05 Oct
Shrink Sleeves, Taurus Packaging

What is PCR and The Shift Towards PCR Plastics

In a previous article on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), I have discussed the responsibility of brands to recover, recycle, reuse, and dispose of the products they produce. And how they need to innovate their waste management initiatives.

Now, what if you could shift to packaging made from recycled materials? Such a step could help you preserve the environment, stop depending on consumers to recycle after use, and cater to shoppers who favor sustainable brands.

This is the crux of PCR!

What is PCR?

The term PCR refers to Post-Consumer Recycled (reprocessed) plastic, primarily manufactured at recycling plants from items that consumers have, in a way, already recycled. Hence, PCR plastic is clean plastic that needs no further recycling. Since PCR plastic comes from reprocessed or post-consumer plastic waste, it reduces the load on landfills – which is a big PLUS.

 

Sustainable Packaging With PCR

PCR packaging film is a sustainable packaging alternative. It is made using the reprocessed PCR plastic which is derived from recycled materials like plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, and aluminum, etc.

Hence, it is a much better alternative to virgin plastic derived from non-renewable resources like natural gas, putting a strain on our environment.

 

Benefits of PCR Plastic And Its Usage

 

POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT: Unlike virgin plastic, post-consumer recycled plastic is gentle on our planet. Since plastic waste gets rooted in recycling facilities, PCR plastic helps reduce toxic plastic waste that piles up at landfills.

 

STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY: There is a consistent rise in the number of shoppers and consumers sensitized about preserving the environment for their future generations. These individuals are making conscious efforts to buy from brands with strong sustainability goals. Hence, using PCR materials for your packaging needs will help you become more sustainable and tap into this growing consumer base.

 

FLEXIBLE PACKAGING MATERIAL: Today, PCR packaging films are being used to fulfill packaging needs across all major industries, including pharma and food. It is a flexible material that meets and passes all kinds of stringent quality checks.

 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Today, companies worldwide are taking their sustainability goals seriously and recognizing the importance of reducing their carbon footprint. In this context, the shift towards PCR plastic materials is a welcome move. Though still in its early stages, it will be interesting to see how well brands adapt to this change and include post-consumer recycled plastic and packaging for their products.

Would you like an expert opinion on how you can support your sustainability goals with PCR plastic? Then feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com.

 

23 Sep
Shrink Sleeves, Taurus Packaging

The Importance of Colour-Matching in Printed Packaging And How To Do It?

Colours form the heart and soul of print designs. So it is no wonder that brands spend a lot of time and attention selecting the correct colour scheme for their product’s packaging. However, the work does not stop here as it’s equally important to bring the design to life, exactly, the way it looks on the computer. Any mismatch and the printed design may appear far different from the intention, leading to unavoidable delays and unnecessary panic. It is here that the concept of color-matching comes in.

What is Colour Matching?

Simply put, colour matching refers to making sure that the colours in your packaging design, visible on screen, look the same once the design gets printed and takes its place on the final product. Hence, color-matching is crucial in printed packaging. It not only helps to maintain colour accuracy in terms of its hue, brightness, and saturation but avoids last-minute surprises and deviations from the intended result.

Ways to Achieve Colour Correctness in Printed Packaging

 

1.  Start Designing in the Most Appropriate Colour Space

Colours get represented differently in different colour spaces. Hence, to get desired results, it is recommended to work in the correct colour space right from the beginning. It means that you may have to go beyond the default colour profiles on your system, such as sRGB, and install the one most appropriate for your projects like Adobe RGB or CMYK.

2. Use Proofing Tools to Generate a Soft-Proof of Your Designs

Before you spend time and money printing the hard-proof of your design and being disappointed with the results, go in for soft-proofing using a calibrated monitor. An electronic-screen soft-proof is a highly beneficial alternative to get a sense of what the design and colours will look like upon printing and whether or not you’re on the right track.

3. Don’t Forget the Physical Print Proofs

After checking the artwork on your monitor, it’s time to get a digitally-printed physical proof of the design. Though it may seem unimportant, it is, in fact, the hard printed proof that helps to spot problem areas and possibly foretell inconsistencies that may crop up in the final version the printing press sends you and avoid them beforehand.

