Disposing of Amazon Boxes

There has been a massive shift in the American Economy and how we now do business. This grand shift has also affected how the average American shops. The Pandemic has created a wave of changes across our country.  They began by the Federal Government giving guidelines for individuals to follow.  The individual States then took those guidelines and changed them into their own version and enacted laws. These laws albeit are mostly unconstitutional on the Federal and State level to enforce but are actually being enforced and it has created a new country. Now with fear rising due to the uncertainty of being arrested and the hardship of going out to the local stores which most are now closed people are staying home. 

We are now shopping from home more than ever and most people now have an abundant supply of used Shipping boxes in their homes. This is because people are afraid of a virus and fear of being arrested and so they order items they need online.  The amount of shipping has caused Amazon to hire 100,000 workers and the number continues to rise.  The amount of shipping boxes being sent across the country is at its highest rate ever.  This has led to a major problem of how to get rid of these extra boxes.

When I look in my garage it is full of amazon packages and packages from all different companies.  THe issue is they are still in my garage taking up space.  That is the reason why they are still there, they simply take up space. I am only allowed to use so many trash bags per week to get rid of my trash.  So I keep compiling an excess of cardboard and it’s becoming difficult to get rid of it.

My solution is to get yourself a very nice knife.  You can also get a high end pair of scissors as well.  You then need to set aside some time to cut all the corners which are kept to gether with tape and then fold the boxes into the most compact form possible. To fit in trash cans I suggest having each section be no wider than 12 inches and no longer then 24 inches.  This allows you  to stack to section per most trash bags and create many sections of width.  Make sure you tools that you chose have very comfortable handles which are more rounded instead of square so your hands do not blister due to the repeated movements in which they will be forced to do.  The pressure on your hands creates friction which can lead to injuries quickly. So choose wise high end tools and be efficient when throwing out your cardboard.

Pandemic and Trash

Unexpected consequences are an outlier that must be addressed for every action to take.  This year there are more of them being found that will impact the American Economy for years.  The trickle down of the economy is going to be a huge unexpected consequence but there are other more subtle issues that have occurred due to the change in policy from Federal and Local Governments across the country.  One area I have recently noticed that will somehow take its toll on our society is the vast amount of extra shipping that has occured due to the stay at home orders being put in place.  Most of the country is unable to leave their homes except for essential or emergency purposes. This has caused online shopping and the use of shipping boxes to sky rocket. 

What does this look like for the average homeowner in America?  I can personally open my garage and see a stack of cardboard boxes 10x10 feet in the garage and stacked 3 feet high.  In all honesty it is truly mind boggling.  We have never purchased so many things online in our lives.  The quantity is alarming for us.

Why are we doing it? We are finding that going to a grocery store has lots of risks to it.  One there is the legal risk of being pulled over for and having our rights violated due to the unconstitutional stay at home order.  It has given police the right to pull anyone over for zero reason.  This defines multiple rights and is a dangerous situation because if I refuse to allow my rights to be violated I may be killed due to lack of training and understanding from inept or corrupt police. It was funny until today a New York mayor just ordered the specific arrest of Jewish citizens to be arrested for gathering outside their homes.  It is no longer safe and no longer free to be an American.

Getting back to what we will do with all those shipping boxes in our garage and why we have kept them.  The reason is I don’t know how to dispose of so many.  Our trash only allows us to get rid of so many bags of trash per week and cardboard boxes even when cut down and folded take up so much space.  They also destroy the bags we are required to use due to their sharp edges.  So we are now creating a growing pile of trash that will not be disposed of any time soon.  Soon this unexpected consequence will bog down another industry in our economy, the trash collectors.

When a Box Becomes the Blame

It’s strange how often a simple box takes the fall. Something arrives broken, and everyone blames the shipping company. But often, it wasn’t the truck, the driver, or the rain—it was the box that wasn’t ready for the trip. A weak seam, a poor fit, or a bit too much empty space can turn a smooth delivery into a frustrating one.

Shipping boxes are quiet heroes when they do their job right and easy scapegoats when they don’t. They’re asked to do a lot: survive pressure, hold their shape, protect fragile items, and handle being tossed, stacked, and squeezed through distribution centers. And yet, many businesses treat them as an afterthought—a simple necessity instead of the foundation of reliable delivery.

