Regardless of what industry you work with, there are scenarios when you need to mail, ship or store important papers, which can be any business document, banner, poster or any material. And this is when cardboard tubes come on the scene; these tubes are the ideal packaging solution for articles like blueprints, research papers and crafted item. These shipping tubes safeguard the merchandise inside it, optimizing the space, and leave a good impression on receivers.

Mailing tubes typically have removable plastic or metal caps at the end, so one can insert and take out the article easily. If you do a lot of mailing and shipping, mailing tubes, also called shipping tubes and postal tubes, are a must for you. These tubes are available in various sizes to best fit most of the merchandise items. The majority of the tubes used in retail packaging don’t exceed the length of 122 cm (48 inches).

Over a span of the last ten years, the market demand of the mail tubes has increased by manifold. Below are the major benefits of picking cardboard mailing tubes for your business packaging needs:

There is a size for every article!

Cardboard material is very easy to manufacturer. There are a large number of packaging companies that offer almost every size of tube containers. So, you can easily find the container that best fit your article size. If you want to ship some important business papers ensuring they reach the client without having a single crease on it, you are best to select a circular tube of the exact size.

Dream any shape

Typically, off-the-shelf mailing tubes are in cylindrical shape. But you can dream almost any odd shape and the professional mailing tubes manufacturers can make it feasible for you. The packaging companies offer custom-designed shipping tubes, or shipping boxes, to meet various needs of the customers and clients. To make the shipping containers look more attractive, you can ask the packaging companies to embrace a good printed design with your business logo and address over it.

Light or Heavy? It Isn’t a Problem!

Is your shipment light or heavy in weight? This answer will help you determine the type of the mail tubes to choose. Cardboard mailing tubes are available in combination of different materials such as plastic, glass and metal. For example: If you want to ship business document or any other thing of light weight, you may select cardboard shipping tubes with plastic caps.

In the contrast, if you want to package a heavy article, you may choose from a collection of cardboard heavy duty shipping boxes available in the market. Cardboard tubes with metal interior and metal caps at both the ends offer higher ruggedness and durability.

They’re just a click away!

Instabox offers top-quality cardboard mailing tubes at the most competitive rates. Buying shipping tubes online in bulk will help you save a large amount, as you will get them at retail prices.

1/16/2013

Manufacturers of Canada use a selection of containers and packaging materials to protect the products or goods from possible damages in manhandling and shipping. Some of the most common containers used in Canadian manufacturing industry include corrugated boxes, glass containers, metal cans, and set-up and folding boxes.

Over the last 10 years, there has been a tremendous growth in the packaging industry which is caused by many industrial parameters, mainly consumer demand of top quality packaging and exponential increase in freight shipping all around the world. The manufacturing industry in Canada is now spending a billion dollars in packaging and labeling their products.

As reported by Euromonitor International, Canadian consumers are now emphasizing on the closures of the products, be it food products, health or wellness products, or anything else, which implies that the future of the packaging industry is bright in the coming years as well. Plastic and corrugated cardboard packaging materials have reduced the cost of containers dramatically, without compromising on the durability of containers. And perhaps, this is another reason why manufacturers choose these packaging containers for their products.

The Carved Out Niche of Containers

More than 55% of the containers are used in packaging of food items and beverages. These two industries are growing at a fast pace, which in turn boosting the demand of plastic containers and corrugated boxes. Chemical, healthcare and garment industry are another three major industries in Canada that play crucial role in maintaining the bursting demand of corrugated containers in the market. There are many other industries in the country that invest a considerable amount in packaging products including textile, tobacco and coal.

Most Common Types of Packaging Containers

Plastic containers, corrugated box containers, metal containers, cardboard folding boxes, and glass containers hold 70% of the packaging products used by the manufacturers of Canada.

