IPG Water-Activated Paper Tape is Now Certified Recyclable!

In support of our sustainability efforts, IPG is proud to announce our line of Water-Activated Paper Tapes (unreinforced) has been certified recyclable. Our WAT paper tape has passed Western Michigan University OCC Equivalency (WMU OCC-E) testing protocol making it the first certified recyclable carton sealing tape!

The OCC-E test protocol was developed modeling guidelines from the Fibre Box Association (FBA). FBA members represent about 95% of the corrugators in the United States. The protocol was developed using untreated OCC (Old Corrugated Cardboard) as the control. OCC is a valuable and sought after source of secondary fibers.

Contamination rates are a major impediment to recycling programs in the US and reducing contamination in our recycling streams is important to successful recycling. IPG’s customers can now use a certified recyclable tape on their cartons which will help reduce contamination in the recycling stream.

IPG's line of curbside recyclable packaging products

Ahead of the Curb

E-commerce shipping volumes are rapidly increasing and consumers have become ever more aware of their environmental impact. In response to this trend, IPG has developed a line of curbside-friendly products, called Curby™, to promote a circular economy and help answer these E-commerce growth challenges.

With the certification of our Water-Activated Paper Tape, IPG is pleased to supplement our Curby line of products that now includes water-activated paper tape, paper void fill, cold chain solutions and fragile wrap.

What is WAT?

Water-activated tape (aka gummed tape, Kraft paper tape) is a carton sealing tape that bonds instantly to both virgin and recycled fiber surfaces of a box or carton and therefore, generates an immediate seal resulting in a tamper evident package - the seal welds the tape to the box. WAT is offered in both fiberglass reinforced and unreinforced plain paper, of which IPG's Unreinforced WAT is now certified "Recyclable" by Western Michigan University's OCC testing Protocols. IPG produces many styles available in standard prints or customized prints to display your corporate message. They all have one common feature, uncompromising quality.

Features and Benefits of IPG’s Unreinforced Water-Activated Paper Tape:

WAT – Water-Activated Tape

✔ Certified recyclable
✔ Contains at least 50% recycled fibers
✔ Custom-printable (while maintaining recyclability)
✔ Tamper evident
✔ Ideal for light to medium weight or standard size cartons shipped in unitized loads or full pallets
✔ Handy for deli and butcher wrap sealing, inner carton sealing, and more

How to Choose the Right Tape for Your Needs

There are several factors to consider when choosing a packaging tape to use

Some people believe that any tape will do when it comes to sealing a carton. “If you use enough of this tape, the package will stay closed,” or so the thinking goes. However, the reality is that in a company’s shipping department, the decision on what kind of tape to use is critically important. Why?

There are several factors to consider, including:

• ✔ Efficiency
• ✔ Product damage prevention
• ✔ Appearance
• ✔ Theft prevention
• ✔ Branding opportunities
• ✔ Cost-effectiveness

Ultimately, the kind of tape a company chooses to use says a great deal about its focus on its employees, customers, and reputation. Is your company making the right statement with its selection?

“Ultimately, the kind of tape a company chooses to use says a great deal about its focus on its employees, customers, and reputation.” TWEET THIS

Plastic Pressure-Sensitive Tape vs. Water-Activated Tape

The two primary types of tape that your shipping department or packers have to choose from are plastic pressure-sensitive tape (PST) and water-activated tape (WAT). In order to decide which is best suited for your company’s needs, it is important to look at the characteristics of each.

PST

Also called plastic tape, poly tape, or packing tape, PST is a petroleum-based product that has a dry adhesive applied to a clear film. The adhesive sticks to the surface of a package when it is placed there and pressure is applied. The degree of initial adhesion is affected by how textured and clean the surface is, as well as how much pressure is applied. Continued adhesion varies based on environmental conditions such as heat and humidity.

WAT

Sometimes referred to as gummed tape, reinforced gummed tape (when fiberglass is embedded), paper tape, or Kraft tape, WAT is made primarily of white or natural color paper and starch-based adhesive. When water activates the adhesive and the tape is applied to a carton, the adhesive penetrates the surface of the carton and forms a permanent bond. WAT's bond remains intact in virtually all environmental conditions, as well as dusty and dirty settings.   