The truth is, a shipping box is more than just a container. It’s a barrier between your hard work and the world outside. Every time a box breaks down, it’s not just cardboard failing—it’s the moment your effort meets reality. No matter how careful you were in crafting what’s inside, if it arrives in poor shape, that effort gets overshadowed.

A good shipping box doesn’t need to be heavy or expensive, but it does need to be chosen with care. Size, structure, and material all change the story of how a box performs. A box that’s too large lets things move freely, turning every bump into a collision. A box that’s too small builds pressure inside, forcing its walls to carry more stress than they were meant to. Both lead to the same result: something damaged and a customer wondering why.

And then there’s time. Even the strongest cardboard weakens when it’s reused too often. It might look fine on the outside, but inside, those fibers are worn down from the last trip. They’ve bent, compressed, and absorbed moisture. One more round in the system, and they’re ready to give out. Reused boxes are like reusing an umbrella that’s already flipped inside out once—it might open again, but you can’t count on it in a storm.

Shipping also exposes boxes to forces they were never meant to face—humidity that softens them, temperature changes that make adhesives peel, or warehouse floors that collect moisture. Every stage of the journey adds a new challenge, and only the boxes that are built for resilience make it through without showing the scars.

When a box performs well, nobody talks about it. It’s invisible success—the kind that quietly protects reputations and saves costs. When it fails, it’s the first thing everyone notices. And that’s what makes choosing the right one so important. You’re not just protecting your products; you’re protecting the impression you leave behind.

Customers might not think about the box consciously, but they feel it. They feel it when a package arrives in perfect shape. They feel it when they cut through a clean seal and find everything exactly as expected. They feel safe buying from you again because, even though they don’t say it, they know you care about the details.

That’s what good shipping boxes really do—they carry trust. They’re not the star of the show, but they make sure the show goes on without interruption. And when the box holds, your business’s promise does too.

Because the best box is the one nobody ever has to think about—it just works.

Why the Right Shipping Box Can Make or Break Your Entire Shipping Process

When most businesses think about shipping, they think tape guns, labels, and hoping the courier shows up on time. But before any of that happens, the very first thing that determines whether a package arrives safely—or arrives at all—is the shipping box itself. And for many businesses, this is the step that quietly drains profits, damages customer satisfaction, and creates headaches that could have been prevented with one simple fix: choosing the right box for the job.

A shipping box isn’t just “a box.” It’s a structure engineered to withstand pressure, stacking, climate changes, conveyor belts, delivery trucks, and—let’s be honest—some rough handling along the way. When a box is too thin, too small, too large, or simply poor quality, it sets off a chain reaction of slowdowns, extra filler material, unnecessary shipping fees, and potential product damage. And those costs add up fast.

Think of your shipping boxes as the suit of armor your product travels in. If the armor is too weak, the product takes the blow. If the armor is oversized, you’re paying to ship air. If the armor is inconsistent, your warehouse spends more time patching problems than shipping orders. That’s why choosing the right shipping box—and sticking with high-quality corrugated construction—is one of the simplest ways to reduce returns, boost efficiency, and create a more predictable, more profitable shipping operation.

One of the most common mistakes businesses make is using the same-size box for too many jobs. While it feels simpler, it ends up costing more. A good shipping strategy includes multiple box sizes to handle a range of products. A small item rattling around inside a too-large box increases damage rates and forces you to overspend on bubble wrap or kraft paper. A box that’s just barely big enough may bulge, weaken at the seams, or fail under stacking pressure. Box choice is where precision matters most.

Another key element is box strength. Not all corrugated cardboard is created equal—burst strength, edge crush ratings, and flute types matter. High-quality shipping boxes protect your inventory across long distances and unpredictable handling. Lower-quality boxes may seem cheaper upfront, but they fold, crush, or split when stacked, costing far more in replacements and damaged product claims.

Consistency also matters. When your boxes arrive uniform in cut, strength, and fold, your warehouse becomes more efficient. Taping becomes faster, packing lines run smoother, and boxes stack reliably without leaning or collapsing. This leads to fewer delays and more orders going out the door each day.

And, of course, there’s customer perception. When a customer receives a shipment in a sturdy, clean, well-sized box, it signals care, professionalism, and reliability. No dents. No crushed corners. No “I hope nothing broke in here.” A good box protects your product and your reputation at the same time.

