Packaging for Your Online Business: How to Package Your Products for Shipping

Whether you are in the manufacturing or the retail business, you probably already have an idea how much impact a neatly wrapped and properly packed product can have on your customers. But now that more and more people are shopping online, the products they buy have to go through other delivery channels before reaching customers’ hands.

In many cases, the products don’t get to the customers in the same pristine condition as when they were shipped. Sometimes, the products get damaged, which can cause major repercussions for your e-commerce business, such as the need to replace the product just to satisfy your customers. And sometimes, boxes get torn and opened in transit; just imagine how your customer would feel to receive a dilapidated package. Whether you like it or not, these things will reflect badly on you, not just on the courier.

So if you’re selling your products online, take time to package your products for shipping, which is far more constrictive than regular product packaging. If you can get away with just using bags in your stores, when it comes to packaging for shipping, using properly and thoroughly sealed boxes is the best option.

Given this, you may want to consider investing in automated packaging solutions, such as carton sealers or taping machines, as these can help you pack your products properly and more speedily so they can be shipped in excellent condition.

Packaging Investment Suggestions for E-Commerce Businesses

There are several types of packaging equipment that can help streamline the packaging process for the benefit of your e-commerce business. If your products need to be protected from moisture, such as books, stretch wrapping equipment will be handy. If your products break easily especially when exposed to physical impact, shrink wrapping ‘bubble wrap’ machines are certainly a must. If your products come in large sizes, such as electronics, case sealers and case erectors are important investments as they can really make a huge difference in protecting your products. And most importantly, since all your products have to come in sealed packages, a taping machine should be one of your first investments.

If you want to go the extra mile to impress your customers, you should also consider investing in your own labeling equipment. This will help you build a brand identity, something that is harder for online businesses to do. You may not have a storefront to display your brand name and logo in, but you can at least leave labeled boxes in your consumers’ homes. They will certainly help make a more lasting impression and thus provide added marketing benefits.    

And before you forget, if you ship items that are breakable, make sure to label all packages with ‘fragile’ to provide additional protection for the items inside.

Going All the Way

Now, even if you’ve invested in packaging machinery and do your best to present your products properly to your customers, you won’t leave a positive impression if your securely and neatly packed product does not get delivered on time. So as an added tip, make sure to choose the right courier service to deliver your products; nothing can ruin a perfectly good product than poor service. Unfortunately, in the e-commerce business, the service of your courier has a huge effect on you. 

As an e-commerce business, shipping is part of your product distribution process, so you can’t just deliver your products to the courier as is. You are still responsible for it until it gets to your customers. Since you don’t have to worry about the overhead expenses that go into maintaining an actual store, you can at least invest in better, more secure packaging for your products. 

A Question of Convenience: How the Fast-Paced Lifestyle Has Changed the Food Packaging Industry

If you’re a food entrepreneur, you may want to keep yourself up-to-date with the latest trends in the food industry, particularly those relating to packaging.

Any entrepreneur in the food business knows that food packaging can be especially challenging as more factors, such as the cleanliness and freshness of food as well as cost should be taken into consideration. Thus, it’s not just enough to invest in carton sealers and taping machines. Coming up with the perfect food packaging is a lot more challenging than that, especially now that ‘convenience foods’ such as fast food and processed foods are on the rise.

‘Convenience foods’ refer to food products that are designed to be consumed quickly. Thus, aside from the usual considerations, business owners also have to check on flexibility and the ability to stay intact during transport.

If you are looking for the best and most convenient food packaging options, here are the top technologies you can use.

Polyester and Other Types of Plastic Containers for To-Go Beverages

In the beverages department, it’s obvious that if you are aiming for convenience, you should not use glass, which is very fragile. This is how plastic bottles became popular. Over time, plastic bottles have also changed. In the past, they were mostly made using PVC or poly-vinyl chloride. This material, however, was eventually banned, and this prompted the industry to look for other alternatives, such as PET or polyester, polycarbonate, polypropylene, and polyethylene.

