How To Best Store Corrugate Containers

corrugate containers
Corrugated cardboard boxes are often easily accumulated. More so when you order items to be delivered. They can be easily disposed of but many people tend to store them for later use. They can come in handy when you want to send out a package or when moving. They can also be used to store a variety of items. However, no matter how durable and useful they can be, they require careful handling to preserve their structural integrity. Here are a few tips on how best to store them.

Flatten Your Corrugate Containers

Once the box is empty, try to flatten it along its edges. This will ensure the corrugated boxes take up minimal storage space and can be easily stacked for later use.

Stack Corrugate Containers Properly

Do not stack your corrugated cardboard boxes too high to avoid them toppling over. Try to lay them down on a flat, smooth, and clean surface. This should be a surface above the floor, like on a shelf or pallet. Leaving them on the ground makes them more likely to suffer damage from moisture or insect activity.

Handle Carefully

Do not just throw or otherwise roughly handle the boxes. You want to preserve their condition as best you can. Try to carefully stack them and remove them when needed. Always handle with care.

No Heavy Objects

Do not place heavy objects on the corrugate containers. They can crash the flutes causing distortion and affecting the shape of the box when unfolded. It can also cause punctures that will make the boxes unusable.

Alternate Bundle Direction

When you look at flattened boxes you will often find one side is thicker than the other. Avoid stacking in the same manner. Use an alternating pattern to ensure better stability of the stack.

Keep Indoors

This will help prevent exposure to outdoor elements like rain and insect activity. Ensure that even indoors the boxes are kept away from any sources of moisture. This can damage the cardboard and destroy its structure. Also, avoid any area that exposes the corrugate containers to wide fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Too much heat can cause the material to become brittle while moisture will cause it to break down.

First In, First Out

Try to make use of your oldest stock of cardboard boxes first. Even under the best conditions, these boxes will still deteriorate, making sense to make use of those that are closest to the end of their useful life.

Advantages Of Using Package Labels On Shipping Boxes

When shipping merchandise, it can be helpful to use package labels. They can serve as a helpful tool in communicating certain information. Here is why your business could do with a little investment in this type of packaging material.

Package Labels Marketing

Package labels can be used for branding and promotional efforts. You can make them distinct in terms of color scheme, shape, and other aesthetics. This can make your brand more easily identifiable to existing customers. You can also use stickers to enhance the appearance of plain boxes, drawing attention to your business name and logo. Laser printer labels can be easily customized to whatever design for this purpose. Include such information as your company’s e-commerce site, address, and location. Or, consider a QR code that leads whoever scans it to your website.

Handling of Package Labels

Some products are easily breakable and require extra caution when handling. You can use labels to indicate a need for this extra care. Shippers will often handle boxes that are indicated as fragile more carefully to avoid the contents getting damaged before delivery. This can be particularly useful where you have a stock of various items, some of which are more delicate than others. the labels can be used to ensure the more sensitive items are distinguished. They can also indicate which side is up to avoid unnecessary damage that can come from having the box transported upside down.

Professional Appearance

Boxes that are being shipped often need to have certain information indicated visibly. This includes the destination and the return address. To avoid any confusion, it is best to have labels printed with this information, rather than having it handwritten. It also gives a more professional appearance to the delivery, which is good for the image of the business. Be sure to test out different designs of the labels against the box to see what the overall impact will be. Use designs that impart the impression you desire.

Make Shipping Easier

Besides offering care instructions for the shipment, using labels can also make the process of preparing a shipment easier. Without having to handwrite labels, you can ensure address details are easily discerned. Fixing the label takes just a moment. Laser printer labels also tend to be more durable, ensuring that even if exposed to moisture the details remain visible. Shipping is made easier thanks to better accuracy. Making these labels is also quite affordable, whether you choose to use standard motifs or customize your own design.

Choosing Suitable Protective Product Packaging

protective product packaging
Different products will have different needs in terms of packaging. This applies to both the kind of box they use and any filler or inserts that are included to help prevent damage. When businesses ensure that their products are delivered intact, it helps to build their reputation as being reliable and limits the cost of having to make repairs and replacements.

It is important to carefully consider several factors before investing in packaging. The goal should be to arrive at the type of protective packaging that will ensure the safe delivery of the contents most consistently yet affordably. Here is what you need to consider when making a choice.

