Boxes Mania
Friday 8 May 2020
Disposing of Amazon Boxes
Pandemic and Trash
Saturday 10 November 2018
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.
Thursday 31 May 2018
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.
Saturday 14 April 2018
Old paperboard transport boxes made cardboard
The very first box made for shipping was a paperboard box. These boxes were flimsy, prone to getting destroyed by the elements, and overall poorly made. In 1817 a man who lived in England by the name of Cronchuck wanted a way to safely transport items from place to place. This desire made him design the very first shipping boxes, the paperboard box. After a few years, a man named Sir Malcolm Thornhill improved upon the paperboard boxes to make what we know and use today, corrugated cardboard.
As the name suggests, these boxes were made from paper, so we can infer they were not that strong. Cronchuck wanted to have a way his company could transport items in a more safe way rather than carrying them from place to place and leaving them to the elements. This need made him begin to think of ways he could accomplish just that. He came up with the idea of paperboard boxes after seeing his son fold some paper to form a rectangular box. With this new idea, he got to work making these boxes as best as he could with the materials and machinery he had at his disposal. Unfortunately, the boxes were still paper, so it was not all that strong, but it got the job done.
After a few years, Sir Malcolm Thornhill improved upon his design by accident. While at his paper smith job making paper bags, a ruler used to measure and accurately cut and fold the paper shifted. This shift caused the paper to fold and crease. He used this accidental discovery to make the paperboard boxes better. By putting this piece of wavy paper between two others, he made the first corrugated box. This idea was not able to be put into full effect until the turn of the twenty-first century as materials became more available.
With this new discovery, cardboard boxes were the next step in improving the quality of paperboard boxes. With the newly discovered technique to make corrugated boxes, the shipping industry changed. Now they were able to fit more into the sturdy boxes without fear of the box falling apart. There was still the problem of boxes falling apart in the rain so to try and fix that, and wax was placed on the exterior of the boxes in hopes of repelling the water. Today we laminae the boxes to do just that, protect from moisture.
If it were not for Thornhill’s accidental discovery, would we still be using paperboard shipping boxes? The poor quality of these boxes probably would not last in today’s world. The need for something better is always there so, and it is a good thing both Cronchuck and Thornhill invented what they did when they did. We still use Thornhills corrugation discovery to this day. It is odd how paper can be made into something as sturdy as cardboard, all things considered. It amazes me how Cronchuck and Thornhill were able to come up with these ideas and mass produce them given the time period. Back then, materials for crafting were few and far between. Some materials were left undiscovered for years. Not to mention the machinery they had then versus what we have today and were still able to come up with such a helpful product that is still used to this day.
Thursday 14 September 2017
Why Custom Packaging is the Fastest Way to Get Ahead
A lot of ecommerce businesses are popping up everywhere and there are more and more every single day. Each of these does vie for your attention, so the messages and branding does need to get ahead of the game, to offer some good awareness for the long-term and the short-term, which offers better, repeat orders.
The packaging is something that customers want to have, and if it’s bland, they feel like they didn’t get their money’s worth. Custom packaging is a better way to go about doing things, and we’ll go over why that is here.
A Better Customer Experience
Yes, having generic packaging is something that’s cheap, and it’s simple, but the thing is, it’s not really you, or your products. Custom packaging is the opposite, as it’s made for those products specifically, to offer the best branding experience, and offers value, and appreciation to others. Customers can also get their purchases further personalized too through the packaging, and when you say their name, or even a small, special message, it adds some unique value to this as well.
Differ from Others
A lot of the current competing businesses don't use this, so everything’s a sea of bland and boring packaging, but when you use custom packaging, this creates a brand identity that's cohesive, that’s recognizable to many people. With packaging becoming the new extension of various branding identities, you want to make sure that you do decide to make it different, and it’s important.
Plus, when you offer custom packaging, this as well reinforces the branding too. Having a cohesive brand identity is something that makes you very recognizable to other people, and remember, you want the packaging to be a unique extension of such, which is why you want to offer a packaging that’s uniform, and also shows off the aesthetics that you’re going for too.
