3 tips for making your shipments more sustainable
A study released by Yale University in November 2020 found that Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about climate change. Of the people surveyed:
- Seven in 10 adults said they were “very” or “extremely” certain that global warming was happening
- Two out of 3 Americans said they were at least “somewhat worried” about global warming
- Nearly half (46%) said they’ve already personally experienced some impacts
Regardless of how you feel about global warming, one thing’s for certain: it’s on the minds of your customers. And that means you have an opportunity to position your brand for success. By taking steps to make your shipments more sustainable and eco-friendly, you can set yourself apart from the competition.
Admittedly, it can be hard knowing where to start. That’s why we’ve listed a handful of recommendations below.
1) Cut back on unnecessary packaging. Do the boxes you ship contain extra materials beyond the product itself? If you’re shipping something delicate, it’s important to protect the item, but you don’t need to overdo it. For example, try cutting back on packing peanuts and bubble wrap. You might even be able to replace these materials with recycled newspaper or coupon booklets that come in the mail. If that’s not an option, print your business’s website on the box. This small step encourages customers to visit your online store. Plus, you can cut back on brochures, coupons or other printed materials you might include in the packaging.
2) Tell your customers how to dispose of the packaging. Every city and state has different rules about what can be recycled and what can’t. There’s no way to track all of these regulations, but you can educate your clients on how to dispose of the trash properly. For example, you could print “please recycle” on the interior of the shipping box. If you use bubble wrap or other types of plastic packaging, print “please dispose of in the trash” on the exterior. It might seem like common sense, but providing some basic instructions increases the likelihood your customers will comply.
3) Invest in recycled materials. Instead of buying virgin cardboard or other brand-new shipping products, stock up on recycled materials. Businesses like The Better Packaging Co and RyPax offer sustainable solutions that minimize your carbon footprint. What’s more, many of these items are compostable. If your clients are gardeners or farmers, they might even be able to break down used or damaged packaging in their compost piles and use it for future harvests.
These are just a few of the ways you can make your shipments more sustainable. If you have any other tips or suggestions, don’t hesitate to share them.
Show your customers you care
As a business owner, you want to stand out from the competition. You want your customers to have a great experience and return time and time again. Of course, good customer service is a part of that, but it’s not the only thing that matters. Nothing says you care more than taking steps to illustrate your commitment to your client’s well-being.
Now, more than ever, you can do that by enhancing the cleanliness of your business, office or commercial facility. After more than a year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s only natural to be worn out, but you can’t let your guard down now. The economic recovery is happening but more slowly than originally expected. If we want things to accelerate, we must take steps to keep all of our businesses open.
One of the easiest ways to do that is by taking steps to bolster your current cleaning schedule. What if you could post a sign on the front door of your business, letting people know that the facility is cleaned and protected 24/7 from germs and bacteria. Sounds impressive! After all, who wouldn’t feel comfortable entering a business knowing that?
While it might sound too good to be true, you can protect your customers and provide them peace of mind. The key? Investing in SafeHandles products. Here at Specialized Tape, we recently teamed up with the innovators at SafeHandles to offer their line of self-cleaning sleeves and Steri-Roll tape. SafeHandles products are designed to be placed over common touchpoints like door handles, railings, elevator buttons, toilet handles, faucets and other high-traffic surfaces.
They contain a proprietary mixture of self-cleaning, EPA-approved technology, that eliminates viruses, bacteria, germs and other harmful microorganisms throughout the day. And they don’t need to be replaced for up to six months. SafeHandles products are incredibly affordable and can stand up to daily wear and tear caused by regular contact with your employees and guests. What’s more, SafeHandles products are easy to install, even if you don’t come from a do-it-yourself background. Simply open the packaging, remove the SafeHandles cover, and follow the directions on the packaging. It’s that easy!
With winter fast approaching, now is the perfect time to bolster your business’s germ defenses. You can’t prevent cold and flu season entirely, but you can keep your business free of germs and bacteria, even during the coldest part of the year. To learn more about SafeHandles products, please visit the Specialized Tape website or message me via LinkedIn today.
Simple steps to a more powerful company brand
Merriam-Webster defines branding as “the promoting of a product or service by identifying it with a particular brand.” Creating an effective company brand — and successfully promoting it — is an important element for every business, no matter the industry.
