Transitioning to Dorm Life

 

College is an exciting time, and for freshmen, this move can be exciting, but also quite overwhelming. While it’s a whole new chapter, you might wonder the best way to get into the transition. To start off correctly, here’s some good tips for college freshmen to try, especially when they’re looking to properly succeed with this transition. 

The Move itself 

The move from your home you’ve lived in all your life to a dorm is definitely overwhelming. You do want to pack what you need, especially since space is limited, and you’re going to share it with a roommate, so you want to make sure that you don’t try to bring the whole bedroom, but think of this more like a new start, and use this to decorate the room in a way that’s fun, and really showcases your personality. 

You should also check with your college through to figure out what’s fine and what’s not fine to bring to a college campus. For example, appliances to cook, heaters, or items that require exact installation are usually not okay, but always check before you do move. The best thing to do in this case is go to the basics, stick to this, and don’t just try to bring everything out of house and home for school. 

Using the space aptly 

Dorms are small, and they usually fit at most, three people. It’s likely that you’ll probably have at least one roommate in college, so make sure you’re using the space effectively. Arrange your furniture so that it fits your needs. Work with the roommate to rearrange the room. This is also a good way to get to know them better so it’s not super awkward. 

Bed raisers and lofting is a good way to help make sure that the bed is comfy for both of you. Some colleges do have bed frames that are adjustable, but not every school has those. Lofting also offers for storing toes better, reduces the floor space, and let you organize better, lowering the messes and limiting this to offer a more friendly and welcoming place. Consider getting those stackable drawers to help keep a small space properly organized for a long time. 

The rules 

Every single dorm will have some kind of rules. When you move, you should learn this, and also know who the resident assistant, or RA is, or the student leader is. They will usually call what’s called a floor meeting to talk about the rules, including when guests can sign in, the quiet hours, and also etiquette in the halls. 

Some dorms may not allow drinking, which can result in expulsion from housing. The same is for drug use. Guest policies vary on colleges but are usually set based on certain hours where residents can have guests around, the guests that are allowed, and any other qualifications necessary. 

The roommates 

Some people may have a roommate. This is usually good to help socialize, but many of them do become friends for the rest of their life. This is something that’s important to make sure that you get right, since this is someone you’re going to be living with. 

If mismatched, let them know right away, and see if there are solutions.  Sometimes, you may need a different roommate if the disagreements get to be too much. The best way to go about this is to treat them how you’d like to be treated, don’t touch stuff that’s not yours, and obviously, don’t bother them if they’re studying, and you’ll have a good experience even if mismatched.

Dealing with the storage nowadays

The year has been a wild one for the majority of Americans.  The  pandemic has changed the way we work, live, shop and so much more.  In my own personal life I have been at home for far longer than I ever imagined.  It has been fantastic, complicated, and sad at times.

The unexpected consequences of this has led to many things that are a bit annoying.  I have found that since I have been shopping online a lot that my doorstep is always full.  This normally would be an exciting moment, but now it has become a normal occurance and what this really means is that I have ended up with a ton of excess trash.  This is really sad because I have not been able to actually get rid of it at the pace that it is coming in.  So I finally found a solution and I want to go through that with you.

 

First I think it is important to let you know I feel like we should be kind to our surroundings. I am not a big fan of waste and if I end up using 4 trashbags of waste each week I would like to be able to lower that going into the ground.  I would much rather have that trash be reused if possible so less trees have to be used and less products have to be made if they don't have too.   I think reusing and keeping our planet as healthy as possible is simply a good thing to do.  It is truly a small addition but millions of small healthy things can lead to a big help.  So when it comes to the cheap moving boxes stacked up in my garage from all the shipping I want to have them be reused if I can help it. 

 

To be able to do this though I have to get these boxes into a large trash can.  Since we are not allowed to recycle legally in my area by driving to do a recycle station, due to it not being an emergency I must find a legal way to keep up with my own goals.  So the process began by me simply breaking apart the boxes by hand and trying to stuff them in the trashcan.  Well lets face it originally I simply threw them in and only got a few trashed a week.  But the amount of cardboard boxes simply piled up.  Now my garage is literally getting stacked to the ceiling with cheap moving boxes.  So now the game is on.

