An Insider’s Guide to Poly Mailers

What to pack in poly mailers? What are poly mailers? What to pack in them? Here we have answered everything you wanted to know about poly mailers.

An Insider’s Guide to Poly Mailers

Poly mailers are widely used by e-commerce stores to ship their products to the customers. After all, poly mailers are waterproof, lightweight, cheap and occupy less space than corrugated boxes.

They are an ideal packaging for non-fragile items like apparel, fabrics and yarns, arts and prints, books, shoes and accessories.

However, these benefits of poly mailers come with a trade-off.

Poly mailers are vulnerable to tearing or ripping while being shipped to their destination. On the top of that, they may not be readable by scanning machine at the post office if filled improperly. So, it means that poly mailer has its own pros and cons.

Do they make a good packaging option for your business?

This definitive guide will help you take the right decision.

What to Pack in Poly Mailers?

Poly mailers are used to pack apparel and other fabric goods, as well as papers and leather. However, they are not a right fit for the extremely fragile product, say glass. Such products are packed in a corrugated boxes providing protection.

Product Should Be Fitted Properly in the Poly Mailers:

Make sure that poly mailers are filled properly. Otherwise, it can get caught in or misread by automated machine due to the flat spots. This way, the misread packaging can end up with delays, damages or even returns to sender. Clothes like t-shirt fit properly into the packaging. However, a small jewelry box may require you to find another packaging.

When to Consider Bubble Mailers?

Some businesses consider bubble mailers as an alternative option. They are padded with bubble wrap to prevent damage to the content. Plus, bubble mailers go well with shipping systems even if they are not properly filled. But there is a big catch— virgin plastic is used to make the bubble wrap, thereby they are not easy to recycle.

What to Look for In a Poly Mailer?

From durability, tear strip, release liner, to seal, there are many things to consider before choosing a poly mailer for your business. It not only ensures the protection of your shipped material, but also lets the customer to use it easy.

Let’s have a look over such crucial factors…

Durability:

How to determine the strength of a poly mailer? All you need to consider its thickness, number of layers being used in the process and how sides and bottom are sealed.

Tear Strip:

A tear strip makes the opening of the bag convenient for the customers, without requiring them to poke holes or tear it randomly to get the inside material.

Bottom:

The bottom of the package varies based on the size and type of the product. For example, most lightweight and small products don’t need gusseted bottom (diamond shaped bottom) unless they are heavy or bulky like thick quilts or shoe boxes.

Also Read: Shipping and Poly Mailer Wholesale Bags

Dual peel and seal:

More and more customers are looking for online shopping in which returns are hassle-free. And dual peel and seal bags facilitate the returns as they have two adhesives—first is used by vendors to pack the items while second is used by a customer to pack the items to be returned.

Low Oil Prices Hamper Plastic Recycling: What Does It Mean To Us

To your surprise, here’s how low oil prices can hinder plastic recycling..

Low Oil Prices Hamper Plastic Recycling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pic Credit:– tjogel.org

A huge drop in fuel prices is good news for the readers out there. After all, you can run your car on a gallon. The declining oil and energy prices are a welcoming change for businesses like aviation, transportation, and every driven industry.

But it comes with a different meaning for a plastic recycling industry. People who own these industries may not be happy with that. Why?

Plastic is made from petroleum. Right?

So, when the prices of oil drop, so do the manufacturing cost of new plastic products. Therefore, it will be cheaper for manufacturers to buy/make new plastic than purchasing recycled plastic.

It simply means why the industry will get recycled plastic if they are getting a new one at cheaper prices. This leads to decreased sale among the recycling industries.

Keep in mind that plastic recycling is an expensive business. The cleaning and processing of plastic take excessive energy with labor.

Factors That Lead to Dropped Oil Prices in the USA

The past two and a half years have seen the lowest oil prices since 2003 in the USA. Many experts also believe that the “oil industry experienced its deepest downturn since at least the 1990s.” The oil production in the nation is on the rise, reducing its dependence on imported oil, and at the same time, the demand for oil has decreased around the world.

It simply means that the supply is more and demand is less.