Branding is how a company differentiates itself from its competitors, how it keeps itself top of mind for customers and how it can show off its unique benefits and features. A company’s actions, its advertisements efforts, its communication with its customers — all work together to create a successful brand. You may not realize it, but the most successful branding efforts are based on simple changes that help your business show off its unique way of doing business:
Here are three simple ways you can uniquely brand your company.
1. Use boxes made out of natural substances
Social responsibility is important in business today, and it means paying attention to the details. If you go the extra mile to be eco-friendly with your packaging, you create a solid reputation for yourself in your particular industry. There are many ways to cut back on your business’s global footprint in your packaging. For example, you can use packaging created with recycled or sustainable materials to leave customers feeling good about you as an environmentally conscious business. Once you make the change, communicate what you’ve done to your customers. Look for other ways to protect the world around you.
2. Use printed tape
Printed tape is one of the best ways to add in that extra touch of branding your company needs. You can order printed tape to match your company’s exact color patterns and logo. Printed tape can call attention to an upcoming product, a promotion you’re offering or any other news you’d like to communicate to your customer base. Make sure you use a quality tape that is well-printed add durable.
3. Be consistent
Make sure everything you do fits with your brand’s message. Everything from your brand voice to the colors and fonts you use in your advertising for example, should be consistent across your marketing efforts, whether it be e-mail, social media or printed advertisements. But you also want consistency in the overall appearance of your branding. People should be able to recognize your brand from the colors and design without even seeing your name. And make sure it is always visible.
Branding allows your company to set itself apart from everyone else and helps your target audience feel connected to you. Let’s talk about how printed tape can help your company stand out and connect with your customers.
We now carry SafeHandles™ Ster-Roll® Tape
We’re more than a year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic, and cases continue to rise. With a growing number of scientists saying the coronavirus is here to stay, businesses must find ways to remain open while protecting the health and safety of their team members and customers.
Here at Specialized Tape, we want to do our part. That’s why we recently teamed up with SafeHandles™. SafeHandles is a revolutionary, self-cleaning technology that works 24/7, helping prevent the spread of viruses, germs and bacteria. The technology comes in various forms, but we just added the Ster-Roll® tape to our product lineup.
SafeHandles Ster-Roll tape is:
- EPA approved
- able to clean surfaces constantly
- easy to apply and easy to remove
- recyclable, chemical-free and non-toxic
- capable of lasting for up to six months
What’s more, the tape is antimicrobial, meaning that when it’s applied to a package or another product, it kills germs instantly.
Sounds amazing, right?
Still, you probably have a few questions, so we’ve provided an FAQ:
1.) What are SafeHandles?
SafeHandles are custom-fit heat shrink sleeves, adhesive covers and antimicrobial tapes. They’re manufactured with an EPA-approved slow-release technology made from silver. Over time, SafeHandles products release silver byproducts, eliminating potentially harmful microorganisms like viruses, fungi and bacteria. These materials can be applied to almost any service, including doorknobs, door handles, elevator buttons, railings and banisters.
2.) How long does the antimicrobial protection that SafeHandles provide last?
The antimicrobial protection that products from SafeHandles provide lasts for up to six months. Each SafeHandles material releases silver byproducts, resulting in clean surfaces and touchpoints around the clock. In high-traffic areas, like entryways or exits, you might need to apply SafeHandles more frequently. When you place an order, we can make recommendations that align with your business’s needs.
3.) How do I know it’s time to replace my SafeHandles products?
Each SafeHandles product comes with a built-in Life Span Management System™ that tells you how much usable life remains. Locate the QR code on the bottom of your SafeHandles product and scan it with your smartphone. The SafeHandles web-based app will then let you know if it’s time to upgrade or not. In addition, the SafeHandles app provides product and technical information and can even alert you when it’s time to place a new order.
4.) How do I apply SafeHandles products correctly?
If you’ve never purchased SafeHandles products before, you’re probably wondering if you can install them on your own. The answer is a resounding yes! To make sure the process is hassle-free, the team at SafeHandles provides training, instructions and over-the-phone customer support.
Take your product packaging to the next level and eliminate germs with SafeHandles Ster-Roll tape. Visit our website to place an order today.
What’s better — packing peanuts, kraft paper or bubble wrap?
