Category Archive: Manufacturing

Why Water‑Activated Tape Is a Smart Investment for Packaging in 2026

Shipping damage drains profits quietly. It destroys customer trust and triggers expensive returns. Businesses often blame the carrier for these issues, but the real problem is often the seal itself.

A broken seal means more than just a messy box; it means a financial loss for your operation.

Why Security Is Now a Financial Priority

Package theft has become a systemic financial risk. Recent data shows that Americans lost approximately $15.7 billion to stolen packages in a single year. Standard pressure-sensitive plastic tape fails to stop this. Thieves can peel it back, remove items, and reseal the box without leaving a trace. The recipient never knows until they open an empty carton.

Water-activated tape (WAT) works differently. It creates a permanent bond with the corrugated material. The starch-based adhesive penetrates the carton fibers. It doesn’t just stick to the surface; it becomes part of the box structure. If someone tries to open it, the box rips. This visible damage deters thieves and provides immediate proof of tampering. You stop paying for merchandise that vanished in transit.

The Hidden Costs of “Cheap” Tape

Plastic tape looks cheaper by the roll, but it costs more by the box. Plastic tape stretches under tension. Once the box shifts during shipping, that tension releases, and the seal pops open. Packers know this. They nervously use two or three strips of plastic tape to feel secure. This “mummy wrap” habit triples material costs and slows down the line.

WAT changes the equation. One strip does the job. The secret lies in the fiberglass reinforcement. A grid of glass fibers sandwiched between layers of kraft paper enhances packaging durability and prevents tears. This strength allows a single strip to hold heavy loads that would snap plastic tape.

The productivity gains are just as clear. Using an electric dispenser and WAT is significantly faster than using a hand-held tape gun. A tape gun requires repetitive motion that causes fatigue. An electric dispenser creates the exact length needed at the push of a button. In a busy warehouse, those saved seconds add up to thousands of dollars in labor savings over a year.

Beyond the immediate operational gains, the material itself offers another strategic advantage.

Future-Proofing Your Operations

Sustainability is shifting from a perk to a requirement as we approach 2026. Plastic tape contaminates recycling streams. It often requires removal or causes the entire box to be rejected at the recycling plant.

WAT is paper-based and repulpable. It simplifies disposal for the customer and aligns with modern environmental standards. The fiberglass reinforcement in many grades screens out during the recycling process, leaving the paper fibers to be reused. This sustainable profile satisfies growing environmental initiatives without sacrificing performance. You get a stronger seal while meeting the growing demand for responsible packaging.

A Smart Operational Upgrade

Tape seems like a small detail until it affects the bottom line. It protects the product and the brand’s reputation. Sticking with an inferior seal risks theft, damage, and inefficiency.

Switching to reinforced tape isn’t an expense; it’s a strategic investment. Request a quote from Holland Manufacturing or call 1-800-345-0492 to secure your shipments.

Breaking Down Custom Printed Labels and Tags: How They Elevate Brand Visibility

Inventory tracking depends on legible data. When a tag fades, smears, or tears, that data is lost. A pallet without a readable label becomes mystery inventory, wasting warehouse space and labor.

Companies often invest in expensive tracking software but rely on weak labels that can’t survive the journey. Standard office-grade printing fails in industrial environments, and that mismatch costs more than most operations realize.

Why Standard Labels Fail the Test

Most failures occur because the material and ink don’t match the environment. Standard thermal labels turn black in heat; paper labels dissolve in rain. When a barcode fails, workflow stops.

These failures from poor print quality are often harder to spot than physical damage until they cause a bottleneck. A skipped scan requires manual entry, slowing the line and introducing mistakes.

The problem usually lies in the substrate. Paper works for dry boxes, but industrial applications need synthetic films like polypropylene or vinyl. These materials resist tearing and moisture. The print must also bond effectively. If ink rubs off or fades, the label becomes useless. The tag might remain attached, but it no longer identifies the crate’s contents.

When the right label survives, it does more than store data. It becomes a functional tool.

The Real Value of Visibility

In a warehouse, “visibility” means operational clarity. Custom printing turns a plain tag into a tool that directs traffic at a glance.

