CUSTOM-PRINTED PAPER TAPE SAMPLES

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?

All Globe Guard® Plain and Printed Tape is on Sale

Whether you use unprinted, stock tape or need to re-order your current custom print, you can save 10% through March 30^th, 2012 on our green packaging store, www.GlobeGuardProducts.com. Just enter promo code WAT2012 at check out.

New Custom Printed WAT Customers or Old Custom Printed WAT Customers with a New Print Also Save with the following:

CUSTOM BRANDED PRODUCTS

No Art Charges

Now through the end of March all new prints receive their one-color artwork and print plate at NO CHARGE. This is a $50 savings for one-color artwork, and additional savings are available for designs of two or more colors.

Free Shipping

The first order for a new print receives free shipping anywhere in the continental USA. Depending on the order size and the ship-to location, this saves new tape design customers a minimum of $80 and could be hundreds of dollars.

We are a leading supplier of custom branded products including RSC shipping boxes and corrugated mailers, as well as paper and plastic mailer envelopes. That experience we provide makes it easy to transition from plain to custom-printed packaging that is eye-catching, reinforces your brand message and creates a favorable impression to your customers.

Please contact Salazar Packaging if you would like to discuss your particular needs for custom-printed tape or any of our other packaging products.

Related posts:

Sustainable Reasons to Use Paper Box Sealing Tape

A Less Expensive Way to a Greener Box Sealing Tape Solution

Printed Water Activated Tape is Creative, Sustainable Packaging at its Best

Varisport UltraSlide® Goes 100% Green with Custom Packaging Solutions from Salazar Packaging, Inc.

SPORTS JERSEY IN 12X15.5 POLY MAILER

The Globe Guard® mailer envelope line is now complete with the addition of our new unpadded poly mailers. We can now offer paper mailers in both padded and unpadded construction, as well as plastic mailers in padded and unpadded versions. To make this news even better, our brand new product is available at 20% off when you use promo code NEW2012 at check out through February 29, 2012.

Why did it take so long to add a poly, unpadded mailer?

Quite frankly, because we had not found one “green” enough to meet our requirements and those of our customers. There are a lot of poly mailers available but most are imported and made with questionable mixes of virgin and recycled resin. If we cannot verify the relative greenness of a product, or if the manufacturer is not able to guarantee their sustainability claims, their products will never be offered on our green packaging store.

UNPADDED POLY MAILERS IN 8 STOCK SIZES

What makes these new Globe Guard® poly mailers so green?

First and foremost, they are made with a MINIMUM of 50% and UP TO 88% recycled content. We have all seen products with claims that only say something like “up to X% recycled content.” However, without a floor or minimum, those claims are absolutely meaningless. I would take that a step further and say that most of those product descriptions are deliberately designed to mislead consumers into thinking they are greener than they truly are.

As anyone in the plastic manufacturing business can confirm, the amount and quality of manufacturing waste that is available each day to make recycled products can vary greatly, but we know that our mailers will never be made with less than 50% recycled content.

Also, after use these new poly mailers can be recycled as #4 LDPE waste just like any standard shopping bag made of poly. That means they can be recycled anywhere, ranging from curbside in some areas to your local grocery or department store, which now almost all have bag recycling bins at each entrance.

Additional Features

Our new Globe Guard® poly mailers are very rugged and will hold up in almost any shipping scenario including USPS, UPS and FedEx. They feature a convenient and consistent “peel and seal” adhesive closure and also include a solid black security lining on the inside. They can be custom printed and branded, but minimums do apply depending on mailer size.

Our new poly mailers are already a stock item on Globe Guard Products.com and are available in eight popular poly mailer sizes. As an introductory special, we are pleased to offer them at 20% off of the already low list prices. Please use promo code NEW2012 at check out and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like to see a sample. Please remember this promotion ends on February 29, 2012.

