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.

---

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

Get Your Copy Now

---

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. 

---

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]

How to Decide on 3 Key Types of Shipping Materials

A company’s shipping practices can have a significant impact on its success. From customer satisfaction to how shipping costs impact your bottom line, there are many factors to consider. This includes your choice of shipping materials.

At a glance, purchasing bulk shipping supplies can appear to be a cost-effective approach, especially if your company has high shipping volumes. However, as many organizations quickly learn, skimping on the way goods are packaged can have negative consequences. Not only are there costs associated with providing refunds or replacing damaged items, there are also the long-term effects of developing a reputation for “cutting corners” on shipping.

While having shipping insurance provides a measure of security in the event that something goes wrong, safeguarding your packages with top-tier shipping materials can be well worth the investment. In particular, the protective packaging, tape, and tape dispensers you use can support better overall results for your business.

Packing and Shipping Supplies: Protective Packaging

Paper Packaging - Polyair PaperSpace Void Fill

The material used to surround an item within a carton is, of course, critical to ensuring that it arrives undamaged. Inflatable packaging, also known as bubble wrap, provides many benefits, including that it absorbs shock and is lightweight. Inflatable packaging can also be custom printed and color tinted for brand recognition.

Paper packaging is another option. It is an easy-to-use and cost-effective way to fill voids within shipping cartons and provide exceptional cushioning. Plus, it is eco-friendly and 100 percent curbside recyclable.

Yet another popular cushioning material is a product called HexcelWrap. It is an innovative paper-based wrap whose segmented design provides outstanding protection of goods such as glassware, ceramics, and generally anything fragile.  It also provides excellent packing efficiency. It is curbside recyclable and repulpable.

When temperature control is a need, products like Chill-R™ Insulated Packaging are a cold chain (i.e., temperature-controlled supply chain) solution that protects sensitive products. Chill-R is recyclable in collaboration with Goodwill® and cost-effective.

LEARN MORE: Damaged Shipment? Here's How To Make Things Right

Packing and Shipping Supplies: Tape

Ensuring that shipping cartons stay securely sealed from one end of the shipping stream to the other is essential. Consequently, your choice in tape is very important. Plastic pressure-sensitive tape (PST) is one option and may be appropriate for some uses. However, water-activated tape (WAT) can be a better choice for a number of reasons. This includes preventing theft, which is an issue for many companies.

WAT creates a permanent bond with the surface of a carton and can produce a strong, tamper-evident seal with just one strip. If you are not familiar with WAT, you can learn more in A Guide for Tape Dispensing Performance Solutions.

Packing and Shipping Supplies: Tape Dispensers

IPG Water-Activated Tape and Better Pack Dispenser

A second factor in the sealing of shipping cartons is the type of dispenser you use. Your selection affects everything from safety to productivity. The hand-held tape guns commonly used with PST pose a few different risks. One is the potential for injury from the tape-cutting blade as the device is used. Another is risk of repetitive use injuries that can cause shipping team members to miss work and potentially require treatment.

If WAT is chosen for package sealing, there are two types of dispensers: manual and electric. Both support high productivity and can improve packing station safety. As a result, they can help improve your financial results.

Wondering which type of dispenser is right for your organization? Our tape dispenser selection flowchart can help you make the right choice.

A Ready Resource for Your Packaging Material Decisions

Investing in the right packing materials for shipping has many benefits. There is, of course, much to consider as you make your choice, including a variety of resources like our How to Exceed eCommerce Shipping Expectations guide. If you need guidance from one of our product experts, we’re happy to help! Contact us today.

---

[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]

Intertape Polymer Group has partnered with How2Recycle®

What is How2Recycle?

How2Recycle is a project of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. How2Recycle is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public.

