We have spent a great deal of time suggesting the idea of “right sizing”, which is essentially only using as large of a shipping container as is truly needed for any product being shipped. Minimizing the size of a shipping box is green and economical because it also minimizes everything that goes along with it such as the necessary void fill and tape used to seal the box.

Disturbing Trend – Minimum Allowable Box Size

Two months ago we found out about a major electronics retailer who instituted an 8” cube minimum box size. Keep in mind that an 8” cube box is actually EIGHT times larger and eight times the waste compared to a 4” cube box. Then, just a week ago a large ladies accessory retailer notified their suppliers and vendors that they too had adopted a new “minimum allowable inbound shipping container.”

It appears this policy is designed to eliminate product loss because smaller boxes have a tendency of becoming lost or damaged in a high volume receiving environment at many large retail operations. This policy is not very positive in terms of packaging sustainability but perhaps it is necessary and important.

Greener Options

In the spirit of “you can’t fight city hall,” perhaps the best we can do is offer some suggestions to minimize the negative green aspects of this change, as well as minimizing the cost. (more…)

There is no doubt most people know us for our 100% PCW recycled content corrugated, stock, shipping boxes, but over half of the boxes we sell are custom printed with our customers’ brand or design. One of the things we have noticed is that an increasing number are going well beyond the traditional one color logo and using their boxes to make a very memorable and positive impression on their customers.

Some Great Examples of Boxes Designed to Impress and Save Money

Pasolivo Oil – opted for a unique design that wraps around the box creating a lattice or gift ribbon look. They also went against conventional thinking and printed with white ink on a brown, natural Kraft box. The end result is a very natural, and unique white wash look.

Sennco Solutions – when they decided on a new company logo, there was no better way to promote it to their customers than to print it on all of their shipping boxes. We helped them to consolidate their box sizes, while minimizing their printing plate costs. They also discovered that by increasing the number of boxes they ordered, they were able to minimize the additional cost of the printing.

Stonyfield Farm – for a special promotion they chose Globe Guard boxes for their eco consistent message and printed their return address and even the postal indicia directly on the box to minimize labor and labeling. They also decided to reinforce the standard Globe Guard eco message by adding their own use and disposal message on the highly visible side panels.

Earth Turns.com – without a lot of additional expense, two PMS colors can be duplicated for a first-class and consistent image. Earth Turn’s easily recognizable brand is important to them, so how could anyone possibly print this unique brand image in one color or colors that do not match how they look elsewhere in their marketing?

Custom Printing a Box Typically Adds Less than 5% Per Color to Cost

Most people are surprised when they can print their boxes for not much more than they are currently paying for boring brown boxes. Yes, a second or third color adds cost, but after many years we can tell you that in most cases, that is less than 5% per color, so even an elaborate three-color design is likely to add less that 20% to the box cost.

Most customers print two panels, the two that are not obscured by the tape that will eventually be used to tape the box closed. However safety messages and other information can be easily printed on the top flaps where the boxes are usually opened. As I suggest to customers, ink is inexpensive so once you decide to print, don’t hold back. Eliminate costly labels and/or the labor consumed to add additional, often-time handwritten markings and messages.

Keep in mind that printing plates are required but they too are less expensive than most people imagine. Plates vary in cost, depending on the image and box sizes, but they are a onetime expense, normally in the $200 to $300 range per color. Plates are also the customer’s property to be used elsewhere or for other purposes. We are always eager to help with the artwork design so that the same plates can be used for multiple and varying box sizes.

Creating an “Image of Difference”

Thanks to the Internet and a tough economy, regardless of what we sell, our markets are becoming crowded and tougher. Standing out is a challenge but graphics on packaging are relatively inexpensive ways of retaining current customers and capturing new business as well.

With our experience and capabilities, we can help you take the fear, headaches and cost out of the process.

The printing industry was using paper for void fill and water activated paper box sealing tape, long before they became trendy and popular again. Perhaps it was out of appreciation for paper as a valuable, versatile and renewable resource, or maybe because they were simply smarter than the rest of us and understood the economic benefits of using paper based packaging products.

Five Printer Shipping Box Sizes Now in Stock!

