Category Archive: Materials

Everything You Need to Know About Water-Activated Tape

Water-activated tape can be a simple, affordable alternative to traditional packaging tape. Here’s everything you need to know about the material:

Water-Activated Tape: What Is It?

Water-activated tape (WAT) is a form of packaging tape that contains synthetic fibers woven through it. As a result, it is much stronger than other forms of tape, and it can be reinforced with additional layers of paper and fibers. Like other forms of packing tape, though, WAT is printable, which means companies can affix their logo to their packages and properly showcase their brands.

How Does Water-Activated Tape Work?

WAT has a chemical adhesive on one side that activates when water is applied, allowing the tape to adhere to another surface. 

To use WAT, you can simply wet it using a sponge, then cut it to fit, or you can use a WAT dispenser, which wets and cuts the tape to allow packers to apply the tape more efficiently.

Removing the tape is easy, as well, though once withdrawn, it cannot be reapplied. Be that as it may, that aspect actually makes it easier to identify when packages have been tampered with, offering companies and customers an added layer of security.

Advantages of Water-Activated Tape

WAT offers numerous advantages, such as:

• A stronger bond than traditional packaging tape
• An environmentally-friendly, recyclable packing solution
• Visible tamper protection against theft and damage
• Customizable options so companies can showcase their brands

In addition, since the tape offers a strong, durable bond, companies can use less of it to send their packages, thereby lowering their operating costs as well as the amount of waste they produce.

Get a Quote or Sample

Holland Manufacturing offers several varieties of WAT, including some that can be customized with your unique brand. To request a quote or sample, contact Holland Manufacturing today, either through our website or by calling 1-800-345-0492.

A Guide to High-Quality Converted Paper

Paper conversion is the process of transforming raw paper materials into finished, usable products. Paper-converting processes can be used to create consumables like paper towels or notebook paper. Converting is also responsible for creating industrial packaging papers and wraps.

Paper Converting Stages

The number of stages involved in the paper-converting process will vary depending on the product being created and the raw materials the manufacturer uses.

For instance, if a manufacturer is creating small rolls of paper from a larger roll, conversion involves only a single step. Conversely, if a manufacturer starts with a raw product like paper pulp, the process will involve numerous stages.

Some of the potential steps of a converting process include:

• Collecting raw fibers
• Turning the fibers into pulp
• Straining, bleaching, and flattening pulp into a roll of paper
• Cutting the large roll into manageable segments
• Shaping each small roll into specific sizes and shapes
• Treating or otherwise altering the paper to create a finished product

The purity of the raw materials and the sophistication of the machines employed during the converting process will significantly impact overall paper quality. The type of adhesives used will also influence paper quality and performance.

With that in mind, it’s critical that you partner with a reputable manufacturer when sourcing packaging paper and other industrial-use paper products. Choosing the right manufacturing partner will ensure that you receive top-quality paper products that reflect positively on your business.

When Quality Matters, Call Holland Manufacturing

Holland Manufacturing’s line of industrial packaging paper and wraps is manufactured using the latest paper-converting methods and modern equipment. Our processes yield superior paper products that can meet the needs of any business.

To obtain a quote or order a sample of our products, contact Holland Manufacturing today. You can reach us online or call our team directly at (800) 345-0492.

The Complete Guide to Our Custom-Printed Tape

If you have been searching for an easy but effective way to elevate the customer experience and make your packaging stand out from normal, bland, plain boxes, consider ditching the off-the-rack adhesives for custom-printed tape from Holland Manufacturing. 

Custom-printed tape is just what it sounds like. Whereas ordinary packaging tape has a solid tan or gray color, our custom-printed tapes can incorporate multiple color patterns. We can even print your company logo and color pattern onto the rolls as well. As an added bonus, our tapes are paper-based, which means that they are more environmentally friendly than the typical plastic alternatives.

Making the switch from traditional packing tape to custom-printed tape can be excellent for your brand and image. Your customers will receive eye-catching packages that showcase your logo and company’s color scheme, enhancing their overall buying experience. 

Now that you know all the perks of using our custom-printed tape, let’s shift our focus to how you can order yours. 

