Chipboard Boxes, Chipboard Books, and Other Chipboard Applications

Chipboard is a very common and useful material, and it is sometimes referred to as paperboard. This eco-friendly, man-made packaging option is created from recycled paper, and several pieces are glued together so that they form one large piece of material. A strong adhesive is then applied to make the material feel smooth while maintaining its durability. Chipboard containers are extremely useful, and this material can also serve a variety of other purposes.

Chipboard Books

Chipboard is an ideal material for creating the covers for books and journals. This is because the material is tough enough to protect the pages while also being customizable to display texts and graphics. Chipboard is also relatively light, so it can give a book added protection without increasing the weight of the item.

Packing

Chipboard boxes make great packing solutions for a variety of items. These boxes help to ensure that items stay in place and make it to their final destination in pristine condition. Chipboard boxes are remarkably stable despite being lightweight, and the low weight also helps to keep shipping costs down. These packing solutions can also be customized to include a printed copy of your logo or business name.

Activities and Games

Another common use of chipboard is for the construction of play items for kids. Board games like Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, and Monopoly are commonly constructed from this material, and playhouses and dollhouses may also use chipboard. In addition to being lightweight, toys made from this material are safe for kids, and children are able to move them with ease.

Chipboard Food Packaging

Thin layers of chipboard may be used to package some of your favorite foods and other items purchased from the grocery store. For example, many cereal companies take advantage of chipboard in order to create their boxes. These boxes are sturdy enough to hold in the product, and they can also be designed to include attractive logos and pictures to grab the attention of potential customers.

Home Décor

Thick cuts of chipboard can be used to create a variety of home décor pieces, including countertops, closets, and cabinet doors. This option is considerably cheaper than wood, marble, or stone. Chipboard is often selected because it is easy to use, and this versatility makes it simple to cut and design. When used to create countertops, it provides homeowners with a secure and safe surface for using metal and class, and its soft qualities can also prevent breakage.

[3/3/2014]

Cardboard Displays and a Successful Trade Show

As a small business owner, you may participate in a variety of trade shows as part of your promotional efforts, but preparing for these events can be both frustrating and scary. You may be wondering what to take for your trade show cardboard displays and what the best method for presenting your information might be. Fortunately, by following a few simple tips, you can experience a successful event.

Find Out the Event Details

Before the show begins, find out the specific details about it. Contact the organizers to determine the type of visitors who usually attend the show, and get an idea of the layout of the space. It is also important to determine the size of your display table and whether there are electrical outlets. You should also ask if there is extra space for your company sign and any display boxes that you might be bringing.

Plan Ahead for an Effective Use of Cardboard Displays

After you know the details of the event, you can begin to plan what items you will take and how you can best show off your business. Many business owners recommend bringing a tablecloth for your space, and it is important to choose one that will represent your color scheme and image while complementing your display. Consider some other helpful tips, as well:

Use levels to arrange your display table, and ensure that larger items are in the back.
If possible, use a standing presentation board that includes pictures of how potential clients might benefit from your service.
Ensure that your company logo and name are displayed prominently.

Offer Incentives

The more traffic you get to your display, the better it will be for your business. Therefore, it is important to make sure you have a variety of giveaways to hand out, such as pens, magnets, brochures, and business cards. Use display boxes efficiently to keep these items organized. Offering food is another great way to draw people over to your area, and while they are helping themselves to your snacks, you can tell them about your business and services.

Some businesses offer a prize or drawing to make their booth stand out from the crowd. Have guests fill out a ticket and drop it into a bowl and then draw for a prize that complements your business. In addition to bringing traffic to your display, you will also have access to this contact information so that you can follow up with prospective clients or customers at a later date.

[2/27/2014]

Unique Ideas for Reusing Your Cardboard Shipping Tubes

If you received an item in the mail that was sent in a mailing tube, you may be wondering what you can do to recycle the container. While reusing it when you have another paper item to send out may be an option, there are a variety of other unique ideas for how you can reuse shipping tubes.

Make Your Own Fire Starters

Instead of spending your money on chemically-treated fireplace blocks, consider recycling your cardboard tubes to make your own fire starters. Smaller cardboard tubes might be a better option for this activity than thick mailing tubes, and they can be made by stuffing old newspaper into one end. Then, place small twigs and dried leaves in the other end. To use this item, place it under your fuel wood and then light the end with the newspaper.

Create a Bird Feeder

If you enjoy watching wild birds, you can use an old cardboard tube to make a custom bird feeder. Make a hole in one of the ends and attach a string to it so that you can hang it from a tree branch. Then, coat the outside portion with peanut butter and roll it in bird seed before hanging.

