The Best Holiday Gift This Past Year

After opening several cheap moving boxes worth of gifts this year for the winter holidays, I came across my favorite gift of them all: an extremely nice industrial grade wok that I’ve been wanting for a long time coming. While I received other things that were absolutely amazing, including a sleeping cot and new recipe books and even a food processor, the wok was absolutely my most coveted item of the holidays. As I stood among the various ripped open cheap moving boxes around my living room floor, I couldn’t help but get giddy with excitement when looking at that beautiful wok.

You see, I don’t think enough people take an interest or even a love in their cooking and the food they eat. Too often, the majority becomes consumed in other things in their life, whether that’s work, family, or watching TV. And so, they dedicate less time to the likes of cooking authentic, home-prepared meals. And thus, their health goes down the drain because of it. That’s probably the saddest part to me, when I come to think about how little people focus on their diet.

And so, I think there needs to be a shift in the way we think about food and the process of cooking if there’s ever going to be a trend towards a healthier nation. Until that happens, our general health will be much worse off than other leading countries around the world. We need to make it a point to love cooking, to love preparing fresh food, and to love what we put into our bodies.

I’m glad I’ve already hit that point in my life, where I can’t wait to cook my next meal or prepare something new for the first time. I feel it’s allowed me to regain my health and have a renewed sense of love for the things I consume. Even better, it’s made me more environmentally conscious, because now I’m looking at things like where something was produced or farmed. And having more conviction in what you do and eat means you have more conviction in your ideals.

And so, this is why I’m obsessed with my new wok and cannot wait to temper it properly and have the inaugural fried rice that will kick off the new year right. Perhaps I’m a little too enthusiastic about a piece of cookware, but hey, I could be obsessed with something much worse, right?

A New Year Means New Festival Lineups

Everytime January rolls around, it’s like I’m waiting for my own personal little holiday to come. The first or second Tuesday in January, to be exact.

So what could possibly feel like a mini holiday of sorts? Well, my absolute favorite hobby at this point in my life is quite an expensive one, if you look at it from the perspective of cost per day. But when you really strip down the value of the overall ticket price, you may give a second thought to what was originally expensive. Haven’t figured it out yet?

My primary hobby (or interest, if you will) is camping. And camping festivals are an extension of that hobby. So, early January means the lineup to my favorite festival drops. And boy let me tell you what. When a festival’s lineup drops, it feels like you were just given one hundred little presents to unwrap and enjoy. Those presents come in the deals for destination hotels you’ve never heard of, and now you can start preparing for the camping adventures.

Despite the fact that I’ve only been to 5 different camping festivals, I have visited two of them multiple times at this point. They’ve pretty much got me coming back every single year no matter what from this point on simply because of the experiences, people, and locations they have to offer. To me, that shows that the festival has become more than just a camping adventure. It’s an atmosphere where others can have peace of mind.

But a few things most people underestimate every single year are the snacks, the gear, and the foods they should be taking along with them to camping festivals. For example, would you ever think to bring a few old cardboard boxes to use as storage, kindling, as a totem, or even as a nice matt/floor for your campsite? Cardboard boxes are absolutely useful for festivals, and I’ve used them many times before. In addition, being prepared is the main way of staying healthy, safe, and happy in the summer sun, which is definitely a formidable thing during festival season. So if you’re planning on attending a festival this year, do your research, pack well (overpacking is better than the opposite), and have fun.

The Numerous Uses For Custom Packaging And Die Cut Boxes

The Custom Packaging

Many businesses use either die cut boxes, custom packaging or cardboard boxes to make certain their products are shipped safely and reach the intended location in excellent condition. These boxes have a reputation for being durable, strong and can be customized to suit the shipping needs of any product. These die cuts and custom packaging boxes can be used for numerous ideas in day to day life including gifting, eating, shopping, storing, whenever something need to be shipped and so much more.

Die Cut Boxes

Die cut boxes are most generally used for sending mail and parcels. This type of box is very durable and requires a cutting die to be used. They are additionally extremely useful for packing a lot of different kinds of things including shoes, clothing, electronics and so much more. These boxes can be manufactured and cut accordingly depending on the dimension and weight of the product.