When to Use Plastic Pressure Sensitive Tape

PST may be the right choice under certain circumstances. For example, it might be all you need if:

• ✔ A strong seal is not necessary
• ✔ You are not concerned about rip-and-replace thefts from your packages
• ✔ You need tape that is transparent
• ✔ Your packages will not be exposed to changing environmental conditions

When to Use Water-Activated Tape

WAT is the best tape choice if you need: 

• ✔ A strong, permanent, tamper-evident seal on your cartons
• ✔ Tape that can have your company branding printed on it
• ✔ Earth-friendly tape that can be recycled
• ✔ Tape that maintains its integrity in all environmental conditions
• ✔ A fast, efficient, one-strip seal rather than multiple strips
• ✔ To increase packer productivity by using an electric tape dispenser
• ✔ Tape that protects package handlers from injury due to seal bursting
• ✔ To ensure that packers avoid repetitive stress injury resulting from using a handheld tape gun
• ✔ Fiberglass reinforcement for extra strength
• ✔ A cost-effective sealing solution
• ✔ Tape that is proven more effective in controlled studies 
• ✔ Packages that have a neat, professional appearance

Small Investment. Big Dividend.

Despite the many ways that WAT is superior to PST, many companies continue to use PST. One likely reason is that they already own several handheld tape guns and are reluctant to spend money on a better sealing solution.

However, electric water-activated tape dispensers and the tape itself are both affordable and cost-effective. This is especially true when you consider the many additional costs of using tape that doesn’t meet your needs—from product damage and theft to the negative impact on your reputation and lost sales.

If you have questions about water-activated tape and electric water-activated tape dispensers, we are always happy to answer them. Contact us at your convenience.

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[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]

Holiday Shipping Tips

Now is the time to gear up for the holiday shipping rush.

Here are a few stats from Adobe Digital Insights and First Data Corporation to get you in the mood for holiday 2017:

• E-commerce transactions in 2016 rose 12% compared to 2015
• Between November 1 and December 31 of last year, US shoppers spent $91.7 billion online
• During that timeframe, all but four days had over $1 billion in E-commerce sales

Gear up for the holiday shipping rush with these holiday shipping tips

Analysts have every reason to think Holidays 2017 will only top those numbers! Here are a few shipping tips to help you get through the season:

Remember speed matters:

Always ship products as fast as possible. During the holidays, customers have high expectations and low tolerance for delays. The best-case scenario is for you to ship product out the same day the order was placed. To help you get those orders right out the door, keep an up-to-date list of shipping carriers and their pick-up times.

Work with your delivery providers:

Give your logistics partners a heads’ up about the timing and volume you expect during the holiday season well in advance. It will help them plan better to meet your needs (and the needs of your customers).

Use downtime to pre-pack commonly shipped items: 

Now’s the time to pre-pack commonly shipped items. Write the contents and weights on the surface of the box so you’re one step ahead of the rush.

Stock up on packing supplies: 

This is also the time to check your inventory of shipping supplies. Make sure you have a good supply of corrugated boxes in a variety of sizes; water-activated tape and dispensers and air pillows.  You don’t want to be caught short with holiday orders that outrun your ability to pack and ship them fast.

The carton matters: 

Use a new, unused corrugated box that’s the right size and strength for the contents. In their UPS Compass blog the company cautions against reusing boxes: “Reused boxes lose strength, especially at the corners, and are even more vulnerable if they get wet in the rain or snow."

Package products for a safe trip: 

Many holiday gifts are fragile, breakable and at risk of being damaged during transit. Take extra care to properly package products so you won’t have to foot the bill for costly replacements and deal with the social media reviews of unhappy customers. Consider double-boxing fragile items, leaving at least a two-inch void for air pillow cushioning for a safe ride. 

Leave space around what you are shipping. Ideally, packers should aim for at least two inches of space on all sides around the item being shipped so it can be protected with air pillows on all sides.

Pack heavies at the bottom: 

If shipping several items, put the heavier ones on the bottom. You don’t want to stack them on top of lightweight, fragile items.

Use the right packaging tape:

Make sure your tape is safe, secure and tamper- resistant water-activated tape. If it’s a larger carton, apply it in an “H" pattern at the top and bottom. The idea is to make sure your well-packed box stays secure during shipping so the items arrive safely to the destination. 

Bonus Tip: 

When shipping goods for the holidays, slip in a festive item like a candy cane or small, wrapped candy. That unexpected goodie could bring a smile to a harried gift-giver just trying to keep up with her holiday to-dos.