 4. Communicate Your Expectations to The Printer

It is always good practice to brief your printer about your expectations correctly, especially when they’re about to tackle large runs, tricky print jobs and complex reprints. So do provide them with colour matching samples, reference prints, and colour mixing references to maintain colour accuracy & reduce time wastages in corrections.

5. Ask for Cylinder Proofs

Most printers and consumers depend on cylinder proofs for print approval since they give the right colours up to a certain extent. However, cylinder proof does have its limitations.

  • The cylinder manufacturer must be using the same film and inks to match the proof, or there will be a deviation.
  • Proofing is done with high viscosity inks, whereas in printing, viscosity is lower, which can produce variations between the proof and the actual print run.
  • Proofing happens at a much slower speed than the actual commercial speed of printing. Slow speed would mean there would be a difference in dot transfer, thereby affecting the colours.

Though cylinder proof is a sensible parameter to check the print job, it can differ from the actual result. Hence, do keep a certain tolerance for colour shades in mind when relying on cylinder proofs.

6. Opt for a Colour Library

If you need special or uncommon colour profiles for your print packaging, you might want to consider working with a colour library such as Pantone or CMYK equivalents. For one, you will have access to a full gamut of colour references. And two, maintaining colour accuracy and representing your brand correctly will no longer be challenging.

7. Use Extended Colour Gamut Printing (ECG)

Extended Colour Gamut Printing is the methodology of introducing three additional inks, Orange, Green & Violet (OGV), to the CMYK Process Colours, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black during printing. Adding the extra colours extends or expands the range of colour printing and helps to reduce the overall dependence on spot colours. The resultant printed images are a lot more vivid with negligible colour difference.

8. Pay Attention to the Lighting

Whether you’re approving proofs or colour matching, it is crucial to have the correct lighting since even the slightest variation in your light source can change how visual is perceived. So try to maintain standard lighting conditions as that goes a long way in avoiding faulty approvals and perception-related glitches.

According to the International Standards Organisation ISO 3664, you should view and approve prints under a D50 equivalent light source.

 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

A little planning and forward-thinking goes a long way to complete the printing project without delays, rework, and glitches. And ensuring that you get your printed colours right and in perfect sync with the intended results.

 

Do you need an expert’s opinion on how you can improve your printing procedures and get consistent results, every time? Then feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com.

 

17 Sep
Shrink Sleeves, Taurus Packaging

How Shrink Sleeves Affect PP Container Recycling

In our previous article, we talked about the effect of shrink sleeves on PET bottle recycling. In this article, let’s look at how PP containers react to recycling when shrink sleeves stay attached to them.

PP or Polypropylene is a type of plastic commonly used to manufacture food containers utilized in packaging takeaway food items and beverages, etc.

Though PP containers are recyclable, certain film substrates interfere with the recycling process if they are left attached to the containers. That’s why businesses must know which shrink films are best for proper recycling and the correct procedures to follow during PP container recycling.

 

Selection of a Film Substrate

Compatibility: Some sleeve label materials have a density of <1.0 and thus float in the float/sink tank, remaining with the PP. This material cannot be removed during the recycling process. Hence, it can contaminate the recycled PP if not compatible with the PP.

 

What’s the Solution?

  • Films compatible with PP recycling sink in water and can separate from the PP floating in the water. That’s why a preferred choice is to use full bottle sleeve labels specifically crafted for automatic sorting.
  • Considering that a full bottle sleeve gets attached to the full surface of the bottle, leaving only a small portion uncovered, we must select a material compatible with automatic sorting, or the sorter machine may segregate the PP bottle with the wrong materials destroying it.
  • Also, PVC material needs strict avoidance as even a trace amount can contaminate the reprocessed PP.

 

Label Inks

The type of ink used on sleeve labels of PP containers also has a bearing on their recyclability.

For example, certain types of label inks bleed during the wash step of the recycling process. If the PP container catches on to the ink color, it becomes discolored, making it even more difficult to salvage the PP and turning it reusable for various intended purposes.

 

What’s the Solution?

  • It is recommended to select inks with the correct density, so they stay on the label during the wash process.
  • And do not bleed and mix with the water.

