How to Convince Your Boss that Water-Activated Tape is the Right Solution for Your Company

As the person who oversees your company’s shipping operations, you know as well as anyone (and probably better than anyone) the tools you and your team need to be successful. However, you also understand how challenging it can be to change the status quo.

If your organization’s shipping processes are working “well enough” in the eyes of upper management, convincing them to invest in implementing a new approach—even if it’s far more effective than the current approach—can be difficult. 

Making the switch to water-activated tape (WAT) is an excellent example. Companies are finding a wide range of benefits when transitioning from plastic, pressure-sensitive tape (PST) to WAT (also called gummed tape or Kraft paper tape), but you’ll need a carefully defined strategy in order to convince management that this type of carton sealing tape is the way to go. 

As you think about how to make your case to your boss, keep the many advantages of WAT in mind.

Water-Activated Tape Increases Productivity

When you are talking with your boss about making the switch to WAT, productivity is a great place to start.

After all, if WAT can help your team get more shipping cartons sealed and ready for transport in the same amount of time, it can quickly offset the cost of buying water-activated tape dispensers and rolls of WAT—costs that are very reasonable to begin with. And, WAT can deliver on that promise!

Independent testing has shown that WAT increases productivity over plastic pressure-sensitive tape (PST). In fact, WAT is 21 percent more effective than PST for carton sealing. 

What’s the source of that efficiency gain? There are a number of factors. 

For one thing, water-activated tape dispensers prepare the tape and cut it to the appropriate length in one operation. All packers have to do is lay the tape on a seam, slide a hand over it, and let the adhesive go to work. 

Plus, using PST and a tape gun requires manipulating a shipping carton into different positions so that the packer can get the correct angle for application of the tape strip. WAT can be applied with the carton in any orientation. 

What’s more, frustrating and wasteful tape tangling, which is common with PST, does not occur with WAT.

LEARN MORE: 4 Ways to Reduce Packaging Costs & Increase Productivity

Water-Activated Tape Dispensers are Extremely Durable

One of the factors decision-makers consider when approving an expense is, “How long until we have to make this expenditure again?” 

In the case of water-activated tape dispensers, the answer is that it will be many years before you need to replace the dispenser. 

On average, electric tape dispensers last more than 15 years and manual machines last 30+ years with regular maintenance. We’ve even seen machines continue to operate beyond 40 years! 

And when issues arise, they can typically be addressed by the person using the device with parts obtained from our website.  

Manual and electric water-activated tape dispensers are available, and both styles are designed with durability in mind. Whichever type of dispenser you choose, your company can expect reliable, cost-effective operation.

Water-Activated Tape Provides Outstanding ROI

Another question that decision makers ask is, “What will be the return on this investment?” 

With WAT, the ROI is significant, as indicated by the features and benefits noted above. There is also the fact that the superior seal created by water-activated tape means that only one strip is needed. 

Studies show that on average, packers use 50 percent more PST to seal a shipping carton. Using less WAT can help you manage your materials expense.

Water-Activated Tape is Safer to Use

Continual use of PST and a tape gun poses safety risks for a couple reasons. 

First, repeatedly gripping the handle, dragging it over seams, and tipping it to cut the tape can, over time, lead to repetitive use injuries to hands and wrists. These injuries can be difficult to resolve, often requiring time off or even surgery. 

Second, tape guns have sharp edges for cutting the tape, which creates the potential for injury. This is especially true since users frequently find themselves in awkward positions as they attempt to apply the tape. 

Plus, using a tape gun can lead to repetitive fatigue. 

WAT doesn’t require the use of a handheld tool and the tape is cut by blades that are protected inside the water-activated tape dispenser.

Other Benefits of Water-Activated Tape

Other benefits of water-activated tape to share with your boss include:

• ✔ WAT can be printed with your branding to turn shipping cartons into mobile “advertisements” that increase brand awareness.
• ✔ WAT’s powerful seal can deter “press and grab” thefts, which keeps your replacement costs down.
• ✔ If you get your WAT and water-activated tape dispensers from Better Packages, you benefit from the expertise and backing of a trusted company that has been in business for over 100 years!

Learn More About WAT

Before you talk with your supervisor about switching to WAT, be sure you have all the facts. You can even get a free sample roll of water-activated tape! 

And if you have questions about our products, we’re always happy to answer them. Contact us at your convenience.

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[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]

Get Productive and Efficient for the Holidays with WAT

If you oversee a packaging and shipping operation, you know that even though we’re still enjoying early fall, the holiday season will be here in the blink of an eye. You also know that the key to profitability in the busy months ahead will be shipping efficiency and operations productivity.