• Corrugated Boxes – They are in the spotlight since 1996. The industry of corrugated containers has showcased a tremendous growth in the last decade and today it has marked its place as one of the billion dollar industries of Canada. Corrugated cardboard boxes are available in a great variety of shape, size and colors.
  One can also find a packaging company that offers custom printed cardboard containers. With the advent of latest technologies and tools of graphic designing, printed corrugated boxes look more attractive. The corrugated cardboard material is recyclable, so boxes made out of this material can be reused and made available in the market at half the price of the new ones.
• Plastic Containers – From 9% in 1995 to over 20% in the last quarter of 2012, the share of plastic containers and packaging material has almost doubled in the last 2 decades. Due to its light weight, higher strength and lower price, plastic containers have replaced the metal and glass containers in many industries.
• Metal Containers – They are widely used in the food and beverage industries. However, in the last 20 years, the demand of metal containers has decreased noticeably.
• Glass Containers – Food, beverage and chemical products munch through almost all the glass containers manufactured in the country. However, the glass container industry is showcasing decay in the last ten years.
• Folding Boxes – The market share for folding box containers remain steady from day of its origin in the industry. Food industry consumes the largest share of set-up and folding boxes.

Instabox Canada has come a long way from its inception in the industry many years ago. In addition to a huge assortment of containers, they offer an extensive collection of box accessories for better packaging of the products.

1/11/2013

The Corrugated boxes are widely used as shipping, storing and display containers for numerous products. However, the packaging needs vary from one business to another. Some companies prefer to buy off-the-shelf corrugate containers and some order custom-designed cartons from a professional supplier. If you are using or planning to buy corrugated boxes for product packaging, consider the below list of box accessories that will help you make the most of your container’s space.

1. Dividers

   Cardboard sheets are used as a divider inside the corrugated packaging and shipping boxes. These dividers can be placed in a large size container to separate the products. Another benefit of using these box dividers is that they hold the products on a specific position, which is very essential in shipping fragile items. Manufacturers can easily create as many compartments as you wish with this corrugated paper divider.

   Box dividers are also used to protect the product from directly coming in touch to the outer pressure or compression. They are crucial to ensure that the product reaches the destination safely, without a single scratch on it. The major three types of cardboard box dividers are as follows:

   • Corrugated Dividers – A type of box divider that can accommodate heavy-weight products like coffee mugs, jars and bottles. Top-quality corrugated dividers are thick and sturdy. They have higher stacking strength and thus used for packing taller items.
      
   • Fiber dividers – Fiber dividers offer a higher level of protection and compatibility. In comparison of cardboard dividers, they create less paper dust. Also, fiber partitions can be crafted with higher accuracy than corrugated partitions. They are skinnier, so box size for the same volume of products will be reduced considerably.
      
   • Chipboard dividers – Chipboards are custom made to meet the customers’ specific packaging and shipping needs. They consume about 35 percent less area than standard cardboard dividers. So, by choosing chipboard partitions, you can save big on your packaging and shipping cost.
      
2. Pads

   Pads too are made of cardboard material. They are used as dividers or insulator in packing boxes. They are plain cardboard sheets which can be cut based on customers’ requirements. Corrugated pads isolate different layers of products in a container. They are widely chosen for packaging promotional items, as they can fit to any shape and size. Pads can also bend as you want them to be.

3. Trays

   Trays are cardboard boxes without top flaps. They are used to store bottles or tools. If you use a single tray to put single product, you can accommodate many other products within a container. Corrugated trays are available in die-cut style or you can customize the shape as you wish.

4. Foam Inserts

   Foam inserts are a perfect fit to custom-made packaging boxes. They can bend in any shape and at any angle. They ensure that your product reaches the agreed destination in one piece. Custom foam inserts help you make the most of the space within the corrugated packaging box.

Corrugated containers, box accessories and package labels are three must-have components of professional product packaging. If they are chosen carefully, they help your products stand out in the market.

12/18/2012

The Product packaging industry is responsible for creating containers as specified by clients to ensure that the products reach the destination safely in time. The process of packaging is often considered as the science and art of covering or protecting the products for sale, storage or distribution. Packaging companies use containers made from different material such as plastic, corrugated paper, fiber, aluminum wrappers and glass.

There are plenty of reasons why we need product packaging, but here I have covered the top 5 reasons why packaging is considered a crucial parameter in product branding and marketing:

1. Product in one piece – 100% customer satisfaction

   One of the obvious reasons of choosing packaging is to protect the products from damages or scratches that may occur during shipping and moving due to frequent manhandling. It is also done to protect your products from dust, debris and wetness.