 

My new process for taking care of this problem is to not simply break them down by hand but to cut them down into the shape of the trashcan on the inside. I started this with a pair of scissors but my hands only got through a few boxes before I got a blister.  This was a good way to do it for a couple boxes, but not a long term solution.  So I went and picked up my dads old hunting knife.  It was rather sharp and I started to safely cut the boxes with a fixed blade knife.  First I put on gloves and also boots just in case.  I wanted to be safe so I only cut away from my body, but got pretty good at it. I was able to break down the boxes pretty quick and cut them to the right size.  I was able to get 7 big boxes broken down and in the trash can with little problem.  Also, I was able to get many small boxes in the gaps.  So give this a try and I hope it works for you!

Thermo Adaptive Packaging that Reacts to Temperature Changes

Thermo-adaptive packaging is becoming very popular in certain areas. This is packaging with materials that will expand, contract, or even change opacity and transparency with the heat or cold. This means that, when the package goes to a place where it might need to be protected, this packaging works wonders to help with this. 

Shipping Temperature-Sensitive Goods 

One of the main areas where thermo-adaptive packaging thrives is using it with temperature-sensitive goods. Medications are a big one, especially those that can potentially go to waste if they get too hot.

Another one is cosmetics.   Too hot, and the materials melt. In some cases, especially with more natural ingredients, they may need to also be kept away from extreme cold so they don’t freeze either. 

High-quality gourmet foods also need to be protected, especially if you’re a supplier of fresh, hot food and that’s your selling point. 

Temperature sensitivity is important, and if your industry needs it, then it’s a good thing to use. 

Smart Indicators or Reactive Materials 

The thing with thermo-adaptive packaging is that you have two options—either adaptive materials that react when there’s a change, or a smart indicator that will change if the item gets too hot.

Thermochromic inks is an example of the reactive packaging that some use. This can offer an ink that will be protective.

Another big one is gel linings, which cool the item and change phase if they get too warm.

Smart indicators, such as a smart temperature control that knows when it gets too hot or beyond a threshold, is important. It is imperative that these thermo-adaptive packaging supplies are maintained, and will aptly react, however it might be.

Being Sustainable, is it Possible? 

This is a question a lot of companies that jump on thermo-adaptive packaging ask themselves. Is it possible to push for sustainability with this? 

The answer is yes. 

Compostable cooling inserts that will bread down when you are done is important.   Being able to make it so that your packaging is protected and also easy to toss is a big part of this.

Some have also used reusable wraps, where, once they’re done, the item is then reused again and again. 

Some of these gel inserts are also made with bioplastics, a sustainable and biodegradable plastic that will help with protecting the items even better.

Finally, it also may hold some recyclable elements too. Some of these ice packs that might be used to help cool can be used again and again, improving the overall experience.

So yes, there is some sustainability to this, you just need to look a little deeper, and consider some of the alternative designs. 

Who Has Used This 

We see this with a lot of medical companies. various medications, especially those for serious diseases and cancer, need to be in a temperature-controlled environment.   If it doesn’t get to the doctors fast enough, it causes problems.

Some companies, especially hot food joints that ship out their items to consumers, use this. Hello Fresh is a good example. They ship out their items to customers with some reactive temperature-controlled packaging, along with typical ice packs, in order to keep everything nice and cool.

Overall, thermo-adaptive packaging does have its benefits. Though it might not be as common compared to other types of packaging, it is out there. more and more companies are using this type of option, because with thermo-adaptive packaging, you’re able to build a packaging that’s not only useful for the here and now, but for the future of your packaging scope as well.

All About Poly Bags

Do you work in packaging clothing, magazines, or maybe sensitive documents or a group of papers? 

If that’s the case, you might want to look into polybags. 

A polybag is a great way for you to protect things that need extra protection, and they don’t’ cost a ton of money. Here, we’ll go over what polybags are, and if they’re right for you. 

What’s a Polybag 

A polybag is a clear plastic bag that’s made to package and ship different products. They’re made out of polyethylene, which is one of the most common plastic variants available. 

This is about 1-6 mm in terms of thickness, with the thinner option being used if you don’t need extra protection.  The bags are made with specific plastics, which offer a packaging that is versatile, and simple for companies to use. 

Polybags are popular, simply because of the shape being slim, the textures being smooth, and of course a reflective surface. They also offer a lot of flexibility due to the different options. 

What can I use Polybags For? 

Ideally, they’re used for clothing, documents and mail, magazines and books, even pillows. However, many common types of products can be put in a polybag. They’ve since replace corrugated boxes simply because of how simple they are to use. 

Where did they Come From? 

They’ve been the slow replacement to boxes, simply because they involve less material, are far less costly on shipping, and less harmful to the planet. Like other kinds of packaging that’s flexible, they have a lower form of a carbon footprint than corrugated boxes do, and other more rigid forms of packaging. 

