Why Use a Ballot Box for Your Next Raffle

ballot box
Raffles are a great way to raise money for charity or other social causes. They are a legal and fun way for people to dabble in a little gambling action in hopes of winning something, while also contributing to a worthy effort. No matter how big or small the prizes are, this kind of fundraising activity tends to add a touch of excitement.

The way they work is simple. Participants buy numbered tickets. Each of the prizes on offer are also numbered. A ballot box is used to drop in the duplicate copy of bought tickets. A draw is later carried out from the contents of the box that carries the copies of all the bought tickets. The drawn tickets are matched to the same numbered prizes with the holder of the ticket being the winner.

Ballot boxes are similar to the comment box holders one sees in many offices when trying to solicit feedback from customers. They feature a simple box design with a narrow slot for inserting paper on the top side. They can easily be hung or stuck to a wall surface, or placed on a table or stool. While there are other ways to go about collecting tickets for a raffle, ballot boxes make great sense for several reasons.

Customization

These boxes can be easily customized when ordered from a box manufacturer. You can print whatever graphics or wording that suits the event. You can use eye-catching colors and print to help draw people’s attention to the fact that there is a raffle that will happen at the event. This can help encourage more participation as the more tickets that are sold, the more money the event will raise.

Transparency

Transparent boxes may also be used. For some people, raffles are still gambling and that means the possibility of dishonesty. Having a ballot box that people can see is empty from the start and only starts collecting tickets as they are sold is a good way to demonstrate the proceedings are truthful.

Accessibility

As mentioned, these boxes can be easily placed against a wall, on a table, or a central display. This versatility makes it easy for people to drop in their tickets, or see someone else do the same. Openly displayed, it is easy to keep an eye on what is happening. The thin slot normally ensures that only one ticket at a time can be dropped in. Whoever is responsible for keeping an eye on the ballot box can easily monitor the goings-on as people drop in their tickets with little risk of cheating.

Save Money on Small to Medium Custom Boxes

small to medium custom boxes
From large manufacturers to small boutique shops, boxes have become an integral aspect of the packaging needs for businesses. This is especially important given the booming demand for home delivery of products. There has been a huge global shift in the way consumers now source for all manner of products, from home appliances to ready-made food. With a simple internet connection and phone, they can order just about anything and have it delivered to their doorstep.

And because the order sizes are on the smaller side, most businesses have a significant need for small to medium custom made boxes. This range is better suited to accommodate the typical order size for home deliveries. For businesses, these boxes are an additional cost that must be met to fulfill client orders. While marking up product prices is a good way to recover this cost, businesses must be careful to minimize this change due to the highly competitive market place.  Here are a few ways they can limit the cost of adapting to the more regular use of such boxes.

Compare Pricing

Box manufacturing has itself become an increasingly competitive business. Many new factories are being set up, and older ones expanding to meet a higher level of demand. Not to mention that some manufacturers ship their boxes internationally. This means businesses have a wide range of options available to them. Requesting quotations is a good way to figure out what kind of deals can be secured. Focus on manufacturers that can meet your desired specifications for in whatever graphics and materials needed. Be sure to order in measurements that best match the dimensions of your products. Properly fitting packaging does a better job of securing the contents within.

Bulk Orders

Bulk orders are a good idea because they typically attract considerable discounts. This can be a good cost saver and guarantee your ability to reliably meet orders during peak shopping periods. Do however ensure that you have a safe and sizable storage space for all the boxes being ordered. You should be able to easily retrieve the particular boxes you need at any given time and not have to worry they will suffer water or other damage.

Digital Printing

Finding a box manufacturer that uses the latest digital printing techniques and equipment can help ensure substantial savings. This is most evident in businesses that already use traditional printing methods. The material costs tend to be lower and there is less wastage. You will also find that many of the newer inks used on small to medium custom boxes are environmentally friendly, making recycling of the boxes more easily accomplished.