Due to the large role of plastic in the world of food packaging, it is hard to completely get rid of it. But since plastic is not biodegradable and with concerns regarding environment-friendliness growing, packaging manufacturers are designing plastic containers that are recyclable. Although these still use plastic, they help eliminate waste by allowing repeated uses. 

Tetra Pak and StandiPacks: On-the-Go Snack Pouches

Aside from plastic containers, you can also consider using the all-too-useful Tetra Pak. This, unfortunately, is not a reasonable option for small businesses, and using Tetra Pak requires a significant investment due to the high manufacturing costs it involves. One excellent alternative is standipack, a special food pouch which is designed to stand by itself.

You can also try using retortable pouches, which are made using no less than five layered laminates. These also have sealable polythene on the inner walls. These pouches, or tubes, are most commonly used for paste products such as mayonnaise.

Carton Packs and Trays: On-the-Go Meals

Carton packs have become the norm for to-go food products, and some of these are designed like trays so they can hold complete ready-to-eat meals.

AMPET: Temperature-Resistant To-Go Packaging

AMPET, or amorphous polyethylene terphathalate is a relatively new packaging material that boasts of excellent barrier properties. Its most significant improvement over other packaging materials is its ability to withstand sterilization temperature. This is interesting to note for entrepreneurs whose products require some heating prior to eating.

Agronit Bags: Fruits to Go

Fruits are great to-go food items as they are highly nutritious but are easier and quicker to consume. However, they are also challenging to package as they can easily lose their freshness when not properly packed. Thankfully, Agronit bags, also known as mesh bags, offer the ideal packaging material that can preserve freshness for longer periods and allows you to see through to check on the quality or ripeness of the fruits the bags contain.

If you are selling food to go, you should definitely give your packaging a lot of thought. Additional packaging features that make the consumption process more convenient can go a long way in differentiating your brand and products from competitors.  

Smart Interactive Packaging – Packaging that Breaks Boundaries

If you’ve been following packaging technologies, then you’re probably already aware of just how far they’ve come. But if you haven’t, then you’ll be surprised that it’s no longer just about the fastest and most advanced taping machines and case erectors. These days, we’ve come as far as interactive packaging – or packaging that is ‘alive’, for lack of a better term.

Perhaps the race to attract the consumer faster through innovative packaging has become so competitive that the packaging industry is now breaking boundaries in terms of packaging design. And this has led them to the creation of interactive packaging options.

Pioneers of Interactive Packaging

Food

One packaging technology innovator has recently come up with a special coating that, when added to the packaging of a product, can deliver a certain scent upon handling. This opens up many possibilities for food packaging. Imagine how the supermarket would smell like once this new packaging breakthrough makes it to the mainstream market.

Liquor

Then there’s liquor brand Coors, who began using thermochromic inks that told consumers when the beer is still cold. Since coolness is key to the beer drinking experience, this packaging technology definitely gave Coors a unique advantage in the market.

Other liquor brands such as Smirnoff and Bailey’s have also joined the bandwagon and have begun using electroluminescent labels complete with a graphic equalizer display.

And in yet another display of packaging prowess, vodka brand Medea has come out with limited-edition bottles equipped with a programmable scrolling LED. This allowed consumers to display personal characters on the bottles as long as they use 255 characters or less.

Fruits

In the UK, one store has come up with a smart packaging technology that tells consumers whether avocados and other fruits are already ripe. In fact, the package changes color gradually from pink to green to show the level of ripeness of the fruits. Since the skin of avocados is quite thick, it is quite difficult to tell whether they are ready for consumption. This smart new packaging technology, however, provides the perfect solution to this problem.

In another milestone in fruit packaging technology, a special packaging for bananas have been designed to help slow down the ripening process of bananas. Bananas are some of the fastest fruits to ripen, and when stores are unable to sell all their stocks in time, this leads to a lot of food waste and trash, not to mention a lot of wasted money. But this new technology can help minimize the amount of over-ripe bananas that get thrown away rather wastefully.

