A Wallaceburg, ON manufacturer wanted to keep their packaging costs down by ordering printed corrugated boxes in bulk. After completing a packaging audit however, Crawford’s Packaging Specialist determined that bulk ordering, though a cheaper investment upfront, could lead to extra costs in the long run. Instead of getting the boxes printed by a third-party source, Crawford’s Packaging Specialist suggested printing the boxes on-site to give the client the flexibility to make changes to the printed information when required, as well as the ability to print the exact quantity required for each production run.
In order to print the boxes on-site, however, the client would need to invest in a high-resolution printer. Crawford’s Packaging Specialist worked with a Technician from a case labeling/coding machine manufacturer to help determine the right high-resolution printer for our client’s operations.
After demonstrating the equipment’s capabilities and producing printed samples, the client decided to go forward with investing in a new labeling machine for their operations.
The client initially favoured bulk ordering of their printed boxes because of the cheaper rates. However, the challenge was that if the client accidentally overestimated the amount of boxes they needed, this would result in excess stock and loss of valuable warehouse space. Moreover, if those extra boxes ended up being left in the warehouse for long periods of time, these boxes could end up absorbing too much moisture and then eventually lose their strength properties.
A Crawford Packaging Specialist visited the Paint Facility to investigate the damages occurring to the vehicles. Once the Packaging Specialist had a strong understanding of the issue, they engaged Crawford’s polyethylene film manufacturer to create a solution for the customer. The Packaging Specialist discovered that a thin film layer placed on the vehicle would be an excellent solution to the problems faced. The Packaging Specialist set up an on-site demonstration to test various film weights and widths to find the best solution for the customer. The films were tested over time to ensure there were no adverse effects to the paint and finish on the vehicles.
The Crawford Packaging Specialist provided the Paint Facility with samples of PolyMask Films. This film is a polyethylene film with a very light adhesive. The PolyMask Film is applied to the outside painted areas of the vehicle to protect the surfaces that have been previously painted. The polyethylene film can be easily removed without leaving any residue on the painted surface. PolyMask Film can be made in various weights/gauges for stretch as well as varied widths from 6”-30” wide.
Substrates: Plastic, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Painted Surfaces
Surfaces: Polished, Smooth Surface, Semi-Gloss
UV Exposure: Up to 3 Days
Industries: General Industrial, Plastic Extrusion, Metalworking
Adhesive: Acrylic
After an on-site demonstration and trial period, the Paint Facility added a PolyMask Film to their painting process. This knowledge-based solution has helped to avoid costly damage to painted vehicles, saving labour and consumption.
There are no longer any damages being reported on the vehicles after the paint job has been completed. Even when there is more work required around the vehicle, the painted areas are fully protected by the PolyMask Film.
The Paint Facility experienced many benefits from using the PolyMask film. They now have no delays in completion and shipping of vehicles due to the fact that they are not required to repaint or touch up previously painted cars. The Paint Facility is saving hours of timely delays on the paint jobs for all the vehicles.
The protective PolyMask Film is now protecting all paint jobs that have already been completed. This is reducing labour for each vehicle as touch-ups or repainting of the vehicle is not required.
Since the customer no longer worries about touch-up jobs or repainting, they have noticed a vast decline in the use of paint supplies, thinners, spray nozzles and filters purchased.