Order Custom-Printed Tape in Three Easy Steps

Ordering custom-printed tape is much easier than you might expect. Here’s how it works:

First, you’ll describe your intended application for the tape. We will need to know the following:

• The weight of the heaviest boxes you will be closing
• Whether your packages will be bound for parcel shipping
• The number of rolls you need to purchase
• The color of tape you would prefer

From there, we will recommend a tape grade that aligns with the demands of your use case, and you’ll simply upload your artwork using our intuitive self-service portal. Finally, by providing us with some basic contact information, one of our team members will reach out to you with a custom quote. 

If you’re ready to make the switch to custom-printed tape, reach out to Holland Manufacturing. You can obtain your quote online or contact us directly by calling (800) 345-0492.

What Is Water Activated Tape?

Water-activated tape (WAT) is a paper-based tape. The adhesive is dry to the touch until it is activated by water. Once water contacts the adhesive, it becomes tacky and can easily adhere to cardboard boxes. The sole use for WAT is to secure corrugated cardboard boxes. 

There are several variations of water-activated tape, including non-reinforced and reinforced options. The non-reinforced option features a water-activated adhesive and a paper backing. The more robust form of WAT includes polyester or fiberglass reinforcement that is placed between two sheets of paper to provide added strength. 

Non-reinforced water-activated tape is suitable for lightweight packages and boxes. Reinforced WAT can be used on heavier parcels. There are a number of benefits to using either type of WAT.

Benefits of Water-Activated Tape

Water-activated tape is a go-to adhesive solution in the e-commerce space. Here’s why:

WAT Is Sustainable

As an increasingly large number of brands and consumers become more environmentally conscious, there has been a major push to limit plastic usage — WAT is paper-based, making it a sustainable alternative to plastic-based products.

It Is Secure 

Water-activated tape’s adhesive actually seeps into the fibers of corrugated boxes, creating a tamper-proof seal that keeps packages secure.

Water Activated Tape Can Be Branded 

As an added benefit, water-activated tape can be branded, making it a useful marketing tool that can enhance the customer’s experience.

Together, water-activated tape, corrugated boxes, and paper packing materials provide a secure and environmentally friendly way of shipping goods to your customers. 

Order Your Water Activated Tape Today

As you can see, there are plenty of advantages associated with using water-activated tape. That is why it is so popular in the e-commerce space. 

If you are looking to replace your traditional tape with a water-activated alternative, Holland Manufacturing can help. Visit us online or call (800) 345-0492 to request your free quote or order a sample from Holland Manufacturing today.

Choosing the Right Converted Paper

Broadly speaking, paper converting is the process of transforming raw paper material into a finished product. While the concept of paper converting may sound simple, it is anything but. Manufacturers can use numerous processes, tools, and techniques to convert your paper products into finished goods. 

The methods you select will have a direct impact on paper performance and manufacturing cost. Choosing an overly complex method that goes above and beyond the scope of your intended application will push costs to unnecessary thresholds. Conversely, opting for a cheaper but ill-suited method will lead to product failure. 

For instance, let’s say that you need packaging material to protect fragile products during shipping. If your manufacturer uses the wrong process, your paper may be too thin, which will result in an increase in product damage claims. Therefore, it is essential that you select the right converted paper for your project.

A Guide to Choosing Converted Paper

Although paper converting processes can be intricate, choosing the appropriate converted product for your needs is quite easy. All you need to do is find a reputable, experienced paper-converting partner. That’s really all there is to it.

So what exactly does a reputable manufacturing and converting partner look like? When you’re considering potential partners, make sure that they provide the following:

• Transparent pricing
• Converting services tailored to your needs
• A wide range of specialties
• Exceptional customer service
• Complimentary services (i.e., coating, printing, and laminating)

Would you like a manufacturing and converting provider that offers all of that and more? Contact Holland Manufacturing. Our company offers comprehensive converting services, including:

• Rewind slitting
• Precision die cutting
• Sheeting
• Box closure
• Custom packaging 

To learn more about our converting capabilities, connect with a Holland Manufacturing team member by calling (800) 345-0492 or requesting a quote online.

Is Breathable Underlayment Better?

For decades, felt paper has been the go-to solution for residential roofing underlayment. Throughout the last several years, most roofing companies have transitioned away from felt paper in favor of synthetic roofing underlayment, which is lighter, more durable, and easier to install.

