If your packaging could talk, what would it say? First impressions count, and packaging is a great way to communicate brand values to consumers from the bat. Items that are delivered in poor conditions do more than just risk damage to the products that you are sending. Big packaging errors tell customers that you don’t have your head in the game. Here are some common packaging mistakes, and how to resolve them.
 
Tape it up
 
Contrary to what you might have assumed, there is no one-tape-fits-all in the world of packaging. Different tapes are especially designed for a variety of package sizes, weights, and even temperatures. If you ship out boxes without regard to these specifics your customers could end up with peeling issues, boxes that have been over taped and are difficult to open, or some that are falling apart entirely due to weather fluctuations in transit. Play it safe and match your tape specifically to your shipments individual needs.
 
Label your stuff
 
Have you ever tried to read a label and just couldn't quite make out what it said? This irritating event is downright dangerous in some cases (think food production) and can impact the perception of your brand. It is important that your items are marked clearly and efficiently using appropriate coding and marking systems.
      
 
Take note of dimensions
 
There is a good reason that packaging materials come in all different shapes and sizes. Whether your items need tubes, small boxes or mailers, it is important to make sure you select the ideal sizes and materials for your items. Imagine opening up a huge box to find a delicate piece of jewelry inside that has been bounced around during transit! Not matching the sizes of your packaging materials to the needs of your items runs the risk of damaging them. Not only practical, this tip is also environmentally friendly. By paying attention to these details it gives the added benefit of downsizing any potential waste from excess packaging.
 
 
Play it safe
 
Your items should be distributed with care, and this means choosing the appropriate materials to pack with them. There are a few key rules here- for heavy items it is important to use Instapak foam packaging for effective caution and protection.  For void fill applications, fill air by Sealed Air  will provide light weight solutions to prevent product shifting. For medium to light items paper packaging, inflatable packaging,  Bubble wrap, and bubble bags are all excellent choices for protection.  Light foam is an excellent choice for surface applications (think table tops, mirrors, etc.).  And for electronic items, consider antistatic bubble rolls and bubble envelopes. The shipping process can be rough on your packages, which is why it’s so important to make sure you choose the best materials to protect them.
 
 
By identifying and resolving these common packaging issues you can make sure that you are proving your true value to your customers! We know how important packaging is towards building your brand, which is why at SSI Packaging Group “we help you pack and tack your image”®. We offer the latest in industrial marking, coding, and printing technology, as well as premier packaging solutions like bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard, foam, and more to help you beat any and all common packaging mistakes. 

If your teeth have been chattering a bit more than usual this winter, and you’ve noticed a spike in your energy bill, you may be wondering how to heat your home more efficiently. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to warm your home that won’t break the bank. Here are just a few.   

Find out if your home is properly insulated
If your home doesn’t have adequate insulation, your heating unit is working much harder than it needs to, with much less effect. Unless you bought your house new, built it, or remodeled it yourself, you probably don’t know what kind of insulation you have, or how much. You can perform your own inspection by following an online tutorial like this one, or hire a professional insulation company. If you find that you have too little insulation—and many older homes do—adding some can greatly reduce your heating bill. 

Keep your curtains closed
A major way to conserve heat is by covering your windows, especially in the winter. Bubble wrap and packing foam are both cost-friendly alternatives to more expensive insulation blinds. About 25% of heat escapes though uncovered glass windows, so even though you might not want to view the world through bubble wrap, this is a great way to reduce your energy bill.  

Plug up nooks and crannies
You’d be surprised how much energy can slip through an uncovered keyhole, or the cracks beneath the doors. This is because no matter what you do, the cold outside will suck the heat out of the house—a process known as heat transfer—and attempt to infiltrate through every little crack and gap. You can test for drafts by exploring your house with either your hand or a lit candle. Once you’ve identified gaps, you can cover them up with tape or other materials.

Close vents in unused rooms
Some areas of your home might be left untouched until visitors arrive. If you have extra, unused spaces like guest bathrooms or attics, close off their vents so that your heating unit can redirect heat into areas you use the most. The most important part of this step? Remember to re-open the vents in the guest room when grandma comes to visit!

Insulate the floor
The floor alone is responsible for up to 10% of home heat loss, so it’s important to keep it as covered as possible. If your floor is uncarpeted, and you plan on spending a few decades in your home, carpeting might be an investment that eventually pays for itself. You can also buy some big oriental rugs, or make like a Lannister and buy that bearskin rug you’ve secretly always wanted. (Sorry, we had to.)

Let the light in
Sunlight is 100% free, so try to make the most of it. When you notice that the sun is especially bright in a certain window, open the curtains or blinds to let it steam through. Once the sun goes down, close the curtains again to keep the heat from escaping through the windows.

Do you need supplies for ensuring your home is fully insulated?  SSI Packaging Group has a wide selection of bubble, foam, and tape products that can supplement insulation and assist in the application of proper insulation around your home or business.  Give us a call today with your marking and coding needs for building products.  Our goal is to ensure you're needs with coding on building products is met with 100% satisfaction.