Related posts:

Globe Guard® Adds Unpadded Poly Mailers to Complete Mailer Product Group

Replace Corrugated Boxes with Mailers

Save Time and Money with Eco Friendly Mailers

GREEN PACKAGING FOR CELL PHONE EXCHANGES

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.

Globe Guard® Biodegradable Bubble Packaging Pouches

Our most popular bubble sizes are 3/16” and 5/16”, but virtually any bubble size or pouch length and width are available. What makes our bubble packaging different is that it is reusable, recyclable and biodegradable. Since most of these products are custom made to your specifications, the pouch configuration (end load, side load, end flap, bubble in versus bubble out, etc.) as well as exact sizes are up to you. The standard color is green, but if more transparent clear is desired, we can provide that too.

NOTEPAD WITH GLOBE GUARD® POUCH

Globe Guard® Reusable Paper Mailers

These are by far one of our most popular products because they are inexpensive and available flat or gussetted, white or Kraft, and in a wide variety of sizes. They feature a peel-and-seal adhesive strip that can be doubled with an easy open tear strip for back and forth shipping applications. They can also be easily and inexpensively custom printed with instructions or for branding purposes.

Our mailers are made of 50% recycled content and are also 100% recyclable. The only thing these paper mailers are not is padded, and that is why they work so well in conjunction with the bubble pouches mentioned above.

Why Not Simply Use a Padded Bubble Lined Paper Mailer?

There are three basic reasons:

1. Our solution can be easily reused, while most bubble lined paper mailers are designed to be used and discarded after one single use.
2. Bubble traditionally has a longer life cycle, so it can be used and reused long after the paper mailers is no longer usable.
3. At the end of its life cycle, our two components can be easily separated and individually recycled.

No Cost Application Review

Every customer’s needs are a little different, so our program always begins with a complete analysis of the application. You may be able to eliminate the use of expensive corrugated mailers, or you may be able to eliminate a whole layer of packaging. There are still many companies who provide packaging to their customers for the return trip. In other applications, we are able to dramatically reduce labor costs by eliminating redundant packing and re-packing.

The bottom line is, we are good for your bottom line and are almost certain to deliver significant savings while helping you achieve your sustainability goals.

Please contact us for more information.

Other related blog posts:

How to Save Time and Money with Converted Eco Friendly Bubble Packaging

Globe Guard Paper Mailer Envelopes – Now Reusable!

Custom Printed or Plain, These New Globe Guard® Kraft Paper Mailers Are a Deal

Custom-Branded Shipper Envelopes in Five Easy Steps

BEFORE THE GGRBS IS USED.

Decades ago, when I first entered the warehousing and distribution industry, one of the very first things I was taught is that it does not cost much to keep stored product “in good order.” On the other hand, not keeping inventory in neat, organized condition can prove very costly in the form of picking mistakes, damage, lost product and even pilferage. In addition, when boxes on shelves look good, the entire warehouse appears cleaner and better managed.

The Easiest Warehouse Solution – Case Closed

AFTER THE GGRBS IS USED.

Our Globe Guard® Reusable Box Sealer (GGRBS) is simply designed to easily keep boxes closed. This not only keeps box contents clean, but it also helps maintain inventory in a neater, more organized state, as the photos above and at right show.

The GGRBS holds box flaps in a closed position, and that makes a world of difference to the casual or critical eye. It can eliminate that last-minute panic and flurry of housekeeping when an unexpected customer or manager visits the facility.

A Green Packaging Solution from Globe Guard®

GLOBE GUARD® REUSABLE BOX SEALER

What makes the GGRBS green is its unique ability to preserve contents of any standard RSC style box while permitting repeated access to them. Because it eliminates quarter folding or taping, it also improves the likelihood the box will be reused for longer periods of time. Consider the time and money this can potentially save and you will agree, keeping stock on shelves looking good is just one of many benefits the GGRBS provides.