However, yet another underlayment option has begun gaining traction among roofers as of late: breathable underlayment.

What exactly is “breathable underlayment,” and more importantly, is it better than synthetic options? Here’s everything you need to know about breathable underlayment.

What Is Breathable Underlayment?

A breathable underlayment is a specific type of underlayment material that offers a moderate to a high amount of permeability. In other words, it allows water to pass through the material, which can help prevent rot and increase roof longevity. 

Breathability is an underlayment attribute assessed using the ASTM E96 standard. Under this standard, the underlayment’s permeability is rated on a scale ranging from less than 0.1 to 10 or higher. The scale is as follows:

• Class 1: Less than 0.1 permeability 
• Class 2: 0.1 to 1 permeability
• Class 3: 1 to 10 permeability 

A material with a permeability rating above 10 isn’t classified as a vapor barrier under ASTM standards.

Generally speaking, a breathable underlayment will fall within the upper end of the Class 3 permeability range. For instance, an underlayment with a permeability rating of 9.0 would be considered breathable but would still meet ASTM’s criteria for a vapor barrier.

Synthetic underlayment remains a great option for both roofing and flooring applications. However, breathable underlayment might be the better choice in certain cases, such as when installing roofs in warm, humid environments.

Contact Holland Manufacturing to learn more about the benefits of both breathable and synthetic underlayment. We provide both types of underlayment and can assist with all of your vapor barrier needs.

Connect with our team by reaching out to us online or calling us at (800) 345-0492.

Reasons Why Banding Is the Standard for Sustainable Food Packaging

In the sustainable food packaging space, “banding” is just what it sounds like: the practice of wrapping a band around a product’s packaging or, in many cases, the product itself. 

The industrial packaging technique has quickly become popular among food and beverage manufacturers. Many factors have made banding the go-to approach for sustainable food packaging.

Banding Reduces Total Material Usage

The most obvious advantage of banding is that it reduces total material usage.

Instead of wrapping an entire bundle of carrots, broccoli, asparagus, bananas, or other produce, manufacturers can simply group these products with a single adhesive band.

Since bands can be custom printed to include a company’s name or brand logo, businesses can still connect with consumers without wasting so much plastic.

It Can Be Made from Sustainable Materials, Too

Speaking of plastics, numerous organizations have been working on developing biodegradable alternatives that don’t take centuries to break down. While some of these solutions are still in the works, others are market-ready.

Although they’re somewhat expensive compared to regular plastics, businesses can offset the costs associated with making the switch to more sustainable materials by using banding instead of traditional packaging methods.

Banding Cuts Down on Packaging Costs

That brings us to the final unignorable benefit of banding: it’s incredibly cost-effective. 

Banding products requires a fraction of the material that traditional packaging methods do. Once your banding operations are up and running, you’ll rack up savings and reduce your operating expenses. You can use these funds to hire new employees, pursue planned projects, or explore other sustainability initiatives.

Banding Holds Businesses Together

Ready to learn more about banding and the many advantages it can offer your business? Contact Holland Manufacturing by visiting our website or calling our team directly at (800) 345-0492.

Benefits of Using Paper Packaging

There are numerous benefits associated with using paper packaging as opposed to plastic alternatives. Some of the most notable include the following:

Paper Is More Biodegradable

Paper is far more biodegradable than plastic or foam packaging, and as such, it is much better for the environment. Switching to biodegradable packaging materials like paper will reduce your company’s environmental impact. It will also help you produce less waste and may even decrease your waste disposal costs too.

It’s Easier to Recycle

Like most businesses, your organization very likely engages in at least some level of recycling, so you know just how hard it is to recycle plastics, much less foam packaging waste. On the other hand, paper recycling is a breeze by comparison, given that just about every public and private recycling business collects paper. 

You Can Add Branding to Paper

The problem with plastic and foam packaging is that it is difficult to print or otherwise brand these materials. The end result is boring, bland packaging that does little to strengthen your brand’s image. Conversely, you can print your logo or other marketing materials directly on paper packaging, thereby allowing you to create a more intriguing purchasing and unboxing experience for your customers. 

