Opportunity to Be Creative with Corrugated Boxes

We all know about the corrugated boxes. They keep the items safe while they are being shipped to our doorsteps. Then those corrugated boxes are placed in the attic because we do not usually have their immediate usage in the mind. We tend to keep them because they are sturdy enough to give a feeling that they can be useful in the future.

The good thing about cardboard boxes is that they can be used for a number of artistic and organizing tasks. A few things about corrugated boxes are worth mentioning in this regard.

Difference is in the flutes

It is worth mentioning here that corrugated board is not to be confused with cardboard. The major difference between the two boards is related to the flutes, which are the waves pressed between the two sheets. Due to the special wavy pattern of flutes, corrugated board is sturdier as compared to cardboard. Cardboard is usually based on a sheet which is quite thin.

Sturdiness and recyclability

Have you ever thought what makes corrugated board the most popular packaging material? It is the sturdiness combined with recyclability that makes the corrugated board to surge in popularity. According to a survey, about 90% of the corrugated board produced in USA gets recycled after being used. It is sturdy enough to support the products of different shapes and sizes. Moreover, this material has become increasingly appealing for the customers who have grown fond of the concept of saving the environment by controlling packaging waste.

Label printing on corrugated boxes

There are countless designs and styles that you can go with while printing labels on the corrugated boxes. The most popular design to talk about in this regard is the POP display which you can print the corrugated box which you are going to use for the shipping of product. If you ask a designer about their favorite thing which they want printed in the corrugated box, they are going to mention the graphics. This is due to the fact that printing on corrugated box is very easy. You can also print designs on the thinner substrate which will be then glued to the box. This way, you can create a litho laminated box. This is going to be the perfect option if you want your packaging design to look more high-end. Moreover, you can print designs and labels in the thin paperboard. This is called designing a sleeve.

The Best Tape for Packing and Moving

When you’re set to move a lot of items, furniture, and other essentials, the first thing you think of is the type of box. And most often, cheap moving boxes are your go-to winner for holding all your precious items.

However, a lot of people fail to realize that the tape is almost just as important when moving and using boxes. You need to keep all of those boxes secured and closed, right? There are a number of factors that affect which tape is best, including the adhesive, the material, if it’s waterproof, and even how tearable it is.

With that said, let’s look at some of those factors and talk about the best (and worst) tapes for each.

Packing tape

Packing tape, also called packaging and shipping tape, is designed to have a strong-stick to it in order to hold boxes together during bumpy rides. Without a doubt, it serves the best role when moving. It also comes in different thicknesses strong enough to withstand heavier loads.

In addition, packing tape is waterproof in that the back is plastic and the adhesive isn’t water soluble. This is a big win over a lot of other types of tape because condensation, humidity, and weather can break them down a lot more easily than packing tape.

Duct tape

One of the most commonly seen tapes, duct tape, is actually not the best for moving. While it’s easily torn off at the length needed, making packing and moving a lot quicker, it doesn’t adhere too well to cardboard. The “old wrap the entire box once” trick can solve this, but it isn’t the best solution considering it leaves a residue on cardboard.

With that said, duct tape is an okay alternative if you didn’t care too much about the boxes.

Masking tape

Masking tape is best left for labeling boxes. It sticks well to cardboard and is great for writing on, but its strength leaves something to be desired when sealing boxes. Additionally, it’s not nearly as strong as the other tapes mentioned when it comes to keeping boxes held together.

Electrical tape

This tape is great for insulating power cords that have been torn, thus its name. However, it falls short when it comes to packing. Its small width typically makes it impossible to seal boxes, and it doesn’t adhere to cardboard all that well, much like duct tape. This is best left to the electronics.

It’s pretty clear that packing tape takes the crown when it comes to sealing your cheap moving boxes. It’s practically in the name, especially when referred to as packaging or shipping tape. This strong, highly adhesive waterproof tape is king for all things moving and shipping. Get yourself a tape gun for quicker, more accurate use of packing tape!

Best Moving Tips For Valuable Items

Valuable items offer an entirely different challenge when it comes to shipping in order to keep everything safe and secure in route to its new destination. Things such as fine china, jewelry and electronics are a whole new arena as compared to something like books and magazines. It is important that small businesses get this part right to keep customers satisfied and costs at a minimum.