Die cut boxes are an excellent way to promote nearly every single product. Some use a self locking lid where others do not. Either way a die cut box acts the same way as a protective shield. It is easy to fold these boxes so they can be reused later. They are additionally the best material for packaging and sending a wide variety of mail and parcels. This includes fragile items, crockery, and electronic goods.

There are a lot of places and businesses that can effectively use die cut boxes. It would be correct to state that printed die cut boxes have a nice visual appeal and are effectively and easily capable of getting a specific message to masses of people. An excellent example is a die cut box can be used to encompass all the features and information considered important for any product. Die cut boxes are also perfect for promotional purposes. Businesses can effectively lure new customers by using these boxes. The best thing about die cut boxes is they are easy to open and close and the package will remain intact.

Custom Packaging Boxes

Custom Packing boxes are exceptionally useful for both storing and packaging. Meeting the specific needs of every client is the main goal for packaging manufacturers.

Types Of Packaging Boxes

When it comes to custom packaging boxes one of the most common types is a regular slotted. In this type of box every one of the flaps are the exact same length. These boxes are perfect for shipping little things including show pieces and coffee mugs.

Half Slotted Boxes

A half slotted and regular slotted box are similar. Products will slide into a half slotted box easily because there are only one set of flaps. This type of box is exceptionally useful for packaging much heavier items such as a computer, washing machine or refrigerator.

The Overlapping Lids

An overlapping box has two flaps on top. These flaps create a strong bond because they overlap each other. Both flaps are of the same breadth and length. The companies manufacturing these boxes are committed to the highest possible standards for customer service. These manufacturers additionally offer a wide variety of different types of materials and packaging boxes. The standards for international quality are followed and customers are served efficiently. These products are sold at the leading prices on the market and only high quality is delivered.

The Beauty of Polyurethane Packaging Foam for Extra Cushion

Corrugated boxes are strong, but let’s face it, even the strongest, triple-walled box needs some protection. Even with cartons built within, products need some protection, which is where polyurethane foam comes in.

What is it? well, you may know about this, and you probably don’t realize this. It’s found in mattresses, furniture, shoes, seats for cars, and a whole lot more. Ty’s incredibly versatile, and offers a ton of applications, including as well, protecting boxes and packaging. It’s a super flexible kind of foam, and it’s made via a construction that’s open cell, so it’s softer than a lot of foams. This is something that’s flexible, and is a great way to create egg crate foam, which offers better protection and also is unique and helpful too.

If you’ve got products that are sensitive to shock, lightweight, or small, you’ll want to consider this. In fact, many in the automotive and electronics industry love to use this to package anything fragile. 

How it Works 

This is cool because you’re able to customize it. it’s tailored naturally to the product shape and is built for your own personal needs as well. the foam densities that you wish to use can also be changed as needed. It’s measured by the IFD, which assesses how soft it is by compressing a part of this using an indenter.  The lower this score is, the less firm this type of foam is.

It’s then produced in blocks, so you’ll be able to create any and all dimensions necessary for packaging, and also is used to glue and shape the edges. The foam as well is then molded into casts to fit the needs that you have. The process also has foam which starts off in a liquid form and is then poured within a mold. Both also allow this to secure this product within your packaging, and also is good for surrounding this packaging too. 

So how does this benefit you? Well, let’s talk about the obvious. Let’s say that you’re getting a product that’s moving to new, innovative areas. Getting the right cushioning and foam is the ideal way to do this. Polyurethane is a great material because it’s durable, is able to handle falls and bumps with no problem, and also provides the best defense against the temperature changes and other winter elements that are there.  The great thing about foam too is that you don't have to worry about it tearing or wearing down either. 

Instead, you’re getting a product that’s arriving in the right shape.

It also is a lot more cost effective too. If you think about it, you probably lose a ton of damages and costs from just items getting jarred. Foam packaging is a great way to save this money, minimize your losses, and also offers better trusts. They’ll be able to recognize the effort that’s put in, so that the orders arrive where they need to.

