Packing CartonsLittle Things can Make a Big Difference

Expanded Presentation February 21, 2011

By Philip Vantassel, C.P.M.Printer1@Charter.net

Questions?

• Who has received packages?• Who has received broken items?

Why Broken Items?

• Air – the shippers enemy• How items are packed• The material used to pack

How to Calculate Carton Size

• Size of item being shipped– 8.5x11”

• Maximum weight of carton– Client specification– Standard is 40 pounds in printing

Width and Height

• Add .125” on all sides– Allows items not to get caught up in carton– Allows for variation in manufacturing

• Add additional space is needed when there are multiple items across the carton

• Size of item to be packed 8.5x11”– 11.25 x 8.75” inside carton

Calculate Carton Dimensions

• Length x Width x Height

Height – 12.25”

Width - 8.75”

Length - 11.25”

Depth

• How are the items packaged?– Shrink-wrapped in 250’s or 500’s– Kraft wrapped in 250’s– Loose

• Thickness of Item or Package?• Weight of item or Package?

Calculate Carton Depth

• Shrink wrap packages are 2” in Height• Weight is 6# per package

• 40#/6=6 packages• 6 packages x 2” = 12” + .25 • Carton weight = 1#

Protect Product

• Chipboard placed top and bottom• Chipboard protects bottom sheets from being

wrinkled/creased from carton flaps. The chip board allows for smooth transition so bottom sheets do not need to be thrown out

• The chipboard on the top protects the product from the knife so the blade doesn’t slice the top sheets when opening the carton

Sealing with Clear Tape

• Managers choice• Saves time

– Semi-automated machines

• Saves money

• Brown/White reinforced tape

Weakness of Clear tape• Clear tape is the weakest point of carton• To improve – use reinforced paper tape

Paper

Clear

Carton Reinforced Tape

• Carton will break before tape will give

Unstable Skid or Pallet

• Cartons are more likely to move on a skid when they are stacked in straight lines.

• Increased possibility of damage from cartons shifting or falling during transport

Pack a Skid or Pallet

• Brick wall• Interlocking

Labeling

• Position• Information on the label • Color

Label Position

• How is the carton going to be stacked?• Place on end that will be facing out• See where the customer prefers

Label Information

• Purchase Order number• Form number• Title of the form• Quantity• Language • Carton number to total number of cartons

Label Color

• Use color labels to differentiate between versions of the same form

• For example: White – English Yellow - French

Carton Strength

Carton Material

• Stamp with carton specifications• Size• SKU

Low Profile Cartons

• Increased surface to interlock on skid• Ability to go through shrink tunnel for

international shipping specification

Carton Shrink Machine

• Shanklin Form-Flow Wrapper with Heat Shrink Wrapper - Model F3. –

• Package size 4"W 1/8"H x 6"L minimum to 15"W x 6"H x 48"L.

No Stack Cones•Use Multi Language if shipping over seas