2. Get an edge with the Impressive Presentation

   Professionally packaged products create an appeal to the customers and make the products eye-catching. A large group of consumers buy products looking at its packaging only. A leading media company defines effective product packaging as a proven way to build a brand. In this cut-throat competition, branding is vital for all businesses. Analyze your niche and define your packaging by hiring a professional product packaging company.

3. Space for Words that Markets your Products

   The packaging provides you with space where you can share your company information, print company logo and its physical address, or perhaps you can outline the directions to use the product. Some products have marketing messages printed above its package. Consumers often get tempted to pick such products, or to buy them.

   Businesses can effectively use packaging to portray an image of the benefits their products will offer to customers. In this highly competitive world of businesses, effective packaging is a proven strategy to market the products and improve the sales. Attractive packaging can help you boost your business revenues tremendously, even if the product lacks the quality!

4. Help Make a Quick Decision

   When a product packaging contains information about products such as size, direction to use, colors, etc., it helps the consumers learn quickly if the product fits their needs or not. For example, packaging of under-the-sink garbage can showcase its measurements (height, width and depth), so buyers can easily determine if the garbage can will fit in their sink or not. And this ultimately helps them decide whether they should purchase the product or not.

5. Stand Out From the Crowd

   A standard packaging will make it easier for your consumers to identify or locate your products when placed amidst many other brands. For example, a business sell stockings with proper packaging that holds their logo, name and a well-defined color theme. Once a customer buys their product, the next time he or she will quickly identify that particular brand.

Corrugated folding packaging boxes are widely used in the market. They are available in tailor-made sizes and shapes at the lowest prices possible; so you can see why they are in demand. Remember, packaging of products, if done professionally, can help you market your products, win customer satisfaction and increase sales.

12/18/2012

Chipboard boxes are made from cardboard material which can exhibit a noticeable difference in its weight. Shipping or packaging companies select the cardboard boxes based on the type and size of the products. For example, packaging of toothpastes doesn’t require the same durability of boxes as need in case of heavy weight equipments. Businesses use these boxes to package the products they want to ship to their customers.

Chipboard boxes are very popular amongst businesses these days due to its low price and environment friendly material. They are made of recycled pieces of papers which are then compressed via a pressure-heating process. You may have seen white coating on one side of some of the cardboard boxes, which is made from a clay-based concoction.

Cardboard boxes are mostly commonly available in white and orange-brown color. Though, there are many companies that offer printed chipboard boxes with your business logo and address. Custom printed shipping boxes seem professional and give packaging a unique look. If you are a small size company with budget restriction, you can order white chipboard containers with stickers on it. So, you can write down your company name, address and contact detail on the stickers before mailing them to the customers.

Cardboard boxes, sometimes called as fiber boxes, are widely used in packaging of gifts of all sizes. In general, cardboard moving and shipping boxes are bought flat and then folded as per needs. Chipboard mailing boxes are made of light cardboard material, so the sender doesn’t incur high postage cost, ensuring the material is durable enough to withstand the weight of the article being sent.

If you ever purchased printer papers, you might have seen two-piece chipboard boxes. This type of storage boxes keeps the stationery clean and organized. Tiny two-piece cardboard storage boxes are designed specifically to hold tiny items such as business cards. Often, chipboard partitions are used to separate and hold thin and lightweight items, which is together then sealed by the large size container.

The height and width of every single cell of chipboard partitions are determined based on customer’s needs. And such partitions are used in a plenty of applications within freight packaging. Businesses looking for corrugated boxes and containers to ship heavy items can select heavy duty shipping boxes made of cardboard. This will make you save a fortune and maintain your prestige amongst your customers or partners.

If you are not looking around to purchase chipboard boxes, you can reach the nearby office supply shop. However, for more options and choices, you can resort to online websites selling customized and standard cardboard boxes. If you are new to online shopping, you will be surprised to see how easy it is to browse and buy corrugated boxes of all types. The seasoned online shoppers will get spoiled with the wide selection of boxes the e-stores offer.

So, what are you waiting for? Start browsing Instabox web site showcasing various types of boxes. Instabox is your ideal chipboard boxes supplier and it is just a click away!