One of the first considerations is the moving supplies, and there are many varied options which can all be the right fit depending on the particular type of items being sent. Cheap moving boxes abound in the marketplace and it is important that they are strong and dry so that the valuable items will be good to go there. Most of the time it is wise to use either brand new boxes or the original containers as the package, but used boxes might work as well as long as they are in good condition with no visible damage. Packing paper and bubble wrap as well as the integral tape are further shipping items that can be used with the cheap moving boxes in order to get everything snug and situated properly.

Transportation damage can then be reduced through the use of extra protection that one might not otherwise for something simple and basic. High-quality packing tape is a necessity, and it should be used to double tape the bottom of all of those boxes which will be vessels for the high value items. Some initial cushioning is always a good idea, and so a few sheets of bubble wrap can be placed into the bottom of those boxes to help with shock absorption. This can be especially important when the shipping carrier uses tumultuous methods and routes which are not totally shock-free.

It is important that particular types of items get their own treatment. For example, framed art can be placed into specialized picture boxes which are able to adjust to art of all sizes. Marking any glass portions of framed art with a masking tape X will help to keep any shards in a retrievable location so that they will not affect the other items in a shipment. Jewelry also has its own containers, or jewelry boxes, which go that extra mile to keep everything in shape. However, even some lower cost methods such as using drinking straws and toilet paper rolls to protect things like necklaces and bracelets can go a long way. Pill organizers are great for shipments which contain numerous sets of earrings. Finally, egg cartons and hard sunglasses cases are great for expensive rings.

One final great way to insure that everything gets to the destination safe is to utilize the service of a luxury moving company who makes it their job to do just that. You can count on such a company to reimburse the monetary cost if by chance they do happen to damage or lose the valuable product, but it can also be expected that the chance of that happening is much lower when it is placed in their hands rather than those of a less experienced and less capable handler. By following some of the advice just outlined above it will be no problem to get everything where it needs to be in the good condition that everyone deserves.

Making DIY Move a Success

You may wonder if there could be a way to move without professional help. First thing worth mentioning here is that moving companies give you an ease in the entire moving process by taking your belongings of the entire home to the place you are moving. However, they change you the fees that can seriously break your bank. Good news is that there is a way you can consider a DIY move and save money.

Have a plan in place

There are certain advantages of moving on your own. The top one is that you can schedule the move any time you want. However, it also means that the responsibility of managing the time and getting everything done within a certain timeline is entirely yours. Therefore, you will have to make sure that you are doing everything you can to save the process of moving from getting chaotic. You will need to develop a plan in which you will decide about everything you are going to do during the move. You will also need to have a plan on what item you want to take with you, what item you are going to sell and what items you are going to donate. Moreover, you will need to organize things in order to divide the preparations on longer period of time.

Moving truck or moving container

You will need to decide whether you need a moving truck or a moving container. Moving truck is the cost effective option because you will get the truck and you will drive it to your new home. The moving container is a bit costlier because the moving company will take care of the transportation. You will need to do the loading and unloading of the truck.

The moving labor

The package you will get from professional movers is going to include everything from loading items in the truck to unloading at the new home. They may also offer you packing and unpacking of the items. The pitfall of this service is that they are going to charge you for moving everything. If you want to get selected items loaded to the truck while you take care of the rest, it is not the case with professional movers. However, you can get this service from professional moving labor services which are perfect for the DIY moves.

The packing supplies

Whether you are moving on your own or you are hiring professionals, you will have to make sure that everything among your belongings is packed well before being loaded in the moving truck. You are going to have to make sure that you are using appropriate moving supplies to secure every item that you are taking with you to the next home. First, you will need to get a lot of moving boxes of different sizes. The packaging supplies also need to include items that will be used to cushion the contents in the boxes. Then, you will have to get the items that are going to secure the boxes to ensure proper seal.

Essentials box

It may not be possible for you to have access to your luggage while you move. So, you may not find it very pleasant to have a need of anything located somewhere in the boxes in the moving day or right after you reach the new home. The best way to deal with this scenario is to prepare a box that would contain everything that you are going to require at the time when you are not able to have access to your luggage. You can name this box “essentials box”.