 

Why Using Pressure-Sensitive PP/PE Labels is Detrimental for PPRecycling?

When recycling a PP container, it is important to know how a certain film substrate will behave in contact with water.

Will the adhesive used to secure the label give away and release the label or will it keep the label held on to the container? In other words, will the label sink or float?

Hence, it is here that testing the adhesives to see how they react becomes crucial. Either the adhesive must be well suited to the PP or it should come off hassle-free during the wash process.

If not, and even the slightest traces of the adhesive stay, it will discolor the recycled PP, spoiling the end result.

 

Model Specifications – Shrink Sleeve Labels for PP Bottles

 According to the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), here are the identified characteristics considered compatible with PP recycling –

 Full Compatibility: Sleeves PETG with density >1 g/cm³, and with a size that does not hinder the recognition of the underlying PP-polymer.

Limited Compatibility: Sleeves in PVC, PLA, PS (all with density > 1 g/cm³)

Low Compatibility: Sleeves that hinder the recognition of the PP; Sleeves in non-PP-materials with density < 1 g/cm³; Aluminium/Metalised Sleeves; Heavily inked sleeves

 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Considering that plastic continues to be frequently used in packaging and requires proper recycling, it is the responsibility of businesses to be conscious about their choices.

The future may see us joining hands with label suppliers who offer recycling-compatible sleeves for their products. But until then, it is on us to do our bit towards a cleaner, safer environment for us and our future generations.

 

Would you like to get an expert opinion on the best recyclable packaging solutions for your products? Then feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com.

02 Aug
Shrink Sleeves, Taurus Packaging

How Shrink Sleeves Affect Pet Bottle Recycling

Every business that is a part of the packaging industry must know the importance of proper recycling, be it manufacturers, label suppliers, or consumer brands. And considering that a lot of different materials get used to creating products, it is crucial to understand how shrink sleeves affect their overall recyclability.

In this article, we will look at the effects of shrink sleeves when PET bottles and containers are attached to get recycled – along with how to better the recycling process using globally recognized options and alternatives.

Let’s dive in.

Compatibility of PVC, PETG, OPS, and PLA Film Substrate

Research shows shrink-label films made of PVC, PETG, PLA &OPS are incompatible with PET recycling.

For example, if we use PVC shrink label films and recycle the PET containers they are attached to, it causes black speck contamination, making the container non-recyclable.

Similarly, using PETG shrink label film, PLA or OPS shrink sleeves also render the containers incapable of recycling and cause complicated issues.

 

What’s The Solution?

 

  • Before recycling PET bottles and containers, the sleeves attached to them need to be removed so that the films do not interfere with the recycling process.
  • Another option is to use PET-based films. Once crystallized, they recycle along with the bottles to which they are attached.
  • You can also opt for labels and films that leave the PET bottle and stay suspended in the water.

 

Printing Inks

During the wash step of the recycling process, the PET flake gets combined with the hot alkaline water. Usually, the ink used on the label discolors and contaminates it.

 

What’s The Solution?

 

  • As soon as the ink leaves the shrink sleeve label, it must be carefully cleaned and filtered, not only from the PET flakes but also the wash water to avoid damages.
  • With labels that float in the water, using inks with the right density is important to ensure the labels continue to stay afloat without any chances of descending.
  • And that the inks stay on the label.

 

Growing Awareness About the Importance of Proper Recycling

Over the last couple of years, more businesses have become sensitized about finding ways to recycle PET bottles and containers correctly. As well as ensuring that the labels do not interfere or delay their proper recycling.

For example, de-seaming adhesives are making it simpler, easier, and faster to get the label off the container before it gets washed during recycling.

Innovative label films are coming up in the market to create more sophisticated shrink labels. And certain printing ink formulations no longer jeopardize PET’s recyclability.

Machines such as De-Labelers are speeding up the act of detaching labels from PET bottles at the initial stages of recycling. And much more.

So, it is safe to say that in the coming years, more advancement in PET recycling can be expected throughout the world.

 

Model Specifications – Shrink Sleeve Labels on PET Containers

Full Compatibility: Sleeves with density <1 g/cm³, and with a size that does not hinder the recognition of the underlying PET-polymer.; PET (not PETG) sleeves with washable inks.