How Small Businesses Benefit From Using Corrugated Fibreboard Boxes

corrugated fibreboard boxes
When starting a small business that sells physical products, one of the key considerations has to be packaging. One has to decide if there is to be packaging and what kind. Packaging of some form is often necessary, if only to provide containment through which product can be delivered to the client. It can be less necessary if the business only deals with customers that visit the store to pick products from the shelves or counter.

A corrugated fibreboard box is a good option for many products for several reasons.

Adds Prestige

Consumers often find products that are well packaged and displayed in boxes to be of greater value than those that are simply on open display. When the design of the packaging is well done, it assures the buyer that the product is of good quality. It also suggests care is taken to keep the contents of the box secure, which can be especially important if the items are fragile. Many appreciate buying an item that has not been handled by others.

Brand Boosting of Corrugated Fibreboard Boxes

Corrugated fibreboard boxes can easily be customized. Their material allows for the boxes to be personalized in a variety of colors, logos, and other print. With a well-chosen design, a business can help boost the visibility of their brand and make it more recognizable in the market. Small businesses should use this in tandem with other marketing efforts to make it easier for existing and potential customers to easily find them. Providing such information like the company website URL or social media links can also help.

Protection from Corrugated Fibreboard Boxes

One of the key design features of corrugated fibreboard boxes is that the walls are made up of layered paperboard that is great for absorbing impact. That means your product will often remain well-protected. This can be especially vital during transit when the product is being delivered to a client. The material of the box increases the likelihood of the product reaching its destination intact.

Affordability

For small businesses, the budget for such expenses as the packaging will likely be limited. Thankfully, a corrugated fibreboard box is made of cheap material that makes placing such an order often affordable. You will hardly need to make much of a mark-up on your product to cover the cost. And keep in mind that most manufacturers of such packaging will offer deep discounts if you order in bulk quantity. Even if you place an order from a factory that is distantly located, the lightweight nature of the boxes still encourages low delivery costs.

Making Your Cardboard POP Displays More Impactful In Retail Stores

cardboard pop displays
Point-of-purchase cardboard displays are often set up to help draw special attention to new products or special offers. They are the standalone, colorful, and often uniquely designed displays that quickly draw people’s attention.  However, many manufacturers and distributors will want to bring notice to their products at the same time. It often becomes a competition to try and make these displays more outlandish and appealing than the next. Here are a few tips on how to make your brand’s cardboard POP displays the more impressive of the lot.

Monitor Stock Level

Sales representatives must keep a good eye on the stock levels on the display. This is especially important during special discount offers as customers may be quick to take advantage and buy in larger quantities. And empty display can defeat the purpose if it is to clear stock.

Track Sales

Since the ultimate goal of such displays is to deliver faster and larger sales, do keep track of the sales levels across all the retail outlets you have chosen to set up the . Set a time to review these sales figures. They can help in deciding whether it would be worth it to request for an extension for the display to continue, and at which stores. You will likely find that the outlets where your displays do best are also the best place to launch new products and reward loyal customers with discount deals.

Utilize Bold Graphics

Capturing the attention of shoppers is the best way to attract their interest in your product. Most people enter shopping outlets with specific items in mind that they want to pick and check out. Using vivid graphics, bright lights, and bold design for your display can help draw their attention. Make sure that the overall effect is suited to your target demographic. For instance, cartoon characters will likely be more successful for children’s toys than women’s perfume. Also, ensure the height of the display also matches your target audience.

Pick Prime LocationPoint-of-purchase cardboard displays, cardboard POP displays

One of the best areas to set up a display is near the checkout counters. This is where people have to wait in line and are more likely to be looking around for a distraction. Their interest is likely to be piqued as they just stand around waiting. Special offers and newly launched products that offer samples can hardly go unnoticed here. Food samples should be placed around the bakery, fresh produce, and deli counters. The smell of foods in the air can encourage the interest of those walking past.