Whether you’re shipping handcrafted goods, industrial parts, fragile items, or daily ecommerce orders, high-quality shipping boxes are the foundation of a strong shipping process. They cut costs, prevent damage, and help your team work faster—all while giving your customers the confidence that what they ordered will arrive just the way they expected.

Strong shipping starts with strong boxes. And the businesses that choose wisely see smoother operations, fewer problems, and a healthier bottom line.

Choosing the Right Tape for Packaging

Tape may seem like a little thing but it’s actually important for securing packaging.  Not all of them are equal, and here, we’ll go over the most common types of tape for packaging. 

Self-Adhesive Kraft Paper Tape 

This is a natural tape that’s made from materials that are natural and has been a popular one for a lot of eco-conscious people. It’s an adhesive that offers the strongest hold while also providing a very gentle response to the environment.  Finding a tape that aligns with the values and sustainability is important, and you’ll get this with kraft paper tape. 

When choosing packaging, the materials that you want should be both eco friendly and effective, but self-adhesive kraft paper tape ticks all of these boxes. 

It’s made from a renewable resource, and is a tape that’s not just biodegradable, but easy to recycle too, so you’ll be able to dispense it without harming the world around you. 

Kraft paper is basically a type of strong paper that’s natural and made from certain paper pulp that’s ideal for packaging. It’s good for sealing boxes and even parcels too and offers a very strong hold. 

Polypropylene Tape 

Next is polypropylene tape, which is versatile, and known for strength and durability. It withstands the handling that’s rough, and also the extreme temperatures that are there so it’s ideal for businesses and shipping goods that might encounter harsher conditions in its wake. 

Polypropylene tape is reliable for those that want to secure the packaging that they need to ensure that the packaging is there. 

When choosing packaging, you need a high-quality material, and polypropylene tape is made for the ultimate protection and security of these items. It’s robust in construction, and ensures that it withstands these transportation rigors, whether it’s shipped across a country, or even outside of there too. 

It’s durable, and this is specifically made to withstand many of the demands that packaging has, due to the tensile strength, so it can be subjected to a lot of wear and tear. 

It’s also really good for being resistant to humidity and moisture and is important when you’ve got goods that might have to go through a damp environment or even harsher weather. 

Vinyl Tape 

This is a tape that’s good for moisture. It’s great because for those that get exposed to liquids and water in the transit process, vinyl tape offers a tighter seal, so the goods are dry and safe. Even unpredictable weather can’t stop this. 

When choosing packaging protection, you want to go with something that’s strong. 

This tape is one of the strongest against water damage to packaging, and it can be transported even through spills. 

It also is versatile too, and works with plastic, cardboard, and even metal in order to keep things secure. It’s a reliable solution for all types of packaging experiences, whether sealing envelopes, boxes, or even bundling various items. 

Customized Tape 

Finally, we have customized tape, which is branded tape that’s made for customers to engage and interact with one’s brand. It does set the stage for the inner packaging, boosting excitement when they see the customized tape.  It’s a great way to build an unforgettable impression. 

If you’re putting together unboxing experiences or want to make the customer feel like they’re really included, this is the best option, as it will build a better, stronger bond with the brand, in ways you may never have thought possible. 

Tape is important and these are some of the top picks for brands to use to secure the packaging. 

A Shipping Box Is a Structural Tool

A shipping box is not just a container. It is a piece of structure. Once a package leaves the building, the box becomes the only thing holding everything together. It carries weight, absorbs impact, and protects against pressure from every side. When a box fails, it usually means it was asked to do more than it was built for.

One of the most misunderstood parts of shipping boxes is strength. Many people judge a box by how thick it feels. Thickness matters, but structure matters more. The way the box is designed, folded, and sealed affects how well it holds up under load.

Boxes that lose their shape under pressure often cause damage even if they don’t fully collapse. A slight bow in the side can shift weight inside. Corners that soften can allow stacking pressure to transfer directly to the product. These issues are subtle, but they happen often during transit.

Shipping boxes also need to match how they will be handled. Some shipments travel long distances and go through multiple facilities, while others move quickly and stay local. A box that works for one route may not work for another. When box choice doesn’t account for handling conditions, failure rates rise.

