Every once in a while we find a new product that fits perfectly into our green packaging store because it is an affordable, sustainable packaging solution that we can make available to our customers regardless of their usage or volume. Traditionally paper void fill and cushioning...
Our customers understand how branding can help them get their message across and create a positive and memorable impression via their packaging. One of the most popular products we offer that helps them accomplish that is custom printed, water activated paper tape. Not only is...
We help our customers communicate through their packaging, but few jobs we’ve completed are as personally satisfying as the work we recently did for www.SeaOtters.com.
Spend a few minutes on their web site and you’ll understand why this organization is so concerned about the health and well being of this endangered species. This is an organization that deserves and needs our support, and I encourage you to visit their site to “like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
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Like most industries, the corrugated business loves acronyms, and these are two of the most common.
RSC Boxes
RSC stands for “regular slotted carton” and is the typical box construction that results in four flaps on the bottom box opening and four flaps at the top opening. On a rectangular box, the smaller side panel flaps are the minor flaps, and the larger, longer ones creating the box length are called the major panels. The key point distinguishing an RSC box is that the major panels meet in the middle where they are typically taped together using plastic or water-activated tape.
FOL boxes
This acronym stands for “Full Overlap,” which is what the flaps in this case do. In some cases, two panels are cut so they extend all the way to the opposite side, but in many cases all four panels are cut and designed to completely overlap. The photo above clearly shows the difference in the flap lengths on a similar size carton.
At the recent International Housewares Show, I had several conversations with a number of people who wanted to talk about the “bad” packaging they are getting from their foreign suppliers. Well over 90% of all house ware products we all buy and use are manufactured and packaged overseas, which typically results in substantial savings for the importing USA company. However, it can also lead to major headaches and unexpected costs when the packaging that is also being imported does not satisfy varying domestic requirements.
SOPHIE AND GATEWAY[/caption]
We are dog people. Our kids grew up with dogs as pets, so not surprisingly our grandkids are now growing up with dogs at their side. The dog in this picture is our beagle mix Gateway, who we picked up as a pup from a shelter almost eight years ago. Gateway has helped us raise, love and protect five grandchildren between the ages of two and five including the youngest, Sophie, who is shown in the picture playing with her “buddy” since birth.
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Our new line of unpadded poly mailers is quickly becoming a customer favorite because they are incredibly light weight, moisture resistant and easy to use. Also, compared to other poly mailers, they offer a MINIMUM of 50% recycled content, and after use they are recyclable as #4 LDPE plastic waste.
CUSTOM-PRINTED PAPER TAPE SAMPLES[/caption]
In previous posts, we have provided numerous reasons why paper tape is “greener” than plastic tape, and these include the fact that it is biodegradable and repulpable. From a performance perspective, it also adheres better to corrugated creating a stronger box, better protecting the contents from damage, tampering or pilferage. Please see the list of recent Inside Sustainable Packaging and Green Packaging Group posts on this topic at the bottom of this post.
What makes this an ideal time to use water-activated tape (WAT) or convert to it?
GREEN PACKAGING FOR CELL PHONE EXCHANGES[/caption]
There are a number of industries that routinely ship out products such as cell phones, tablets, laptops and a variety of other electronic devices. This is often times done for replacement or loaner purposes when products are being exchanged or returned.
Whatever the reason for the back and forth or “round trip” shipment, the end result is usually excess packaging and higher cost in an already expensive but necessary part of your business.
Usually, we are quick to suggest the use of one packaging material, rather than two, but there are unique applications when combining two different packaging components can result in savings and provide a greener solution.
We were very pleased when we found out some of our products would be featured in a leading photographic magazine because we never designed them to be photogenic. Though, after we saw our boxes in this month’s issue, we have to agree our boxes look great. Please read Robyn L. Pollman’s article,"Green ‘n’ Groovy," on page 80.
A die cut mailer with a past
Our stock 11.125”X8.625”X1” is one of the first mailers we created and it was really made for our own internal use to ship out our stock 100% (PCW) recycled content eco-friendly labels. We needed something that could accommodate the 8.5”X11” sheets of labels and protect them from bending. We all know how bent paper runs through laser or ink jets printers, right? When we could not find anything strong and green enough, we decide to make our own.