How2Recycle's goals are to:

✔ Reduce confusion by creating a clear, well-understood, and nationally harmonized label that enables industries to convey to consumers how to recycle a package.
✔ Improve the reliability, completeness, and transparency of recyclability claims.
✔ Provide a labeling system that follows Federal Trade Commission Green Guides.
✔ Increase the availability and quality of recycled material.  See more at: www.how2recycle.info

The labels tell consumers:

✔ How to prepare material for recycling
✔ If the product falls into one of How2Recycle’s four categories – widely recycled, check locally, not yet recycled, or store drop-off
✔ The type of material the product is made of
✔ The specific packaging component that the label is referring to

Intertape Polymer Group and How2Recycle

The following IPG product lines have been approved to use the How2Recycle labeling system. These products are typically not accepted through curbside recycling or community recycling centers. All these products are recyclable at store drop off locations (where applicable) for plastic bags:

• Polyair Fastpak courier envelopes feature polyethylene with superior tear and puncture resistance. The silver/grey inner layer provides contents privacy and the white outer surface is ideal for high quality printing. Fastpak envelopes are made from 100% polyethylene and are store drop off recyclable.
• Polyair Xpak bubble mailers combine the tear, weather and puncture resistance of a courier envelope with the cushioning of a Duraliner bubble lined mailer. XPAKs are also made from 100% polyethylene. The white outer surface is ideal for high-quality printing.
• Polyair Durabubble RP has been engineered to stretch beyond its original size. This unique feature provides Durabubble RP an unmatched ability to be tightly wrapped around the contours of products, regardless of shape and size; protecting edges and sharp corners from damage. Available in both standard and anti-static form, Durabubble RP is highly puncture resistant, and is made with non-slip polyethylene film.
• IPG’s exclusive high-performance line of Polyair AirSpace™ air pillows are user-friendly and cost-effective void fill packaging material. They can also be printed on for a customized “inside-the-box” solution. Our AirSpace G-Series machines produce air pillows for low- to high-volume e-commerce packaging operations with a small footprint and light weight for portability.

IPG also offers protective packaging products that are curbside recyclable and have been approved to use the How2Recycle labeling system:

• Polyair PaperSpace systems offer paper protective packaging solutions that are versatile, cost effective, easy-to-use, and eco-friendly. PaperSpace products can be used for blocking, bracing, cushioning and void fill. PaperSpace products are made with 70-100% post-consumer recycled content and are 100% curbside recyclable!
• HexcelWrap™ Fragile Wrap is an innovative, patent-pending cushioning material for wrapping glassware, ceramics, cosmetics, electronics and anything fragile. This easy-to-use, protective packaging solution is made of paper and is 100% curbside recyclable.

IPG is proud to partner with How2Recycle to make it easier for consumers to understand how to recycle our products!

How to Prevent Package Theft with Water-Activated Tape

According to a 451 Research forecast shared by Forbes, worldwide e-commerce sales will approach $6 trillion by 2022. With the number of packages making their way through the distribution stream and onto front porches all across America skyrocketing, the risk of “press and grab” package thefts will likely be rising as well. Fortunately, there is a way to thwart opportunistic thieves.

This type of theft involves criminals taking advantage of poorly adhering shipping tape by pressing down on a carton flap, pulling out an item, and allowing the box to flex back into shape. This typically results in the loss of the item not being detected until long after the thief and/or the package has moved on. Water-activated tape is an effective package theft deterrent that gives press and grab thieves second (and third!) thoughts.

What is Water-Activated Tape?

Water-activated tape (WAT), also known as gummed paper tape, is made of paper with a starch-based adhesive on the back. When moisture is added to WAT by a water-activated tape dispenser and the tape is applied to a shipping carton, the adhesive penetrates the surface and creates a permanent bond by physically welding itself to the paper fibers on the box.

Paper-only water-activated tape is strong, tamper evident tape. However, it is also available with embedded fiber reinforcing filaments that make it exceptionally robust. Plus, its seal is proven to endure even the most challenging of environmental conditions including cold and humid climates.

WAT is also easy to use. A manual or electric water-activated tape dispenser moistens the tape and cuts a strip of the desired length. The packer then lays the strip across a seam, runs a hand over it, and the adhesive does the rest. It takes only one strip of tape on the top and one strip on the bottom to effectively seal and secure the contents of your shipment.

LEARN MORE: How to Seal a Package with Water-Activated Tape (+ Bonus Video)

How Water-Activated Tape Reduces Package Theft

Water-activated tape serves as a deterrent to would-be thieves in multiple ways. First, the strong seal it forms with the carton surface makes it virtually impossible for a thief to press their way into the box. They either have to tear off the tape, taking a significant chunk of cardboard with it, or slice the tape. Either way, there is no disguising what they’ve done. The risk of being caught tends to make most criminals choose a “softer” target.