This is true for a number of reasons, including that:

• ✔ The more efficient your team is, the more orders they ship each day.
• ✔ Prompt shipping makes customers happy and can lead to repeat sales. 
• ✔ Greater efficiency means fewer expensive overtime hours needed to reduce shipping backlogs.
• ✔ Being more efficient means you have less need to bring in costly seasonal labor.

Simple Ways to Improve Shipping Efficiency and Operations Productivity

So, how can operations managers help their shipping teams increase shipping efficiency and operations productivity? There are many ways.

For example, you can analyze your packing stations to ensure they are optimized. (And you don’t even have to wait until the new year!)

You can also develop a training manual or classes for your team members that cover your packaging and shipping procedures, if you don’t have these resources already.

LEARN MORE: Reducing Repetitive Motion Injuries at Packing Stations

WAT: A Quick Fix with Long-Term Efficiency and Productivity Benefits

While the initiatives described above are certainly worthwhile, they can be time-consuming, and time may be something that feels like it’s in short supply with the holidays fast approaching.

Fortunately, there is an enhancement to your shipping operations that is both easy to implement and will provide long-term shipping efficiency and operations productivity benefits. 

That enhancement is switching to water-activated tape (WAT). Also known as gummed tape, Kraft tape, paper tape, brown paper tape, or reinforced gummed tape (when fiberglass is embedded).

WAT provides many advantages over other shipping tape options, including:

• ✔ WAT is stronger than other tape. Rather than simply sticking to the surface of a shipping carton, WAT’s adhesive sinks into the material, creating a tight bond and an extremely strong seal. 
• ✔ WAT is secure. The strong seal created by WAT can help deter "press-and-grab" thefts. 
• ✔ WAT is brandable. Having your logo and other branding pre-printed on your rolls of WAT allows the tape to turn shipping cartons into mobile billboards that spread the word about your company to everyone who sees them as they make their way to customers.

Also, and most importantly for managers wanting to give their shipping teams the tools they need to succeed, WAT increases packaging efficiency and productivity. 

Making the switch from hand-held tape dispensers and plastic tape to electric water-activated tape dispensers results in huge improvements in productivity.

And those gains aren’t hearsay—they have been documented.

Employee Retention Improves Efficiency

Employees who are well-equipped to do their jobs tend to appreciate that fact and stay with their current employer. So, in an indirect way, water-activated tape helps promote employee retention.

And since a stable workforce means that team members don’t have to spend time training new hires, they are able to get more work done. Ultimately, less churn means higher productivity.

Switching to WAT is Easy

Not only is WAT easy to use, making the switch to WAT is simple as well.

All it takes is ordering some manual water-activated tape dispensers or electric water-activated tape dispensers and rolls of water-activated tape, and your shipping team is good to go. 

Get More Information on WAT Today

The time to prepare for the busy holiday season is now, and we can help. 

Learn more about why paper tape is the best choice for your business. Then, request a free roll of water-activated tape. 

We’re also happy to answer any questions you have about WAT or water-activated tape dispensers. Please contact us at your convenience.

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[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]

6 Reasons to Make the Switch to Water-Activated Tape

Are you using packing tape (also known as plastic, pressure-sensitive tape) for sealing and shipping cartons from your warehouse? 

What if there were good reasons to consider an alternative? 

Read on to learn six good reasons to consider switching from plastic, pressure-sensitive tape to gummed paper tape (also known as water-activated tape or WAT).

1. Improved Productivity

Applying pressure-sensitive tape using a hand-held tape gun on multiple cartons can get very tiring for employees. The hand-held tape gun becomes heavy after repetitive use, causing productivity declines or even a repetitive stress injury. An alternative is to use water-activated tape with a water-activated tape dispenser. An independent research study demonstrated that the use of electric water-activated tape dispensers with WAT is 21% more efficient than the use of handheld tape guns. This productivity improvement can make a significant difference in your bottom line.

2. Tamper Deterrence

Using pressure-sensitive tape can leave your shipments susceptible to tampering and theft. Unless multiple strips of tape are used to seal the carton (expensive), it is easy to penetrate the carton by applying a bit of pressure on the top of the carton next to the tape to create a gap through which some of the content can be retrieved. The box can then be resealed leaving no indication that any pilfering has occurred.

Unlike pressure-sensitive tape that merely sits on top of the box, water-activated tape bonds with the carton. Any attempt to compromise the seal will tear the cardboard, making it readily evident that someone has tampered with the shipment. Customers who have made the switch to gummed tape and electric tape dispensers have seen a significant drop in product theft during transit.

