loss of buyers. The design of the retail packaging supplies needs to be noticeable to capture the attention of prospective buyers. take stock of what your competition is doing and find a way to be distinct. If their product is multicolored, consider going monochrome. Whatever it takes to draw the eye to your part of the aisle.

Functionality

This is especially important if the product will require some continued use of the custom retail packaging after purchase. Consider breakfast cereal boxes that often keep being used until the cereal is fully consumed. You need to ensure the construction can hold up and that there are handy features the buyer will appreciate. For instance, a folding box design for cereals and biscuit boxes that allows them to be resealed after use to help keep the contents fresh.

Clarity

Being honest and clear about your product is important. Shoppers are more discerning than ever and appreciate products that give clear information on their contents and so on. Give a brief breakdown that gives them the information they need. Also, be sure to avoid false advertising. Making false promises or declarations of what your product can do is bad business. Remember that a buyer is likely to tell several times more people about a bad product than a good one. Your brand can suffer adversely.