Plastic is Not Easy to Recycle:

With the declining oil prices, it would be better for the manufacturers to make new plastic than to put money on the expensive recycling process. And that surely add to the complications and limitations associated with plastic recycling. For example, it’s not easy to recycle plastic due to various shape and types.

Therefore, it is a serious concern if the plastic is not recycled. It will lead to huge plastic waste on the planet. Plastic takes at least 500 years to decompose! And when it breaks down, toxic chemicals contaminate the earth.

Most plastic either goes to landfill or ocean. By 2050, there would be more plastics in the oceans than fishes if the plastic waste continues to grow with the same rate.

Plastic Waste Makes Your Vulnerable to Some Serious Health Threats

Plastic poses serious health threats in many direct and indirect ways. This is because of the chemicals that are used to give them characteristics like flexibility and strength.

Some of these chemicals like BPA, PBDE, and TBBPA are hormone-disrupting which are linked with adverse health hazards like cancers, birth defects, endocrine disruption, and reproductive issues.

They enter the human body in many ways, from leaching in the food while using plastic packages or exposing to chemicals during production. Plastic waste also contaminates rivers and other resources which make contact with a human being.

What You Can Do?

You can’t control oil prices. It is not easy for you to break up with plastic altogether. The only thing you can do is to reduce the use of plastic. Less use of plastic means less plastic waste to be recycled or dumped in the landfills or oceans. Here are some simple ways to do that…

  • Minimize Buying Bottled Water. Use a Refillable Bottle Instead.
  • Bring Your Own Thermos to the Cafes as Disposable are a Type of Plastic Resin.
  • Prefer Cardboard Packaging Over Plastic Bottles and Bags
  • Avoid Using Straws
  • Choose Blade Razor over Disposable Razor
  • Use Recyclable or Reusable Shopping Bags
  • Buy in Bulk
  • Don’t Use Plasticware at Home

 

5 Things to consider before designing packaging for kids products

Nowadays, kids are quite sophisticated. With little ones turning brand-savvy, this group of audience is highly influenced by social media. And as children account for a whopping $21.4 billion worth of their own purchasing power, you cannot miss them at all. Though television and Internet advertising help shaping kids’ brand preferences, it is the packaging which plays a vital role in enticing them.

designing packaging for kids products

What is common among Tony the Tiger and Chuck E. Cheese?

Of course, both are food companies. But what they share in common is that they use cartoon animals in their branding. It is not something new to the marketing world. Since the last few decades, different brands have been focusing more and more on attracting kids. For this, they have been investing heftily on the packaging. Yes, selling out stuff which appears fun and unique from outside speaks better to younger consumers.

This means when confronted by numerous choices, children can be more attracted to the packaging which is more compelling. Their impulsive nature can help you grow. Therefore, below are listed some points to consider before you head off to designing your packaging:

 1. Have an icon created: A mascot or an icon helps your product establish a brand identity. Having an exclusive and interesting mascot will personify a brand for kids. Plus, it let the brand resonate and leave an impression. This will further be assistive in representing the brand and advertise the features and benefits. In short, it will help children to remember and link with the brand. Usually, mascots are known to be more effective as a face of the brand. They work to improve ranking higher in brand buzz and also contribute more to social media sharing.

Also Read: Effective Label Designing Tips for Products

 2. Think for the toddlers: You might not believe it, but kid’s relationships with brands start at a much younger. Just a 6 month old baby begins to recognize brands. These start forming mental images of logos and by the time they are 2, brand loyalty has started taking its place.

 3. Distinctive packaging: As stated above, by the age of two, a child has already established brand loyalty. Now, when you are designing your product packaging, try to keep it distinctive in structure. The package designs which refers to your brand will be helpful for kids to remember your product. For example, the iconic McDonald’s happy box, you may or may not be a McDonald’s fan, you can easily recognize the red box with yellow “M” handles anywhere.

Also Read: 5 Product Packaging Tips for Startups

 4. Be wise with colors: Children greatly respond to colors which are bright, fun and engaging. Hence, you can leverage with brands signature color. There are some high-energy colors like bright reds, blues, and yellows, which can be best for children. Some splashes of bright and eye-popping accent colors, which would make your packaging stand out of the crowd, will work ideally. You must avoid the use of extreme colors and graphics. Also, ensure that the colors you choose are gender neutral and appeal to everyone.

