Tags

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

blog_paper_tubes_plastic_plugs_600x200

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.

Can You Identify the Edge Protectors?

spiral_paper_tube_edge_protectors_600x200

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.

What are “seaming tins” and why do so many want them?

spiral_blog_seaming_tins_600x200

Seaming tins are circular, punch-pressed metal end closures, used on the tops and bottoms of Fiber Cans and Telescope Tubes.

The process of permanently applying a tin part to a paper tube is defined as “seaming.” Seaming tins are .007″ thick, or the thickness of 2-3 sheets of standard, white printer paper. The majority of seaming tins are plain and used because they are weight-bearing. Pringles potato chip canisters are a classic example.

spiral_blog_seaming_tins_pringles_600x200

 

While most are plain, some canisters have more specific uses and require the seaming tin to have holes or slots. Donation canisters have a coin slot in the top to allow people to drop coins into the canisters. As the canister gets filled, it becomes heavier, and so a plain seaming tin is often used on the bottom.

Using a coin-slotted seaming tin on the top helps ensure the donations will be kept safe while the plain seaming tin on the bottom keep the coins from falling out. Read more…

Happy New Year! It’s a Great Year for Packaging!

happy-new-years-2015-los-angeles

Best wishes from all of us at Spiral Paper Tube and Core!

If you are already familiar with who we are and what we make, we are excited you will be joining us for yet another year! If you are newer to the packaging industry, or to our packaging products, welcome! We are happy to have you!

Our goal is to provide you with information about each product, answer any questions, and make a paper tube or edge protector that best serves your needs.

Since 1949, we have been manufacturing paper tubes. In 2004, we started making edge protectors (also known as corner protectors). We service international clients, ship our products throughout the country, focus on Orange County, Ventura County, and Riverside County businesses, and offer local deliveries to local customers. In 2013, we started offering 3″ ID x .125″ thick tape cores and label cores online – same day shipping is available on orders received before 11 AM Pacific.

Read more…

Los Angeles Fulfillment Services – Spiral Paper Tube & Core

Screen Shot 2014-12-15 at 12.47.16 PM

 

Spiral Paper Tube & Core helps customers by offering ways to decrease logistic costs and increase efficiency.

When a customer orders Poster Tubes, Mailing Tubes, Fiber Cans, or Telescope Tubes, they also have the option of utilizing our in-house fulfillment services. For example, if a customer is selling posters on Amazon.com, Ebay.com, etc., a large quantity of posters need to be rolled, inserted into a poster tube, and shipped throughout the world.

Read more…

Appealing Paper Packaging Wins the Race – Paper Canisters, Style 3

Style 3 - Fiber cans and Telescope Tubes

Many people would agree that sight is the most powerful of the five senses.

I remember growing up and seeing images of an illusion where if you looked hard enough in a particular photo you would see either a beautiful young maiden, or an ugly hag, depending on how you viewed the photo and what your eyes focused on. I distinctly remember always seeing the beautiful young girl first. As shallow as it may sound, I am simply attracted to things that are pretty. When something smells good, or tastes good… it’s good. However, when something looks good, it is amazing. The visual effect of the item encourages the other senses to instinctively appreciate what you are viewing more and more.

Read more…

Paper Canisters, Fiber Cans, 3 Piece Telescope Tubes – Style 1

Fiber cans & Telescope Tubes - Style 1

Primary and secondary packaging are not usually a company’s first thought when launching a new product or re-branding an existing one.

More often than not, businesses focus entirely on their product alone, forgetting about packaging and shipping until the time comes to package and ship. Little thought, if any, is often dedicated to the design of a retail canister. The paper packaging and shipping industry is where design, strategy, and innovation are the keys to successfully marketing a product, business, or person.

The goal: meet the needs of each customer by manufacturing a beautiful paper canister that protects, promotes, and does not break the bank. Read more…

Why use corner protectors and edge protectors?

 

Protect Packages During Shipping DeAnna Kane

 

Shipping is a multi-billion dollar industry.  Yet many businesses do not stop to consider the repercussions of poorly-packaged shipments, or may cut corners to reduce costs.  Spiral Paper Tube & Core has eliminated the fear in transporting your valuable loads.  Edge Protectors (also referred to a corner protectors, corner guards, v-board, v-guard, etc.) are innovative “V” shaped paper products. Edge Protectors gained popularity when companies discovered they could reduce costs, without compromising the security of the load, when used with lower quality corrugated boxes.  This innovative paper product protects corners and edges and has proven to be a cost effective way to protect products during shipping and storage.

Read more…