LIMITED COMPATIBILITY: Twin-perforated sleeves for easy removal.

LOW COMPATIBILITY: Sleeves that hinder the recognition of the underlying PET-polymer (e.g., too large, metalized, heavily inked);

Sleeves with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g.,PVC; PS; PET; PETG); Foamed PETG sleeves (even with density <1 g/cm³);

PETG sleeves with non-washable inks.

 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

As the world moves towards responsible recycling and sustainability, it is the duty of every business in the packaging supply chain to contribute to this endeavor by making the right shift.

There should be a greater focus on sensitizing businesses and consumers about recyclability guidelines and label removal before disposing of PET bottles. And with time, brands should look towards collaborating with label suppliers that offer recycling-compatible sleeves for their products.

A little effort in the right direction can make a big difference.

 

Would you like to get an expert opinion on the best recyclable packaging solutions for your products? Then feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com.

22 Jul
Taurus Packaging

FSSAI Guidelines For The Labelling, and Packaging Industry

Any talk about food safety in India is incomplete without mentioning the FSSAI.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) https://fssai.gov.in/ is an autonomous body established in 2008. It comes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

The main role of FSSAI is to ensure that consumers have access to safe and nutritious food manufactured, stored, distributed, sold, and imported under a set of clearly defined standards supported by science. So, in a way, FSSAI takes away any ambiguity from the production, sales, and distribution of wholesome food articles to the consumer.

FSSAI Guidelines For Labelling, and Packaging

The right kind of packaging is crucial for maintaining the quality of food items and delivering them safely to the consumer. Just as important is the right kind of labelling since it provides important product information and helps consumers make informed buying decisions by reading the label and knowing what they are getting.

The FSSAI has set unified standards and stringent requirements for the safe packaging and accurate labelling of pre-packaged food items. The aim is to make certain that any packaged food item that hits the market and reaches the consumer is 100% fit for human consumption.

And that it is labelled correctly and truthfully, displaying all the vital information about its contents such as the health benefits, nutritional value, and special dietary uses, etc.

Every company that sells pre-packed food must adhere to FSSAI labelling guidelines and comply with them before putting their products on the market. The information printed on the labels should be 100% accurate and clear and precise, with absolutely no falsehood.

The information must be in either English or the Devanagri script and additional use of other languages is also allowed.

Let’s look at the most important information to mention on food labels:

• Name of the product/trade name
• Net quantity or product weight
• Batch, Lot or Code No.
• FSSAI logo and license number
• Packaging or manufacturing date
• Best Before and Use-by Date
• Names of all the ingredients used to make the food item.
• Vegetarian or non-vegetarian (green or red colored circular signs inside a square).
• Full declaration of the calories and nutritional information. Such as the amount of fats, dietary fibre, protein, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, sodium, sugar, etc.
• Use of food additives, if any (to enhance the look, color, or taste of the food item).
• Name & the full address of the manufacturer (the factory where the product is manufactured)
• If the product was imported, then the name of the country.
• Proper instructions for using the product

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Indian consumers are now more conscious of what they are buying than ever before. They read the packaging and labels to know more about the contents and only then make an informed purchase for the entire family.

It makes the role of correct labelling and packaging very important. Hence, it is best practice to follow and comply with the FSSAI packaging and labelling guidelines and present yourself as a responsible company that cares for its customers.

Would you like an expert opinion on the best packaging and labelling guidelines for your food products? Then feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com.

09 Jul
Taurus Packaging

Chetan jain, Director, Taurus packaging, featured in printweek magazine’s ‘power 100 companies’ 2021

We are pleased to announce that our Director, Mr. Chetan Jain, is named one of the top 100 most influential people in the Indian printing industry by PrintWeek Magazine.

The PrintWeek Magazine is a reputed nationwide magazine that presents its readers with the latest print industry news and views from all over India.

Its list of ‘Power 100’ Companies was released in the Magazine’s May 2021 issue, and it featured the print industry’s A-Listers – chosen from more than 270 nominations.

A proud moment for Team Taurus.

In his exclusive interview with the magazine, Mr. Jain talks at length about the company’s revolutionary H.I.P. Framework (Hybrid Intaglio Printing Framework).