 5. Parents cannot be ignored: Thought it is essential to be reaching your little fans, yet you cannot overlook the parents as well. You have to assure them that the products you are selling to their kids are the right choice. Hence, look for a balance between marketing to the child and the adult who is buying it for him.

Follow these tips and you will have a better market presence!

Factors That Will Dominate Juice Packaging Industry

Packaging for liquid products like juice requires effective seal durability, strength; resistivity to cracking and prevention of spillage.

Juice Packaging Industry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is more critical when the product has to go through complex transportation. Juice packaging is on the way to become the competitive category in the global beverage packing industry. Thanks to the ever-increasing consumption of veggies and fruit juices.

However, there are many trends that have shaped up this packaging segment from time to time. By keeping the today’s customer’s needs in mind as well as the growing environment concerns, here we have rounded up some groundbreaking packaging trends for juice industry.

 1. A NEED TO KEEP IT FRESH:

As people are getting more health conscious, they are looking for the fruit juice brand that can stay fresh for long. That’s why many juice brands are looking for the packaging that can ensure longer shelf life and purity of veggies and fruit juices throughout the storage and transportation. No wonder that why the demand for suitable packaging material is on the rise among juice manufactures.

PET or polyethylene terephthalate packaging has come as an effective packaging for juices over the years.

Also Read: 7 Types of Plastics and Which One You Should Use

 2. CONVENIENCE:

Is the packaging flexible for storage? Is it easy to carry? Convenience is another factor to consider while looking for an effective juice packaging. The ever increasing health and hygiene concerns among the consumers are also responsible for this factor.

 3. ECO-FRIENDLY:

The environmental effect of juice packaging has emerged as a major factor influencing the market for juice vendors. They are emphasizing more on recyclable packaging in response to rising environmental concerns. The aim of reducing the environmental footprints of juice packaging is prompting the use of eco-friendly resins for packaging. Consequently, biodegradable materials are gaining momentum among the packaging manufacturers.

Also Read: 5 amazing eco-friendly packaging tips

Bottom Line:

The international juice packaging market will be influenced by these factors as speculated by Transparency Market Research. Juice companies will continue to witness new trends occurring from the improvements and demands.

What do you think? Do you know about more factors that can influence juice packaging industry? Please share with us.

Types of Stretch Wrap Film

Here we have explained different types of stretch wrap film.

Wholesale Shrink FilmShrink Wrap - iSellpackagingStretch wrap, also known as stretch film, is a highly stretchable plastic film being used to wrap around the products to keep them in place. It is widely used in both packaging and shipping.

Thanks to the elastic properties that keep the item tightly bound. Apart from being used to secure the pallet, the wrap is used for bundling smaller items. This way, they minimize product loss, load tampering and worker injury.

Stretch films vary based on the qualities like widths, thickness and types of stretch film. They are chosen for the particular products on the basis of such qualities. For example, how thick or wide film you need is determined by load size, type, budget and performance requirements.

 

Also Read: Effective Label Designing Tips for Products

Here we will walk through the different types of stretch wrap films.

 1. HAND STRETCH WRAP FILM

Also known as hand film, hand stretch wrap or manual pallet wrap, hand stretch wrap film is used in lower capacity packaging. It is the most basic type of a stretch wrap. They are used to hold items together in packaging and pelleting operations as well. These films are typically applied by the hand or a hand wrapping dispenser.

 2. MACHINE STRETCH WRAP FILM

As the name implies, machine grade stretch film is applied with a machine. It is also termed as a packet wrapper. It is quicker, effective, cost effective and safer than a hand film. The common machine stretch film types include blown machine film, colored machine grade stretch and cash machine stretch film.

 3. PRE STRETCHED FILM

They are a standard gauge film stretched to their maximum stretch point or breaking point before being wound onto rolls. The film doesn’t need much stretching energy compared to the standard stretch film. A standard 80 gauge stretch film becomes a 37 stretch after getting stretched up to 90%.

They account one half of the cost of traditional stretch films, helping you save money on the films.