Using Paper Packaging Will Improve Your Company’s Image

Modern consumers are hyper-aware of issues like climate change and the environmental impact of plastics, so by switching to paper packaging materials, you can demonstrate your company’s commitment to sustainability and make your brand more appealing to today’s consumers. 

Need Custom Paper Packaging? Contact Holland Manufacturing

If you want to transition to paper packaging materials and tape, Holland Manufacturing can help. We produce a variety of paper packaging products, including wrapping papers, barrier papers, poly-coated papers, custom-printed tape, and much more. Contact us today at (800) 345-0492 to obtain a free quote.

7 Ways to Fix Banding Issues

Banding issues can be incredibly frustrating. Whether they won’t adhere to your products or are fastened so tightly that they actually damage your goods, any problem with banding can decrease the productivity and profitability of your business. The good news, though, is that fixing banding issues is usually quite simple. 

If your business has been plagued by banding issues, we recommend that you try the following:

• Adjust Band Length

If your bands are either too long or too short, they will not adhere to your products properly. Bands that are too short will likely not adhere properly or, worse, crush your products. On the other extreme, using bands that are too long is just plain wasteful.

• Adjust Band Width

An overly narrow bandwidth can be detrimental to your products as well. Remember, the wider the surface area, the better the pressure of the band is distributed across the product. Using a wider band is especially important when banding together fragile products that could easily be damaged by too much tension. 

• Switch Adhesives

Most banding solutions use ultrasonic technology to bind the two ends of the band together, though some do use mild adhesives. If your current banding techniques are not working for your product packaging, consider switching to another solution with a better adhesive. 

• Modify Band Tension

Modifying the tension settings on your banding equipment is a simple-yet-effective way to correct banding issues. If tension is too high, equipment will damage products, break the bands, or both. Conversely, if tension is too low, bands will not be tight enough and will be more prone to slipping off.

• Transition to a Different Material

Durable plastic bands are a good choice for more rugged products that are not as susceptible to damage. On the other hand, paper bands are probably the better choice for more fragile products. If your current banding material is not working out, replace it with something that is more suitable for your products. 

• Partner with a Reputable Manufacturer

The most effective way to solve banding issues is to partner with a reputable material manufacturer. Efficient banding starts with quality packaging materials, so if your current provider manufactures bands of inconsistent quality, it may be time to connect with a partner like Holland Manufacturing.

• Contact Holland Manufacturing

Holland Manufacturing can help you correct banding issues by providing you with high-quality packaging materials. To learn more, request a sample or contact us for a quote by calling (800) 345-0492.

Why Use Talon Tape for Bulky and Heavy Packaging?

When securing bulky and heavy packaging, it’s vital to choose the right tape. While there are many options offering the durability required for use with heavy, bulky packages, Talon Tape is by far the best solution. 

Talon Tape features a three-inch-wide band reinforced with fiberglass to withstand heavy loads. But that’s not what makes it unique. 

Talon Tape’s most notable feature is that it includes PSA strapping with non-adhesive hand grip locations. These areas are positioned in such a way that they provide workers and customers with a natural, ergonomic handle. 

Due to Talon Tape’s fiberglass reinforced design, the material can support objects as heavy as 100 pounds. If desired, you can even use multiple strips of Talon Tape to create additional hand positions.

Benefits of Talon Tape

Gripping awkwardly shaped or bulky boxes pose a challenge for warehouse personnel, retailers, and customers alike. Traditionally, individuals attempting to move a bulky box would have to grip it unnaturally, use auxiliary straps, or bring in a hand truck.

With Talon Tape, the box can easily be grabbed without resorting to any outside equipment or unnecessary tactics. The ergonomically positioned hand grips allow a single person or duo to safely and efficiently lift boxes of virtually any size.

Talon Tape doesn’t just make lifting bulky or heavy packages more convenient. It can also be customized to match your brand logo’s color scheme and other design elements.

Order Your Talon Tape from Holland Manufacturing

Tired of grappling with bulky, heavy, and awkwardly shaped boxes? Give Talon Tape a shot and find out what a difference the right adhesive can make.

Contact Holland Manufacturing at (800) 345-0492 to request a quote or get a free sample and try Talon Tape for yourself.