QR Codes and More

Before all these new technologies came about, packaging experts mostly relied on QR or ‘Quick Response’ codes to interact with packaging. These are still in use, although their effectiveness and usefulness in packaging has not been maximized.

Manufacturers have mostly used QR codes as a marketing medium that leads consumers to their contact information or to their websites. But there are still so many more useful ways to make use of these codes that have not been unearthed yet.

Clearly, the packaging technology still has a long way to go. As technology continues to advance, it becomes more and more important for entrepreneurs like you to start investing in automated packaging systems and start thinking of ways to make your packaging more in tune with the times.

Turning Pouches into Profits – How to Use Packaging to Drive More Sales

If you’re in the retail business, you are probably already aware of the importance of packaging. But according to a recent research, the role of packaging in driving retail sales is becoming more and more important. In fact, in the process of choosing between two closely similar retail products, consumers are more likely to use packaging as the ultimate differentiator. No wonder businesses, from big brands to small retailers, are now focusing their attention on developing innovative packaging solutions and are investing on automated packaging systems such as taping machines and carton sealers.

Well, if you’re wondering where exactly to focus and what to prioritize as you try to update your product packaging, let’s narrow it down to the three most important:

Your product packaging is an ad. Use it like one.

Don’t let your ads tell one story and your product another. This helps create a unified image of your brand in your consumers’ minds.

Packaging is often associated with boxes, yes, but it doesn’t mean you have to stay within them. Why not go out of the box in terms of the shape, color, or graphics of your product packaging? It will certainly add a unique appeal to your products and make it easier for consumers to reach for them on the shelf.

According to research, it takes consumers less than five seconds to make a purchase decision once they arrive in the right section of a retail aisle. This means that the more attractive your packaging is, the greater its chance of winning consumers over in those few precious seconds.

Just to give you an idea of how important those few seconds are, a packaging technology provider has reportedly developed a coating that can actually deliver a certain scent when a consumer handles the package. It makes you wonder how the supermarket will smell like by the time in case this new technology catches on.

People are extremely busy these days. Convenience is key.

These days, packaging should not only be attractive; the fast-paced lifestyle of today also calls for packaging that is also convenient. This is especially important for food products, which should be convenient enough to allow customers to eat the food in a hurry. This has been the focus of food packaging for quite some time now, hence the rise of microwavable containers and resealable packs.

Some small details can also make a huge difference, like easy-open features and ergonomic packs that are easier to carry. Easier to dispense pouches are now also preferable over bulky boxes. These are just some ideas you should certainly look into when choosing the right packaging for your products.

Going green goes a long way.

Your environmental responsibility can attract a lot of customers these days. You may think that your decision to incorporate greener packaging options in your business will only give you peace of mind but won’t help bring more profit, but you’re wrong.

More and more people are now becoming attracted to all things eco-friendly, and interest in them is ever growing. Consumers now feel more assured in choosing a brand that are aware of their social responsibility, and it’s also good publicity to be in good terms with environmental activists.

Fortunately for entrepreneurs, the packaging industry itself is rising up to the challenge of meeting the growing demand for innovative packaging technologies. This means that you now have plenty of options to choose from, which will make it easier for you to present your products to the market in the most attractive, most convenient, and greenest ways possible. 

Signs of the Times: How Packaging Machinery Stats Jumped in 2011 and Why You Should Be Part of These Stats

For business owners, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs, new interesting statistics may give you more reason to invest in your own automated carton sealers and taping machines.

Updated statistics show that shipments of packaging machinery in the United States rose by 19% in the previous year.

Perhaps the increasing demand for automated systems or the necessity of cutting costs due to the recession both have something to do with this increase, but the bottom line is, the demand for automated taping machines and other types of packaging systems is increasing. More and more companies are jumping into the bandwagon, proving that automated packaging is the way of the future.

According to PMMI’s 2012 Shipments Study, shipments of U.S. packaging machinery peaked at $7.7 billion in 2011; this is 19% higher than figures recorded in 2010. Additionally, it was found that the local market also experienced a 23% climb to $8.8 billion.