He explains how the framework is helping clients solve their problems of short runs and slow time to market. Despite the pandemic situation, Taurus Packaging has managed to serve its clients without delays and produce shrink sleeves with best-in-class graphics in just three days.

We pride ourselves on being one of the most innovative packaging companies in India and look forward to many new innovations in the future.

Thank you to the PrintWeek Magazine for this feature and our valuable clients for always believing in us. We couldn’t have done it without you!

To check out the magazine and read the full interview, click here:

 

15 Jun
Taurus Packaging

Things you Should know While Selecting a SS Vendor

Your brand is only as good as the products you sell. But once you have developed superb products, the next crucial step is to find an excellent shrink sleeve supplier – the one who is capable of providing innovative, cutting-edge solutions for your ongoing packaging needs.

In this article, let’s discuss the five things to keep in mind while selecting the right Shrink Sleeve vendor for your business.

PROVEN EXPERTISE: Your shrink sleeve supplier must demonstrate remarkable technical excellence along with a strict adherence to shrink sleeve best practices.

Since each product comes with its own set of requirements, access to all the latest printing technologies is a must. The last thing you need or want is a sleeve supplier who lacks knowledge and fails to follow the right processes.

 

COLLABORATIVE SKILLS: Always work with a vendor with skills to understand your packaging requirements even better than you. You see, clear communication between you and them is crucial, especially when troubleshooting issues as they arise – as your supplier’s knowledge and experience can be critical to the success of your project. Hence, look for a shrink sleeve partner who is proactive both in thought and action.

 

 ENVIABLE EXPERIENCE: To benefit from the latest shrink sleeve innovations and set your products apart from the competition, find a shrink sleeve vendor experienced at handling multiple types of shrink sleevesubstrates. And make sure they have access to different printing technologies and grades of shrink films as one type of shrink film does not film all applications.

 

RIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE: Before finalizing the vendor, find out if they

  • Have a state-of-the-art R&D lab and an expert technical team?
  • Are they open to innovating their shrink sleeve packaging solutions?
  • Offer value-added and security sleeves?
  • Have the expertise to provide premium-looking sleeves?
  • Have a solution for distortion-free shrink sleeves and mock-ups?
  • Have the latest software for artworks, touch-ups & finalizing shrink results, etc.

 

ECONOMICAL SOLUTIONS: Lastly, finalize a shrink sleeve vendor capable of giving you economically-priced sleeves for all kinds of order quantities without high development costs.

Now that you know what to look for in a shrink sleeve supplier, let’s quickly discuss the prerequisites of a sound labeling partner for your brand.

Your product shrink labels serve the role of your silent sales team, turning your brand into an Ad-on-the-Shelf.

Now, to get the best results and magnify your sales figures, you need impressive, professional-looking shrink sleeve labels designed by an experienced and skilled shrink sleeve label supplier.

Always look for a sleeve manufacturer who:

  • Is skilled and experienced in label designing.
  • Knows how to work around common labeling issues, like shrinkages, especially when dealing with uniquely shaped products such as bottles.
  • Avoids delays and troubleshoots glitches through proactive thinking and quick action.
  • Provides innovation as it becomes available.
  • Uses latest sophisticated 3D modeling software to create exceptional art files that produce high-quality impressive finished labels, exactly as intended.
  • Provides advice on managing your artwork, proper storage, etc.
  • Ensures you have a consistent supply of labels and never run out on them.
  • Is dependable and accountable.

 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

To get the best results from your packaging and labeling efforts, always work with a  reliable, professional, and skilled shrink sleeve partner. A positive relationship and collaboration with the right vendor can make your product’s packaging journey fun and hassle-free experience.

For the last 25 years, Taurus Packaging has been supplying the latest shrink sleeves and flexible packaging products to small/medium business and global firms. Our innovative H.I.P. framework is at the core of our any-volume flexible, faster, and futuristic shrink sleeve solutions.

 For an expert opinion on the best shrink films, printing technology, or shrink sleeve labels for your diverse products, feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com.

10 Jun
Taurus Packaging

What Is EPR And What It Means For Your Business?

 

Considering that every year, we produce plastic waste equivalent to the weight of the entire human population, there has been a dire need to promote responsible waste management. EPR is a step in this direction.