Finally, it’s a green way to help package the items.  They’re actually made mostly out of air, and it’s considered a more eco-friendly foam than other types of foam products that are there. It also helps the world around you by reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses that get emitted too, since you’re lowering this during transport.

Overall, this type of foam is a novel sort of foam packaging type, and it can help you with all of the different packaging that you can get. It’ll change your life, and it’ll change the overall packaging that you have going on as well. 

Why Supply chains are Great for Operations

If you’re someone that  is looking to improve your packaging ideas, especially to meet the demands, there are now major warehouses that are looking to possibly work to help with this. Inventory management that’s vendor managed will help with the costs that are unwanted, space that’s wasted, and any time that’s lost is properly gotten rid of. 

This also lets you grow a lot, especially with your business, since it lets you find a vendor that monitors the inventory within the warehouse for other activities and the production of them. Inventory management is becoming even simpler than before as well, since it lets you replenish everything in an automatic sense, which lets you avoid these mistakes, especially for overstocking the way your warehouse is, and the space that’s wasted, and what’s been damaged. You also don’t have to worry about deliveries being messed up, delayed, or your stock getting ruined as well. 

This speeds up the daily operations for many companies out there. 

The expectations for a VMI Supply chain 

This is vital for making sure that you have a seamless experience with the supplier, communicating those challenges that are ongoing, allowing them to understand whether something is out of stock, any discrepancies with what’s been purchased along with used, and also to meet the demand for a lot of things or if you’re going to look for space within a warehouse. 

That way, you can have a solution that's properly designed for you. The proper way to make sure that you do this, and the discussion that’s at hand, will help save you a ton of frustration, time, and other such things. 

If you’re able to agree to a schedule and plan, you also want to make sure that youhave a minimum and maximum level for this, the sizes of the buffer, and the lead time so that you can keep the inventory at the levels that are necessary. 

Make sure to as well keep in your head that transitioning to the VMI system is going to take some adjustment and time on many sides, but by working with companies that know how to do this will help make this shorter, and smoother too. 

Whether you’re looking to have packaging that’s set to a schedule, or if you’re looking to forecast those capabilities to help with demand, there are packaging suppliers that can set up the expectations to help the VNMI grow. 

Custom Communication Lines 

A good way for you to make sure that youhave a good relationship with the VMI, is to make sure that youhave it all set up, and everyone’s able to keep up and talk to on another. Packaging suppliers that offer this, definitely will get more customers, and a chance to get the production going. 

Clear, concrete levels of communication are the foundation and major part of partnerships.  With this, you’ll get a chance to work with the account manager, communicating any needs for the inventory, and also getting the right implementation of this. 

This also involves the digital implementation of this in order to get a system that actually ensures that shopping is caught up, and you can from there get notifications that also let you know any chance that you may have a lack of inventory. 

You can even set this set up as an online solution, so you don’t need to purchase any other software and hardware, and you’ll be able to create some reports on wht’s going on, in order to keep the process going seamless, and so that the VMI can help you with improving your packaging experience too.

Vintage Packaging Styles

One type of packaging style that’s coming back, not just in the fashion world but other areas, is vintage. Anything with vintage or retro inspirations is something that’s definitely building nostalgia, and also offers more and more popularity. These types of packaging designs are being used for everything from tubes of toothpaste to even different chocolates. This is something that a lot of people throw back to, as this is something that does help sell products better. Some people have benefited from it, but let’s take a look at a few of the popular vintage packaging styles that are still seen today. 

How Vintage Works 

The thing with vintage packaging, is it’s been around for a long time. a lot of companies still stick with more retro designs to showcase being old school. 

For example, some companies like P&O actually still keep a design that was used for their old soups in 1879.  It has a very classic blue and white color, and the combo is both very vintage, and very cool. 

Vintage is one that a lot of companies try to get right, but many times, they miss the mark on this. Here are a few things to consider when trying to put together this type of packaging. 

Font Focus 

If you’re interested in this kind of packaging, you want a good font.  Calligraphy was something that was super popular in the 90s, and a lot of the retro designs utilized that. This was something that did start to fall into the need for less uniformity, and it’s actually something that’s still required in a lot of types of ventures. 

