It’s back to school…with paper tubes!

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Students across the country are gearing up to head back to school. The excitement of finding out who their new teacher is and if their friends are in their class is building.

And, like the year before, parents are accepting the task of hunting down everything on the new school supply list.

Parents and teachers alike use toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, and wrapping paper tubes to create inexpensive crafts, and keep goodies like pencils, markers, and glue sticks organized.

To celebrate a fresh, new school year, we’re highlighting our top 12 favorite tube-centered crafts! Click the image to learn more about the crafter, kid, or blogger!

We hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

11.cardboard_tube_candy_holder

10. cardboard_tube_executive_student

9. cardboard_tube_flower_holder

8. cardboard_tube_giant_pencils

7. cardboard_tube_giraffe

6. cardboard_tube_jelly_fish

5. cardboard_tube_pencil holder

4. cardboard_tube_pencil_holder

3. cardboard_tube_rocket

2. cardboard_tube_spooky_halloween_bats

1.cardboard_tube_superman

 

Think You Have Tube Knowledge?

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Paper Tubes. It’s what we do.

Last year, we set out to educate as many people as possible by launching our Knowledge Base.

We had noticed that many of our clients, packaging distributors, curious minds, builders, crafters, retail shop owners, tape and label makers, printers, freight companies, artists, architects, poster companies, etc. all seemed to be asking us the same questions.

Although paper tubes are structurally the same (they all look like a toilet paper tube, with a twirling seam), they’re used in a variety of applications. And depending on how the paper tube was being used, we were able to predict what questions might be asked by somebody in that field.

For that reason, we created our Knowledge Base – a collection of paper tube-specific articles, Q&As, and other helpful information.

For example, an artist who designs and ships custom posters on Etsy will have questions specifically related to packing and shipping poster tubes.

 

3 Common Mailing Tube Questions:

  1. When both plastic end plugs are inserted, how much does each Mailing Tube weigh?
  2. What size Mailing Tube should I use for my poster?
  3. What’s the difference between “overall length” and “outside diameter” and “inside length” and “inside diameter?”

 

Another example is a tape or label manufacturer. Instead of using a plain kraft brown paper core, they may want their company logo printed on the inside. Their product will be wrapped around the outside of the paper core, leaving valuable real estate on the inside. Their questions about printing will be completely different than the artist selling posters on Etsy.

 

4 Common Printing Questions:

  1. Can you print our logo in a specific color?
  2. What’s the difference between Pantone colors and GCMI colors?
  3. Will our ink color look best on kraft brown paper or flat white paper?
  4. What file type and size do we need to send?

 

These questions are just two examples of the types of questions we regularly receive. If you’d like to learn more about paper tubes, take a stroll around our Knowledge Base.

You may already be familiar with many of the Knowledge Base topics. But then again, you may walk away with a greater understanding of paper tubes.

Explore our Knowledge Base and increase your tube knowledge today!

See our Edge Protectors in action!

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We toured a major retailer on a recent visit to Washington state. We spotted our Edge Protectors in action and wanted to show you a few different ways they’re used.

The Edge Protectors in these photos have white paper on the outside (top) and kraft paper on the inside (less visible side).

If you look closely, you can see that some pieces seem to have multiple layers – this is an indication of a thicker piece.

In some photos, the Edge Protectors are being used to protect the product and primary packaging. In others, they’re being used to increase column strength.

Can you tell the difference?

clamato_spiral_paper_tube  every_day_napkins_edge_protectors_spiral_paper_tube lifesavers_edge_protectors_spiral_paper_tube protein_bar_edge_protectors_spiral_paper_tube pub_mix_edge_protectors_spiral_paper_tube san_francicoso_bay_edge_protectors_spiral_paper_tube ziploc_edge_protectors_spiral_paper_tube

 

Have a question about Edge Protectors? We’d love to hear from you! Contact us anytime.

The average American uses 8 paper tubes a day…all without knowing.

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Admit it.

You’ve hit at least one unsuspecting person with a wrapping paper tube at least once in your life.

Probably more.

Did you know the average American uses 8 paper tubes a day…all without knowing? It’s true. All of us here at Spiral Paper Tube dedicate our lives to making products most will never think twice about. Let alone think once about.

Our most popular tubes and cores are hidden in plain sight.

They’re inside holiday wrapping paper, rolls of toilet paper, kitchen paper towels and Scotch tape. Most consumers don’t set out to buy our paper tubes and paper cores directly, so their interaction with our product goes something like this:

  • use all of the wrapping paper, toilet paper, paper towels, or Scotch tape
  • throw paper tube in recycle bin
  • the end

If you’re a parent of small children, or a teacher, it might go something more like this:

  • ask others to intentionally use up all of their wrapping paper, toilet paper, paper towels, or Scotch tape
  • collect their paper tubes and cores
  • use scissors, glue, glitter, construction paper, yarn, paint, and popsicle sticks to make crafts
  • the end

As you can see, parents, kids, teachers and students are having a bit more fun with our products than the average consumer. For this reason, we want to have a little fun this next month.