The Product

As said, products can be different. Those that are more easily susceptible to damage need to be given added protection. If they arrive damaged, they could be deemed unusable and force the business to have to send out a replacement. Such sensitive products can include crockery, fresh produce, and electronics.

Businesses need to arrive at an optimal choice of protective product packaging that does not result in them over- or under-packaging. Either result can lead to serious financial losses.

Distance

The further away a product will travel means the more handling it will be subjected to. More so where there may have to be changes in transport like from air to road freight. Longer distances also tend to mean more exposure to damaging influences like vibration and moisture. It is advisable to establish what kind of exposure products will be exposed to en-route to their destination and ensure that the protective packaging used can adequately withstand these challenges.

Meet Regulations for Protective Product Packaging

When transporting products, especially across borders, there are likely to be regulations that must be met. Certain standards are called for when packaging certain products. It is important to investigate what these standards are for the different territories and ensure that you meet them when deciding on what protective product packaging to use.

Performance of Protective Product Packaging

Testing out different packaging is important. You want to ensure that it meets whatever requirements are required by different authorities and shippers. It is also necessary for your choice of packaging to suit your budget while providing the standard of protection you need. Also, consider the quality of the packaging in terms of sustainability and recyclability. This can be very useful when it comes to branding as many consumers prefer to patronize businesses that are environmentally conscious.

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!

How To Impress With High End Custom Boxes

When dealing with high end custom boxes, it is important to distinguish your brand in the market. This is what will make you more memorable and likely to attract good referrals and repeat business. An important aspect of marketing to this segment lies in the packaging of products.

High end custom boxes can be used to make that good impression that what you have to offer is of the best quality. These specialty boxes tend to make a brand stand out and should be carefully considered when ordered from manufacturers.

Production Process of High End Custom Boxes

It is advisable to source your custom boxes from a supplier that offers comprehensive services. this includes design and manufacturing processes, all under one roof. This helps reduce the risk of confusion or other breakdowns in communication that can lead to mistakes. A box maker that has a streamlined operation will better deliver on orders according to specifications agreed upon.

Customize

Work with a box designer that can help create a unique result that will set your brand apart. From shape and materials to color and inserts, ensure that the outcome is pleasing to the senses. You can play with textures and color effects to create a custom gift box that is elegant and charming. Choose accents that give a luxurious feel and look to match your target demographics’ tastes. Consider also having holiday-themed high end custom boxes made. The design should suit the occasion but still reflect the image of the brand.

Simplicity of High End Custom Boxes

Keeping designs simple is recommended for the high-end market. When you consider the existing high-end brands in the market, you will find that most use simple but high-quality packaging that is easily recognizable and appreciated by their clientele. While you should strive to be unique, understated colors and limited use of imagery can be a big help in making a positive impression. Rather than make the design busy, seek out unusual colors and other ways to simply but elegantly embellish your custom gift boxes so they remain functional yet beautiful.

Lasting Designs

Lightweight packaging that can easily be torn or otherwise damaged does not make for a good impression. You want a custom gift box design that is rigid and durable. These kinds of sturdy designs tend to make for a more enjoyable unboxing experience and create a better presentation when beautifully accentuated by such adornments as ribbons. Even though the boxes may not end up getting reused, the high-end market clientele still prefers long-lasting construction over flimsy materials.

Using A Ballot Box To Promote Greater Customer Engagement

ballot box
Businesses need to establish a good relationship with their customer base. It is what helps to create customer loyalty that is essential to business success. This means looking for other ways to interact with and engage customers outside of just the commercial transaction.

Ballot boxes can be very useful tools in engaging customers through different campaigns. They can be used to help collect data and carry out promotions. You can customize a ballot box in different ways to serve these purposes.

Prize Competitions

Running a contest is a good way to stir up interest and excitement amongst your existing customers. It can also attract the attention of potential customers and help convert them. it is also a good way to reward customers for their loyalty to your business.

And, despite what some may think, it can be a cost-effective promotion. Whether it is your own product or from a supplier, you can set a reasonable budget for the prizes, marketing, and management of the contest. Try to make it a fun experience that will hype your brand and cause more people to talk about your business.

Product Reviews Using Ballot Box

This can be especially helpful when launching a new product. You will want to get the views of customers. Where possible, allowing them to sample the product and drop a comment in a ballot box can provide an easy way to collect valuable data. It also makes customers feel important to know that their views will be taken into consideration.