Organize Your Christmas Lights

Instead of rolling up your Christmas lights and then fighting to untangle them next year, use your left over shipping tubes to keep them organized. Roll the lights up and then place them in a tube, and you will have less of a hassle next year.

Store Knitting Supplies

People who knit or crochet know how annoying it can be to deal with strings that have become interlaced and knotted. Fortunately, by using paper tubes wisely, you can store these strings so that they are always ready-to-use. Simply wrap the strings around the tube and then secure the end in a slit that you cut at the base. You can also store your knitting needles in your extra cardboard tubes, and this can help you to keep the organized and secure.

Create a Boot Tree

If you find it annoying to line up your long boots in your closet only to have them flop over, reusing cardboard tubes may be a great option for you. By cutting the tubes to the necessary length and sticking them into the boots, you can help your boots to stand up straight and to retain their shape until you need to wear them again.

[2/24/2014]

The Many Perks of Edge and Corner Protectors

Corner protectors are often used in packaging, but they have a variety of other characteristics and uses that make them beneficial for each stage of the shipping process. Not only do edge protectors allow you to safeguard the item that you are packing, but they also have other benefits. Edge and corner protectors offer a variety of advantages, making them a top packaging option.

Damage Prevention

Cardboard edge and corner protectors are extremely helpful in preventing damage when your materials are handled. The unique design of these items makes this possible, as they consist of corrugated layers that are folded multiple times to form right angles. This triple protection provides a vital role in minimizing the possibility of damage when items are being handled.

Stacking Strength

Edge protectors have immense stacking strength, and this allows them to be useful in both transport and storage. They allow for vertical strength so that multi-level stacking is an option in warehouses. This can help you to take better advantage of your space, and it can ultimately help you to save money.

Environmentally Friendly

The use of cardboard box partitions and edge and corner protectors create raw material reduction, as they will only protect the edges that are most easily damaged. This requires less material than more excessive solutions that are needed to protect or wrap an entire product. Additionally, many edge protectors are made out of recyclable materials, and this can further reduce the negative impact that these packaging solutions have on the environment.

Vertical Protection

Edge protectors can help to stabilize pallets in a warehouse facility, and this vertical protection is essential during warehousing and transport. The strength of each package can also be improved when boxes are reinforced internally with the use of edge and corner protectors.

Varied Uses

Edge protectors can be used to protect a variety of items during packaging and transport. They are great for fragile items like artwork and mirrors, but they can also be used to protect the corners of furniture items to minimize chips and scratches. They can also be customized in order to meet the needs of items of varied sizes.

If you are in need of customizable edge and corner protectors to keep your products safe during transport, contact us at Instabox. We can help you to find the items you need to ensure your goods reach their final destination, intact.

[2/20/2014]

Filament Tape – Packing Supply Spotlight

Filament tape, sometimes called strapping tape or paper gummed tape, is a tape that is sensitive to pressure. It can be used for a variety of packaging functions, including reinforcing packages, closing boxes, and bundling items. This tape was invented by Cyrus W. Bemmels in 1946, while he was working as a scientist for Johnson and Johnson. There are several varieties, and some can even have up to 600 pounds of strength per inch, while others have different adhesive grades.

Filament Tape Uses and Applications

Filament tape is the option that is most commonly used to close corrugated boxes, including:

Five panel folders
Full overlap boxes
Full telescope boxes

Boxes that are extremely heavy or constructed poorly may also benefit from the use of filament tape. It can be applied with a stationary dispenser manually, but a handheld dispenser is used more commonly. The use of these tools can help to place the tape on a box more efficiently, and it also helps with cutting and rubbing it down. In larger business operations, automated machinery can also be used for tape application, as this type of equipment can apply it in high speed lines.

Packaging Supplies Related to Filament Tape

In addition to filament tape, there are a variety of other options for securing packages.

Polypropylene Strapping Tape. Polypropylene strapping tapes are known for having a strong backing with a rubber adhesive system. They are most commonly used for the purpose of palletizing cartons, and when used correctly, the tape should shrink around the box in order to hold them in tightly. This type of tape will allow for shifting of a load without snapping, and it was the foundation to stretch film, which is now used for pallet wrapping.
Stretch Film. Stretch film originated from filament tape, and it is clear and does not have an adhesive. Typically, this film is used to wrap pallets containing cartons in order to hold them together tightly. It consists of resin, and the cost will fluctuate.
Other Banding Materials. Banding materials are used for bundling and packing, and they can be applied to a variety of different objects. There are also machines available that can control tension in order to ensure that items are secure.

If you need help choosing a filament tape or another packaging accessory, please contact our experienced professionals at Instabox for assistance.