If you regularly ship packages to clients, it’s important your products arrive safely and in one piece. You might not be able to control who transports or delivers your goods, but you can take preventive measures to keep the materials safe.
Some businesses invest in custom boxes for shipments, but that can be expensive in the long run. Fortunately, there are various cost-effective alternatives in the form of packing fillers. In this blog, we’d like to highlight three of the most common: packing peanuts, kraft paper and bubble wrap.
Packing peanuts. Packing peanuts are made from styrofoam and other padded materials. They prevent items from moving around during transit and offer protection from damage caused by drops or other types of impact.
- Pros: Packing peanuts are one of the most affordable packing materials available. They come in different sizes, too, so it’s relatively easy to protect shipments of all sizes, including those in large boxes. What’s more, packing peanuts are lightweight, allowing for easier transport and lower shipping costs.
- Cons: Packing peanuts are messy and aren’t environmentally friendly, though there are recyclable alternatives now available. In addition, some consumers have a negative association with peanuts and think they’re cheap.
Kraft paper. Brown kraft paper looks very similar to construction or butcher paper. It’s often wadded up and shoved into boxes to fill any additional space. By surrounding a fragile shipment with kraft paper, you can significantly reduce the risk of interior or exterior damage.
- Pros: Kraft paper is incredibly affordable and can be found almost anywhere. It’s also recyclable, so your clients can feel good about doing their part to help the environment.
- Cons: In order for kraft paper to adequately prevent damage, it must be packed with care. Training your employees on the proper technique can be time-consuming and costly, but it’s absolutely worth it. If you’re unsure where to start, watch this video.
Bubble wrap. Bubble wrap is made of plastic and is designed for shipping fragile items. Because the padding consists of air bubbles, it’s relatively cheap and doesn’t cost much to ship.
- Pros: Bubble wrap is sturdy and long-lasting. Plus, it’s recyclable, so you can use it over and over again.
- Cons: Most types of bubble wrap aren’t biodegradable, so using it adds pollution to landfills. In some cases, it’s also difficult to work with, especially if you need to send something that’s oversized.
As you can see, different types of packing materials offer various benefits and downsides. If you have any questions or need help making the right selection, reach out at any time. Visit our website or call (801) 201-1520 today.
A bit of gratitude can go a long way
As the owner of an e-commerce business, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind. One minute you’re updating your website, the next your packing up shipments, and by the time noon rolls around, you’re making your second trip of the day to the post office or UPS store. There’s so much to do, it’s easy to forget one of the most important aspects of running a business –– customer appreciation.
If you don’t operate a brick-and-mortar location, it can be easy to view your clients as numbers on a spreadsheet, but they’re so much more than that. Showing thanks for their support is one of the easiest ways to strengthen your relationship with them. And when you get repeat business, you don’t have to spend as much time and energy tracking down new customers. It’s a win-win.
You know that customer appreciation matters, but how can you incorporate it into your business’s mission? We’ve come up with a few suggestions to help you get started.
1.) Send a handwritten “thank you” note. If you run a small business that creates artisan goods or crafts, this option is your best bet. Crafting a handwritten note requires time and energy. It shows that you appreciate the support, and it’s outside of the ordinary. Every day we’re bombarded with text messages, emails and pop-ups. A handwritten thank you gets you offline and encourages a real-world relationship.
2.) Offer specials or discounts. Do you have customers who return to your business time and time again? Show your thanks for their support by offering special discounts or coupons. You can print some off and include them in your shipments, or you can offer them online, through your company newsletter or on the website itself.
When creating promotions, think about the time of year you plan on launching them. If you want to stand out from the competition, it’s a good idea to make special offers in the months leading up to the holiday season.
3.) Offer education, such as tips, tricks or professional insights. No matter the type of business you own, it’s undoubtedly unique. Keep your customers engaged by offering additional content on your website and social media channels. For example, if you sell handmade lures for fly fishing, you could post videos of the design and creation process. If you’re a clothing designer, you could offer your loyal fans a sneak peek at your latest collection. Ultimately, the goal is to build a community that cares about your business and its mission.
There are just a few of the ways you can show your appreciation to customers as the owner of an e-commmerce business. If you have any other tips or suggestions that didn’t make the list, please visit our LinkedIn page, leave a comment and let us know.