In other instances, thefts are “crimes of opportunity," as a poor seal with another type of packing tape allows a carton’s contents to force its way out when the box is dropped or jostled, and the thief simply grabs and goes. Here again, a strong WAT seal keeps package flaps down and prevents this type of temptation. So, companies considering how to stop package theft should start by considering water-activated tape.

“Water-activated tape is an effective package theft deterrent that gives "press and grab" thieves second thoughts.” TWEET THIS

Other Benefits of Water-Activated Tape

Even as water-activated tape is doing its part to keep package theft statistics low, it is also providing other benefits. For example, most cartons can be sealed with a single strip of tape. This gives packages a clean, professional look that reflects well on your company. Plus, water-activated tape can be printed with your company branding, making it a very visible and effective “moving advertisement” for your products.

Water-activated tape can also be applied very quickly, which increases packing productivity. In addition, because it is adhered by hand, packers are not exposed to the risk of repetitive motion injuries that can occur when using a packing tape gun for an extended period.

When Will Your Next Package Theft Occur?

If your organization is fortunate, you haven’t had to deal with package theft often. However, the reality is that it will affect most e-commerce companies eventually, and the cost of replacing stolen goods and repairing damage to your reputation can be high. Switching to water-activated tape, on the other hand, is very affordable and easy to do.   

To learn more about our water-activated tape, water-activated tape and water-activated tape dispensers, and other products, please contact us at your convenience.

---

[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]

How to Protect Your Business with Shipping Insurance

For e-commerce businesses, lost, stolen, and damaged packages represent a cost that, if not controlled, can cripple a company. How common is it that a shipment doesn’t arrive at its intended destination in good condition? Shipping companies are, of course, reluctant to share these types of stats. But, it’s safe to say that undesirable outcomes occur frequently.

As an example of just one component of “undesirable outcomes,” Shiphawk reports that 2016 research by Fast Company Magazine found that 11 million packages were stolen from porches in the U.S. the prior year. That number should concern e-commerce companies. Fortunately, in many instances, shipping insurance can cover the replacement cost for lost or damaged shipments.

“For #ecommerce businesses, lost, stolen, and damaged packages represent a cost that, if not controlled, can cripple a company.” TWEET THIS

Understanding Shipping Insurance

Insurance in general, and shipping insurance in particular, can be confusing. Unfortunately, that sometimes leads companies to go without it and simply “hope for the best” when they ship their merchandise. However, shipping coverage really isn’t as complicated as it seems. With a brief overview, some research, and then conversations with providers, you can get affordable insurance that protects your business from the financial impact of lost or damaged goods. 

The first thing to understand is that there are two basic options when it comes to shipping insurance: simple “declared value” coverage and “cargo insurance.”

• ✔ Declared value coverage. The key term here is “declared.” This is the dollar amount you have told the carrier the package is worth as you are giving it to them. That declaration establishes the figure for which the carrier will be liable if two conditions are met. First, loss, damage, or theft must occur while the package is in the shipper’s possession. Second, in order to be reimbursed by the carrier, you must prove that they were negligent in the way they handled your package. This, of course, is difficult since you are not observing them throughout the process.
• ✔ Cargo insurance. When companies think of “shipping insurance,” typically cargo insurance is what they have in mind. This is insurance in the standard sense. It provides compensation if a package is lost, stolen, or damaged at any point in the delivery process and may include coverage beyond the declared value for other expenses. Plus, you may not be required to prove negligence on the part of the carrier. Cargo insurance can be either “inland transit insurance” (covering shipments only by land transport such as truck or train) or “marine cargo insurance” (covering shipments by any mode including sea, air, truck, and train).

Understanding these differences gives you a good foundation for moving forward with your decision regarding shipping insurance.

Does My Company Need Shipping Insurance?

There are a number of factors to consider in deciding whether your company needs shipping insurance, including:

• ✔ Legal obligations. If you have a legal agreement with your recipient that you will insure the shipment, then you must provide insurance. That’s stating the obvious, but it is important that you understand your obligations.
• ✔ Shipment value. If the value of the merchandise in a particular package is fairly low, then insurance may not be necessary. What is “low”? You have to make that determination. But, for example, a company shipping $700 cell phones might understandably see insurance as essential whereas one that ships $10 toys might be comfortable with the risk of loss and choose not to have insurance.
• ✔ Item type. Some merchandise is more susceptible to damage or more likely to be stolen. Evaluating those risks is important.
• ✔ Destination. If you are shipping packages locally and to areas where package theft is uncommon, shipping insurance may not be a high priority. However, if you are shipping regionally, nationally, or globally and/or to locations where theft is common, you should certainly consider insurance.