What didn’t change was how the market was – or is still is – distributed. It is interesting for packaging business owners to note that food packaging still accounts for the highest demand in the market. It makes up 36% of overall packaging demand, and is closely followed by beverage packaging at 24%. Together, the two categories make up almost 60% of the sales in the packaging market. It is also interesting to note that the food industry takes the backseat when it comes to blister packaging, skin packaging, or vacuum forming packaging, which were found to be more in demand in the medical and pharmaceutical markets.

These additional details, however, don’t change the fact that while several markets continue to struggle, the packaging industry seems immune to the economic downturn. This further proves that automated packaging is one of the wisest, most practical business investments that business owners like you can make at this time.

More Expansion Opportunities

Aside from the taping machines and sealing systems, two other closely related markets have experienced a rise in 2011.

The first is the container manufacturing market, which rose to $760 million of revenue in 2011. This may give you an idea of what the bigger companies are also investing in. This market involves machines that are used to convert materials into containers.

The second is the coding, printing, marking, stamping, and imprinting market, with sales reaching up to $520 million.

Why Invest in Automated Packaging?

All these newly released statistics tell you one thing: automated packaging systems are becoming more useful and are now being increasingly incorporated into businesses. Since innovativeness and an ability to adapt to the changes in the market are both key factors in ensuring business success, it will certainly pay to also consider investing in your own packaging systems. And given the rapid rate of improvement in packaging technology, packaging systems nowadays do more than just pack; they also pack faster and more efficiently, thus improving their ROI.

So if you’re in the middle of expanding your business or you’re thinking of ways through which you can retain a competitive advantage or catch up with your competitors, the improved productivity and reduced costs that come with automating your packaging processes should be enough to convince you.

Comparison Between Hot Melt And Acrylic Carton Sealing Tapes

Product packaging is very important in any business.  Packaging is sometimes neglected in introducing the product to the market.  It is often overlooked as a very important aspect of marketing.  Just like choosing the right adhesives that will suit your product, which is also often ignored.  Even if you have a dependable taping machine in your packaging department, if you use a not so reliable adhesive tape, your product may be up for a big surprise once delivered to the market.

So how do you chose from a wide variety of adhesives that are out there in the market?  To give you a better perspective and to guide you on what to use on your production line, here is a short comparison between two of the most popular types of tapes:

1.     Adhesion – Hot Melt adhesives have significantly higher adhesion compared to    an Acrylic tape.  This is true to almost any surface including fiberboards.

2.     Shear Value – Hot Melts performs well under constant pull or stress.  This is why hot melt adhesives are commonly used with or performs better in case sealers.  Just like a rubber band when stretched, it goes back to its original state.  Acrylic tapes can be pulled but will come off once they return to its original state.

3.     Price – Acrylics are cheaper that is why this is the choice of many especially when budget is a consideration.  Price of the hot melt depends on the thickness and the size.  Price would also vary if it will be used for heavy duty or just for regular or general tape use.

4.     Temperature – they are both functional in hot and cold temperatures.  Acrylic tapes works in temperatures ranging from 32 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit while Hot melt will work well in temperatures ranging from 45 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  Acrylics holds up very well in extremely low temperature.

5.     Appearance – Hot melts comes in various colors and it yellows with age.  While Acrylic does not change in color as it ages.  Acrylic tapes have stronger resistance to Oxidation that is why it doesn’t yellow with age even exposed under the sun or any element that can influence change in color.  This is also the reason why Acrylic is preferred by manufacturers whose intention in the first place is to display the box.

Choosing the right tape for your packaging is also essential to positioning your product.  It gives the consumer the sense of assurance that the product is of high quality and well thought off.  Make your customers feel that your product is sealed securely and durably.  Buy the right adhesive now for your product and see the results of having the appropriate tape.

A Super Model: Gisele Bündchen Is Still On The Top Of The World

Gisele Bundchen was recently ranked 4th by Forbes magazine on the World's Most Powerful Latino Celebrity. 