Sealing is another common issue. Even a strong box can fail if it isn’t sealed correctly. When flaps don’t align or tape doesn’t bond properly, the structure weakens. The box may look fine at pickup but open under stress later on.

Standard box sizes help reduce this risk. When products are consistently packed in the same box, sealing becomes routine. Tape lands in the same spots every time, flaps sit flush, and strength improves through consistency rather than extra material.

There’s also a balance between strength and efficiency. Overbuilt boxes cost more and weigh more, while underbuilt boxes increase damage risk. The goal is not to use the strongest box available, but the strongest box that makes sense for the product and shipping conditions.

Shipping boxes influence packing speed in subtle ways. Boxes that square easily and stay rigid reduce adjustment time. Packers don’t have to fight warped flaps or push sides into place. Over hundreds of orders, these small improvements save real time.

Damage investigations often lead back to box selection. Products may be packed carefully, but if the box wasn’t designed to handle stacking pressure or impact, even good packing can fail. Without the right structure, protection breaks down.

Customers experience the box before anything else. A firm, clean box creates confidence. A soft or misshapen box creates concern. Even before opening, customers form an opinion about the shipment and the business behind it.

As shipping environments become more automated, boxes face more mechanical handling. Conveyors, drops, and automated sorting systems are less forgiving than manual handling. Shipping boxes must be chosen with these realities in mind to prevent avoidable failures.

Shipping boxes don’t need to be complicated, but they do need to be appropriate. When they are, they quietly do their job. When they aren’t, problems show up later in damage reports and customer complaints. A shipping box is a structural tool—when it’s treated that way, shipping becomes more reliable and predictable.

Digital Vs. Offset Printing

 If you’re looking to print something, you’ve got two types of options. Usually. You’ve got regular detail printing that is printed to the way things look on the screen, or offset, which is something that uses color output in order to help get the right design. 

While some may prefer one over the other because of the prices, there can be costly mistakes, which play a role in the future options that are there. 

Below, we’ll go over each of these, what they are, and the benefits and drawbacks of both. 

Offset Printing 

Offset is basically where you utilize plates onto sheets that are colored, letting them sit in a rapid kind of succession, stamping it directly onto the paperboard. It’s how newspapers, along with magazines get made. 

They offer great image quality, but they are best for print runs that are large volume. Low volume projects won’t want to use this because of the excess time to get it done. 

Digital printing 

Digital printing is basically the printing that’s does the same type of printing that a normal printer or other type of medium you have at home works for this. 

It’s quicker, and also doesn’t really impact the quality for lower-level jobs. 

It’s also much easier to create different printing runs through the printing press. 

The problem with this, however, is that it impacts the fidelity of the color, and the flexibility of the material that traditional offset printing provides in some cases. 

This is something that some people like to use for lower volumes, since it definitely does not look as high of quality, and that of course, can impact the use of this in a lot of cases as well. 

Printing Methods: what’s best 

Offset is best for very large orders, or something that’s over 1000 different units. Digital is good for the smaller types of jobs. 

If you’re going to use paperboard packaging for the item that you’re selling, you’ll want to go with offset printing. That’s because offset offers better output for printing that has to be smaller, and for designs that are a bit smaller for the package. 

The goal is to offer concise, clear packaging for this, as this is vital for making sure that you get the best information possible for many of the customers that are there. 

If you’re someone that is making a smaller order for corrugated packaging, then use digital for this. Offset is great for much larger volumes of running, and the turn time usually is around the same, but it does cost a bit more, so digital is the way to go. 

When you compare the color depth on this, offset printing definitely does outperform the digital printing options, so if you need something bright, or with the color depth that really highlights the product, then you’re best to go with that. 

Offset printing does use the Panton Matching system of color to make sure that the inks are perfectly matched, but digital printers are limited, since the utilize color calibration that is more approximate than anything. 

Offset also is very good for kraft paper products that need white ink. Digital cannot offer this.  Offset is good if the color is more attractive, crisp and clean. For those that have smaller, simpler orders that are not really in the budget for something this large, then just spend the money on a digital printer. 

Both are good, but one does have a better option for color, and for many ecommerce people, understanding the difference can impact the packaging, so keep this in mind when choosing one over the other for your packaging needs.