We are very pleased to be able to offer five printers box sizes in addition to our ever growing list of standard stock sizes. The following Globe Guard 100% PCW recycled content boxes are now in stock and available in the following sizes:

• GG11 – 11.25” X 8.75” X 6” high, 32 C Kraft, Plain RSC shipping box
• GG44 – 11.75” X 8.75” X 4.75” high,  32 C Kraft, Plain RSC shipping box
• GG45 – 11.75 x 8.75 x 8.75” high, 32 C Kraft, Plain RSC shipping box
• GG46 – 17.25 x 11.25 x 8” high, 32 C Kraft, Plain RSC shipping box
• GG50 – 11.25 x 8.75 x 4” high, 32 C Kraft, Plain RSC shipping box

Additional Green Packaging Supplies for Printers

At our GlobeGuardProducts.com store you will also find a nice selection of packaging paper for wrapping, interleaving or void fill applications. Our products include industrial tissue sheets, 30# newsprint rolls, the ever popular 40# Kraft; 50# recycled gray bogus and even 60# heavy duty indented Kraft rolls for the toughest applications. Most are available in 24” wide rolls as well as 36” wide rolls. If you need a paper that is not in stock, let us know and we’ll get it for you.

Most printers still use reinforced paper tape because it does the best job of holding heavy cases together. We stock plain, our own Globe Guard print and we are a leading distributor of custom printed water activated paper tape. We can quickly and easily print your logo, web site or message on your tape for security and branding purposes.

Most of Our Products Were Once a Specific Customer Request

We have rapidly and steadily increased our list of stock products and are eager to add even more. Usually all that is necessary is a customer who takes the time to tell us what they need and it becomes a stock item for all to use. Our willingness to add new sizes or grades applies to boxes, stretch film, mailers and even packaging papers.

Regular ISP readers probably get tired of hearing it but I too have to remind myself that we are adding new readers all of the time who may not realize that over half of what we do is custom grade, custom size or custom print. Browse through the pages of this blog and you will see we are leaders in custom printed and branded sustainable packaging products.

Please let us know how we can best help you deliver a greener and lower cost package to your customers.

I keep saying that most of our Globe Guard products began as customer requests and the four new items we’ve added this week are great examples.

GG-M1493, 14.5” X 9.5” X 3” Globe Guard Die Cut Mailer

A lady in California makes a high quality green product and was eager to ship it in something other than a plain RSC style corrugated shipping box. She asked for more of a “presentation” box and we designed one that fits her products like a glove. She was thrilled with the sample we provided because it shows off and protects better compared to other options.

GG-39, Globe Guard 13” X 13” X 6” RSC style shipping box

We stock a 13” x 13” x 13” high box but sometimes too much of a good thing is not good and definitely not green. The taller box fit a customer’s product well but she only needed a box half as tall for smaller orders. The solution was this new 13 X 13 X 6” high shipping box and convincing us to add it to our stock list was the easiest part.

GG-38, Globe Guard 9” X 6” X 2” RSC style shipping box

A customer in Maine sells beautiful jewelry and was in search of a low profile box that was NOT a die cut mailer. The ideal size for her was 9x6x2 and we decided the size would fit well into our low profile shipping box assortment. We combined our orders and we both benefitted from the longer box run.

GG-7, Globe Guard 7” X 7” X 7” RSC style shipping box

A customer pointed out that we had just about every cube box possible except for the 7” cube he needed. We agreed it was an oversight and immediately added it to stock, once again reducing his cost with the larger box quantity.

It would be incorrect to say we are “willing” to add new box sizes to our lineup. The fact is that we not only encourage it, we actually look for good excuses to do so. If you want or need a green box but you don’t see what you need on our green packaging store web site, PLEASE let us know. You may the customer that helps us to add an item that others will also appreciate and buy.

It has been interesting to see the development of the green printing industry, which now goes way beyond using vegetable based inks and FSC certified or high recycled content papers. Eco conscious printers are not just concerned about the materials they use, but also about the waste and byproducts of the printing process.

Green is a Never Ending Continuous Improvement Project

The fact is that the graphic arts industry has been one of the greenest packagers for as long as I can recall. For example, while most companies shifted from plastic to paper tape for reasons of convenience, printers new that their heavy boxes filled with valuable printed materials, were much more secure when sealed with water activated paper tape. They also led the way with paper void fill products that traditionally have been made with 100% recycled content.

Unfortunately, the one area where most printers have been lacking is the most obvious one and that is the shipping boxes they use. They use some unusual sizes and historically, no one has ever produced and stocked green boxes in standard printers’ sizes. That is, until now.