Color coding is a prime example. Printing tags with specific color blocks helps workers identify status from a distance. A red tag might signal “Rush” or “Reject,” while blue indicates “Hold.” Workers know where a pallet goes before reading the text, which speeds up sorting and reduces human error.

A custom printed tag also secures the chain of custody. If lumber or heavy equipment gets misplaced, clear branding provides an immediate path for return. The logo acts as a security feature.

Professionalism matters, too. A legible, branded tag implies quality control, whereas a peeling sticker suggests carelessness. When goods arrive at a receiving dock, the label’s condition reflects the product’s condition.

Selecting the Right Print for the Job

Not every tag needs full-color graphics. Simple, high-contrast black text on a durable background often suffices for barcodes. The choice depends on matching the print method to environmental demands.

UV exposure destroys standard ink quickly. If inventory sits outdoors, you need UV-resistant inks that won’t fade. Chemical exposure is another factor; cleaning agents and oils can dissolve standard print. Here, the ink must be chemically compatible with the tag material to prevent smearing.

Abrasion resistance is the final hurdle. Tags on heavy machinery face rough handling, so the print must survive friction without scratching off. Investing in proper custom printing upfront prevents the cost of identifying lost assets later.

A Reliable Connection

A label is only as good as its readability. If it fails, the product is lost. Custom printing ensures critical information stays attached to the asset, regardless of conditions.Holland Manufacturing provides durable, custom-printed solutions for industrial applications. Contact us at 1-800-345-0492 or request a quote online to improve your asset tracking today.

The Role of Fiberglass in Reinforced Kraft Paper Strength

Most people never think about tape. Not until it breaks.

Packages open in transit more often than anyone wants to admit. Sometimes it’s a bad seal. Sometimes it’s too much weight. Either way, the box arrives damaged, and someone files a complaint. It adds up financially and operationally.

Kraft paper tape is a solid solution in many cases. It’s recyclable, reliable, and easy to apply. But like any material, it has limits. The paper fibers can tear. The tape can stretch under load. Once things start to shift in a truck, even strong tape can give way.

That’s where fiberglass comes in.

What Kraft Paper Can Do (And What It Can’t)

Kraft paper has a lot going for it. The fibers are long and intact thanks to the chemical pulping process, which strips out the weak stuff and leaves behind a dense, tough sheet. It holds up well under pressure and resists tearing better than standard papers.

That’s why it became the go-to base for water-activated tape.

But unreinforced Kraft paper tape can fail. One sharp corner or one drop from a belt can push it past its threshold. You might get away with it 95 percent of the time. That other five percent is where problems start. Especially in high-volume or high-risk environments.

The Job of Fiberglass

Fiberglass isn’t just mixed in. It’s built into the structure. It shows up as a scrim, a grid of thin glass fibers that gets sandwiched between layers of kraft paper. This scrim stops small tears from growing. It spreads stress across a wider area. It keeps the tape from deforming when a box twists or slams down on a pallet.

Some products use tri-directional scrims, which reinforce the tape across the length, width, and diagonal. That kind of structural support pays off when packages take unpredictable hits.

Think of it like rebar in concrete. Without it, things can crack under pressure. With it, they hold.

What It Means in Practice

With reinforced tape, fewer things go wrong. Boxes stay sealed longer. Tampering is harder. The tape forms a bond with the corrugated surface, and once it dries, it’s not coming off cleanly. If someone tries, they leave visible damage.

That kind of seal helps protect the product and the brand behind it.

The tape also performs better across a range of conditions. Cold warehouse? Humid dock? Long haul on rough roads? Reinforced Kraft tape holds together through it. It doesn’t curl, slip, or dry out the way some pressure-sensitive plastic tapes do.

Who’s Using It

It shows up in e-commerce fulfillment centers, especially for direct-to-consumer goods. Heavy-duty versions are common in manufacturing and industrial supply chains. Pharmaceutical companies use it for the added tamper evidence. Even food distributors rely on it when shipping high-value inventory.

In fact, the tamper-evident properties of reinforced tape are so effective that similar principles are outlined in FDA regulations regarding packaging security.

Grades vary. Holland Manufacturing, for example, offers options from light-duty to extra-heavy, depending on load requirements. All of them follow the same core principle: strengthen the paper, keep the tape intact, and make sure boxes stay closed.