Conduct Polls With Ballot Box

This is another way you can get views about products or services, and even employees. Creating a poll is another good way to collect data that can go towards product development, strategic decisions, and even assigning bonuses. Giving customers a say in more internal decisions made by the business makes them feel more intertwined with the brand and likely to remain loyal.

Customer Feedback

You have likely seen a simple white ballot box in many business spaces for the collection of customer views, complaints, and compliments. It allows people to give feedback anonymously on everything from customer service to product quality. They feel they can confidentially share their views and hopefully effect a positive change in a business they frequent.

For the best results, ensure that you regularly empty the box and review the contents. An overflowing box is an indication that it has been placed for show. This can give a negative impression to customers.

Tips For Packaging Product During The Holiday Season

packaging product
Holiday periods are often a high shopping season for many products. It is an opportunity that many businesses cannot afford not to capitalize on. One of the main ways to capture this market lies in the choice of packaging solution. This outward appearance can be a strong lure and show that your brand does keep up with the times and interests of shoppers.

Imitate

When deciding how to customize the design of your packaging, you need to look for inspiration. Consider the top brands in your industry and look at what designs they have used. Some will change up their design each year, while others remain more consistent. Take inspiration but do not exactly copy such designs to avoid negative publicity. Adapt whatever design you like to your brand and give it a fresh look.

Boxes

Holiday seasons are also gift-giving seasons. This is a good opportunity to invest in packaging product in boxes. The unboxing experience has become an important trend. Customize the box’s appearance to reflect the season through the use of color, imagery, and writing. Go for simple but festive designs that are tasteful and stylish. Choose cardboard boxes that offer the benefits of being eco-friendly, lightweight, and protective.

Printed Bags

Bags help in carrying around multiple items when you are out shopping. Not to mention it allows for good concealment of gift boxes. This is another choice of a packaging solution that is well-appreciated by shoppers. Businesses can choose between plastic and paper bags. Plastics are however not eco-friendly despite being quite strong and able to withstand heavier weights. Paper bags are more mindful of the environment. A quality many shoppers appreciate in a brand. Paper bags can also be easily customized to match the holiday season and are especially useful when shopping for luxury products.

Packaging Product Embellishments

Packaging can easily be made more special with simple embellishments. Ribbons are a popular option. Simply choose a color suited to the season or have a customized design made up accordingly. Ribbons help add a special touch to gift boxes and can come in a variety of printed designs and accents like gold threading. Ornaments and embossed writing on boxes and wrapping paper are another way to go.

Packaging Product Cards

Including free cards with packaging can help endear your business to customers. You can pick a simple festive design and keep the card size small enough to be used for any gift size. Leave it blank so the customer is free to write their own message.

Securing The Contents Of Your Shipping Box

shipping box
More and more businesses are transitioning towards the e-commerce market. As more people opt to make purchases remotely, it only makes sense to ensure they can easily find and make transactions with your business online. It also means knowing how to ensure the safe delivery of the items they buy to their doorstep. How the products are packaged in a shipping box will have a big impact on this. Here are a few guidelines on how businesses can better ensure shipping goes smoothly for their products.

Sizing

Have shipping boxes that conform well with the size of your products. If you often receive orders with multiple items to be delivered, then you will need a variety of different-sized boxes to work with. The more closely fitted a box is, the more secure the contents will be. This is because there is less room for the contents to rattle around in and become damaged during transit. For instance, if in need of printer shipping boxes, you will want a size that does not allow the electronic to shift and suffer any injury. It also reduces the overall weight and dimensions of the shipment, helping to keep shipping costs low.

Shipping Box Filler

Many products are of a shape that does not match a conventional shipping box. They will require filler material to fill in gaps. Filler helps to reduce the risk of shifting and damage. Even for box-shaped products, it helps to leave a little room for this protective padding. You can use a variety of materials for filler including old newspaper, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts.

Inserts for a Shipping Box

These are an even better form of protection for goods in transit. Foam and cardboard inserts keep the product in a stable position within the box. They are a good option for high-value items that would be particularly expensive to have to replace if damaged in transit like electronics and expensive perfumes.

Wall Thickness

The more flutes there are in cardboard boxes, the better protected the contents are. Thicker boxes are more rigid and can better withstand the rough handling that would result in punctures and other damage. They are also better at limiting liquid penetration if the box becomes wet. You can reinforce these attributes by choosing laminated box designs that make them more water-resistant. You can also use packing tape along the seams to help reinforce the construction.