You can learn more about the Globe Guard® Reusable Box Sealer and other reusable solutions on our newest web site: www.ReusablePackagingOptions.com. It is a stock item on our Globe Guard web store, and, of course, we encourage you to contact Salazar Packaging with any question you may have.

Related posts:

Globe Guard® Products.com Adds Reusable Box Sealer™ to New, Reusable Packaging Product Group

Pick and Pack Challenge – Keeping Open Product Clean

A Green Packaging Solution to Eliminate Box Flap Quarter Folding

The above description perfectly describes Jennifer and Danielle, the founders of Natural Contents. They have just launched a terrific new site offering a great assortment of natural, green and organic products and ingredients for cooking. Whether you love to cook, eat, or both, check out the site and you will be impressed!

How Green Is Green?

When most people like Jennifer Bitetto first contact us they are usually eager to use our Globe Guard® 100% recycled content shipping boxes. Often, they will also add our 100% recycled labels, eco-friendly void fill and other green packaging products to their project.

The toughest sale, however, might be convincing a new customer to use reinforced, water-activated tape rather than traditional and much more popular plastic box sealing tape. After all, they can buy a single roll of plastic tape almost anywhere, and water-activated tape (WAT) can only be purchased by the case. In addition, WAT requires the use of a dispenser to moisten the tape and activate its natural adhesive.

Packaging Products and Practical Advice

One of the things that makes us different than the many packaging web stores and catalog companies is our willingness and ability to provide guidance based on decades of experience. We are big proponents of water-activated tape since it is greener compared to plastic tape and because, quite simply, it works better.

We discussed WAT with Jennifer, and she decided to give it a try. Last week she made my day when she sent me an email that included this comment:

“I love that water activated tape! I can’t even begin to explain. It actually makes the box a solid object. It’s incredible. I don’t think I’ll use plastic ever again.”

Jennifer discovered what other WAT users already know, which is, unlike plastic tape that will often sit on top of corrugated board without true adhesion, water-activated tape actually fuses to a corrugated box and becomes part of it. This actually makes corrugated board stronger and will usually result in savings on boxes, tape and even on shipping damage.

At a time when so many unhealthy food products are being sold, it is great to see a company with the quality products offered at www.naturalcontents.com. Also, when many are still convinced green packaging products don’t work as well as the standard, non-green options, we are glad to help people see there are many that do. This includes water-activated paper tape, as well as the custom and stock products offered at www.GlobeGuardProducts.com

CLEAR, RECYCLABLE BUBBLE ON DEMAND IN TUBE CONFIGURATION

As the name would imply, “bubble on demand” is essentially un-inflated bubble packaging you inflate on an as needed basis. The benefits of this type of packaging material are enormous when you consider the cost of transporting and storing “pre-inflated” or ready to use flowable materials such as foam peanuts, pre-formed paper products or even rolls of pre-inflated bubble packaging. All of those space consuming products also leave a substantial carbon footprint behind compared to bubble on demand type products.

The Difference Between Void Fill and Blocking/Bracing Products

There are many inflatable void fill or “pillow” systems available, so the confusion between that type of packaging product and bubble on demand systems is understandable.

Inflatable void fill air pillows are designed to fill an empty area or void, hence the name. Their primary purpose is to minimize the bouncing around a product has to endure when it is shipped in an oversized box. Even though it provides some level of cushioning, it typically does not do much in terms of blocking and bracing.

Blocking or bracing is when a packaging material is used to immobilize the contents of a box during shipment. It also provides a degree of cushioning but its primary function is product retention during the shipping process. This is crucial, especially if the item being shipped is heavy and may otherwise migrate through other forms of interior, void fill type packaging. Packaging products designed for this type of application tend to be more rugged and, gratefully, much more difficult to puncture or burst.

A Choice of Two Bubble on Demand Configurations

We offer two configurations for slightly different product applications. Our new “tube” configuration (pictured above) is ideal for square or rectangular products such as books. The shape of the tubes makes them much easier to force down in between the product and the inside wall of the shipping box.