Recyclability Still Matters

The Kraft paper portion is recyclable. During re-pulping, the fibers are separated, and the fiberglass is screened out. The glass mesh itself doesn’t stay in the cycle, but it doesn’t contaminate anything either.

This makes reinforced Kraft tape easier to recycle than most plastic-based options. That small advantage adds up across thousands of shipments.

For businesses tracking sustainability metrics, it’s a smart move.

A Small Change That Solves a Big Problem

It’s easy to overlook tape until something fails. But the seal matters when the product is heavy, expensive, or going a long distance, and fiberglass reinforcement gives the tape what it needs to finish the job.

It keeps boxes sealed, customers satisfied, and shipments intact.

And that’s more than enough reason to pay attention to the tape.

Order Reinforced Tape From Holland Manufacturing

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of fiberglass-reinforced kraft paper tape, contact Holland Manufacturing. You can reach us at 1-800-345-0492 or request a quote online.

Essential Surface Protection Tips for Renovation Projects

Every time you take on a renovation project, you assume ownership of the entire space and the surfaces within it. If something goes wrong, you’ll be held liable. Therefore, you must do all you can to proactively protect key surfaces, including floors, countertops, walls, cabinets, and any other areas that may suffer damage during construction. 

Here are a few tips to help you protect surfaces during your next renovation project:

Cover Floors and Carpets

You should always begin by draping hard floors and carpets with heavy-duty protective materials. Reinforced floor protection board is an easy-to-deploy option that can help you prevent scratches, spills, or debris from damaging hardwood, tile, or carpeted surfaces. Just make sure to use a high-quality option to reduce the risk of tears and protect your team from the dangers of slip and fall accidents. 

Shield Countertops and Fixtures

After the floors are covered, turn your attention to the countertops and fixtures. Tools, paint splatter, or cleaning chemicals can damage them. Use plastic sheeting or foam coverings to protect these surfaces, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Make sure to remove all tools from the area when not in use to avoid accidental dents or scratches. 

Protect Walls and Corners

If your team will be moving furniture or maneuvering heavy materials around corners, make sure you protect these critical intersections. Cover baseboards with thick kraft board and drape walls with a tarp or paper to guard against scuffs and scratches. 

Safeguard Windows and Doors

Lastly, you’ll need to cover windows and doors to protect them from paint overspray, dust, and scratches. Use plastic films or sheets to cover windows and tape around door frames to protect against paint splatters and dust. 

Protect Important Surfaces With Holland Manufacturing

Holland Manufacturing offers an entire line of high-quality surface protection products. Give us a call at 1-800-345-0492 or request a quote online to learn more.

Pro Tips to Better Packaging for Your Brand

Your customers deserve the very best. And even though product quality will have the most direct impact on the customer experience, the unboxing journey will also shape a consumer’s perception of your brand. 

With that in mind, here are three simple ways to enhance your packaging and create an optimal journey for your customers:

• Prioritize Quality and Durability

While you need to keep packaging costs down, you can’t rely on junk materials either. Skimping on packing paper, boxes, and tape can increase the risk of product damage and lead to a slew of unhappy customers. 

With that in mind, make sure you invest in quality packaging that will survive the journey to your customer’s door. And to keep costs down, choose boxes that are the right fit for your products. Minimizing wasted space allows you to use quality packaging while also avoiding any unnecessary expenses. 

• Customize Your Tape and Boxes

If your packaging looks as though it could contain items from just about any company, that’s a clear sign that it’s time to change things up with custom-printed tape and branded boxes. Sealing your packages with a strip of bright, vibrant tape that features your brand logo goes a long way in elevating the customer experience, transforming a bland unboxing into a memorable experience. 

• Create an Unboxing Experience 

On the subject of memorable experiences, presentation matters. You need to wow your customers not just with great packaging but a thoughtful presentation and personalized inserts. Customers don’t just want to receive their boxes in a timely fashion. They want the entire experience of opening up their package to be fun and exciting. 

Order High-End Packaging Material From Holland Manufacturing

If you are ready to elevate your packaging quality, Holland Manufacturing can help by providing custom-printed tape and high-end boxes. Call us at 1-800-345-0492 or contact us online to obtain a quote.