Polybags are preferred these days over the more traditional form of packaging, simply because they offer a lot of benefits. They also save companies a ton of money on both the products themselves, along with packaging waste for consumers to get rid of when they’re done unboxing items. 

Any Equipment Needed? 

For smaller companies, you can try the zip-lock polybags. You will have to add the seal manually however., for larger applications, you want to make sure you use the heat-sealable kinds. 

For ones which require heat sealing, you will need a bag sealer. 

This is different from other kinds of sealers such as a lap or side sealers, since this will seal it directly into the polybag by using heating to seal the sides of this. 

The sealers will hermetically seal this, and with this kind of application, the volume of your products will of course tell you the size, type, and even model of the bag. 

You can also do a vacuum seal on this too, in order to conserve space or take air out of the packaging. They can be used to help protect the product. 

Polybags are good if you’re looking to reduce your packaging costs, especially if you’re going broke using corrugated boxes. 

However, if you need something stronger, you might want to keep using your boxes, simply because polybags are ideal for less breakable items. But if you can lower your carbon footprint, and want to create a more transparent packaging for your products while also not caring about plastic, this is a great option. 

Polybags are also good for those who struggle with trying to package a lot of items at once. They do come in much more flexible sizing, so if you need that freedom, polybags are good for you. 

They’re a great packaging material, and for clothes and small items, this is a great way to package it and a good way to reduce consumption of energy. 

Light Activated Packaging Security Seals

Do you want to give your packaging another layer of security? Well, now you can with light-activated security seals. This type of packaging responds directly to unauthorized exposure, which means that when there is certain light and other stimuli, or tampering happens, the seals are activated. 

These security seals offer a unique way to protect all of your items, and should be considered if you want to have better packaging experiences. 

The technology 

With light-activated security seals, you use different technologies that will react whenever a light is shone upon it. 

UV sensitive inks are one example. These inks are pretty sensitive, so when a UV light is exposed, it reacts accordingly. 

Another example is infrared responsive coatings where infrared light will respond to different coatings and items. 

There are also color-changing security strips, which means that when the security of the items is maintained or compromised, a color changes, improving the packaging security. This also uses unique colors, indicative of the different types of packaging security that must be used. 

All of this comes together to properly protect your items. 

The applications 

With this type of technology, you use it with different sensitive items. One example is medicines and pharmaceuticals. These require another layer of security, and layered protection that will in turn make things better for you.   Your medicine needs that layer of protection, and with light-activated seals. It happens. 

Luxury goods are another. A lot of luxury items will benefit from this.    When you have these light-sensitive means of protection in place, it also protects such items as well from the growing layers of security which are needed. 

Finally, confidential documents. For sensitive documents, having light-activated seals is a necessity. If unauthorized exposure happens, then it will be further protected.   Again, these are used for high-level items, in order to add that extra necessary security layer. 

Thee benefits 

With light-activated seals, it prevents counterfeiting, which is where someone makes duplicates of items. Again, with this protection in place, it prevents it from happening, and means better trust and sales. 

It also provides visual evidence of tampering, which can be used as a means of proof of someone invading the packaging.  With visual evidence, it can be used for claims or more support. 

Finally, it boosts the product authenticity of the item, making it legitimate and really useful. With product authenticity, you’ll be able to prove that it’s yours, and gives higher levels of trust and security to your items. 

The future of these items 

Light-activated seals are starting to sweep the market, especially for those companies that need to have some extra protection from tampering and negligence. 

However, some companies have started to use AI driven security seals. That’s right, an AI can be used and activated in real time whenever a security breach happens, alerting the tracking systems of problems. These alerts tell the company right away what’s going on, and offer all sorts of responses to these matters. 

While still a ways away, there is the possibility of a security seal controlled by an AI, which uses light to activate the security AI might be possible. Again, this is still a ways away, but it does offer next level protection you might not get otherwise. 

Light-activated security seals are great for unauthorized exposure, offering you a chance to lay down more security of these items. By doing so, you’ll be able to have a safer, more secure packaging experience, building trust not only between you and the customers, but also amongst other brands as well with your innovative solutions.

The Importance of Custom Poly Mailers in Retail Marketing

Packaging isn’t just choosing a nice product and securing it, it’s also the branding and image. All while as well, balancing out the cost-effectiveness and the durability of the product.

Custom made types of poly mailers offer a whole bunch of benefits, including being resealable in a lot of cases, while also being secure and stylish. Custom packaging and its solutions do empower the brands to enhance the experience that customers will have from the initial touchpoint.

