For the transportation of goods, a particular container is used; it must reliably protect internal objects from damage and other effects. Cardboard, wood, polymers can be used as the primary material, but such packaging will not fully fulfill its functions if you do not use additional elements for this. Auxiliary packaging is a part of the primary packaging that provides extra protection and comfort in carrying and prevents objects from moving inside the container during the movement of the vehicle and loading and unloading operations.
These include liners, pads, shock absorbers, staples, ropes, tape, and other elements. They are made from different materials and perform specific functions. This is what our article is about.
CLASSIFICATION OF AUXILIARY PACKAGING
Auxiliary packaging materials are classified according to their function; among them, the most commonly used are:
- Ribbons.
- Air bubble film.
- Ropes.
- Paper clips.
- Stretch film.
- Wrapping paper, etc.
Let’s take a closer look at each of the listed types.
RIBBONS
Ribbons are one of the most popular additional materials. They are made from fabric, polymers, paper, and metal. The main functions that they perform:
- Strengthen the packaging.
- Improves tightness.
- Serve as a place to post information.
- Play the role of cushioning material.
For strapping, polypropylene strapping tape is used, which has high strength, weighs four times less than steel straps, does not rust, does not damage the packaging.
An adhesive layer is applied on some types of tapes, which allows them to be securely fixed to the surface; it can be activated by heat, water or is constantly in a sticky state. One of the most commonly used types of sticky additional packaging materials is scotch tape.
The belts need to be strong and elastic, withstand tensile loads, and come in various colors to help with sorting. Get wholesale custom packaging boxes for your business from SM Custom Packaging.
BUBBLE WRAP
Air bubble film can be used as shock-absorbing gaskets, act as thermal insulation, protects products from compression and impact, and do not allow moisture to penetrate inside the package. LDPE bubbles make it possible to cushion the load upon effects, which improves safety. These are cheap products with long service life and minimal weight.
ROPES
They are used for strapping packaging and lifting irresponsible lightweight products. Usually, they consist of three strands. They are flexible, natural, and synthetic materials are used in their production. The former include hemp, flax, cotton, the latter – viscose, polyethylene, etc. A variety of ropes are cords and twines, the former has a higher cost, but greater strength and improved appearance, are used several times.
Twine is a thin twisted product for one-time use. At the post office, they tie bale goods: stacks of paper products – magazines, newspapers. They are made of hemp, jute, paper, and polypropylene.
PAPER CLIPS
The use of paper clips allows you to strengthen the cardboard boxes; they are installed with a unique stapler in the places where the material overlaps, and thereby the packaging does not creep during the transportation of the goods.
STRETCH FILM
A feature of stretch film is elongating significantly without changing the width and returning to the original length. This makes it possible to protect the product during wrapping or to improve the protective properties of the packaging itself, to make the parcel more airtight, resistant to cuts and other damage.
WRAPPING
Such an auxiliary means of packaging as paper allows you to protect products from external influences additionally and at the same time, it is interesting to design it, place advertisements on it, thus promoting the effect on the market. It can also be used as filler, in which case the paper will prevent the goods from moving inside the package.
WRAPPED GIFT
HOW TO WRAP A GIFT IN PAPER WITHOUT SCOTCH TAPE
How to wrap a gift in the paper if there is no tape or glue at hand? Try making a paper box with a clasp. You will need:
- thick paper;
- cardboard;
- ruler;
- simple pencil;
- Stationery knife.
Calculate the size of the pattern based on the length and width of your gift. Then prepare two patterns from thick cardboard in the form of a semi-oval. The first half of the pattern should be with a flap at the end and the other with a neat slit to end up with a lock.
SM Custom packaging is providing the best custom packaging for small business.
In turn, attach the previously prepared pattern with the flap to the two parallel sides of the square and circle it along the contour. Next, please do the same with the slotted pattern, attaching it to the remaining sides of the square, also located opposite each other.
Now it remains to cut your drawing with scissors, make a vertical slit marked with a pencil using a clerical knife, and fold the box. Two identical sides with a flap will become a kind of button on which the two remaining edges with a slot will be held.
If you are good at origami, use one of the instructions for creating gift wrapping from paper alone, without the help of scissors or scotch tape.
You can also do without additional materials for packing banknotes. Take three sheets of multi-colored paper of the same size and lay them on top of the other so that a “ladder” forms from the upper left edge. Fold the resulting canvas in half and fold the bottom right corner, guiding it’s top inward. Place the bill and fold the right side of the structure inward. Turn the paper over and fold the top and bottom again, inserting the bottom edge into the hole on the top. A homemade paper envelope for money is ready.
How to decorate a wrapped gift
Sometimes, materials at hand can decorate the packaging much better than purchased decorative items. The main thing is to know what attributes to use and put your soul into creating the wrapper. If you have a little time and inspiration and a great desire to pack a gift for a loved one in an unusual way, take on board the following ideas.
Evergreen twigs. To decorate gift wrapping, flexible twigs of tuna, spruce, pine, or rosemary are suitable, which can be laid out in a circle, placed under a ribbon, or attached directly to paper on tape. Such an element will become a natural flavoring agent and will make your gift more lively and atmospheric.
The most ordinary box can be turned into an original and memorable one. One option is to make an applique of colored paper in the form of a funny face of a monster or a cartoon character.
How to pack a gift if it is a necklace, bracelet, or earrings? First, draw on the box the outlines of the body part to be worn, and make small slots in the package so that the individual beads of the necklace or earrings are visible. Such packaging adds +100 points to your originality and will delight the hero of the occasion.
Even an ordinary cookie or a simple souvenir can be a good gift if you wrap a surprise in a paper house. Find a ready-made stencil blank on the Internet, print the image, and glue the structure with tape or PVA glue.
At the same time, an original and simple decor option is to form folds on the front side of the package from the same paper that wraps the gift. A simple technique of folding paper with an accordion will decorate any present and be an excellent way out of a situation when you do not have additional decorative elements and the paper for packaging looks too simple.
You can also print on plain paper and give it a creative look with watercolor paint, water, and liquid soap. Mix the ingredients in a cup or jar, place a straw inside and blow into it so that large bubbles from above the surface of the container. Place sheets of paper on top of such colorful soap bubbles to create unusual volumetric stains.
Use textiles and accessories. Instead of paper, you can use a dense non-slip fabric, and threads and buttons of various shapes and sizes are suitable for decoration.
Do you have photos or cute postcards at hand? Be sure to use them in gift design. Pictures are best placed in the center of the package or create collages on ready-made paper rolls.
The decor, consonant with the theme of the holiday, looks good on gifts. A classic bow is great, of course, but Valentine’s Day hearts or applique in the form of a cake with candles for a birthday present will look more appropriate.
The interests of the person to whom the gift is intended are your guide not only in choosing the present itself but also in the packaging. For a musician, a packaging made of music paper will be harmonious, and a gift for a photographer can be decorated with a “bow” from an old photographic film. Turn on your imagination – and then your gift will be remembered for a long time.