How the Well-Dressed Box Brings Repeat E-Commerce Customers

Looking for a way to engage e-commerce customers and bring them back for a second time? Make sure that opening the package is an experience they won’t forget. Packages that tell you brand's story can enhance the user experience and bring them back for more.

For e-commerce businesses, the shipped package is the company's billboard and represents the best and most personal customer touch point. But most e-commerce shippers don’t use it well. That’s not to say that strong packaging - corrugated cartons sealed with water-activated tape for strength and security – shouldn’t be an e-commerce shippers’ first priority. But why waste the opportunity to make better packaging part of the excitement of opening an e-commerce “gift?” We all know the thrill of a well-packaged birthday or holiday gift. Why shouldn’t an e-commerce delivery feel the same?

Making your package an experience provides additional value for an e-commerce customer. And they appreciate it. So much so that there’s a whole genre of YouTube videos called “unboxing videos” that glorify and share the joy of opening an e-commerce delivery. Clips of people tearing into packages are among the fastest growing video categories on YouTube, getting an estimated 10 billion views monthly, according to Tubefilter .

Want your packaging to be Unboxing-Video worthy? Here are a few tips:

Distinctive Cartons – When a unique and branded package arrives at a customer’s door, it kicks off the excitement of opening it. “The shipping box represents the biggest opportunity to begin creating that wow experience...” says e-commerce blogger Richard Lazazzera.

Choose a strong, corrugated carton with graphics that kick-start the branding experience. Both LL Bean and Crate & Barrel know this well. Who doesn’t want to rip into a box with rugged LL Bean logos when it shows up on their doorstep? Or look forward to opening the iconic Crate & Barrel package that greets you at the end of the day? We found eight unboxing videos on YouTube for the LL Bean boots alone, some of which had over 2000 views.

Branded Tape – Today’s packaging tapes do more than securely seal the box. They contribute to the look of the package and make it a messenger of the brand. Choose secure, water-activated tape that gives you the option to add a promotional message on the tape itself. This delivers a couple of financial benefits to your company; it saves money because you don't have to pay for the custom printing on the corrugated box, which in turn allows you to buy your cartons on the open market. You also have the flexibility of changing your messaging easily. The largest online seller uses a number of distinctive water-activated tapes with different messages that both enhance the look of the box and promote their latest offerings.

Tissue Paper – Once someone opens the box, you can still make the unboxing experience feel like opening a gift. Consider wrapping your products in tissue paper which packaging blogger Richard Lazazzera says “…adds an extra level of mystery and excitement to the unboxing experience.” The tissues can be custom printed or carry your brand’s colors into the box. Want to make it extra special? Seal the tissue with a logoed sticker that adds an inexpensive, yet elegant touch that enhances the unwrapping experience.

Filler - Traditional filler types are Styrofoam packing peanuts, foam inserts, air pillows or bubble wrap. Here you’re balancing safety, sustainability and experience. We believe the air pillow offers the best balance of both. It protects the contents of the package, gives a clean, uncluttered look to the inside of the package. These air pillows also allow for brand interaction should you choose to customize the message on the air pillow.

Promotional Material/Business Card – Believe it or not, most unboxing videos include someone holding this item up to the camera and even reading it. So why not add a simple “thank you” card or promotional insert to your next e-commerce shipment? How about a card that offers the recipient (or a friend) a discount on their next order? It’s an inexpensive and personal way of solidifying your relationship with that e-commerce customer.

Gift/Sample - A small gift or sample of another of your products is a great way to enhance the unboxing experience by adding a little wonder. Cosmetics e-commerce vendors like Sephora use these little gifts to surprise and delight their customers. Not surprisingly, they also encourage customer to try something new. E-commerce customers have already decided to buy from you. Why not cross-sell them with something else in the package that they didn’t expect?

The well-dressed package engages your e-commerce customers from the moment it hits their doorstep. Use these tips as an extension of your brand and as a way to involve them with you. When done well, distinctive packaging effectively tells your story and encourages repeat business from your existing customers.

Better Packages | Water-Activated Tape Dispensers and Tape

IPG offers a complete line of water-activated tape and tape dispensers. Central® brand water-activated tape, includes reinforced and non-reinforced tape. IPG has the in-house capability to customize your company's message on the top of every box, adding to the user experience while enhancing your gross profits.