3. Increased Security

Has your packing tape ever given way, or the bottom of your cardboard box opened because the contents were too heavy? One cause may be that standard packing tape is no more than a single ply of plastic, which isn’t very sturdy. Many packers will use multiple strips of pressure-sensitive tape, trying to better secure heavy cartons. There are several downsides to this approach; it is time consuming, it’s not cost efficient, and “mummifying” makes your packages look unprofessional and jeopardizes your branding.

Thanks to its permanent bond with the cardboard fibers (even with recycled corrugate), gummed tape is much sturdier. Further, reinforced gummed tape, which is made with fiberglass crossing strands between two layers of paper, results in even greater strength. This helps reduce breakage or damage during transit.

4. Cost-Effective

A superficial cost analysis of standard, pressure-sensitive tape will indicate that it is less expensive than water-activated tape. Look a bit deeper and the cost differential reverses.

Most packers use several strips of plastic tape to try to truly seal the carton and if the decision to use plastic tape is based on a cost saving per roll, that saving can be lost the instant a second piece of tape is used.

With water-activated tape only one strip of tape is needed to securely seal a carton. This material savings plus the savings gained from increased productivity, reduced theft and tampering makes water activated tape a cost-effective alternative.

5. Branding & Messaging

Your corporate brand image is one of the most important investments you can make in your company. In this environment of message overload, it is challenging to keep your brand front and center. Using gummed paper tape allows you to print your logo or a message directly onto your packaging tape. Cartons will have a clean, custom and professional look that elevates your branding and creates a positive customer engagement moment.

6. E-Commerce

Water-activated tape closes more e-commerce packages than packing tape. The fastest growing e-commerce companies are seeing the value in water-activated tape and are making the switch. They like gummed tape’s security, strength and branding potential.

Try WAT for Yourself

Ensure that your business is one of the growing number of companies who can benefit from moving away from plastic, pressure-sensitive tape. Try water-activated tape today by ordering a free sample for your warehouse. Simply click the image below.

[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]

How Does An Electric Water-Activated Tape Dispenser Improve Productivity?

Streamlining the packing and shipping process in your warehouse is a never-ending game of optimization. One of our most common suggestions is to make the switch from plastic, pressure-sensitive tape (PST) to water-activated tape (WAT).

If you are currently using handheld tape guns with PST to seal your cartons, you are missing out on potential productivity and safety upgrades. 

Using WAT and an electric dispenser will increase both the productivity and safety of your packing station.

If you’re new to water-activated tape (also called gummed paper tape), check out our guide here.

Productivity Perk #1: Operating Electric Tape Dispensers Is Faster

Electric tape machines are extremely user-friendly. 

After loading the tape and powering up the dispenser, the machine operator pushes a numbered button that corresponds to the desired length of tape. The machine wets and automatically cuts the tape to the length on the selected button. The operator then transfers the tape to the open carton, positions it, places the tape on the open flaps and presses down. The tape then bonds to the carton, providing security and strength.

Water-activated tape is made from paper, with a starch adhesive and often incorporates fiberglass reinforced strands for added strength. In order for the tape to stick to the carton, it must be "activated" with water. Electric tape machines incorporate a water heater. The heated water aids tape adhesion.

Productivity Perk #2: Electric Tape Dispensers Cut To Pre-Set Lengths

Consistency with tape length is key to keeping budgets under control and aesthetics up to customer expectations. 

Rather than estimating the necessary length for each strip of tape, electric WAT dispensers allow the operator to choose from a variety of buttons with pre-set (and customizable) lengths.

Tip: To determine the length of tape required for sealing a carton, take the length of the carton and add 6 inches to provide overhang on either side of the carton for a strong seal. (For example, if your carton is 12 inches long, you would want to choose a tape length of 18 inches.)

Productivity Perk #3: Reduced Movement Required To Seal Cartons

Typically, electric tape dispensers are used in facilities to help boost productivity by reducing the number of movements a packer must make to seal a carton. 

An independent research study demonstrated that carton sealing productivity is 21% higher using a WAT dispenser and WAT versus a hand-held tape gun and PST.*

Watch the video below demonstrating the speed and benefits of WAT vs PST.

Safety Perk #1: Far Less Fatigue

The reduction in movement required when an electric packaging tape dispenser is doing a large part of the work both enhances packer speed and reduces fatigue.

Safety Perk #2: Reduced Risk of Injury

Using electric tape dispensers during packaging and shipping can reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a real risk when employees are using hand-held tape guns in high volume packing environments. 