It offers Better Value
When customers see the boring, generic packaging, it’s not perceived as high, and it usually doesn’t give that impression that these things are luxurious and also exclusive, and most of the time, they may not want to purchase it due to that. But with custom packaging, you get that.
It shows off better quality products too. When you use materials that are custom made, it’ll withstand the wear and tear that’ll sometimes happen when you’re shipping it, and it also showcases the product quality that’s there.
For instance, for luxury packaging, you have to make sure that you’re using materials that showcase this. Leather, velvet, and the like are good and they usually can be made in an affordable way to offer a stylish, and a sleek way of designing things.
Brings More Customers and Shows the Identity of the Brand
If you’re looking to improve the relationships with those that buy from you, and boost that loyalty, this is the best way to do this. That’s because custom packaging shows a higher standard in the consumer’s eyes, and offers a long-lasting, beneficial result from this.
You want to make sure that you include everything that you can in this. Those little details of what's on the packaging, and also having these nice little qualities, all play a major part in building a fun packaging experience.
The best way to improve your packaging is to go custom, for it offers a high-quality, branded experience, and you’ll be glad to see this.
So next time you’re looking to decide on boring brand packaging, or something a bit more unique, go for the latter, and see how it makes you feel as well.
Sunday 20 August 2017
Ideas for Sustainable Luxury Packaging
For a lot of companies, especially those that deal with luxury packaging, the other question of how to be sustainable does play a role in this. When you have an opulent box, you will generate interest from customers, but some of them might be more wary of the packaging due to the fact that it might not be sustainable.
If you have a market that is growing towards sustainability, then you’re not alone. Here, we’ll go over some of the ideas for sustainable packaging, and what to consider.
Elements of Sustainable Luxury Packaging
When making your packaging luxury and eco friendly, there’s a few things that you need to consider.
The first thing, being the materials. Corrugated cardboard is a common one, and some might even use bioplastics and other unique types of items to help be more eco friendly.
As for the finishes, while lamination might seem like the right thing for some, it does create a problem for those worried about the environment. Eco Friendly varnishes and inks, such as vegetable inks and water-based inks might be options for building luxury packaging.
There are also design elements that come with this. The luxury packaging can still look good and high quality, but also uses a functional design that will really shine. Some might even consider the outlet of reusable packaging, especially if you're someone who is interested in making their packaging different and bolster the excitement of sustainable forms of packaging.
You have to think outside the box for this, but there are some materials that work well for luxury packaging, and are worth mentioning, which we’ll go over next.
Rigid Boxes
Rigid boxes are the first step.
There are, of course, rigid boxes that you can unfold and put together, or even two-piece rigid boxes, where you can open up and get the item inside.
Some of them may even have a magnetic closure, or even a luxury element to them, such as a slide-out box. There are also luxury box packaging that are rigid boxes, which are used for bookends, candles, and other types of unique products.
Overall, rigid boxes are the best way to show that you are willing to put the money in, while also being eco friendly. They are made from corrugated fibers, and they’re strong. You don’t have to worry about the item getting messed up in transit with these and are considered a favorite for a lot of luxury brands such as jewelry brands.
Kraft Paper
Kraft paper is another one. It’s recyclable, and it looks good. If you want to advertise as a sustainable brand, this is a great way to do so. It does accommodate minimalism as well, so a lot of times, people will enjoy putting different items in there. skincare brands especially love their kraft paper bags because of the unique elements that are there.
Woven Bags
Woven bags are another one. These are made with natural fibers, including hemp, and are simple to close. Some luxury brands are getting into the habit of using this because it’s easier on the environment, and they can be reused for other things. a lot of new age and younger brands like this, because it’s reusable, rather than recycled.
Non-Plastic Bags
Bioplastics and other unique materials such as paper might be a great option too. These are like the bags that we know and love, but are better for the environment, because they aren’t just generating a ton of plastic.
Overall, using these options for your luxury packaging is the way to go, especially if you want to really stand out.