Let's Talk Packaging Blog

Packing Noodle…or Planting Noodle?

Posted by: Lance Fletcher May14

Spring is upon us and when I think of Spring, I think of planting and flowering pots. OK, maybe not, but my wife does. And when I say flower pots, I mean POTS -BIG ones. The ones we have are 24” across at the top and 16” deep. They are made of plastic so they are manageable…until you put the dirt in them; then they are monsters to move. A few years back I came across the best thing ever to take the pain out of this season: Packing Noodles

That is correct, the 3M Packing Noodle. The same Packing Noodle that Wired Magazine did a write-up on back in June, 2009. You may not know, but at that time it trounced all seven of the other competitors in that market by transmitting up to 90 percent less shock and cushioned 4 times better than packing peanuts. What makes this happen is the design of each noodle. Once it is broken apart from its original state as a “noodle slice” it will never fit back together again … it is kind of like Humpy Dumpty. It cracks open and gives brilliant spacing between each noodle in a box, or in my case a very large planting pot. The beauty of the noodles is the strength that each one offers. They can hold a lot of weight without failing. Great for packaging, but it is Spring and in my case we are planting – not packing.

So here is the trick. Grab your pot, and don’t be afraid of the bigger one; take 2 or 3 noodle slices and break them open into the pot, filling it about 2/3 of the way; dump your potting soil on top of that and plant away. The noodles offer great water drainage while at the same time being super lightweight. So when my wife says, “Let’s see how the pots look over there…or there…or there”, it is not a problem. It doesn’t take two guys and a small crane.

Oh, and yes, they make great packing and void fill material for shipping as well. Happy packing and/or planting, whichever is in your future.

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Big Bubbles in a Mailer????? YES we Did!

Posted by: Jason Dossi Apr30Jason Dossi

If you are like me, you probably send gift cards for presents to your family and friends. Why? Well because they are fast and easy to buy and can be placed inside the card, right? But equally as important you don’t have to buy a box, wrapping paper and tape. And that is if you are only hand delivering the present. If you have to mail the package, you also need to buy some packing paper or bubble wrap for cushioning inside the box and pay the hefty shipping charges; Fuggedaboutit.

So it was my Aunt’s 60th birthday last week. She lives out of town and the gift card idea has been getting played out over the past decade or so. I went shopping and found the perfect picture for her kitchen with an antique style frame around it. As I go to the local shipping station to grab a box I realize I have other options to ship this in. I see an Airjacket #5 bubble mailer by PAC that the frame fit in perfectly (and working for PAC of course I am always excited to see our product). As I start walking to the counter, I see an ultra-thick all poly bubble mailer with large ½” bubbles, also made by PAC.   I was pretty sure the regular bubble mailer would have worked, but after looking at the Jumbojacket, there was no doubt in my mind this would protect the picture. It looked like I could run it over with my car and it still would not break. Ok, maybe that would have been pushing it.

Even better, it was half the price of the box, it was 100% recyclable and the final shipping costs were considerably less.  I didn’t even have to purchase additional cushioning for the inside or any tape for the outside.

I simply inserted the frame, wrote the address on the outside, and the gift was on its way.

I received a special phone call from my Aunt thanking me for the thoughtful gesture and…of course, the frame that arrived in perfect condition.  She said she used the easy opening tear string and decided to keep the mailer to send something to my cousins later on.

Ask for the Jumbojacket at your local office supply and shipping stores, I am sure they will be making their way to a town near you very soon.

Posted in Downsizing Packaging, Green, Greener Packaging, Packaging Design, Protective Packaging, Right Sizing Packages | Leave a comment

Consider the shipping weight

Posted by: John Taylor Apr23

Have you ever considered shipping weight? The couriers have. Next time you need to send a package contemplate using a poly bubble mailer or flat poly mailer (for your less fragile items).

These offer superior protection yet at the lightest weight possible.

Take note these are the very same products all the major couriers use.

Kraft mailers and macerated paper mailers weigh more from the start so you end up paying a higher freight charge.

Plus, unlike kraft mailers, poly bubble and  flat poly mailers are 100% recyclable.