Ensure that you also look into the reputation of the shipping company you are using. You will want a firm that is known for the careful and timely handling of shipments. They should also be dependable in terms of both pick-up and delivery. Also, make a comparison of rates to ensure you are getting a competitive deal.

Making Effective Direct To Consumer Boxes

Direct to consumer boxes are often used for marketing directly to customers. This is done without the need for intermediaries like retailers or wholesalers. The products come packaged by the manufacturer. Cutting out middlemen allows these businesses to make direct contact with customers.

Consumers appreciate dealing directly with the manufacturers and are often more receptive to receiving marketing material that comes from them. Here is what businesses can do to make this interaction more productive.

Make Appealing Packaging

The design of direct to consumer packaging needs to be highly appealing for consumers. An attractive and striking design will make the unboxing experience more enjoyable. You need o build anticipation for the product even before the customer sees it. So depending on the type of product, you should apply design features that will stir the interest of the recipient and are in line with the values of your business. Even with direct to consumer subscription boxes, an effort should be made to regularly update the design so clients do not become bored with what they see regularly.

Stabilize The Contents

To further make the unboxing experience exciting, be sure the interior is presentable. A structured design that holds the product in place is best. Make use of such packaging features as cardboard inserts to make for an attractive presentation. This will also help in protecting the product within. when held in place, there is less risk of damage should the box be mishandled. It can also help in providing a neater presentation that will be good for your brand.

Ensure Optimal Sizing

Depending on such factors as product size and quantity, you will want to ensure a good fit when ordering your direct to consumer boxes. To make the display appealing, you want to avoid oversized or too tight of a box. Oversized boxes can seem wasteful and untidy. Too tight and you risk damage and poor presentation. Choose a box supplier that can configure box sizes of different dimensions so you can make choices that make for a pleasing unboxing and visual experience.

Choose Sustainable Packaging

Using sustainable packaging conveys the impression that your business cares for the environment. These are values that your clients will positively associate with your brand. Indicating that the boxes are recyclable and reusable will hold good appeal. Limit or eliminate the use of any non-recyclable packaging materials where possible. Being environmentally conscious is particularly important for the younger demographic of shoppers, so displaying this attitude can help secure their brand loyalty.

Choosing The Best Packaging Companies In Canada

Packaging companies in Canada
For every business that sells a product, the packaging is an important consideration. More so if the product is being shipped to clients from different locations. The packaging is what secures the product and ensures it arrives at its destination in a presentable and safe condition. Packaging can also be used to promote the brand. This is often factored in when developing designs.

For Canadian businesses, choosing the right supplier for such needs can be tough. The box manufacturing business can be highly competitive with many suppliers to choose from, both near and far. Here are a few tips on how to narrow down the best options of packaging companies in Canada for your business.

Budget

Most businesses, especially small and medium-sized, will have a set budget to work with for packaging materials. You need to find a supplier that can provide what you need within the budget you have set. Seek out suppliers that have minimum order quantities that can fit your budget. Also, consider what kind of discounts they offer on bulk orders. You will need to source quotes from the various suppliers you are considering to make price comparisons.

Reputation of Packaging Companies in Canada

Price alone should however not be the determining factor. You need to work with a supplier that has a good reputation. They should communicate effectively and be reliable. The last thing you need is to place an order that is delivered late. Look up online reviews and check up on testimonials from other client businesses in your area. Also, look at how the company handles disputes. You want a company that takes responsibility for its actions and communicates courteously.

Expertise

There are many variations when it comes to box manufacturing. From the number of flutes to graphics, there are numerous design features to consider. You need a provider that can properly advise you on what is best suited to your business and brand. Those that have worked with similar businesses are the best option as you get to see samples of their work that have gone out into the real world.

Various Packaging Companies in Canada

When it comes to product packaging, there is more to it than just the box in Canada. You may need filler for bulk orders, inserts for specialty subscription boxes, and more. You may also require different kinds of boxes for deliveries and displays. The more complex your needs, the more careful you need to be about choosing packaging companies in Canada. Focus on those that have good experience and capability to supply the wide variety of packaging you need. Choosing a single supplier for all your packaging needs is more convenient and often cost-effective.