[2/17/2014]

Having a Cardboard Suggestion Box at Work: The Pros and Cons

As a business owner, you likely understand that keeping your employee morale high is important in order to protect your human capital investment. This leads many businesses to utilize a cardboard suggestion box in order to allow workers to submit input. While there are several benefits to using one of these items in your business, there are also some setbacks. By better understanding the pros and cards of having a cardboard suggestion box at work, you can decide if it is a good option for your business and employees.

Cardboard Suggestion Box for New Ideas

Providing your employees with a ballot box which they can use to submit suggestions is a great way to obtain new ideas. These ideas can really improve your business, as your employees are an important source of information. Providing an outlet for employees to submit their ideas anonymously may make them brave enough to submit their suggestions, and this input could help your business to change for the better.

Employee Nonsense

One of the greatest disadvantages of having a cardboard suggestion box is that you will likely receive some false complaints or input from employees, especially from workers who don’t value or respect your leadership. Discriminating or harassing complaints and false accusations may also be submitted, and this can lead to losing good employees due to defamatory comments.

Happy Staff

Adding a cardboard suggestion box to your workplace can help with morale among your staff, as they will feel more valued. By providing your staff with a way to share their opinions, you will show them that you appreciate their ideas and that you are listening to them. If you take the comments that you receive seriously and act on some of the suggestions that you receive, you can significantly improve the morale of your workforce.

Cardboard Suggestion Box to Indicate Productivity Issues

The way in which your employees utilize your suggestion box could lead to a decrease in productivity, especially if they are using their time to create wasteful insights. Even if an employee has a good suggestion, if he or she spends an excessive amount of time thinking about what to put into the box, it may lead to problems with productivity. In order to avoid this potential setback, it is important to establish rules regarding when your suggestion box can be used.

Use Cardboard Suggestion Box to Save Money

Some companies that use a suggestion box have stated that it has resulted in cost savings. The suggestions that you receive from your employees may give you the opportunity to make changes that can keep spending down.

[2/13/2014]

Cardboard Box Partitions, Trays, and other Packaging Accessories

If you are packaging and shipping items in cardboard boxes, you’re aware that there is more to the process than simply putting things in a container and sending them on their way. Boxes can come with a variety of accessories to meet the need of your business that are designed to protect your product and ensure that it arrives at its final destination safely and in one piece. An overview of some of the most common packaging accessories, such as cardboard box partitions, corrugated pads, and trays, is outlined below.

Box Partitions

Box dividers serve an important role in the shipping and transportation industry, as they can prevent items from making contact with one another when they are being moved from one location to another. Most of these dividers are constructed as cardboard panels that intersect, and they can create small, separate compartments within a large box. Dividers are well suited to keeping items in the same position and to cradle objects that are fragile, and many companies will sell these dividers pre-assembled in order to save you both money and time.

Box Pads

Corrugated box pads consist of plain, corrugated cardboard sheets that are cut to your requirements. They can be used to keep layers of your product separate within a larger shipping box, and they are especially helpful as promotional materials. When ordering your pads, you can have them created to meet the needs of any product dimensions. This makes corrugated box pads a great option for keeping products from shifting during transport.

Box Trays

Trays also serve as helpful dividers in packaging boxes, as these topless containers can be a great way to store parts or bottles. These accessories can help to keep items safe during transport, and they can also be important in keeping small parts from getting lost. When designing corrugated trays for your packaging options, you should know that they can be found in die cut or slotted styles, and if used as external packaging, you can customize them to be as fancy as you would like.

If you are in need of cardboard partitions, trays, pads, or other accessories to customize your product or shipping boxes, contact us, at Instabox, today! We’ll be happy to help you come up with the packaging solutions that are right for you and that will keep your products safe and secure during shipping.

[2/11/2014]

Avoid Shipping Horror Stories by Choosing the Right Shipping Supplies

If you ship packages frequently for your business, you have likely had a bad experience at some point in your career. Packages can be mishandled, fragile items may be broken, and in some cases, your items may be stolen. Fortunately, you can minimize the chance that you will encounter one of these shipping horror stories if you choose the right shipping supplies, and other helpful tips are outlined below.

Include Extra Padding

Even if your item isn’t considered fragile, it is safe to be cautious and wrap it one extra time with bubble wrap, foam, or tissue paper. The one time that you choose not to include the extra padding could be the time you encounter a careless mailman or delivery person.

Find Affordable Shipping Supplies

It is important to find affordable shipping tools and materials in order to keep your costs low. Do your research in order to find the best deal on these supplies so that your items can be thoroughly protected without having to spend extra money.

Create a Shipping Checklist

In order to ensure that your items are being shipped properly, create a checklist of every activity that needs to be completed when an item in your business is shipped. This will be especially helpful if you need to have someone else help you to ship your items in the future.