 4. EXTENDED CORE STRETCH FILM

With an extended core stretch film, you don’t need a dispenser as it offers an easy to grip extended core. It is generally used to wrap pallets. The extended core makes it easy stretch film application for holding items together or wrapping pallets.

Also Read: Types of Edible Food Packaging to Watch For

5. SPECIALTY STRETCH FILM:

These films are useful for very particular packaging requirements that are not catered by general stretch wrap types. Color stretch films, for example, are used in warehouse for color coding or dating inventory. UVI or ultra violet films are used for the packaging to be stored outside or at outdoors.

Also Read:

Common wrap types under this category includes…

  • UVI Stretch Wrap
  • Tinted Stretch Film
  • Bundling Film
  • Vented Pallet Wrap
  • Banding Film
  • Opaque Black Stretch
  • VCI Stretch Wrap
  • Roll Wrap Film
  • Wide Web Wrap
  • Pallet Wrap Netting
  • Heavy Gauge Film
  • Wrap Anti-static Stretch Wrap

So these are the types of stretch wraps. While they are easy to use, consider a stretch wrap machine if you have to wrap more than 15 loads per day. A stretch wrap machine minimizes waste, efforts while increasing efficiency and security load. If you wrap less than 15 loads per day, you can use manual stretch film dispensers.

 

Top packaging mistakes to avoid and save money

Remember, designing packaging is not like designing your interior. Keep it customer specific. It should be attractive and easy to notice. Before designing packaging for your product, ponder over your customers with these considerations…

TOP PACKAGING MISTAKES TO AVOID AND SAVE MONEY

 

Who are they? How your product can help them? Are they kids? Are they woman or someone age 55+?

For example, bright and pinkish packaging with cursive font may not appeal an auto mechanic. Tiny fonts may not be readable for your elderly audience.

 

 

 

Not Being Easy to Use, Store or Carry:

Make sure your product is easy to use, store and carry. The more functional the packaging, the more sales it gets. The packaging can be in the tube or dispenser for the same shampoo brand. Or it can be in a sachet and bottle for a ketchup brand. Again, read your target audience and their habits. It will give you a better idea about this aspect.

Not Delivering What You Promise:

While the label of packaging should be sale oriented, avoid excessive bragging or exaggeration. If a customer just finds out simple cookie in your packaging showing a chocolate-drenched cookie, it would be a sheer disappointment and annoyance as well.

Eventually, you end up with poor sales and shattered brand image. Remember, deliver what you can promise.

Also Read: Effective Label Designing Tips for Products

Not Having Clear Typography:

Be clear with your fonts and graphics as they impact the buyer’s decision. The letter should be readable and legible as well. Too much fancy letters are difficult to read in one go.

Not Reading Your Competitors:

Do you know about the trendy packaging in the market right now? Do customers love your competitor’s packaging? What elements successful brands use in their packaging?

By eliminating these packaging mistakes, you can impress customers to boost sale and elevate your reputation as a business.

Also Read: 5 Product Packaging Tips for Startups

 

Effective Label Designing Tips for Products

Effective Label Designing Tips for ProductsDid you know? Over 90 percent new products fail just because most customers don’t have the energy or time to assess the pros and cons of the products on the shelves. Here comes product’s labeling.

It is more than a wrap up or the banner of a product. You need to make it attractive, informative to draw the customers near to it. Here are the tips to make effective label for your products.

 1. Keep it Clean and Simple:

Don’t clutter the label with excessive images, fonts and graphics. Make it easy to read as possible so that they can get the information in one go, even from the distance.

 2. Choose Colors Carefully:

Colors are vital elements on the label as they help grab attention. Therefore, they should be used strategically. Keep the complimentary colors that will go together. One more thing—use the colors according to the products. Pick feminine colors like pink for your woman products while grey or metallic shades will go best with the tech products.

 3. Choose the Right Font:

Don’t use too many fonts. Just pick any two to keep your label consistent and easy to read. Besides, fonts should be readable to your target audience. Use clear and bold typography for elders. When you sell sophisticated product, avoid using the fonts or designs that make consumers think about their senior’s garden.

 4. Try Unusual Shape:

Nonstandard shapes are likely to catch the customers’ attention as they pass by. Make sure the shape fits the container size properly.