4 important properties to consider when selecting tape
If you’re unfamiliar with the nuances of tape, it’s easy to assume that every adhesive is pretty much the same. There might be slight differences in their appearance and translucency, but at the end of the day, tape is tape … right?
Not exactly. Though all tape is sticky and designed to hold or fasten something together, no two adhesives are exactly alike. There are broad differences between duct tape, Scotch tape, masking tape and PVC tape, and these differences go far beyond visuals. To help you make the right selection for your business’s needs, we’d like to take a closer look at four important properties to consider.
1.) Tape backing substrate. Tape backing substrate refers to the material you plan on applying the tape to. If you own an e-commerce business, you probably tape cardboard or other paper-based materials together to form boxes or other types of packaging. If you’re an electrician or landscaper, you likely work with PVC piping, wires or metal. Obviously, the surfaces of these materials are very different from one another. Therefore, it’s important to use a tape that adheres to them without losing its integrity.
2.) Strength of the adhesive material. Some tapes are much stronger than others. There are tapes designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions like extreme heat, cold or moisture while others are manufactured to hold up in the event of an impact or collision. If you’re only using tape for arts and crafts, a light adhesive is probably fine. If your tape is outdoors, spending time under the Arizona sun, you’ll need something much stronger.
3.) Adhesive thickness. Scotch tape is much thinner than duct tape, while duct tape is much thinner than FiberFix. In most cases, the thicker the tape adhesive, the stronger and more supportive it is. When you use a strong adhesive, you can feel confident knowing it will hold for its intended purpose. What’s more, if you’re using it for an outdoor application, you won’t have to reapply it so frequently.
4.) Elongation at the break. Elongation refers to how far you can stretch a piece of tape before it breaks or tears. Every type of tape comes with an “elongation rating” measured in a percentage. The elongation rating refers to how much stress a particular type of tape can handle once it’s applied.
If after reading this blog, you’re still unsure of the type of tape that’s right for your specific application, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re always happy to answer questions and make recommendations. Call (801) 201-1520 or visit our website and fill out a digital contact form.
4 tips for selecting PVC tape
The majority of our customers own and operate e-commerce businesses, but we also provide tape for electricians, plumbers and landscapers.
One of the most popular adhesives used in outdoor applications is PVC tape. But if you don’t have a background in adhesives manufacturing, there’s a good chance you have questions. After all, there are a variety of PVC tapes on the market, and each one boasts unique capabilities. To help you make the right decision, we’re compiled a list of four things to consider before placing an order.
1.) Dialectic strength. In physics, dialectic strength refers to the “maximum electrical field a material can withstand without experiencing an electrical breakdown or becoming electrically conductive.” High-quality PVC tape is stronger and more flexible than the electrical tape you find at the hardware or grocery store. It’s specifically designed to insulate the electrical current, reducing the risk of an accident or injury. What’s more, PVC tape designed with dialectic strength in mind often lasts years at a time.
2.) Its ability to withstand harsh conditions. Many plumbing and electrical repairs occur outside in the elements. If you aren’t careful to select a strong, resilient tape, it’s only a matter of time before the adhesive wears off and the initial problem recurs. Extremely hot or extremely cold weather prevents the tape from sticking. The high-quality PVC tape we carry is designed to withstand even the harshest conditions. No matter the environment, it won’t curl, peel or crack.
3.) Elasticity. Any PVC tape worth buying is flexible and stretchy — so stretchy that you can pull on it without causing a rip or tear. Enhanced elasticity is particularly important for plumbing applications. The tighter you can wrap a leak or faulty pipe, the less chance there is of flooding or other potential issues later on.
4.) Durability. High-quality PVC tape is unique in that it’s specifically formulated to withstand pressure, wear and damage. Considering it’s used in everything from outdoor lighting set-ups to sprinkler systems, that makes a lot of sense. PVC tape is moisture and chemical resistant, isn’t easily punctured and in most cases is flame retardant. It can handle whatever you throw at it, ensuring your customers remain happy.
If you’re struggling to determine the type of PVC tape that will most benefit you, get in touch. Visit our website and fill out an online contact form or call (801) 201-1520. Once we have a better idea of your business and the applications you use the tape for, we’ll make recommendations that align with your budget and needs.