But before we continue, what place does a super model have in a packaging equipment industry? Read on and find out…

She used to date actor Leonardo DiCaprio. They were made People’s Most Beautiful Couples List.  Gisele was also named Harvard’s 2011 Global Environmental Citizen in recognition of her eco-efforts.  This Brazilian model is not just all about body and beauty; she is also an advocate for the environment.

All the endorsements that she had were all huge brands.  In fact, every time she starts endorsing a product, sales would really go up.  One major brand that she endorsed was Victoria Secret and this lasted for almost 8 years.  Aside from getting multiple sponsors and endorsements, she also owns her own line of flip-flops, the Ipanema.

With all that she has achieved, she is still well known as a Super Model.  In fact, she made it to the All-TIME 100 Fashion Icons list of the 100 most influential fashion icons since 1923.  She was also named as the “Richest Super Model” back in 2007.  By the way, did you know that models use tapes such as double adhesive tapes and duct tapes?  Duct tapes for example are used in lifting up the model’s breast or to enhance cleavage.  Bestpack.com sells carton sealing tapes and high quality taping machines that can help also in storing and transporting the stuff of a model and the whole production team.

Going back to Gisele Bundchen’s soaring career, for the second time in a row, this 31-year-old super model recently topped Forbes‘ list of the World’s Highest Paid Models.  She earned at least $45 million for the past year leaving Kate Moss in 2^nd place with $9 Million.  Gisele vividly recalls the time when she was just starting her career and how several agents rejected her.  And now she is one of the major sponsors of an event in Brazil, which aims to find the next super model.

Gisele is currently pregnant with her 2^nd baby with Patriots quarterback

Tom Brady.  Her busy schedule and current status is not holding her back to enjoy the benefit of being a mother.

There you have it. Models and tapes from the packaging industry indeed belong together.

Courier Industry Revolutionized

Speed, on time delivery, security, and tracking are just some of the many express services that are provided by courier companies all over the globe.  But what would really separate you from the others?  How can you survive in a world where dog eats dog? 

In today’s competitive market, it’s either you have the right people or you tie up with the right suppliers.  Couriers value time.  They have to be on time all the time for them to maintain their loyal customers.  One way of doing this is partnering with only the best carton tape and taping machine supplier.  Having the right technology partner for your services will absolutely speed up the process and improve the system.

Taping machines are very important to a courier.  It saves you time and it improves your operations. Hence, you gain loyal customers.  Carton sealers and tapes are also as important.  Aside from improving the system and speeding up operations, investing on the right machines, sealers and tapes will also improve your branding.  Your customers would look at the way you handle your packaging, from the creation of the box down to the sealing of the box.  This will definitely matter in the eyes of a customer.  Proper packaging will create a sense of security to the recipient of the box.

Some couriers would offer Thermo-Controlled Packaging for sending diagnostic specimens and these types of specialized customer requests are best handled with the help of taping machines and high quality tapes and sealers.

To make a mark in this industry, you should operate in the simplest way but with high regard for speedy delivery and quality packaging.  Quality is never achieved by chance.  It has to be done deliberately.  Purchase the only best taping machines and tapes from the best in the industry.

Alternative Uses Of Carton Tapes

Be creative.  Carton tapes can be used in different applications.  These tapes are usually used in sealing light to heavy carton boxes. 

To begin with, there are several types of adhesive tapes such as drywall tape, heat sensitive tape, water activated tape and pressure sensitive tape.  A Tape comes in different forms but with the same function.

Whether its heat activated or water activated tape, you can still use these tapes for unconventional ways.  Below is a list of out of the box ideas where you can apply these tapes:

·      Hauling – if you’re using a truck with an open bed/dropside you would need the help of a sticky tape.  To avoid getting your stuff from getting wet, you can use a tarp or a canvass and seal it on the sides using an adhesive tape.  This will prevent air from coming in and getting your canvass flying away from the truck.  I have tried this and it works perfectly.  This is also better than using a rope for tying your cover.  I guess you won’t buy a bed liner just for 1 hauling trip, save your money for a more important stuff.