Tips for Reducing the Cost of Packaging Materials

packaging materials
As an increasing number of companies incorporate home deliveries in their business model, it has become necessary to invest in suitable packaging materials. Even for retailers that receive goods from manufacturers in boxes, additional packaging is usually required to be added on top to conceal the item and label it for delivery.

As packaging materials become a more frequent expense for businesses, it is ideal to identify strategies through which this cost can be kept at a minimum.

Get Customized Packaging

Ordering boxes that conform to the specifications of your products is a good idea. This reduces the waste involved with having to send oversized boxes that will require additional filler to safely contain products. Large boxes are also more expensive to ship and require more storage space. The better fitted the box is, the more economical it will be.

Order Bulk Quantities

This works best when you have a spacious and dry storage area to keep your packaging materials. Making bulk orders from manufacturers helps to secure discount deals you would otherwise not be able to get from a retailer or distributor.

If, however, you lack sufficient storage space, stick to smaller batches, and only boost your stock during peak sales periods when you know you will receive many more orders. Stocking up before these peak periods is important as the packaging manufacturers may have a backlog of orders to fill that may delay your delivery.

Opt for Lightweight Packaging

Many products can be safely contained within lightweight packaging such as cartons and envelops. More so when they are further secured with filler like peanuts and bubble wrap. The filler material is great for absorbing impact while keeping contents secure. You can even make some savings by using alternative filler materials like junk mail, paper waste, old newspapers, and old shredded clothing. Lightweight and smaller sized packaging is again much cheaper to send out for deliveries.

Shop Around for Packaging Materials

Just as in any other business you will find that different packaging solution manufacturers offer different kinds of deals on their product. Identify the selection of packaging items you require and shop around from different manufacturers. Make comparisons on the quotes you are provided with to identify the best deal.

Also, consider a manufacturer that can provide you with boxes that are biodegradable and recyclable. These options tend to not only be more affordable but also good for the environment. Your clients will appreciate your consideration for the environment and the benefit of being able to reuse the boxes for their benefit.

Why Invest In Branded Shipping Tape

shipping tape
Businesses are constantly looking for ways to promote their brand effectively and affordably. Keeping their products on people’s minds is a great way to encourage them to try out what is on offer and stimulate more sales.

For small and medium-sized businesses, conventional forms of advertising like television and newspaper promos are not usually an option as they can be quite costly. Alternative avenues like custom packaging can however some positive effect while remaining relatively low cost.

Besides boxes, these businesses can also use other shipping tools like packaging tape to help draw attention to their brand. Here is how this can benefit the business.

Value Addition

With interesting and appealing packaging, you give the impression that your product is of good value. Branded shipping tape is highly noticeable as it is what holds the box together. When customized in an attractive way it makes people think that what is inside the box has also been carefully and creatively put together by the seller.

Boosts Marketing Efforts

Unboxing has become a big deal for boosting brand awareness. There are now tons of YouTube videos of industry experts and influencers unboxing products before testing them out. They make a big deal of how the product is delivered within its packaging and will usually give viewers a 360° view of the box before opening it. A tastefully designed box with customized tape impresses right off the bat.

Communicate with Potential Clients

Besides being decorative, you can put all kinds of information on your custom shipping tape. You can include the name of your flagship products, your email and web address, and even QR codes. This is a simple way to keep reminding existing and potential clients of your business presence and how they can find out more about you and your products.

Adds Personality

Besides being a unique method of reminding clients of your presence, custom packaging can also be a good way to make a more personal connection. From saying ‘Thank You’ to wishing clients ‘Happy Holidays’, there is a myriad of positive and heartfelt messages you can share to show appreciation and let people know what values your business has been built upon.

Affordability

Custom packaging is one of the cheapest ways to promote a brand. You will likely require boxes and packaging tape anyway to put together orders for shipping. It costs just a little extra to customize this packaging. And if you make bulk orders directly from the manufacturer, you get to save even more money through discount deals.

