The Flexible Packaging Blog

Reviews, trends, and tips covering all things flexible packaging to protect your products and your bottom line.

Nathan Dube

As the Digital Marketing Specialist at Industrial Packaging, I am honored to create content for such a phenomenal company and work with one of the greatest teams in the Packaging Industry. Whether creating a video, writing blog posts or generating other pieces of content and multimedia, I am always excited to help educate and inspire our prospects and clients to reach their highest potential in regards to their packaging processes and needs.

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Equipment | Investment

By: Nathan Dube
May 31st, 2022

Are you thinking about buying multi format case erectors? Rest assured, you are not alone in your desire for this equipment! Many companies package their products in corrugated boxes or similar containers. And many companies use human labor to complete these processes. When erecting cases by hand, a laborer will take a flattened corrugated box, open it up, seal the bottom, and then present it to the packaging line. And while this is one way to pack your corrugated boxes, it may not be the right solution for your needs. Depending on the number of laborers you are using, automating this process with a multi format case erector may make more sense for your business. But, how do you know if a multi format case erector is right for your packaging needs? This article will provide you with the answer to the question above. After reading this article, you will know if a multi format case erector is appropriate for your needs.

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Equipment | Investment | Warehousing

By: Nathan Dube
May 26th, 2022

When you first start thinking about packaging automation, the first question to answer is, can you automate your packaging? Many companies want to automate their packaging. And they assume that this can be done by purchasing the right equipment and implementing the proper processes. However, not all packaging can be automated. Automating your packaging may not be an option if your product packaging is very complicated with many steps. If your packaging is relatively simple, there is a good chance that your packaging can be automated. But, how can you identify if your packaging can be automated? What questions do you need to answer? How can you find out if packaging automation is in the cards for your business? Before you attempt to automate your packaging, you will have to answer the questions above. And to do that, you need to figure out a few things in advance. This article will help you to identify if your packaging can be automated or not.

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Packaging Materials | Shipping Protection

By: Nathan Dube
May 19th, 2022

Did you know that you can stabilize slippery stretch wrapped loads with slip sheets? If you answered no, you are not alone! Suppose you are like most companies who ship products. In that case, you probably use stretch film to properly contain and secure your palletized loads for transportation, shipping, and storage. Stretch wrapping loads, for this reason, are a common practice implemented by countless companies worldwide. People love how stretch film can wrap and secure their palleted products. But, some loads can be problematic due to slippery products. These products can lead to lopsided loads and troublesome stretch wrapping processes. But thanks to slip sheets, these problems can be negated! But, what exactly is a slip sheet? And how do they help slippery products get palletized properly? Today, we will explore the world of slip sheets and explain how they can help you to contain your slippery loads of stretch-wrapped products better.

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Equipment | Packaging Materials | The Business of Packaging | Investment | Fulfillment

By: Nathan Dube
May 17th, 2022

During these days, one of the most common questions that we are receiving from customers is, "why do packaging prices continue to increase"? And, it goes without saying; that we are living through unprecedented times. As we all still collectively try to adapt to the world that COVID has changed for the foreseeable future, new challenges continue to press an already struggling supply chain. And while the global supply chain had already been complicated enough from the months of shutdowns due to the pandemic, other factors are driving these cost increases. From trucker strikes and protests to disruptions in the plastic resins market as a byproduct of the issues seen in the petroleum industry. These and other problems have led to these price increases that we are seeing now. But, what exactly are the issues that are causing the prices of packaging materials to rise continually? Today, we will explore why the price of packaging materials continues to climb higher as the costs of many products also continue to soar.

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Packaging Materials | Environment

By: Nathan Dube
May 12th, 2022

You love wrapping your palleted products in stretch film. It makes you feel good to know that your loads are correctly and safely contained. But you are not sure if you can recycle stretch film. You take pride in your products and always ensure that they are wrapped appropriately. You do this so that they will arrive at your customers with everything intact and adequately packaged. Your customers appreciate that your loads are safely contained and arrive at their facility well wrapped. However, as sustainability is an essential issue for you, your business, and your customers, you want to know if stretch film can be recycled. You have looked for information on recycling stretch film but have only found vague and limited details about this process. Here, we will explain how to recycle your used stretch film properly.

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Packaging Materials | Environment | Shipping Protection

By: Nathan Dube
May 10th, 2022

Were you thinking of downgauging stretch film for cost savings? I did the same when I was in high school. When I was seventeen, I worked in a warehouse for a local trucking company that one of my best friend's fathers owned. And, oddly enough... I used to think about how the company could save money via cutting stretch wrap costs by downgauging their film. Although, I never mentioned it. I was just a teenager, and I figured they would not be interested in the feedback. Still, the memories are as fresh as they were back then. I will never forget waking up at 2:00 AM to be at work at 4:00 AM. The Drive in the winter was cold and harsh. But, that same cool air was a blessing during the summer months. Knowing I had anywhere from eight to sixteen-hour shifts unloading trucks, I would down two energy drinks before arriving to work. One of the daily responsibilities was to wrap the stacked pallets of packages with hand stretch wrap. In the winter, we would warm our work gloves in the microwave before going into the ice-cold, concrete-floored building and getting to work. I will never forget the slightly dizzying process of wrapping a pallet. We would load a roll of hand stretch wrap onto a stretch wrap dispenser. Next, we would pull a bit of the film from the roll and tuck it under the corner of a stacked pallet. Then we would run circles around the pallet, pulling the stretch film tight as we ran the wrap up to the top and then back down to the bottom. Looking back on it, I wish I had spoken up about downgauging. I saw my friend's father for the first time in years a few days ago. With all the supply chain and trucking industry complexities, they decided to sell their business. I can't save their company any money now. But, perhaps I can help you to save money for yours. Today, I will explain how downgauging your stretch film could save you a little or a lot of cash. Cash as cold and hard as those sub-zero winter mornings, dancing around pallets of boxes in the warehouse.