·      Cleaner – use it as a hair and dirt cleaner.  Those who love pets should know this.  Getting rid of your dog’s or your cat’s hair is tedious.  With the help of a tape, you just need to cut at least 4-5 inches of your tape and start pressing it onto your floor, furniture, beddings or on your couch.  You can apply the same principle when you’re removing broken glasses on your floor.

·      Stabilizer - Having a rug inside your house is sometimes dangerous especially if you have kids running around your living room.  Best thing to avoid slipping and bumping your head is to use a tape to stabilize your rug.  Use a double adhesive tape or a duct tape to ensure that it won’t move or slip. 

There are a lot of alternative uses to a tape if you’re creative enough.  Even the tape roll can be maximized if you want to.  Bestpack also supplies taping machine, case erectors and other carton sealers.

MSDBF Semi-Automatic Pack and Seal Station Promo Is Still On!

Get a Free Case of Tape with the purchase of BestPack’s all-in-one Case Form/Pack/Seal Station. Visit BestPack.com now for more taping machine promos.

Taping Machine Debates: Side Drive vs. Belt Drive

Quality or quantity?

This is a classic debate that has gone on for ages. And the packaging industry is not exempt. Today, we are looking at two types of taping machine—the more costly yet deemed more superior Side Drive Case Sealer and the more budget-friendly Bottom Drive Case Sealer. Which one do you need? Which one do you want to invest in?

Let’s look at the contenders.

1. The Side Drive Case Sealer

• Has a larger carton range

• Has a roller bed that allows for more stable box throughput which means less wear and tear for motors

• Has two motor drives pulling the box for more power and stability

• Naturally squares the box as it goes through the sealer

• Has side drive pulleys which lessens wear and tear for the belts

• Has a shorter footprint

• Can hold up against heavy boxes banging up against the machine

2. The Bottom Belt Drive Case Sealer

• A good machine for a relatively good price

• Has a lower carton minimum

• Needs supervision because box throughput is less consistent due to friction and weight

• May need more maintenance since single motor is subject to more wear and tear as well as less pulleys on the belt drive system may cause belt to wear out faster

Final result: Two taping machines from a reputable manufacturer, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Which taping machine is best suited for your packaging needs? You decide.

Product Highlight: Taping Machines that Revolutionized the Fruit Packaging Industry

Automatic Top and Bottom Drive Fruit Box Machine (ATFUX)

As a leader in the packaging industry, BestPack has been responsible for many machines that have helped businesses run more efficiently. One example is BestPack’s ATFUX Fruitbox Sealers which are specially designed for the fruit packaging industry. This one-of-a-kind taping machine features a four station sealing process that begins with indexing the box, followed by lifting the outer sleeve, shaking the box, and finally sealing the top and bottom flaps. These fruitbox taping machines have helped entrepreneurs streamline the process of packaging oranges, apples and potatoes in HSC type boxes.

In this article, we will get to know a little bit more about two models of this taping machine design.

1. Automatic Top and Bottom Drive Fruit Box Machine (ATFUX). This heavy-duty taping machine requires no human operator and uses pressure-sensitive tape. It is ideal for packing houses using HSC cartons. This type of taping machine has four stations: an indexer station; a positive outer sleeve lifter station with shaker, which assures proper squaring of the top flaps; a flap fold station, which closes the top flaps; and a final station that seals the top and bottom flaps, leaving both flaps sealed but not tabbed together. The ATFUX also features self-centering guide rails and adjustable compression rollers. The width and height can also be adjusted on either side of the machine. It can load three different lengths of tape roll: 1000 yards, 1,500 yards and 2,000 yards, and interchange between 2” or 3” tape heads.

2. ATFC11-3H. This taping machine is specifically designed for packing apples. It is considered a sister machine to the ATFUX Series sealer and features mostly the same characteristics as the latter.

Keep reading this blog for more information on BestPack’s flagship line of automatic and manual taping machines.