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Mailers Vs. Boxes –The Debate Continues

Posted by: Michael Matteo Apr16

My township charges me $2.00 per trash bag that I am forced to use at my curb for trash. They also pick up almost all non garbage at the pick up so one pricey bag a week is all I need. As my family orders items from internet retailers and on line sellers, it always fascinates me as I see how they are shipped and whether a box or mailer is used. As a packaging rep and a ‘home recycling cop’ I take notice when packaging is “undercooked” or “overcooked.Why oh why does a shipper use a box when a bubble mailer or poly mailer will do the job AND save them labor and shipping costs? During my career, I have seen companies spend thousands in payroll dollars using workers to unstrap, transport, erect, and then tape shut a box when a bubble or poly mailer would have done the job. It seems crazy to use a box, void fill, and then tape to send items through the mail or courier stream.  Some pallets of boxes may have only 3 or 4000 per pallet. A comparable sized Pac Worldwide bubble mailer will be 9600 on a pallet.  When a PAC mailer is subbed in for a box the operator loads it, pulls off the release liner, seals it and places the label on.  They always take up less space in an outbound truck and usually cost less to ship. Customers who have transitioned away from boxes end up saving money in labor costs, shipping costs and per package handling costs.  Cases of mailers take up much less space on a packaging station so the packer doesn’t need to retrieve supplies as often as well.  PLUS, their box tape costs practically evaporate!  Mailers are worth considering when looking at packaging solutions for your operation.  Unpadded poly mailers will give PLENTY of protection for soft goods and when bubble protection is needed those come in a wide variety of sizes and will keep your goods safe. The country’s biggest couriers use them every day why can’t your company?

Posted in Downsizing Packaging, Green, Greener Packaging, Right Sizing Packages, Saving Money on Packaging | Leave a comment

PACjacket System

Posted by: Jeff Kellerman Apr09

I am a big fan of Apple from many different perspectives. 

I love their products.  They continue to amaze me with the advancements they make with each new product. 

I truly appreciate how they go to market.  They create a demand from the consumer and essentially get people to forget about the cost of their items. 

I feel they are a very well-run organization.  Everyone knows of Steve Jobs but Tim Cook has been the CEO when Apple has rolled out some of its most impressive products.  The most recently announced dividend for shareholders keeps that juggernaut of a stock going higher and higher.  We all hear that Mr. Jobs had a list of ideas that would allow Apple to continue its success for years but that does not discount how effective Mr. Cook has been as a leader and decision maker.  Mr. Cook has been traveling to China to further establish relationships with a vastly untapped market that could purchase Apple products but one would think his personal visits have to involve the discussions of acquiring companies that are essential to their products.  By integrating backwards, Apple would be able to better control their costs and ultimately create a higher overall company margin on their products they sell to people like you and me.

We may not all have $98 billion dollars in our bank accounts that are burning holes in our pockets but the concept Apple has can carry over to almost every company.  Invest in our own organization so we can help better control the costs of what we sell.  We all know getting increases on our products can be difficult at times.  Perhaps we look to integrate backwards so we can make our products more valuable in terms of profit for our own companies.

The PACJacket system will allow each customer to produce their own right size mailers, both flat poly and poly bubble, which allows companies to better control their spend on packaging material and significantly reduce the labor burden associated with the shipping/distribution portion of one’s  business and better utilize those employees in areas that need attention.

Posted in Automation, Decreasing Labor, Increasing Fulfillment, Downsizing Packaging, Green, Greener Packaging, Right Sizing Packages, Saving Money on Packaging | Leave a comment

Creative Recycling

Posted by: Terrah Cathey Mar26

I’ve recently gotten more serious about recycling. I go through 2 – 3 plastic water bottles just about every day. And every day I place the empty bottles in a bag just outside my kitchen door in my garage. But what happens when that bag gets full? Do I know where my nearest recycling drop spot is? No. I admit, I haven’t scoped out the neighborhood recycling hot spot. So alas, I tie up the bag full of plastic bottles, set it aside and bring out a fresh bag ready to take its bottles. If only the local recycling drop off was as easy as a dual seal poly mailer from PAC.

Yes, as a packaging sales rep, that is EXACTLY what I sigh and think about while contemplating recycling woes. I daydream about the peace of mind an online customer of books, shoes, latest spring fashions, jewelry, you name it has when receiving their highly anticipated package delivered in a dual seal PolyJacket or AirJacket. If that cute dress you just HAD to have because of the free shipping for the next 22 minutes happens to be a tad too big… well, no fret my pet! You can simply place that dress into the same bag it arrived in. Peel back the second adhesive seal liner and close the bag up for returning. No need for creation of your own reality TV series, “Packaging Hunters – The Down and Dirty Reality of Garage and Back of Closet Searching To Avoid Paying for Returned Packaging Packages!” 

So maybe that T.V. series idea is a stretch. But Bravo or TLC better send me a check if they ever catch wind of my concept. Chances are, they won’t with more and more e-tailers shipping with PAC’s dual seal mailers. Not only are PAC’s dual seal mailers 100% recyclable but also 100% reusable immediately. A matter of trying that dress on and shipping back same day! Ease of return for the customer, return packaging consistency for the manufacturer, smooth and easy process all around.

I wish online customers the right size the first time around. But isn’t it nice to know PAC is out there providing creative packaging recycling solutions? I think I’ll look up my local recycling drop spot now. PAC Worldwide is doing their job to sustain the environment. It’s time I follow through and do mine!