Insure Everything

Your customers might not want to pay the extra money for insurance, but it may be in your best interest to do so on your own. You can also include it within the shipping price. Therefore, if anything is ever lost in transit, your expenses will be covered.

Use Plastic Wrap

Some logistics professionals recommend always wrapping items in plastic before shipping, regardless of how fragile they may or may not be. This could be as simple as dropping an item into a Ziploc bag. In the event that your package encounters water during the shipment process, you can rest assured that it won’t be damaged.

Invest in a Shipping Scale

You no longer have to go to the post office and weigh each of your items. Instead, invest in a shipping scale so that you can determine exactly how much your item weighs to save yourself time.

Complete Package Information Thoroughly

It is important to make sure that your shipping information is as complete and as thorough as possible when mailing out a shipment. Use your address labels to write out full names and addresses, or invest in a shipping stamp in order to make putting down your return address even easier.

[2/6/2014]

Avoid Injury when Loading Shipping Boxes into a Moving Truck

If you are in the process of a move and are loading your shipping boxes on your own, it is important to take steps to ensure you are being safe and avoiding injuries. Some tips for safely loading your items are outlined below.

Load Preparation

Pre-planning is important to reduce fatigue and loading time before you begin loading your moving truck.

When possible, use corrugated cartons and moving boxes that are similar in size.
Ensure that boxes are labeled to indicate their contents and where they will go in your new home.
Remove shelving from bookcases and armoires, and wrap them separately.
Disassemble large furniture pieces if possible, including dressers, entertainment centers, and kitchen tables.
Remove screws, parts, and other hardware from furniture, and place them in a separate and sealable bag.

Loading the Truck

Take the following tips into consideration when you are loading your shipping boxes and items into your moving truck:

Ensure that your route from your home to the truck is free of obstacles.
Secure each level of item with rope or straps to ensure that they don’t move or shift during transport.
Load appliances and your heaviest pieces of furniture first, and pace them along the walls of the truck in order to distribute weight evenly.
Stack boxes from the floor to the ceiling, and put the heaviest items on the bottom.
Load the most fragile items or those that are shaped awkwardly last, and ensure that they are secured tightly in order to prevent damage.
Use rolled up rugs or bags of clothes to fill in empty spaces to prevent other items from moving.

Stay Safe While Loading

While many people take precautions to ensure that their belongings are safe during transport, fewer take the proper steps to ensure that they avoid injury during the process. By following some simple tips, you can stay safe when loading your shipment:

Get help when lifting the heaviest items, and consider renting a dolly, if necessary.
Wear supportive footwear that has good traction, and never wear open-toed shoes.
Never wear clothes that are loose and could snag when carrying furniture and other items.
Avoid uneven and slippery surfaces when carrying and loading items.
Bend from the knees when picking up items, and lift from your legs.
Take your time, and take breaks if you have a lot of items to move.
Wear gloves when handling bulky items that have sharp corners or edges.

[2/3/2014]

Tips for Wrapping Your Customized Gift Box Flawlessly

Whether it’s for the holidays or a birthday celebration, wrapping a customized gift box can be a stressful experience if you don’t know what you’re doing. You want your gift to look beautiful while using the fewest resources possible, but sometimes it still turns out looking like a clumsy mess. By following a few simple steps, you can impress your friends and family by presenting a flawlessly wrapped gift.

Wrapping Your Gifts

To begin wrapping your gifts, consider following a few important steps:

Ensure that you have enough space, and then lay out your wrapping paper. It is important to ensure that you cut enough paper so that it will fit your entire gift, so measure it with a ruler or tape measure if necessary. Try to leave an extra inch or two on each side to ensure that your gift containers will be completely covered.
After your paper has been cut to the desired size, flip your gift so that is face-down in the middle of your paper. Then bring the sides of the paper up on the long side of the package. Make sure to pull tightly so that the paper lies smoothly against the package, and then tape the sides closed.
Close the ends by folding the left and right edges and then pushing them in next to the box. This will form flaps.
Fold down the top flap so that it is next to the box, and then secure it with tape once it is tight. Then fold the bottom flap upward and tape it after it is tight. Turn the box around and repeat to the final open side of your package.
Turn the package right-side-up, and rub your finger along the edges to form a creased ridge.

Other Gift Wrapping Tips

When it comes to wrapping gifts, especially for the holidays, it is important to start wrapping early. By wrapping your gifts along the way as you buy them, you can avoid the stress associated with last-minute wrapping. Gift wrapping supplies can also be expensive, so buy them a few at a time before the holiday season or a special birthday, and then store all of your supplies in a special place. Saving unused gift wrapping supplies can save you money the following year, as you can reuse the items that you did not need the year before. Finally, choosing a wrapping paper that contains a grid for easy cutting on the alternate side can also make your gift wrapping experience much easier.

[1/27/2014]