8 BEST TIPS TO PAIR WINE LABELS WITH FOOD (SIMPLIFIED)

wine labels
Here are eight best tips to pair wine labels with your favorite dish.  Do not let the thousands of wine boxes in the market intimidate you. This is a simplified way to combine your food and wine with ease.  Apply these easy steps to eliminate confusion.  Let us take a sip and begin.

1. WINE LABELS: KEEP IT SIMPLE

There are many wine labels out there.  The key is to keep it simple.  Start with the basic of the basics.  Pick a favorite wine you truly enjoy.  Choose something you would drink by itself as a stand-alone drink.  This is a foolproof way to assure that even if your pairing were not perfect, it still would not be a disaster.  Just as there are many ways to mix ingredients to create a meal, there are many ways to combine your dish with your wine.  The combination is subjective.   Wine is a personal experience.  “Wine is bottled poetry,” Robert Lewis Stevenson.

To start, distinguish the main types of wine.  Second, determine if it is a light-bodied, medium-bodied or full-bodied wine.  Learning these differences is the key for easy pairing.

WINE BOXES2. WINE BOXES: 5 MAIN TYPES OF WINE

Disregard the plethora of wine boxes that are out in the market.  There are generally five main types of wine.  They are white wine, red wine, rosé wine, sparkling wine and fortified wine.

White Wine

White wines come from white, yellow, green, and even red grapes.  Fermented white wine are without the grape skins. The majority of white wines have a light, zesty, fruity, acidic and fresh clean taste.  It is translucent in color with a delicate aroma.  White wines are generally light-bodied.

Red Wine

Red wines come from red, black, blue or purple colored grapes.   Fermented red wines are with their skins, seeds and sometimes stems.   Because of its extended fermentation, they tend to have higher tannins.  Tannin in wine adds bitterness, dryness and astringency and can vary in strength.

Red Wine: Light, Medium and Full

Light-bodied red wines are fruity.  They have a lighter tannin, bright acidity and red fruit flavors. They tend to grow from cooler climates.

Medium-bodied wines will have medium levels of fruit flavor, tannin and acidity.  They still evoke fruit flavors and have transition to the darker fruits. These strong hints include black cherry, plum, blueberry and blackberry.

Full-bodied red wines are savory and richer.  They have complex flavors, bold tasting notes, and powerful aroma. Full-bodied wines have intense flavor, dark red in color and dry.   Full-bodied wines tend to grow from warmer climates.

Rosé Wine

Rosé wines are also made with red wine grapes but are fermented at a reduced time.  Rosé is a dry wine that tastes similar to many white wines.  Rosé wines are not sweet.  A Rosé also has the fruitiness of the red wine.  Rosé comes in many shades of pink, peach, pale orange and near purple. A rosé offers a bright, more refreshing flavor than its deep red counterparts.

Sparkling Wine

Sparkling wines are bubbly and carbonated.  They have high levels of carbon dioxide due to secondary fermentation. This contributes to their exciting fizzy characteristics.  The infamous loud opening “pop” of a corkscrew comes from the celebrated, sparkly French champagne.  Some white wines and rosé wines are also sparkling wine. They can range from being very sweet to very dry.

Fortified Wine

Fortified wines have added distilled spirits, and it is usually brandy.  Grape brandy is the most common type of fortified wine.  They are viscous or syrupy.  They are traditionally sweet red wine that can range from dry to semi-dry styles.

3. WINE BODY WEIGHT

Wine Labels

If you know the body weight of the wine, the easier it is to pair it with a meal. A light dish goes well with a light-bodied wine.  A heavy dish goes well with a full-bodied wine. The combination should be a heavenly match.  Idealistically, the wine should not overpower the dish.  The dish should not overpower the wine.  It is a beautiful balance.  It is a harmonious dance between the two.