Calligraphy, or unique fonts, are those that’ll make a brand packaging stand out. Plus, with more and more people taking a modern swing on their packaging, this is a great way to preserve that. 

Color Combos 

Color combos are something that make the packaging not only unique, but it’s better for the customers who want to remember the brand that you have. 

Bright along with bold colors and the neon colors that we see a lot today weren’t the ones that were preferred back in the day. 

Somber coloring used to work, and it was the preferred way for a lot of brands that did things. 

It’s something to consider, because you may want to make sure that the packaging stands out, but understand  you don’t have to use the brightest green in the world to make a point. A nice, deep red and blue will always get a nice reaction out of people, so it’s worth looking at. 

Packaging that’s Text Heavy 

While a lot of people may not like this one, some companies would use all of the free space that they can to advertise different products, letting the customers know about what they are, and their brand.  

Slogans, various ingredient information, and even manufacturing information including when you started also went on this. 

If you do use this, remember to be mindful of the kind of information you’re putting on there. 

Go for Colorful and Fun Imagery 

If you’re worried about the overuse of text, you can always add fun comics and images to make this really shine and stand out. This is a great way to get customer attention, as this is something that can be really good for that sort of thing.

Whatever the case might be, whatever it is that you might do, you want to consider these things when building a vintage packaging product and try to keep it within this as best as you can. 

How to Make a DIY Air conditioner out of Cardboard

With summer in full swing, the heat is definitely not fun. This can cause a higher bill, and definitely a struggle with managing the ducts. How does one keep cool during the summer? With boxes made out of cardboard. 

Do they Work? 

If you want to create an AC unit out of a box of cardboard, it can work. While it won’t work the same way as a normal air conditioner, it’s a good way to stimulate cooling in tinier areas. 

How to make this 

Are you ready to cool down with this crafty project? Here are a few directions to get a cardboard air conditioner put together. 

First, you need the following materials: 

• A piece of cardboard that’s sturdy 

• Measuring tape and a ruler 

• Knife or scissors 

• Marker or pencil 

• A fan that’s small 

• Ice or a frozen water bottle 

• Duct tape or some adhesive that’s strong 

The first thing is you need to measure the dimensions of the fan, marking them on cardboard.  Using the measuring tape or the ruler, create and draw two different parallel lines a couple of inches apart. These are the slots that the fan will fit into, so keep that in mind. 

Next, you want to cut the cardboard, using scissors or a utility knife.  You’ll do this along the dimensions measured.  Then, you cut along the lines that are marked, in order to make the fan slot. 

Next, you want to then measure the height, along with the width of the slot of the fan, marking those measurements directly on the cardboard. 

Draw out two different rectangles, as these will be the sides of the unit. Make them a little taller than the slot of the fan to offer a more maximized airflow. After that, add another rectangle to the unit in the back, cutting out the side along with the back pieces directly in the cardboard. 

Then, you want to put all of this together, starting with the DIY air conditioner. 

Attach the pieces on the side using some duct tape, or an adhesive that’s strong, so that they’re aligned correctly. From there, attach the back part of the sides along with the base, using an adhesive ant tape, creating a three-sided type of structure. 

You then want to put the fan in, carefully adding this into the slot near the front of your unit.  Make sure that this fits in a secure manner and that there’s no wobbling.  Use extra tape or cardboard in order to properly stabilize this fan, preventing this from moving. 

Once this is done, you want to prepare the cooling mechanism.  Take a container of ice, or frozen water bottles and put it behind the fan. Don't let the ice come into contact directly with the fan, so it won’t damage them. 

Once this is done, you want to turn on the fan, and turn on the adjusted speed and the setting that’s there. 

The fan will from there blow against the ice or the cold water bottles.  This creates a natural cooling effect that happens as circulation within the unit. 

This is a simple and very temporary measure. If your AC is out, then you’ll want to make sure that you get the proper repairs done on this.  It's a good solution that can be used temporarily, but it won’t be a replacement for air conditioning. 

Also, be careful when you use these and don’t leave the unit unattended, in order to ensure proper safety.