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]

The Main Types of Packaging Foam

Packaging foam is commonly used as cushioning material for boxes, and this packaging solution is known for its versatility and its ability to be customized. There are three main types of packing foam that are used in the shipping and packaging industries, and these include polyurethane, polyethylene, and expanded polystyrene (EPS). An overview of these three main types of packaging foam is outlined below.

Polyurethane

This material combines the best properties of plastic and rubber without any of the weaknesses associated with vinyl films. This means that it is not prone to brittleness and is easy to work with. It can also be modified easily to suit a variety of applications, and custom foam shapes can also be created. Polyurethane is most commonly used for light and small products that are sensitive to shock. Other materials that use polyurethanes include:

  • Elastomeric tires and wheels
  • Automotive suspension bushings
  • Certain adhesives
  • Synthetic fibers (such as Spandex)
  • Carpet underlay

Polyethylene

Polyethylene foam is sometimes known as P.E., and it is one of the strongest closed cell foams available for packaging. It is popular for its ability to withstand significant pressure without losing some of the resilient cushioning properties for which it is known. Since this product is great for dampening vibrations and absorbing shock, it is commonly used as end caps, planks, and rolls. End caps can be placed around items to hold them into place, thus protecting the item from damage during transport. When purchasing P.E., it is often found in large rolls that are about 1/8 inch thick, and it can be used as void fill to provide products with additional protection.

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)

EPS is an extremely popular packaging material, and it is often selected over the other options due to its versatility and cost effectiveness. It is used in a variety of applications when products are in need of a light weight, durable, and thermal insulating packaging solution. This closed-cell material can also be used to create the packaging peanuts that are commonly used as cushioning void fill, and it provides good properties of insulation. However, sheets of EPS are not a great choice when you are in need of a material that is good for shock absorption because it is quite rigid and can break when subjected to force. Polyurethane and polyethylene are better options if you are in need of a material to absorb shock during transport.

[1/23/2014]

The Best Customized Packaging Materials for Frozen Food

Freezing food is one of the most versatile, quickest, and easiest ways to preserve it. When food is frozen properly, it can maintain much of its original texture, flavor, and color, and it can also retain its original nutrients more so than food that is preserved through other methods. A variety of customized packaging materials can be used for packaging frozen food, and more information about this process is outlined below.

Packaging Material Characteristics

When it comes to packaging food, the main purpose is prevent food items from drying out while preserving nutritional value, color, texture, and flavor. A good material for freezing food should have many of the following characteristics:

  • Vapor and moisture-proof
  • Leak-proof and durable
  • Mad of a material that is designed for food product use
  • Resistant to water, grease, and oil
  • Easy to store, fill, label, and seal
  • Protect against other odors and flavors

Types of Packaging Materials

When you are in need of a packaging material to store frozen food, rigid containers are often a good choice. These containers can be made of plastic, aluminum, waxed cardboard, and sometimes glass. Containers that have tapered or straight sides will also help with the removal of frozen foods from the packaging, and folding cartons are a commonly used packaging solution.

Frozen Food Packaging Tips

If you are packaging food to be frozen, it is important to ensure that all foods have cooled thoroughly before handling them. This will help to speed up the freezing process. Choose packaging solutions that will allow you to pack foods together in quantities that you will use at one time, and package them tightly so that air within the package is reduced. You should also consider some other helpful tips when it comes to freezer packaging, labeling, and sealing:

  • When you are wrapping food, get as much air out as possible and then place the wrapping as close to the food item as possible.
  • Eliminate air pockets in a container by running the handle of a rubber spatula across the inside of a package.
  • Provide some head space between the package closure and the food so that room for expansion is available if the size of the food changes after freezing. However, loose vegetables usually will not need this head space.
  • Ensure that sealing edges of packages are free of food and moisture so they can provide a secure closure.

[1/20/2014]

Showcase Your Product with Customized Packaging

When you are selling a product, you are tasked with the difficult decision of how to deliver it to your potential customers. While it is vital to ensure that your product arrives at its final destination intact, there are also other important factors to consider. The packaging option that you choose needs to stand out to customers and make them want to select your product over the competition. Fortunately, customized packaging options are available to help you to develop the packaging option that will meet your needs exactly.

Protection

As previously noted, one of the most important parts of product packaging is ensuring that your item is intact when the customer opens the box. Consider your product and how fragile it is, and then think of options that can help to protect it. A sturdy box is the first step, and you will also want to include fillers to prevent your item from shifting during transport. It is also important to consider the safety of the recipient, as certain items like household cleaners and razor blades could cause damage or injury if not packaged correctly.

Marketing

Many product packaging companies exist for the purpose of providing attractive packaging options to help with your marketing campaign. A well-designed package can actually help to sell products, and you should take this opportunity to design a package that will grab a customer’s attention and stand out. Even if you want a simple bag or cardboard box as your item’s packaging, you should be sure to add something distinctive so that customers will be able to recognize your brand in the future.

Security

In a retail location, choosing custom packaging that might help with your product’s security is essential. Small items are easy targets for shoplifters, and sometimes even well-intentioned customers accidently walk off with items without paying for them. In other cases, large and high value items have also disappeared from retail locations, and this can cost you a lot of money in lost sales. Therefore, it is important to use packaging that will discourage theft or that will make it harder to steal a package. Consider placing security features on your packaging, or put small and expensive items into larger packages to that they are more difficult to steal. However, be sure to remember that consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the environment, so don’t overdo it.

[1/16/2014]