Our “quilted” configuration (pictured below), on the other hand, is easier to wrap around round or irregularly shaped products. It flexes and bends in two directions, making it easier to fold and surround a fragile product. Also, because it looks much like the pre-inflated bubble packaging on rolls it often replaces, operators adapt to it quickly and easily.

TRANSLUCENT, RECYCLABLE BUBBLE ON DEMAND IN QUILT CONFIGURATION

Three Types and Levels of Green Packaging Material

Both configurations are available in three different materials:

• Standard clear that is recyclable
• Translucent green tint that is biodegradable AND recyclable
• Opaque dark green that is made of 100% recycled content AND recyclable

We enable a customer to pick from the three grades and select the material that is best for them and the people they are shipping to.

Please remember all bubble is not created equal and much of what is available (pre-inflated or un-inflated) is not recyclable at all. Also, compared to paper void fill systems, packers find bubble on demand to be easy to work with because it is clean and eliminates those nasty paper cuts. You just can’t put a price on happy packers and improved efficiency.

Contact Salazar Packaging if you have any interest or questions on this or other green protective packaging solutions.

The Conscious Box is different in that manufacturers cannot “buy” their way into your home. The products are carefully reviewed and approved for their authenticity as well as for the value they deliver to subscribers. The program is also an excellent way for consumer/subscribers to learn about and try new fair trade or eco-friendly products offered by small- to mid-size manufacturers.

The Need for “Eco-Consistent” Packaging

This program is also different in that the goal was to create a green package that is attractive enough to be hopefully reused and is “retail quality.” It was soon decided that the right substrate for that would be our 24-point Globe Guard® 100% recycled content paper board.

Since we all know what happens to a decorative box in shipment (scuffs, dirt, labels, tape, etc.), we also agreed the decorative box should have a strong but equally green shipping box. For that purpose, a stock size Globe Guard® 100% recycled content die cut corrugated mailer would more than satisfy the need.

The Benefits of Single Source Responsibility

Most corrugated box companies do not work in paper board, and most paper board carton manufacturers do not have equipment able to make corrugated shipping boxes. Working with two different packaging suppliers was always an option for The Conscious Box, but they understood the potential pitfalls of utilizing multiple sources. The fit of the retail (inner) carton into the shipping (outer) box had to be perfect. Also, the ink colors had to match even though they would be printing on two different substrates in two different facilities. We selected the two manufacturing sites, coordinated both ends of the project and are pleased to say the ink color and box/carton fit are all perfect.

Please visit The Conscious Box web site for details about their program and to subscribe to it. To learn more about our unique capabilities or for help with your packaging challenge, please contact Salazar Packaging.

We’ve all seen open boxes in a warehouse covered with dust, but what we don’t always see is the products within or how often they have to be discarded because they are no longer sellable. Or, worse yet, when customers complain because they received the item they ordered and it looks soiled or used.

What to Do About “Dust Magnets”

Certain types of products just seem to attract excessive dust. These dust magnets include almost any form of plastic, glass and soft goods. I’m not sure if products that are white or light colored attract more dust or perhaps they just make the dust more obvious, but if your warehouse includes books with vinyl covers, glassware or even tee shirts and golf shirts, you know what I mean.

What these items also have in common is that they are usually not easily cleaned. You probably prefer that your pickers and packers do not spend time cleaning products before shipment, but sometimes it becomes necessary.

An Inexpensive Green Solution

The Globe Guard® Reusable Box Sealer™ (GGRBS) slips onto any RSC style box in seconds and grips the major flaps firmly, holding them in a closed position and helping to keep the box contents clean. Equally important, the GGRBS can be easily removed, providing fast access for order fulfillment, physical inventory counts, etc. Since no tape or adhesive is required to hold the box closed, repeated access is unlimited, clean and inexpensive.