Benefits of Case Sealers

Keeping your shipments protected requires the right supplies and equipment. Case sealers can be used for your industrial packaging needs. A case sealer sometimes called a box or carton sealer, is used to seal boxes during the packaging process. Using a case sealer can provide benefits such as the following:

Cost Savings

Case sealers can cut down on the cost of labor and materials. Your employees will spend fewer hours sealing packages by hand, and you’ll use less tape. Furthermore, by using a case sealer, you’ll minimize the need for re-taping, reducing waste.

Productivity

Case sealers greatly increase your throughput, which means that you can handle more customer volume. And because your workers are not focusing on sealing cases manually, you can reallocate your employees to other, more important tasks.

Efficiency

Case sealers essentially let you produce more with less packaging and less re-taping. As a result, you’ll be able to handle greater output while seeing a reduction in your overhead costs. The costs you incur will be more predictable, helping you manage your operating budget with greater consistency.

Safety

When workers aren’t manually taping up each box, there’s less chance of a workplace injury. That applies to everything from cuts and immediate incidents to long-term injuries due to repetitive stress.

Sustainability

Since they mean you won’t have to worry as much about re-taping or performing the same tasks all over again, case sealers can reduce stress. That’s not only good for your operating budget but for the environment as well.

Brand Image

A professionally sealed case can improve your brand image. Customers and clients will appreciate the attention to detail, which can build higher levels of engagement in the future.

Finding the Right Partner

Let Holland Manufacturing connect you to the right packaging solutions. Call us at (800) 345-0492 to discuss your packing and shipping goals.

Elevate Your Productivity With Carton Sealing Automation Solutions

Introducing automation technologies to your packing and shipping workflow is an excellent way to increase efficiency and up your productivity. While there are many exciting automation solutions available, one of the most impactful is automated carton sealing technology.

Automated carton sealing machinery significantly reduces your reliance on manual labor and allows your facility to quickly and securely seal thousands of packages per day. Although automated carton sealing equipment has been available for years, recent advancements have made it more accessible and efficient than ever.

Modern carton sealing machinery can accommodate water-activated tape — a huge benefit to your business. 

Why Use Automation Equipment That Accommodates Water Activated Tape?

Investing in automation equipment that accommodates water activated tape enables your organization to:

Increase Productivity

Water activated tape creates a secure, tamper-proof seal on your cartons. By automating placing this tape on your cartons, you can increase productivity and maximize your facility’s daily output.

Decrease Packaging Costs

Automation technology allows you to reduce your reliance on manual labor and cut your packaging costs. Automated carton sealing equipment provides a strong return on investment and leads to thousands in annual savings. 

Reduce Waste

Water activated tape is recyclable, making it a far greener option than traditional carton sealing options such as plastic-based tape. When you pair water activated tape with automated carton sealing technology, you can limit product waste, as your equipment will place a precise amount of tape on each package. 

Where to Find Water Activated Tape

Whether you have already invested in automated carton sealing technology or are considering doing so, it is important that you have a reliable water activated tape supplier to support your efforts. Enter Holland Manufacturing, a leading industrial packaging material supplier.

Ready to Place Your Order?

Holland Manufacturing has a broad selection of cost-effective water activated tape solutions, including standard options and custom-branded products. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of water activated tape, contact us online or call us at 800-345-0492.

Sustainable Packaging Solutions

In recent years, sustainable packaging solutions have become incredibly popular among distributors, manufacturers, and retailers. These solutions include a wide range of packaging materials, such as paper wrappings, cardboard, and HDPE or PET plastics.

Unlike traditional packaging materials, sustainable solutions can easily be recycled, which enables businesses to reduce their carbon footprints. Many forms of sustainable packaging can also be manufactured from recycled materials.

Why Businesses Should Use Sustainable Packaging

Businesses should strongly consider replacing traditional packing materials with sustainable alternatives. By doing so, they can:

Reduce Their Carbon Footprints

Traditional plastics and other difficult-to-recycle materials have a negative impact on the world around us. Producing these materials contributes to global warming, and disposing of them exacerbates ongoing waste-management challenges.

Transitioning away from non-recyclable products to sustainable packaging solutions makes it possible for businesses to significantly reduce their carbon footprints and support worldwide sustainability efforts. 