12/14/2012

In today’s world of hustle and bustle, when time is at premium and your budget calls for making wise decisions when picking your carton products, you will be faced with some decisions to make. There are questions to deal with when deciding about the source for your corrugated packaging, box accessories, fiber boxes or any kind of cartons.

Cartons have many uses in the general areas of shipping and storage. They are very attractive for their properties and cost and for these reasons very ubiquitous in our world of every day need for shipping of goods or storing files and supplies. For example, fiber box provides the external shell of protection and structural strength of the package while fiber partitions along with other optional accessories protect smaller objects inside from getting damaged while moving or in shipment.

Whether you are an individual or a business, whether you use fiber boxes and corrugated packaging in the course of your work or at home, you will deal with these products. One way or another, if only by just receiving goods by mail or buying products at the store, you are part of the cycle and have the power to decide what will be the source of your supplies and what will happen to them once they have served their purpose.

If you are someone who is an environmentally-conscious person, you will be asking yourself if the corrugated fibreboard box or other carton you are about to order come from a company that treasures the world, its beauty and the natural resources of our planet.

Corrugated packaging or box accessories, such as fiber partitions yield their properties to the concept of being 100% recyclable. That alone makes your eco-friendly corrugated fiberboard box a much more attractive product – one that has more to offer as far as cartons go for the generations to come.

Conversely, the usage of non-recyclable packaging and accessories is decreasing gradually and manufacturers are focusing more on eco-friendly products. Businesses and individuals are becoming aware of their responsibilities towards the environment and thus they are moving towards more of the green solutions.

11/28/2012

Sending out boxes for shipping starts with careful preparation. Follow these simple guidelines to assure the shipment arrives safely.

Choose Your Boxes For Shipping

Choose a corrugated box size that is suitable for the contents you are shipping. For small items, choose small shipping boxes. For larger items, choose large shipping boxes. For items that are very heavy, go for the double-wall or tripple wall corrugated fiber. In other words, for very heavy items, choose heavy duty shipping boxes. Heavy duty shipping boxes super strength can contain and protect the contents while still retain its shape during shipment.

Protect It

Once you choose the correct size and strength, it is important to cushion the contents of your package properly.

Surround each item with at least two inches of cushioning. This will prevent product-against-product damage. This will also protect the item from rough shipping and handling, jolts, and shocks.

For extra assurance, close your package. Gently shake the shipping box to see whether there is enough padding. If your item still moves in the box, then add more packaging materials. The secret is to keep the items from moving inside the box. You will want it to feel solid and protected. Make sure to fill it with packaging materials such as bubble wrap, kraft paper, peanuts, corrugated roll, and more from Instabox.

Seal It

Keep your shipping tools supply at hand by using the correct shipping tape. Sealing each package is just as important as choosing the correct size box and protecting the interior item. Some tape such as cellophane tape, duct tape or masking tape are not meant for shipping. Instead, keep it simple by using brown or clear two inches packing tape. You may also use heavy duty multi-purpose packing tape. They are built to keep the boxes sealed, and stay sealed during shipment. Rest assured that the shipping tape can also widthstand extreme cold and hot temperatures and will continue to keep the boxes sealed.

Keep Supplies At Bay

A great start to careful preparation is to have your supplies at bay. Keep your supply closet well stocked with shipping boxes, shipping tools, packing materials, shipping bags, shipping tags, and packing tape

11/28/2012

Shipping things out from your home or business is simple with the proper tools. Keep your supply closet well stocked and ready for projects. Let’s focus a little bit about one of the many shipping accessory you will definitely need. Let’s look at tape. Different tapes are created uniquely for your needs. Use the right tape for the right job.

A strapping tape is exactly what it sounds. It straps, ties or binds objects together. If you have odd-shaped materials, bundle it into one with a strapping tape. It’s the perfect tape for securing loose parts during shipment. Since this tape is fiberglass reinforced, it is able to work on all types of surfaces, especially corrugated boxes. Secure and unitize your pallets. Seal your heaviest packages with a heavy-duty strapping tape.

For a noncritical, light-duty sealing, use a general purpose masking tape. It works great for light-duty packaging or bundling. Its crepe paper backing and rubber-based adhesive prevents the surface package from adhesive damage. A masking tape provides excellent adhesion. Not to worry if the tape was placed in the wrong position. It removes easily and can be repositioned.