How can we know if the wine is light-bodied, medium-bodied or full-bodied?  The secret is to look at the alcohol percentage.  It is a very easy formula to remember.  Low alcohol levels mean light-bodied wines.  High alcohol levels mean heavy full-bodied wines.  The more alcohol it has, the heavier and viscous it becomes.

Here are the alcohol percentages

Light

Light-bodied wines are under 12.5 % alcohol.  Generally, these white wines are crisp and refreshing.

Medium

Medium-bodied wines are between 12.5% to 13.5% alcohol.

FULL

Full-bodied wines have an alcohol content over 13.5%.  The majority of heavy-bodied wines are red.

Now that we distinguished the wines in their categories, let us break it down further to the different types of meals.

4. APPETIZERS / HORS D’OEUVRES wine boxes, wine labels

Eliminate the guesswork of pairing wines with your appetizers.  When eating hors d’oeuvres, reach for a crisp white wine, sparkling wine or a bright and fruity rosé wine.  An appetizer’s purpose is to boost your appetite prior to the main meal.  A light mini meal matches perfectly with a light wine.  The wine and food should complement one another.  What better way to wake up your palate than to accompany it with a crisp white wine, sparkling wine or a refreshing rosé.

5. WHITE WINE FOR LIGHT DISHES

A light-bodied white wine should have the same potency as the dish.  Therefore, a light-bodied white wine matches perfectly with light dishes.  Most white wines pair easily with a light salad, pasta with light/white sauce, chicken, fish, turkey or pork.

Pay attention to spicy dishes with a lot of black pepper, red peppers, wasabi or jalapeños.  To balance off spicy dishes, choose wines that are softer, slightly sweeter, creamier and less acidic in taste.  Spicy dishes goes well with wines such as Chardonnay, Riesling, Moscatos or Chenin Blancs.

6. RED WINE FOR HEAVIER DISHES

Keep it effortless.  Heavy entrees and red wine are divine.  Red wines are intense, bold, rich and savory.  Heavy dishes are intense, bold, rich and savory too.  They both have the same characteristics.  They blend nicely because one is not overpowering the other.

Here are a few dishes that pair well with red wine.  A sample includes hard cheese, prime rib, red meat, T-bone steaks, pasta with red tomato sauce, filet mignon, barbecue chicken, grilled steak, or hearty stew.

7. VERSATILE SPARKLING WINE

Sparkling wines are not only bubbly and fizzy, but they are also very versatile. Sparkling wine is a good palate cleanser.  They go perfect with anything salty. They also compliment fruit-based or buttery desserts very easily.

Some sparkling wine include French Champagne, Italian Prosecco and Spanish Cava.  Sparkling wines marries well with shrimp, smoked salmon, shellfish, soft-cheese, tarts, crepes, cheesecake, and shortbread cookies.

8. FORTIFIED WINE

Savored as a before or after dinner drink, the added distilled spirits in fortified wine gives it its unique syrupy taste.  Fortified wines are often termed as a dessert wine.  It pairs perfectly with nuts, cheese, fruit tarts and chocolate-based desserts.   They also make a great cooking wine.

The most common fortified wines are Marsala, Madeira, Port, Sherry, Vermouth and Commandaria wine.

CONCLUSIONwine boxes, instabox

Knowing the simple five categories of wine and the three-body type of wines is an easy way to gauge how to pair it with your favorite dish.

ONE STEP FURTHER

If you decide to deepen your knowledge, there are many expert advices from professional sommeliers, books and articles.

Perhaps you would like to explore a few tasting rooms and wineries.  There are many famous wineries in Italy, France, Portugal and America.  Unbelievably, there are also many wineries in Canada.  If you should happen to be here in Canada, come see the beautiful wineries in Kelowna, Penticton, Osoyoos BC, and Kamloops BC.  Fine-tune your wine pairing craft as you expand your palate’s taste for fine wine and dining.  Saluti! Salud!  À votre santé ! Cheers!