Decrease Waste Management Costs

The average packaging facility produces significant quantities of waste. Managing this waste not only creates logistical challenges but can also be quite expensive.

Adopting sustainable packaging solutions allows businesses to reduce the amount of waste they produce and recycle a larger percentage of excess or unusable packing supplies.

Promote Brand Loyalty

Modern consumers are more conscious of environmental issues like waste production and global warming than ever. By transitioning to sustainable packaging solutions, companies can promote brand loyalty and demonstrate that they’re responsive to consumer values and preferences. 

Contact Holland Manufacturing for Sustainable Packaging Solutions

Holland Manufacturing can help your organization meet its sustainability goals by providing high-quality, sustainable packaging. Our competitively priced materials and exceptional customer service make us the ideal supplier for your organization.

To learn more about our products and services, contact us today. Connect with us online, submit a request for a quote, or call us directly at (800) 345-0492.

What Is Sustainable Packaging and How Can It Help You?

The term “sustainable packaging” refers to environmentally friendly materials that are used to ship, store, or wrap products. Most forms of sustainable packaging use paper-based materials. 

A few examples of paper-based sustainable packaging materials are non-adhesive labels and water-activated tape. These items do not rely on potentially harmful chemicals, but rather environmentally safe alternatives.  

While most sustainable packaging is paper-based, there are some exceptions. For instance, some companies have developed compostable or biodegradable plastic products that materials break down faster than traditional plastics, making them a good option for manufacturers and suppliers looking to reduce their carbon footprints.

If your organization wants to be more environmentally conscious, it should explore ways to incorporate sustainable packaging into its picking, packing, and shipping processes. Now, let’s take a closer look at some benefits of sustainable packaging.

Advantages of Sustainable Packaging

The most obvious perk of using sustainable packaging is that doing so enables your business to reduce its carbon footprint and create less waste. Decreasing waste is not only great for the world around us, but it will also strengthen your reputation among your customers.

Modern consumers are far more conscious of the brands they do business with. Retailers and vendors are as well. If you proactively embrace green initiatives by reevaluating your business practices and adopting sustainable packaging, you can establish your company as a forward-thinking brand. 

In turn, you will encourage customer loyalty and enhance your ability to compete in your industry. 

As you can see, leveraging sustainable packaging is good for the environment and your bottom line too. If you would like to learn more about sustainable packaging or order a sample and inspect these solutions for yourself, Holland Manufacturing can help.

To get started, call our team at (800) 345-0492 or request a sample online. 

Key Differences Between Corrugated and Folding Cartons

Corrugated and folding cartons are two of the most common packaging solutions you’ll encounter when choosing product boxes for your business. The question is, which solution best fits your needs? 

To help you answer that question and make an informed ordering decision, we’re providing a closer look at the key differences between corrugated and folding cartons.

Pros and Cons of Folding Cartons

The primary appeal of folding cartons is the thickness of the material (or lack thereof). Folding cartons are thinner than their corrugated counterparts. As such, they’re lighter and take up far less shelf space. They can also incorporate various branding elements, including stamping, embossing, and texturing.

However, folding cartons have two major downsides. Since they are thinner, they offer less protection than corrugated boxes and can generally only be used once.

Pros and Cons of Corrugated Cartons

Corrugated cartons are much thicker than folding cartons. Consequently, they’re heavier but provide much better protection for your products. They can incorporate some branding elements, such as your company logo. However, stamping or embossing them tends to be more difficult. 

Additionally, corrugated cartons can be reused several times. As such, they can offer long-term cost savings, though the initial per-unit cost is usually higher when compared to folding cartons. 

Because they’re so much thicker than folding boxes, corrugated cartons will take up more space on your shelves. Therefore, you might not be able to carry as much packaging material inventory and may need to reorder supplies more frequently. 

Choose the Right Carton Solution for Your Business

Both folding and corrugated cartons offer distinct advantages and drawbacks. Fortunately, an experienced packaging materials supplier like Holland Manufacturing can help you choose the ideal solution for your needs. 

If you need assistance selecting the right cartons for your business, contact Holland Manufacturing at (800) 345-0492 or request a quote online.