 5. Add Your Contact Information:

You don’t need to list your headquarters or factories address. Make sure to provide brief details. Don’t forget to add your social media accounts and website address. It would be better if you provide QR code

Don’t lose out on these sales opportunities simply because you forgot to include contact information on the label.

Order for Custom Label Printing

Bottom Line:

It would be better if you choose the elements according to your target market and your competitors’ practices as well.

Inspirational product packaging quotes from industry experts

If you are an avid reader of our blogs about packaging, you must understand how packaging can influence your branding. In fact, it is the first face of any product being placed on the retail store’s shelves. 70% customers admit that they buy the product just because of its packaging. 63% customers say that packaging is as important as the brand itself.

A packaging tells the story of your product, encouraging the people to buy your products.

Inspirational Product Packaging Quotes from Industry Experts

 

Here is a rundown of interesting product packaging quotes from industry experts that will encourage you to give your packaging an edge.

“Packaging can be theater, it can create a story”

 1. Steve Jobs(the late CEO of Apple)

“A hen’s egg is, quite simply, a work of art, a masterpiece of design and construction with, it has to be said, brilliant packaging!”

 

2. Delia Smith (an English cook and television presenter)

“In the absence of any other Marketing messages, our packaging – comprised of the trademark, our design, color and information – is the sole communicator of our brand essence. Put another way – when you don’t have anything else – our packaging is our Marketing.”

 3. Philip Morris(An international cigarette and tobacco brand)

“Good design is all about making other designers feel like idiots because that idea wasn’t theirs.”

 4. Frank Chimero(A designer, author and illustrator)

“From packaging materials, through fibers, foams and surface coatings, to continuous extrusions and large-scale moldings, plastics have transformed almost every aspect of life. Without them, much of modern medicine would be impossible and the consumer electronics and computer industries would disappear. Plastic sewage and water pipes alone have made an immeasurable contribution to public health worldwide.”

 5. Norman C. Billingham(a British Chemist working in the field of polymer chemistry)

“Simple is good.”

 6. Jim Henson(Iconic American Puppeteer and Founder of The Jim Henson Company)

“Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that’s why it is so complicated.”

 7. Paul Rand(an American art director and graphic designer, popular for his corporate logo designs)

“Good design is obvious. Great design is transparent.”

 8. Joe Soprano(Graphic Designer For Oxide Design Co)

“If design isn’t profitable, then it’s art.” (a Graphic Designer)

 9. Henrik Fisker(a Danish automotive designer and entrepreneur residing in Los Angeles, California.)

“Design is intelligence made visible.”

 10. Alina Wheeler(Design Coach and an Author of the Books Like Designing Brands Identity and Brand Atlas)

“Considering clean packaging in the context of enabling clean food, it’s an opportunity for all brands large and small to tell better stories and demonstrate that the well-being of their customers is a top priority. That all depends on a brand’s customer base though, and how much it values clean packaging. For example, Panera’s website features a section called “food as it should be,” which has a link to information about clean food, therefore Panera customers are more likely to respond to clean packaging messaging because they’re aware of the clean food movement.” 

Red and Yellow Biohazard Bags: How to Use Them Correctly?

Medical waste, as the name implies, is the waste generated by healthcare facilities like hospitals, clinics, blood banks, and clinical laboratories. The waste is contaminated by blood, body fluids and other potentially infectious materials. For example, used and discarded needles, syringes, human tissues, blood and bodily fluids, and hospital radioactive waste belong to the category of medical waste.

According to one study, healthcare facilities in the USA produce 5.9 million tons of medical waste annually, which is a 14.75 percent of the total waste produced (250 million) in the USA in a year.

A report published in NCBI states that 28.8% of the total waste comes from private hospitals while state hospitals have 57.9% share in biohazard waste production.

Considering that the waste is contaminated with bodily fluids, bloods and infections, medical waste can pose threat to the lives and environment as well. An improper medical waste disposal can lead to the risks like:

  • Syringes are going to the seashores
  • Infectious blood dumped inside landfill ruining soil for miles
  • Pathogens contaminates potable drinking water supplies and air
  • Human and animal can get deadly diseases after coming into contact with medical waste
  • Sharps can lead to injuries

And it can’t be sidelined that improper disposal can attract legal penalties for your healthcare facility.