Globe Guard Products Now Stocks 4 New Box Sizes for Printers

Our 100% Globe Guard boxes are now available in the following sizes:

• GG11 – 11.25” X 8.75” X 6” high, 32 C Kraft, Plain RSC shipping box
• GG44 – 11.75” X 8.75” X 4.75” high, 32 C Kraft, Plain RSC shipping box
• GG45 – 11.75 x 8.75 x 8.75” high, 32 C Kraft, Plain RSC shipping box
• GG46 – 17.25 x 11.25 x 8” high, 32 C Kraft, Plain RSC shipping box

These four printer sizes like all Globe Guard RSC style shipping boxes are printed on the bottom with the “Globe Guard 100% recycled (PCW) content” logo informing your green minded customers that you use a green box, by choice.

Globe Guard Boxes and More!

Of course we also carry a full supply of water activated paper tape, paper void fill such as Kraft, bogus, newsprint and indented and now even oxo-biodegradable stretch film for printed products shipping on pallets. You’ll also find a wide assortment of corrugated mailer designs, as well as padded and unpadded plastic, and paper mailer envelopes.

Branded, custom printed boxes and tape are our specialty, so don’t hesitate to ask us about those products too. Remember, if you don’t see the size you need, let us know and it may become our next new stock box size.
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Visit the Globe Guard ® Green Packaging Store for -

Green Shipping Boxes
Eco Friendly Packaging Materials
Discounts on Eco Friendly Shipping Supplies

Learn more about the Globe Guard ® Resusable Box

Downsizing is not always a step backwards. In fact, for sustainability downsizing is a big plus. Minimizing the size of a shipping container also eliminates shipping weight, space required, the amount of void fill needed. Downsizing reduces the end waste and of course – it saves money as well.

Size Appropriate, Green Packaging

People often forget that REDUCE is one of the three R’s of sustainability. Using less makes sense for so many reasons but sometimes finding unusual size shipping containers can be a challenge. In the last few months we have added the following to our Globe Guard store

• Larger Shipping Boxes
• Shorter, Low Profile Shipping Boxes
• Longer, Taller Shipping Boxes

What may have gone unnoticed is that we have also been recently adding a terrific variety of very small containers for very small products.

The economy has forced many customers to order in smaller quantities but some shippers are still using the previous, large containers because smaller boxes and mailer envelopes can be very difficult to find, especially if you are looking for green packaging products.

Four New Products for Small Items Added to the Globe Guard Line

Globe Guard 4” X 8” Bubble Lined Poly Mailer. It is made with low density polyethylene inside and out. Unlike paper outside/poly bubble inside, our mailers can be recycled anywhere a plastic bag can be recycled whether it is at curbside or your local grocery store.

Globe Guard 5” X 10” Flat Paper Mailer Envelope – made out of 100% recycled content. Strong enough to be reusable and easily recycled when its work is done.

Globe Guard 7” X 3” X 2” Die Cut Corrugated Mailer. It is made out of our Globe Guard 100% recycled content board and features a front lock design so it is safe, secure and very strong, making it ideal for eye glasses and other fragile items.

Our new 4” Cube Box is the latest addition to our already excellent selection of cube shipping boxes which includes 5”, 6”, 8”, 9”, 10”, 12”, 13”, 14” 16”, 18” and 20” Just like all of our other stock Globe Guard boxes, our 4” cube is 100% PCW (post consumer waste) recycled content.

All of these products are stock products on our store but please remember, if you don’t see exactly what you need, let us know. We also specialize in custom size products of every type and can custom print just about anything we make.

Creating a High Profile in Low Profile Packaging

It’s no secret we spend considerable time developing and promoting our Globe Guard brand of sustainable, eco friendly packaging products. We realize one of the best ways we can accomplish our objectives is to continuously enhance its value to our customers by helping them get their packaging done in as environmentally responsible a way as possible.

Four New Boxes Added to the Globe Guard Green Packaging Web Store

We are pleased to announce the addition of the following to our Globe Guard 100% PCW, recycled content, box sizes.