As ShippingEasy points out, there is also a formula for assessing the business case for shipping insurance. Essentially it is the number of shipments lost/damaged/stolen divided by the total number of shipments and multiplied by the average order value to arrive at the average insurance cost per item. Calculating that number can help you look at shipping insurance from a financial perspective.

The Importance of Packing Shipments Properly

There are two main reasons it is critical to pack your shipments properly. The first is that doing so can help reduce the risk of damage (in all forms, including poor handling or inclement weather) and theft. You might say that the most affordable insurance is the insurance you don’t need! The second is that adequate packaging may be required in order for your insurance claim to be honored. Some insurance policies will have verbiage saying that shipments must be “properly packaged” in order for reimbursement to be issued.

For both of these reasons, you should always pack your merchandise in sturdy cartons (corrugated cardboard is both strong and lightweight) and take the necessary steps to secure the merchandise inside the box with adequate cushioning or void fill. There are several types of void fill that include foam for surface protection, bubble cushioning to absorb impacts and air pillows to properly fill the voids in the box and prevent unnecessary jolts to the merchandise.

READ MORE: What You Need to Know About Padded Mailers vs. Boxes

Even more popular these days are paper solutions that accommodate sustainable packaging needs and are usually curbside recyclable. Sealing those cartons with water-activated tape (WAT). WAT creates a powerful, tamper-evident bond with cartons, and can do so with a minimal number of strips. Plus, it can be printed with branding or messaging, making it effective both at sealing packages and branding your company. 

So, the combination of proper packaging and shipping insurance, where appropriate, can help protect your company from the high cost of lost, stolen, and damaged shipments. To learn more about our water-activated tape, water-activated tape dispensers, and other products, please contact us at your convenience.

---

Interested in trying a free sample roll of water-activated tape? 

[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]

Protecting Shipments with PE Foam

Some of the nation’s largest transportation companies have recommendations that are tried and true when it comes to surface protection and large bulky shipments. Many products, such as home furnishings, are now made overseas. So, they need to be packaged to withstand ocean transit.  Transportation can have extensive effects on the level of product damage, this includes everything from travel distance to road conditions. Shock and vibration can affect trailers, which combined with rough roads, can magnify the compressive stress on boxes by a factor of ten. Polyethylene (PE) foam can dampen the effects of vibration. This makes it an excellent protective packaging solution for products that may receive indelicate handling or involve long distance transportation.

At least 30% of all products ordered online are returned. Of those, 20% are returned because they were received with damage. TWEET THIS

Polyair Lamifoam combines the cushioning properties
of foam with a film for greater resistance to punctures

A Fully Customizable Solution

PE foam is used in a variety of industries including the electronics, furniture, cabinetry, appliance, and automotive industries. This is because, like corrugate packaging, foam is easily customizable and non-abrasive. Laminated Foam Solutions come in different film thicknesses, offering customized strength, combined with different foam thicknesses for a fully customizable solution. It is also reusable, which can cut costs for products that are created and assembled in different locations. This makes PE foam an affordable solution for many businesses.

Customer Peace of Mind

Foam is one of the best ways to secure products for shipping, but it’s not all about protection. It adds a professional aspect to the packaging that can create a positive, trusting image in the consumers’ minds. Consumers will have future peace of mind knowing that their items will arrive safely and undamaged.

Laminated Foam Goes a Step Further

At least 30% of all products ordered online are returned. Of those, 20% are returned because they were received with damage. Foam and Laminated Foam solutions (including Cohesive and Adhesive alternatives) exist to help reduce shipment damage. Your company won’t need to worry about your products getting scratched, dented, or damaged. It combines the cushioning of foam with a film laminated to the back side for strength. This imparts greater resistance to puncture and enhances ability to withstand tearing and scraping, which will allow the use of thinner foams. Thinner foams mean less foam is needed and a smaller warehouse footprint overall. One roll of Polyair 1/32” Lamifoam has the ability to replace multiple rolls of standard foam. It provides affordability and strength, while offering peace of mind and a positive image to consumers.