In fact, some of the largest e-commerce companies have switched from hand-held tape guns to WAT to eliminate the high costs of medical, hiring and training expenses associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.

How To Choose The Right Packaging Tape Dispenser

Are you interested in deciding what type of WAT dispenser is right for your company’s application? 

To help you in your decision-making, click here to take a quick quiz and we’ll provide you with dispenser recommendations based upon your situation. 

Speaking generally, an electric dispenser will be easier to use, increase productivity, and will offer more consistent performance. Electric dispensers do require 115 volt (220 volt for Europe, 100 volt for Japan) electric power in order to operate.

Watch the video below to see how our Better Pack 555eS Series dispenser works.

Better Packages' WAT tape dispensing machines are sold internationally through a global certified Distributor network. Dispensers can also be purchased through a variety of industrial catalogs. Contact Us to find a variety of Authorized Sources.

* See SGS Independent Research Study

[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]

2 Key Questions to Consider When Deciding Between Pressure-Sensitive And Water-Activated Packaging Tape

WAT = 1 strip of tape (top & bottom). PST = Multiple strips of tape (top & bottom)

Many companies are making the switch from plastic, pressure-sensitive tape (PST) to water-activated packaging tape (WAT) to obtain a more reliable carton sealing solution. These companies realize that in order to keep the contents of their packages secure, they need a carton seal that can withstand the rigors of the shipping process. This article will discuss how you can gain the upper hand in the shipping game by discussing, in a Q&A format, the reasons why plastic packaging tape falls short in comparison to water-activated tape.

Q: Which Packaging Tape Will Visibly Show If My Package Was Breached?

A:  Water-activated paper tape is tamper-evident. It creates a permanent bond with the corrugated carton, and, as a result, it is readily apparent if anyone tries to remove or break the tape. This makes your products more secure throughout the shipping voyage. Conversely, the inherent "pressure-sensitive" characteristic of PST makes it easy to remove or to gain access to the carton by pushing down on it, without leaving a trace of entry. This clearly makes theft a possible shipping problem.

Q: Our Company Wants to Increase Productivity. Which Packaging Tape Should We Use?

A: Plastic, pressure-sensitive tape (PST) is typically used with a hand-held tape gun. Water-activated packaging tape needs to be used with a water-activated tape dispenser. Dispensers, available in both electric and non-electric varieties, wet and cut the tape, often to a pre-programmed length of the operator’s choosing.

On the plus side, because hand-held tape guns are inexpensive, businesses often have several throughout their facility, making it productive for packers to seal cartons “on-the-fly”. However, you need to look at a few other factors to obtain a more complete view of hand-held tape gun productivity.

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Want to know more about the benefits of water-activated packaging tape? Check out this guide:

Get Your Copy Now

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In an effort to ensure secure carton closure using plastic tape, packers often use 2-3 strips of tape on the carton, diminishing productivity. Another productivity-sapping factor is the challenge of the plastic tape tearing and the hard-to-find starting point of the tape roll. Tape is not only wasted, but the packer has to invest precious time into finding the starting point of the tape, rather than sealing cartons.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the tape guns become heavy and awkward to use in higher volume situations, fatiguing and slowing down the packer. Sometimes this can lead to repetitive motion injury. If a worker develops a repetitive motion injury, the business risks productivity issues, such as worker leave of absence or hiring and training new employees That’s a hefty amount of productivity risk to take on due to a seemingly simple choice of packaging tape!

In contrast, water-activated packaging tape has many positive productivity characteristics. This type of carton sealing tape is dispensed easily and quickly from the water-activated tape dispenser. Only one strip of tape is needed to securely close any side of the carton, enhancing productivity. There is no physical stress that results from using the dispenser, so workers tire less and are able to be more productive than when using a hand-held tape gun for pressure-sensitive tape application.

A downside to consider when choosing WAT for your packages may sound silly but does have the potential for efficiency issues. Water-activated tape can be sticky due to the glue getting on the packer’s hands. Luckily, this can be quickly overcome with a simple solution that can be taught when training employees. Overcome sticky challenges by grabbing the dispensed tape on the sides, laying it on the carton and firmly pressing down to create the tape’s bond.

Bolstering the case for water-activated tape is a recent study that compared carton sealing productivity over an 8-hour work day using water-activated tape versus plastic, pressure sensitive tape. The study demonstrated that carton-sealing productivity is 21% higher using a water-activated tape dispenser and WAT versus a hand-held tape gun with PST. Click here to see the full results of the test. 

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Check out the guide below to see if you're losing money on shipping tape and what the best solutions are to help you save some of that money. 

[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]