Cardboard Corrugated Containers: Better Packaging

corrugated containers
The quality of the product you supply will have the biggest impact on whether you will receive repeat business and positive reviews. The packaging does however influence first impressions. It can make those that are around to want to try your product, sight unseen. To help tap into this effect, here are some strategies you can apply.

Be Shape Creative

A square or rectangular box is often to be expected when you have ordered a product. A mailing tube makes for a different reaction. There is a lot of flexibility that can be exercised when it comes to the dimensions of your product packaging. You can have custom that follow the shape of particular products. The arrival of an unusually shaped package can be an interesting curiosity. Unboxing items has even become a social media phenomenon where first impressions count for much.

Captivate with Color

You can further customize your packaging with interesting color and color effects. You can make adjustments during specific holidays and discount periods. To reinforce the image of your brand, try to incorporate your company colors and logo in the packaging. This will gradually help to make your brand more recognizable.

Use Imagery

Lit candles and wreaths for Christmas, or spooky ghosts and ghouls for Halloween, you have plenty of options when it comes to enhancing your packaging, especially around the holidays. You can even use it as an opportunity to promote a cause or charity you support. This means that more than making your packaging more attractive, you can also use it to demonstrate your care for needy, the environment, and more. Place imagery on the label or the corrugated containers themselves.

Why Corrugated?

Cardboard corrugated boxes are an ideal option for product packaging.  They protect products. That means a lower risk of damage to the contents if they suffer some impact. They are also lightweight, so besides the weight of the product within, they can be very easy to transport. Corrugated containers have a superior feel to them many consumers appreciate. Knowing that a business respects them enough to deliver its product in quality packaging makes for a positive impression.

The sound construction also makes them great for re-use. Many people appreciate being able to use their delivery boxes for other purposes around the home and office. In addition, once they are no longer useful, they are easily biodegradable and recyclable, so whomever way you dispose of them, you will not harm the environment.

How to Use Mailing Tubes to Boost Your Brand

mailing tubes
Branding is often about image, how customers and other businesses view your business. The more favorably they consider your brand, the more likely they are to buy from you and speak well of your business. Besides the quality of your product or services, your brand can also be affected by how you send out your mail. Here are some tips on how to use mailing tubes to better market your business.

Adding Variety

Most mail that is delivered to homes and businesses comes in the standard packaging of envelopes and boxes. Using shipping tubes is a good way to add a different shape into the mix. When people receive mail, there is not often the expectation that there will be something exciting to open. An unusual delivery helps to perk things up. Many items can be shipped this way, including even mundane documents. Rolling up documents and securing them in a fiber tube better protects them and ensures they arrive without folds or creases.

CustomizationInstabox - mailing tubes

Shipping tubes can be customized in different sizes and colors. This is an excellent opportunity to brand your mailing tubes with company colors or whatever other formats to commemorate a celebration. For instance, you can use red and pink colors during Valentine’s Day period to honor the occasion. Depending on the kind of business you run, this can be a good chance to market and keep up with trends.

The use of graphics and other printed information can also help impart a good impression to recipients. This provides an additional means by which to wow customers through creative arts. The tubes can also be customized in terms of dimensions. You can work with a manufacturer to tailor your tubes to suit whatever type of items you want to ship.

Added Protection

Using shipping tubes is also a good way to better secure your documents or whatever other items you deliver within. While most tubes are made of standard cardboard material, they can be further reinforced to provide better protection or support for heavier content.

There are also several options when it comes to the end closures. You can opt for plastic or metal end plugs that can add an element of sophistication or practicality, depending on what you are aiming for.

Distribute Promotional Materials

As mentioned, there are many things you can package in a tube. The unique design of this packaging makes for a more interesting unboxing experience. You do not have to strain to look for what regular mail you can send this way. You can make this a part of your marketing approach. From calendars to water bottles, you can distribute many branded promotional materials in this format to all kinds of targeted audiences.