The term EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility.

Under EPR, the responsibility of recovering, recycling, reusing, and proper plastic waste disposal stands extended to those who produce and release it into the markets. So it includes brands, goods producers, importers and packaging companies, etc.

EPR relates to a product’s complete lifecycle and holds the producer or brand answerable for the correct and environmentally supportive management of the products they produce. It starts from the time the product is conceived and manufactured till its end of life – which means when the end-user has finished using the product.

EPR guidelines have been announced under the PWMR 2016 amendment 2018.

 

HOW DOES EPR WORK?

To streamline the proper and timely collection of waste, recycle, and correct disposal, the Government has approved waste collection agencies, recycling organizations, or recyclers. They will perform these responsibilities on your behalf and charge you a fee. Such companies are called PROs or Producer Responsibility Organisations.

Once done, they will award you a completion certificate that states the exact quantity of plastic waste your company has recycled. Currently, waste recycling targets have been set at 30% and may increase over the coming years.

Say, for example, your company produces about 100 kg of plastic in a year. Now, under EPR, the responsibility lies on you to collect and recycle at least30% of this plastic material, which comes to 30 kg.

Similarly, if you have sold, say 10 kg worth of plastic to your customer, they must also recycle 30% that is 3 kg (to fulfil their responsibility). On completion, they will give you a certificate which means, now you have to recycle only 27 kg since 3 kg has already been done on your behalf.

Hence, in this way, ERP creates a consistent and ongoing cycle of responsible waste management. It ensures that whoever produces plastic also recycles it, and plastic material gets recycled throughoutthe supply chain.

It will slowly reduce the plastic waste management problem that is growing daily.

 

EPR, THE CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEM

EPR is primarily a closed-loop system of waste management in which the discarded wastes are carefully collected, recycled and reused to make new products. Doing so not only closes the loop on waste but also leads to a remarkable reduction in energy usage and production costsfor new products.

Hence, the purpose of EPR goes beyond better management of plastic waste at the end of life. By holding the producer responsible for the products they manufacture, EPR serves as a constant reminder about the impact of plastic waste. In some ways, it acts as an incentive to innovate, think outside the box as well as create a greener, environmentally-friendly products and packaging.

 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Today, EPR has become a global system for better plastic waste management throughout the world. And it is growing to include more and more products such as portable batteries, tyres, electronics, end-of-life vehicles, paper, furniture items and much more.

Though it is still early to say how well this system is adopted, its contribution towards the reduce-reuse-recycle principle cannot be denied.

Whether you choose torecycle your products and the packaging yourself or work with aPRO to manage your recycling responsibility on your behalf, EPRis a step towards extended product life cycles and creating a sustainable environment.

Do you want to know how EPR will affect your business? Feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com, and I will be happy to assist you.

13 May
Taurus Packaging

5 Best Plastic-free Packaging For The Future

It is a well-known fact that non-biodegradable materials such as plastic are harmful to our environment and planet. They create waste and put us in danger. Yet, plastic usage continues in various applications, including product packaging.

Though various reasons contribute to the reality, there are some innovative alternatives to plastic we can use for our packaging needs – and create a better and healthier world for us and our future generations. Let’s look at them briefly.

You can read in detail about these plastic-free, environment-friendly packaging options and their innovative creators here.

#1. Environment-Supportive Sugar Cane Packaging Labels
Yes, you read it correctly. A biobased PE film made from sugarcane ethanol is replacing the conventional film developed using petroleum polyethylene. It can be processed just like its conventional counterpart, keeping costs low and making it a good option for labelling certain items like food and cosmetics.

#2. Natural Packaging Using Biological Waste
Considering that producing as little as one cube of Polystyrene calls for more than a litre of petrol, finding a greener option is much needed. And it came in the form of bio waste mixed with certain fungal cultures or mycelium and allowed to grow.

#3. Liquid Food Packaging Using Seaweed
The invention of packaging made from bio-degradable seaweed that is also edible is one of the most revolutionary innovations of our times. Think of it as the fruit’s natural packaging or a waterproof skin. And all this while keeping the process straightforward and cheap.