Posted in Green, Greener Packaging, Packaging Design, Right Sizing Packages, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Thinking Outside the Box

Posted by: Steve Foster Mar19

Yes, I really said that.  I know it is one of the most overused clichés’ in the past 10 years, but hear me out, it really applies here.  If you are an internet retailer, or a large consumer of boxes, to ship your products to your customers in, I am asking you to reconsider and rethink your approach. 

In a recent, unscientific survey, it was found that many companies use boxes, simply because it was always historically done that way.  It was not necessarily based on a spec or the need for extra protection of the item being shipped.  For instance, there is no reason whatsoever that soft-goods should be shipped in a box, when bubble or flat poly mailers will more than suffice. 

Not to mention the environmental benefits of shipping in poly versus corrugated.  Remember, when incinerated, poly generates much more energy than paper.  Some of our customers have actually reduced shipping and material costs by converting from boxes to mailers.

So the next time you are getting ready to use a corrugated container for shipping your products, do yourself and the environment a favor, and consider poly or poly bubble mailers. Think outside the box.  Okay, that is the last time I will use that phrase this decade!

Posted in Downsizing Packaging, Green, Greener Packaging, Protective Packaging, Right Sizing Packages | Leave a comment

You only get one Chance to Leave a First Impression

Posted by: Mark Samuelson Feb28

Those of us in the packaging industry are often noticing things that those outside the packaging industry notice less frequently.

Around the holidays many of us get a variety of things sent to us in the mail.  The quality and type of the packaging varies quite a bit. Some items I received came in a basic and very plain outer package and others sent their product in a nicely printed and somewhat distinctive package.  All met the primary need of helping their product get through the delivery system. 

The nicer ones certainly left me with a strong and favorable impression of their company.  It helped the experience that I had with that company.  You only get one chance to make a first impression and the first impression you get when ordering something that shipped via a courier service is the outer packaging.  In some cases the packaging inside was nice and in some cases less so.

We all have many choices as to where to buy things and generally the little things add up to send  a message about the interaction companies have with their customers.  A nice way to send a strong message to your customers can certainly relate to the type of outer packaging you select. 

Our sales team can help you make a great impression with your customers.

Posted in Brand Awareness, Marketing with Packaging, Packaging Design, Packaging Specialists, Protective Packaging | Leave a comment

Is a Mailer just a Mailer?

Posted by: Lance Fletcher Feb13

Awe, the month of Love.  Romeo said, “What’s in a name?  That which we call a rose … by any other name would smell as sweet.”  If a rose by any other name is still a rose, is a package by any other name still a package?  A box is a box is a box?  A mailer is a mailer is a mailer? 

Many, for the most part, would say sure.  If I put my book, shirt, present, etc., in a package and it gets where it is going … it is all the same.  While package differentiation is real, it has been already covered in other forms and on other blogs.  So, for the sake of argument, if a mailer is a mailer is a mailer; should we just buy on price?  What else is there at this point?  One word:  SERVICE.

Service is more than just about taking an order and slapping a label on a case.  It is about product knowledge, it is about listening, it is about understanding customer’s needs, it is about follow up and being there to help if needed on the other side of that order.

I know what you’re thinking … what if I want both?  I am glad you asked.  The company that stands ahead of the others in both price and service is PAC Worldwide.  So when you are buying on Price and you want Great Service, buy from the company that gives you both.

Posted in Packaging Specialists, Protective Packaging, Right Sizing Packages, Saving Money on Packaging | Leave a comment

There’s an APP for that!

Posted by: John Bartell Feb07

Apple® marketing is pretty amazing. The “there’s an App for that” commercial, really makes you think there is an App for everything. Come to think of it with over 40,000 apps available there probably is an App for everything. Even my kids have had a taste of the Kool-Aid and say “dad, there has to be an App for that”, or “dad , can we download that app” or “DAD, WE HAVE TO DOWN LOAD THAT APP!”

So, since I am a packaging guy, I don’t make or sell apps, but that line “There’s an APP for that!” is constantly stuck in head. I have decided to twist it a little bit. My new mantra and what is stuck in my head now is, “there is a mailer for that!”. Think of how many things arrive on your doorstep in a box when they could easily be packaged in a mailer? Think of the time and money the company using boxes could save by buying into my mantra, “there is a mailer for that”?

Yes, I would say actually “there is a PAC Worldwide mailer for that, in fact, check out the site, it is pretty cool (www.pac.com)”.

Now if I could only get the kids to drink the Kool-Aid on this one. Something tells me that will be a hard sell. Apparently packaging is not as much fun as the latest App they want to download.

If they only knew…

Posted in Protective Packaging, Right Sizing Packages | Leave a comment