This summer, we want to see your crafts and inventions!

When you, your kids, or your students create something with a paper tube, post it on our Facebook Page or use #ilovetubes when you post it on Twitter or Instagram!

And for those that may not be too crafty, if you spot a paper tube or paper core in a retail shop, on the street, at a post office, etc. you can join in also!

With your help, we can bring those 8 paper tubes a day into the spotlight and remind America just how fun paper tubes can be!

Paper Caps: The Teenager of All End Closures

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They’re so cute when they’re babies. Then we get to dress them up like dolls when they first start school. But then they become teenagers, and the cuteness we once knew somehow disappears.

We still love them, but they’re challenging, in ways we probably never really expected. Over time though, we discover new gems in these young adults and we learn to love and care for them in ways we never imagined.

Paper caps are like teenagers.

Read more…

Paper Tubes and Plastic Plugs Go Together Like Peanut Butter and Jelly

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Some things are just meant to be together…

What would peanut butter be without jelly? Who would Batman be without Robin? How lonely would salt feel without pepper?

Paper tubes are no different. Without friction-fit plastic plugs, banners, posters and prints would simply slide right out of our mailing and shipping tubes. An end closure is needed, and there are a few different ways to secure the ends of paper tubes. White plastic plugs are the go-to option.

Friction-fit plastic plugs are made with virgin plastic.

This is important because plastic plugs made with virgin content are stronger and more durable than plugs made with recycled material. It also ensures a clean, white looking plug. White plastic plugs made with highly recycled content are easily noticed because they appear spotted and “dirty.”

Plastic plugs have 2 prominent features:

  • pull tab
  • ribbed-sides

The pull tab allows the plastic plug to be easily removed while the ribbed sides push against the paper tube’s inside walls and help keep it in place. These two features, and economical pricing, make it the most commonly used end closure.

Freight companies are damaging our shipments. What can we do?

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If you ship corrugated boxes on pallets, you’ve probably said this before.

A few years ago, box manufacturers started making cardboard boxes with higher recycled content. This is good for the environment but bad for logistics. What you may have saved by purchasing a more economical box, you’re paying for in freight claims.

What’s the solution?

Protect your LTL and truckload shipments by adding Edge Protectors along the vertical and horizontal corners. Paper Edge Protectors protect vulnerable corners during transit.

When metal or plastic strapping is used, Edge Protectors also help distribute the force of the banding, resulting in a secure and protected shipment.

Combining a few Edge Protectors with those recycled boxes will continue to save you money, and help you avoid future freight claims.

Visit our product page for additional technical specifications.

 

Can You Identify the Edge Protectors?

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Did you select the middle image? Congratulations!

Edge Protectors are also known as Corner Protectors. They’re used to protect edges and provide additional column strength when used vertically. In the picture above, they’re being used to do both.

Edge Protector Facts:

  1. made with recycled paper
  2. usually white on the outside (top) and kraft brown on the inside (bottom)
  3. shaped into a 90 degree angle
  4. can be printed

Why Are Edge Protectors Important?

When paper is initially made from wood, it has long, strong fibers. Each time paper is recycled, the fibers are shortened, reducing its strength. A common egg carton is the end of the road. The paper has been recycled so many times it has no structural strength. It’s barely strong enough to hold a dozen eggs.

It’s more economical for corrugated box makers to use recycled paper to make boxes. The higher the recycled content, the shorter the fibers, the weaker the box.

The majority of business-to-business shipments (boxes) are sent on wooden pallets, which is why Edge Protectors are needed. Low-quality boxes are set on pallets, with an edge protector placed on each of the four corners, then stretch wrapped. Together, the wooden pallet, weak corrugated boxes, and thick Edge Protectors create a sturdy shipment.

It’s more economical for businesses to combine a cheaper, low-quality box with Edge Protectors than it is to purchase corrugated boxes made with less recycled content.

The Future of Packaging 2016

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According to Hannu Alalauri, SVP at The Global Pack Summit, the packaging industry is seeing the following 5 major trends:

  1. Increasing importance of brand building and “shelf standout”
  2. Increasing competitive intensity in the value chain drives cost focus
  3. Sustainability and environmental friendliness is growing in importance
  4. Intelligent packaging will grow stronger in the future
  5. E-tailing volumes will continue to increase

Read more…

Merry Christmas from all of us at Spiral Paper Tube & Core!

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Another wonderful year is coming to a close at Spiral Paper Tube & Core.

As a local manufacturer of paper tubes and edge protectors, our paper products have continued to give us the opportunity to meet great people who either use or distribute our products.

Since 1949, our family owned and operated shop has valued the personal relationship we have with our customers. Read more…

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