#4. Plant-made Compostable Bottle
Bottles made from bioplastics contain lactic acid. Since they are biodegradable and much cheaper than plastic, they make ideal and safer packaging options for liquids. Also, these bottles are free from plasticizers and other dangerous substances.

#5. Packaging Film Made from Milk Proteins
A sustainable and edible alternative to the oil-based film is thin packaging films made from milk protein or casein. In addition to blocking oxygen better than ordinary films, they can even be dissolved and consumed!

SOURCE: lead-innovation.com

CLOSING THOUGHTS
It is encouraging to see the excellent work companies and start-ups are doing globally to find safer packaging solutions to save our environment. Let’s keep a look out for these greener alternatives to plastic & do our best to become responsible businesses.

Do you need an expert opinion on which shrink film or printing technology to use for your products? Feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com, and I will be happy to assist you.

22 Apr
Taurus Packaging

Expensive or Cheap – How to Determine the Right Price of Shrink Sleeves?

One question that buyers frequently ask me is: Why are your shrink sleeve prices high? Also, why some manufacturers sell their shrink sleeves at unimaginably lower prices than the market price?

So this article is particularly important if you want to understand what makes shrink sleeves expensive or cheap. Hopefully, by the end of this read, you’ll be able to get the optimum price for your shrink sleeves.

Shrink sleeve price differences can occur due to various reasons, such as the use of blown PVC instead of cast PVC &PETG. Owing to their different manufacturing techniques, Blown PVC has a lot less clarity as compared to Cast PVC.

Some suppliers provide sleeves in blown PVCinstead of using the ideal CAST PVC.

While in certain designs or scenarios, the buyer may not notice the difference in blown PVC or CAST PVC (which prompts these printers to use the cheaper blown version), in the long run, it can create problems for the brand.

So this is how manufacturers manage to get their sleeve prices lower when they use blown PVC.

 

Problems With Blown Pvc

  • Thickness variations
  • Lesser gloss
  • Machine process scratch lines
  • Gel particles
  • Uneven shrinkage
  • Printability issue due to thickness variations
  • Lower shrinkage percentage
  • High natural shrinkage in room temperature

Other than the use of CAST PVC, there are some other ways printers use to reduce costs by compromising on specifications.

 

These include:

  • Lowering the thickness of the film
  • Reduction of ink GSM of white but compromising on opacity
  • Using non-shrink inks which may cause the ink to bleed or create mottling.

 

REALITY BITES

Packaging is the most important aspect of a product. And even though the consumer may use the product, later on, the buying decision still depends on the packaging.

  • Bad printing can lower your brand value, irrespective of whether you are an FMCG giant or an SME brand.
  • Poor packaging may even prompt a consumer to think the product is fake or duplicate.

That is why I recommend never compromise on the quality of your product’s packaging.

Since the cheapest packaging is not necessarily the right choice, it is better to aim for the right price for the quality of shrink sleeves you want for your products.

How to Know the Right Price Of SHRINK SLEEVES?

 

Here’s the correct approach:

  • See what should be the optimum pricing of the sleeves for your specs, and then negotiate in the tolerance of the costing.
  • Ask for a price break-up or cost-sheet. Judge the correct pricing, instead of going for the cheapest.

 

Here are some easy tips to get the best shrink sleeve pricing:

Low Quantities: If the quantities are low, choose the right printing technology to keep costs under control. For example, for smaller quantities, you can avoid investing in expensive cylinder costs.

Thickness: Always choose the right thickness of shrink film. Don’t buy higher thickness if it is not affecting the regulations or product.

PVC Vs PET-G: Right now, PVC prices are at an all-time high. So, switch to cheaper PETG and save costs. Also, ask your supplier whether they have the know-how to help you shift from PVC to PETG.

Innovation: Check if your sleeve buyer uses the H.I.P. framework or its equivalent so they can give you the lowest price possible as per the order quantity. You can avoid high inventory costs.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

The packaging of your products can make or break the shopper’s buying experience. So before buying the cheapest shrink packaging that can jeopardize your sales, look for a manufacturer who will offer you an optimum price for the right specification decided by your team.

If you need an expert opinion on which shrink film or printing technology to use for your products, feel free to book a discovery call with me at www.chetan-jain.com, and I will be happy to assist you.

 

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