4 important considerations when purchasing packaging tape
Selecting a high-quality packaging tape might not seem very exciting, but it’s an important component of any successful e-commerce operation. By taking the time to research the various options, you can improve shipping efficiency and keep customers happy.
Many business owners fail to recognize the importance of sturdy, reliable tape until it results in damaged goods or product theft. Instead of waiting for this type of scenario to occur, take preemptive action. It’s a much more effective strategy and will help keep things running smoothly. When buying packaging tape, consider the following:
1.) The warehouse environment. Where do you store products before packaging and sending them out? A temperature-controlled warehouse? A musty basement? The garage of your home? Environmental factors like heat, humidity and even the amount of dust in the air all affect the adhesive properties and durability of packaging tape. If you’re based in a wet area of the country, like the Pacific Northwest, you might need a tape that’s able to withstand moisture. If you’re in the Southwest, where temperatures get above 90 on the regular, select something that’s designed for even the harshest conditions.
2.) The type of packaging you use. What type of boxes do you ship products in? Corrugated cardboard is different than recycled cardboard, and recycled cardboard is different than printed packaging. Different tapes are designed for different applications. The materials your shipping boxes are made of directly affect the packaging tapes’ ability to do their job. If you have questions about the type of tape that will most benefit your operation, call (801) 201-1520 or submit an online inquiry here.
3.) The tape’s grade. The word “grade” refers to a tape’s unique structure, including its thickness, adhesive properties and holding power. Every type of packaging tape has a different grade. Lower-grade tapes are generally more affordable and designed for lightweight applications like crosstown deliveries. Higher-grade tapes are thicker and longer-lasting. They’re designed for cross-country or international shipments.
4.) How the tape is applied. You can apply packaging tape in one of two ways: manually with a tape dispenser or automatically with a case sealing machine. If you operate a large business that sends out hundreds or even thousands of packages each week, you probably use a sealing machine. If you’re a small startup, manual packaging may make more sense. We can help you make the right decision that aligns with your budget and business needs.
If you need help selecting the right type of packaging tape, get in touch. Fill out an online contact form or call us today.
Three reasons you should consider using polypropylene tape
Since its invention more than 60 years ago, polypropylene tape has exploded in popularity. If it’s not already a part of your packaging arsenal, you’re missing out. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the history of polypropylene tape and three of its main benefits.
The history of polypropylene tape
Polypropylene tape was invented by chemists J. Paul Hogan and Robert L. Banks. In the late 1940s, both men joined the team at Phillips Petroleum Company and Plastics. During this time, the global demand for oil and natural gas significantly diminished due to the end of World War II. Since the company’s resources were no longer being used by the military, they decided to investigate uses for propylene and ethylene, two byproducts of the refining process.
In the summer of 1951, Hogan and Banks tried something new. While experimenting with catalysts –– substances that increase the rate of a chemical reaction –– they replaced nickel oxide with chromium oxide. Then, they fed propylene and a propane carrier into a pipe and waited for the chemical reaction to take place. The chromium oxide produced a clear, solid polymer that the scientists dubbed crystalline polypropylene. That same day, Hogan sat down at his desk and filed for a patent.
The benefits of polypropylene tape
Polypropylene tape is America’s most popular packaging tape, and for good reason:
1.) It’s relatively cheap. Compared to other packaging materials like water-activated or strapping tape, polypropylene is incredibly affordable. You can purchase a single roll or buy it in bulk and it’s significantly cheaper than other similar products.
2.) It’s perfect for branding. Polypropylene tape is unique in the way that it absorbs ink. During the manufacturing process, it’s printed with a polymer plate. The polymer plate allows for the recreation of intricate designs that feature lots of detail. If you want to include your brand message, logo or other important information on your packaging, polypropylene is the way to go.
3.) There are many different types. Different types of polypropylene tape offer different levels of thickness. The thicker the tape, the stronger the adhesive qualities. The range of thickness makes it easy to choose a polypropylene tape that’s right for your business. If you regularly ship products that weigh 50 pounds or more, choose a thicker product. For anything lighter, go with a thinner offering.
Where can I buy polypropylene tape?
Now that you know about the history and benefits of polypropylene tape, you’re probably wondering where to buy it. Look no further! At Specialized Tape, we carry a variety of polypropylene tapes sure to meet your needs. To learn more, visit our website or call (801) 201-1520.