• 8” X 6” X 6” RSC style, 32 ECT shipping box
• 9” X 5” X 5” RSC style, 32 ECT shipping box
• 14” X 12” X 6” RSC style, 32 ECT shipping box
• 20” X 14” X 4” RSC style, 32 ECT shipping box

We realize not everyone needs a tall or cube box so when you add these four new sizes to the variety of sizes we already have, we are confident we can fit most products and applications with the right box for the job.

Current box sizes include: 8” X 6” X 3” tall, 9” X 8” X 4” tall, 10” X 10” X 5” tall, 12” X 9” X 4” tall, and 12” X 10” X 6” tall.

Need a Unique Eco Friendly Box for a Unique Eco Friendly Product?

Regular readers may tire of hearing this but I hope they understand we draw new readers constantly who may not have heard this before: over 50% of the boxes we sell are custom size, custom grade and/or custom printed. Unlike many internet packaging suppliers, we understand and can help customers design custom packaging for their unusually shaped or configured products. We are also experts at combining a wide variety of substrates and products to -

• Minimize cost
• Maximize recyclability
• Minimize packaging waste by weight and volume
• Maximize reusability
• Minimize the negative impact on the environment

Let us know what your toughest most difficult challenge is and we will likely help you develop a low cost, green solution.
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Visit the Globe Guard ® Green Packaging Store for -

Green Shipping Boxes
Eco Friendly Packaging Materials
Special Deals on Eco Friendly Shipping Supplies

See our revolutionary, patent pending Globe Guard® Reusable Shipping Box!

In the entertainment industry this would be considered a teaser ad but we will soon be showing the world a new patent pending product that is about to change the way we all look at packaging and reusability. We believe companies committed to sustainability are about to become greener and reduce their costs in the process.

A Few Questions to Consider:

• What if reusing packaging products was easier?
• What if one corrugated shipper box could do the work of two or more boxes?
• What if your box inventory took up half the space?
• What if you had to replenish that inventory half as often?
• What if your customer return process was more customer friendly as well as more efficient and lower cost for you?
• What if product exchanges or loaners could be accomplished with the same packaging?
• What if you could easily communicate your commitment to green with something as simple as a corrugated shipping box?
• What if your customers appreciated you shipping their orders in a box that can easily be reused, saving them money?

As they say, “stay tuned” for the answers to these and many other sustainable packaging questions. Coming soon:

We are always looking for ways to help our customers reduce or minimize cost and recently we had two situations where we literally had to think inside as well as outside the box in order to get the job done.

New Products and Unique Packaging

Sometimes the challenge is how to economically create custom packaging for a new and unique product and not break the bank doing it. In other words, protecting a product during shipment and making it affordable, even when the volume is relatively small. One way to do it is to combine stock and custom products rather than working with all custom items and eliminating some or the entire cost of dies and tooling.

Here are two recent examples:

Custom partitions and pads with stock RSC shipping boxes

Pente5 is a fast growing manufacturer of organic extracts which are all packed in glass bottles. They needed to create a four pack shipper case as well as a six pack shipper case for a new product launch.

We had no choice but to create custom pads and partitions for them but we intentionally designed them to fit two of our stock boxes. The finished product turned out great and we were able to avoid a higher cost custom box. This also minimized the amount of inventory they would have to buy and stock for their new product. (more…)

For a long time we’ve tried to keep the bundle sizes on our Globe Guard stock shipping boxes at a consistent 25 boxes per bundle. However, due to numerous customer requests, we are reducing our box count on larger boxes. Why are we implementing this change? Namely, two reasons: Bundle weight and purchase quantity.

Bundle Weight

A 25 count bundle of our GG-27, 5” cube boxes only weighs all of 5 pounds. That is obviously a very light weight, convenient bundle for shipping and handling. However, a bundle of our new GG-31 box which is 22” X 22” X 12” in size, happens to weigh almost 67 pounds when bundled in 25’s. Technically that large bundle can still ship via UPS or FedEx but becomes much more difficult to handle in our facility or yours.

Purchase Quantity

Sometimes you need a large box for a particular need but you may not need twenty five of them. Large boxes get expensive due to size so it doesn’t seem fair to force a customer to buy more than they really need or want, in order to use our eco friendly 100% PCW Globe Guard boxes. Our goal from the beginning was to make green shipping boxes available and affordable to everyone and that includes small volume, over size box customers.

Customer convenience combined with customer safety is our greatest concern so this change made sense from both perspectives.

How Will the Bundle Counts Change?
(more…)