For extremely hard-to-stick surfaces such as metal, paper, or plastic, use a transfer tape. Shipping point-of-purchase displays or graphic designs at times require an out of the ordinary tape. Use a transfer tape for these requirements. It will stay on and can handle temperatures up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also moisture resistant.

Keep in mind, a shipping tape will be going through a journey from point A to point B. It needs to stay sealed despite possible rain, dirt, and dust. There will also be a change of weather, and therefore your packaging tape must be able to withstand a wide temperature range.

Stick with the best and choose a high-performance, super strong Instabox shipping tape. This will assure that the packages are closed tight, despite possible weather moisture, cold weather or hot summers. Instabox packing tape has extreme holding power and the packages stay sealed for long periods of time. The heavy items stay sealed during transit and the packaging tape is built for rough handling.

10/24/2012

Make your mailing project convenient and easy with Instabox. When you need to send mail and packages to multiple destinations, the fast way to send them on their way is by printing their address on address labels. Just click print, and the address of each recipient is on each individual label. Since each label is backed with adhesive, just peel and stick onto the envelope or package and voila, it’s ready for shipment.

Keep it professional and clean. Choose fonts that are simple and easy to read. Keep the font type and size consistent. Choose white bright blank labels for a sharp clear print. With inkjet or laser printer labels, the ink will not run or smear. They are smudge free.

Note that it’s not limited to the addressee. Print the sender’s address for a quick way to create a return address label. Also special mailing instructions can be placed on each parcel. With blank labels, print messages such as Media Mail, International Mail, Fragile and more. Hazardous or dangerous goods labels must stand out for the postmaster to see. For a message that requires more attention, choose bright colors, bold fonts or unique labels such as a triangle or circle shape.

Go one step further by printing a scannable barcode onto each blank label. Keep track of outgoing mail by incorporating barcodes to your maling project. Know your current inventory. Know the contents of each box, or envelope. Know the recipient’s address and date of mailing. With a large mailing list, distribution list, subscriber list etc., incorporate a bar code with your mailing project to save time.

Get creative to advertise. Customize your print with graphics. Highlight what your company specializes in with graphics. Include borders or specialize fonts. Use special templates or create your own template to increase product awareness.

A mailing label is easy to print and easy to apply. Laser printer labels will not jam in the paper tray. The print is clear and sharp. The print is smudge free. Also use it for special mailing instructions or barcodes. For your next mailing project, keep it simple, easy, and save time.

Contact Instabox for more information on packaging labels, box labels, product labels, blank labels or any kind of labels you might need.

10/12/2012

Greek philosopher Aristotle categorized organisms into groups such as genus or species. Effective commercial industries also apply the same method of classification, but apply it towards their stock and inventory. Thousands and thousands of goods and products, usually in its own box, must be classified and identified. This is where custom labels come in.

Start the organization by first having preprinted labels with its unique bar code affixed to each label. Within this package label, each bar code holds the entire information of each content. This is not a guessing game, but a systematic placement of each category and identity. Each custom label holds a wealth of information. It’s information such as the product identity, the manufacturer or distributor. It tells us where the product comes from and where it is going. This information can all be derived from each custom printed label.

Classify each content by using custom printed labels. It is an efficient, time saving and money saving method to move production effectively. When there is order, not chaos, the inventory counts are accurate. The profit margin line is accurate. It quickly allows us to know what stock we have, what we are lacking or missing, or what is in oversupply.

Once the custom labels are affixed, it’s time to compartmentalize. Which items will be going directly to the retailers? Which pallet label will be delivered to the warehouse? Which inventory needs to be stored?

Increase the identity classification by adding images or color to each box label. It’s a quick way to visually associate contents. For instance, when looking at a traffic light, we know red means stop and green means go. Simplify the stock and inventory by using these same principles. Associate the contents with color and images, and productivity will increase. Sorting will be easier and faster.

Take note from Ralph Emerson Waldo who said, “But what is classification but the perceiving that these objects are not chaotic, and are not foreign, but have a law which is also the law of the human mind?” Create order and compartmentalize. Use custom labels as part of the inventory and stock classification. Know your contents. Know where each item is coming and going. It is an efficient, time saving and money saving method to move production effectively.

9/24/2012