Red and Yellow Biohazard Bags Simplify Your Medical Waste Disposal:

Red and yellow biohazard bags are the common way to segregate the medical waste. If you run a small healthcare facility like dental clinic or GP clinic, these are affordable and simple ways to dispose of your biohazard waste. Red and yellow biohazard bags are made to store the types of medical waste separately from each other. However, some healthcare facilities often mix up the wastes due to negligence or lack of awareness.

So, it is essential to know what goes into a red bag or what is meant to be placed in a yellow bag.

Red Biohazard Bags:

Red biohazard bags are used to collect anatomical waste including human body fluids like semen, saliva, tissues, organs and animal carcasses. They are also used to dispose of the medical apparatus, specimen swabs, blood soaked drapes, gloves and anything that is visibly contaminated with blood or bodily fluids.

What Should You Never Put in Red Biohazard Bags?

Only biohazard waste like blood contaminated objects and pathological waste go to the red bag. You should never put other clinical waste like chemicals, alcohols, solvents, radioactive waste, lead, pharmaceutical waste, apparatus, tubing, food wrappers and beverage containers. Don’t throw the things in the bag unless visible blood is present on them.

Yellow Biohazard Bags:

Yellow biohazard bags are used to dispose of clinical waste like swabs, dressings, tissues, soiled gloves, aprons, pads and nappies. Besides, these bags can be used to collect IV lines and fluid bags used for pharmaceutical medicines, disposable metallic parts and syringe bodies.

What Should You Never Put in Yellow Biohazard Bags?

Yellow bags should be used only for disposal of clinical and infectious waste containing chemicals and pharmaceutical medicines. Don’t dispose of pathological waste, anatomical waste, domestic waste, non-infectious waste and placental waste in yellow clinical waste bags.

Do’s and Don’ts While Handling Red and Yellow Biohazard Bags:

  • Label the bags with biohazard symbol
  • Seal the bags properly
  • Always wear gloves, apron, face mask or eye protection while handling, changing or shifting the bags
  • Line your medical waste container with the biohazard bags
  • Don’t dispose of them in municipal or city waste bins. Such wastes are collected by only licensed medical waste contractors.

Packaging in 2019: What to Expect?

Here is how packaging industry will behave in 2019.

Packaging in 2019: What to Expect

 1. Plastic Packaging in Cosmetic Market:

From bottles, tubes and jars, cosmetic industry has been relied predominately on plastic containers. According to some reports, the plastic packaging will have a growth of 12% by 2019. Bottles are commonly used across the industries. However, cartons are gaining a steady momentum in cosmetic industry as they rose from 9% in 2010 to 19% 2016.

 2. Packaging Industry to Touch 14 Billion USD by 2022:

According to theResearch and Markets, the revenue of packaging industry will cross USD 14.64 billion by 2022. Furthermore, the CAGR is expected to be up 12.0% from 2017. The study further says that plastic packaging will remain the largest packaging industry. Besides, Consumerreports.Orgstates that $150 billon is being spent on product packaging globally. According to Smithers Pica, the world packaging industry’s market value will be $1 trillion by 2020.

Also Read: 5 Product Packaging Tips for Startups

 3. Rise of Digital Printing:

Digital printing has been influencing today’s packaging. It lets packagers to be more creative with their packaging compared to typesetting. Most packaging companies have opted for digital printing over the decade. The industry was estimated to be valued at over US$ 11 billion in 2016. A new report by Future Market Insights claims that digital printing in packaging market my exceed US$ 52 billion in revenues by 2027.

 4. Personalized Packaging:

Coca Cola printed people’s name on their bottles. Frito Lay printed faces on their potato chip packages. This is how packaging is being personalized. In 2019, we can see new heights of personalization in packaging. After all, personalization lets a business promote their name and brand in more compelling way.

Also Read: What Drives the Growth of Green Packaging Market?

So these are the trends and happenings that are expected to take place in packaging industry in 2019. What do you think? Please share your thought with us by commenting below.