[This post republished from the Polyair Blog]

What You Need to Know About Padded Mailers vs. Boxes

Padded envelopes vs. boxes: Which is the better choice for your operation?

For e-commerce businesses, packaging is a significant expense. Consequently, the choices you make regarding the materials you use can have a big impact on profitability. Two popular options are padded envelopes and boxes. Which is the better choice for your operation? That depends on a number of factors.

Padded Mailers vs. Boxes: The Advantages and Disadvantages

In order to decide whether you get greater ROI from padded mailers or boxes when it comes to shipping your merchandise, you must first consider the pros and cons of each. From there you can determine which characteristics will have the biggest impact on your shipping process and make your choice.

However, before you decide which form fits your specific need you must take into account what you are shipping in the first place. If you find that your operation is shipping more textiles, then the option toward mailers is a smart and logical one. If, on the other hand, your operation is shipping breakable merchandise, then the option for box packaging with the proper internal void fill is critical to the customer experience and the likelihood that you may win the next purchase from that customer.

Padded Mailers

The advantages of padded mailers include that they are:

• ✔ Lightweight. This means that generally they cost less to ship.
• ✔ Inexpensive. Padded mailers tend to be competitively priced.
• ✔ Produced with built-in item protection. Because they are padded, these mailers may not need any additional structural support.
• ✔ Speed of packaging – In a business that counts on every second to get as many packages mailed, padded mailers pack out very quickly.
• ✔ Small. Padded mailers take up less space when they are shipped to you by the manufacturer, which can result in cost savings. Plus, they take up less space in your warehouse or packing station. 

Like all types of packaging materials, padded mailers have disadvantages as well, including that they are:

• ✔ Susceptible to crushing. While the padding provides a certain level of protection, padded mailers and their contents can be crushed if they wind up under a heavy box or pressed between boxes.
• ✔ Easily torn or punctured. Padding does not prevent padded mailers from being torn or punctured and having their contents damaged. They also provide little protection from liquids.
• ✔ Not recyclable. For companies focused on sustainability, that fact that padded mailers can’t be recycled can be an issue.
• ✔ Unable to accommodate large items. While you can buy fairly large padded envelopes, there are still many types of items that are too large to fit into even the biggest size.
• ✔ Not designed to handle heavy items. Padded mailers that contain heavy items are prone to tearing.
• ✔ Best at holding one item at a time. Shipping more than one item in a padded mailer increases the risk that one or both will be damaged.

Boxes

The advantages of boxes include that they are:

• ✔ Strong. Corrugated cardboard boxes in particular are very sturdy.
• ✔ Designed to hold heavy items. Especially when sealed with water-activated tape (WAT), boxes can be used to safely ship weighty merchandise, such as automotive aftermarket parts. 
• ✔ Reusable and recyclable. Cardboard boxes can be used multiple times and then ultimately recycled.
• ✔ Available in many sizes. From very small to very large, there is a box to meet most shipping needs.
• ✔ Ideal for shipments that include multiple items. With the right padding, many items can be shipped in one box.

The disadvantages of boxes include that they:

• ✔ Typically cost more than padded mailers. Boxes tend to be more expensive.
• ✔ Typically cost more to ship than padded mailers. This is especially true when dimensional weight pricing is used.
• ✔ Require padding. To ensure merchandise is protected when you ship it in boxes you must wrap items and fill voids.
• ✔ Take up more space. Boxes are rigid, bulkier, and harder to store.

Choose Wisely

There are many instances when either a padded mailer or a box will work equally well. However, in others, it clearly makes sense to use one or the other. Taking the time to make these determinations will pay off in the long run. Remember as you do your assessment to consider the cost of handling returns and providing refunds when merchandise is damaged.

In situations that call for a box, WAT is the right choice for sealing the carton. Strong, tamper-resistant, and brandable, it provides the functionality e-commerce retailers need and creates a polished, professional look.

Likewise, in situations where mailers or padded mailers are the right choice, finding a reliable source of well-designed and secure mailers is critical. The rate of use is increasing daily and your operation cannot afford to be slowed or stalled for lack of packaging materials and suppliers.

To learn more about our water-activated tape, water-activated tape dispensers, and other products, please contact us at your convenience.

---

[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]