When you work with us, we do focus on creating some custom made mailers that blend the functionality with more impactful types of branding, creating unforgettable unboxing experiences. 

Custom poly mailers are a great choice for a business that’s looking to reflect on the brand values that are there based on the customer interaction. Poly mailer bags offer more durable, lightweight shipping options, and are also a great canvas for the customized branding you need. Transforming the shipments into personalized branding encounters allows you to fit the needs of a customer, and with mailer bags you get that enhanced recognition with the product safety at its focus. 

We have some cool customized poly bags with logos, and a lot of companies love our packaging, as it does resonate with the customer values, and all of this is done while also ensuring that there is aesthetic elegance and practicality in the shipments too. 

Why Custom Poly Mailers are Needed 

With a lot of innovative types of packaging solutions coming out, brands need to look at the practicality of this. custom poly mailers are becoming a more pivotal part of this. it also blends durability, being cost-effective, and enhancing the brand, all of which are winning factors in our market today.

A lot of manufacturers are also scaling up these poly mailer production, with bubble and padded types of options, along with the flat ones. This drive also offers some other unique features, such as tamper evident, and puncture and tear-proof types of options, which are complemented further with some dual adhesives for using it for other means again, which is what brings this industry and its commitment towards innovation to the helm. Yes, all of these enhancements have worked to help with growing the shipping community, and really help with the market in many ways.

Poly Mailers in Retail 

Poly mailers are also some of the best in retail, because they offer a natural competitive edge as they tend to be lighter, and far more manageable when compared to normal options for packaging. They also do reduce the costs of shipping, but also naturally protect the contents from moisture and the elements, so they get to arrive in top condition. 

This is all vital to elevating the branding and marketing position to levels that make customers really satisfied. 

It also helps with customer behavior, and with more ecommerce activity at the helm, it provides lasting impressions to customers. Custom poly mailers aren’t just good for protecting, but they’re also like a billboard, allowing you to turn all of the packaging that you have into mobile advertisements. It also enhances the customer recall that’s there, so they remember you.

And not only that, but they’re also some of the most cost effective shipping because of how cheap they are. They’re lightweight, compact, and have minimal postage and storage. This space saving activity will save your business, and help you grow. 

If you haven’t used them yet, use custom poly mailers for your business, in order to enhance everything and really wow the customers you have with your unique business opportunities.

How to choose a box

It turns out that this would be a year that I would spend learning new things.  The pandemic left our entire economy in a panic and many companies ended up working on a lot of ecommerce areas instead of the normal selling style of brick and mortar.  It has been a whirl wind of scared businessman not knowing what to do and I can only imagine what it would feel like to have to pivot from a 100% brick and mortar to e commerce overnight. Luckily, my company was already online and we simply ramped up our shipping production.  This did leave us in a bit of a hard spot, because there were lots of items that we did not originally sell online because of their size and weight.  It turns out that the costs of shipping those items greatly makes people not want to purchase them. We also found out that after shipping a few of them that our normal system was simply not going to work. So I want to take you through how we chose the boxes we did to ship out heavy items.

 

First we had to do some research.  In all honesty I didn't think that there was a difference in cardboard boxes and regular cheap moving boxes but I was wrong.  There is actually multiple types of boxes out there and what we actually think of as a cardboard box is actually a corrugated box.  This distinction was really a big deal in the packaging world and it looks like most companies that do this type of work for a living have different ratings systems and versions of corrugated boxes.  Cardboard is actually more like a cereal box which is flimsy and thin.  That is how it was explained to me.  So that was a different search altogether.  Once we found this out we were able to located corrugated box makers which were usually packaging supply companies.

 

Now to be honest the more we learned the more we realized that we needed a professional to simply let us know what weight of box we would need.  I couldn't belive the details in the system and I simply decided to call up a packaging supply store online and ask some questions. I am not sure why I didn't do this sooner but they had all the answers and more for us.  They literally do this for billion dollar big box stores so we decided to trust them and they were right.  We found the right type of boxes for our super heavy duty products.  They ended up giving us a deal on the boxes that would hold our items due to the fact we needed so many.

 

It turns out that putting all of our packaging supplies items together on the same order and getting a discount made up for the broken items we shipped out with cheap moving boxes.  So it was a lesson learned and we also have a way to make good margins while still shipping out these boxes safely.  That really is what it comes down to and in the end it was a fantastic move for us. It is also currently a competitive advantage against our competitors. It is one that we don't intent to let the know about anytime soon, but I am guessing they will figure it out eventually.