What makes the GGRBS “green?” In addition to eliminating the need for costly tape and adhesives, its unique, patent-pending design allows inexpensive RSC style boxes to be reused over and over, saving time, money and trees. In addition, the GGRBS is made of durable ABS and should reusable for years to come but is recyclable as a #7 plastic.

The Globe Guard® Reusable Box Sealer™ is a stock item on our Globe Guard Products store and available in convenient 20- and 50-count units. To watch our reusable box sealer demo video and learn more, please visit our newest web site: www.ReusablePackagingOptions.com. And, as always, please do not hesitate to contact Salazar Packaging if you have any questions on this new and exclusive Globe Guard® product.

Related Posts:

Globe Guard® Products.com Adds Reusable Box Sealer™ to New, Reusable Packaging Product Group

A Green Packaging Solution to Eliminate Box Flap Quarter Folding

However, our new Globe Guard® Reusable Box Sealer is a unique product that fits perfectly into our product line, not only because it is reusable, but also because it makes every box it is used on also reusable. We meet people on a daily basis who are eager to reduce their overall corrugated box and packaging expenditures, and this versatile little tool can help make that possible when a box only has to be closed, temporarily. Our new product is for when easy re-access is not only desirable, but also may be necessary.

When Does a Box Require Temporary Closure?

We are exploring a number of possible applications, but here are a few that are already becoming obvious:

Secondary Operations – Whenever the same product travels between facilities or departments for additional work such as painting, finishing, labeling, etc. In many situations like this, the products are packed into corrugated boxes that are taped, opened and re-taped, over and over again. The Globe Guard® Reusable Box Sealer™ can help eliminate the tape cost and associated labor while keeping the box clean and in re-usable condition.

Inventory Control and Supply Management – The challenge in most “pick and pack” operations is keeping product clean when it lingers in stock. Dust builds up on slow-moving items, even in the cleanest of warehouses, because box flaps are left open or they are quarter folded. The Globe Guard® Reusable Box Sealer™ protects the products contained in an RSC box while allowing easy access.

Distribution Center to Store Fulfillment – Using a Globe Guard® Reusable Box Sealer™ to temporarily hold a standard corrugated RSC style box closed allows it to be used multiple times, reducing cost and eliminating the use of box opener knives.

Moving and Storage – Whether you are safekeeping important records, personal possessions or seasonal items, the Globe Guard® Reusable Box Sealer™ allows for easy and repeated access without tape or glue.

Reusable Plastic Corrugated Boxes – Expensive and sometimes complicated die-cut designs are used because they permit opening and re-closing without tape. Now a standard, much lower cost RSC style design that does NOT require a cutting die can be used to create an inexpensive reusable container.

We think you’ll be hearing a lot more about this new product as new applications and uses are discovered. Please check it out in the new “reusable packaging” section of our store, where you will find other photographs, information and even a demonstration video. The Globe Guard® Reusable Box Sealer ™ is in stock and available in convenient thrity and fifty count boxes.

As always, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this new green packaging innovation.

Label Specifications

Our stock labels are available in some of the most popular sizes and layouts, ranging from a 2.625” X 1” with 30 labels per sheet to our 8.5” X 5.5” that offers 2 labels per sheet. However, we also have hundreds of other sizes and configurations in stock, so if you don’t see what you need, please contact us.

Globe Guard® labels are matte white with 92% brightness and will run on either ink jet or laser printers. We also have colors and even decorative foil finishes available if that is your preference.

All stock items are sold in 25-sheet packs to help you minimize inventory and cost.

How to Double Your Savings

To save 10%, all you need to do is use promo code LABELS at check out. If you order your labels in addition to any other Globe Guard® stock product, we will double your discount to 20%. For example, order tape and labels and your discount on the labels increases to 20%. Combine your label order with an order for any of our stock Globe Guard® boxes and your label discount will be manually adjusted to 20%.

Please let us know if you have any questions, and remember, this offer is good through October 31, 2011.