Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with packaging

Styrofoam vs. Plasic

lilkeith07 — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:45:15 -0800

Why do meat companies/supermarkets always packaged meat in those Styrofoam trays? In all the supermarkets in my area (Massachusetts) it seems that all the meat for sale is packaged in those pink and white Styrofoam trays and then wrapped in plastic wrap. Is there any reason why its always Styrofoam and not plastic? Is it cheaper then plastic or better for the meat?

Limitless paper in a paperless world

TheSecretDecoderRing — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:33:56 -0800

External cardboard DVD slipcases... what's the point? Not an important question, but...

I don't shop for DVDs too often, but I've noticed that sometimes a DVD will come in a regular snapcase, which itself is enclosed in a cardboard slipcase with virtually the exact same design. The only difference is perhaps a cutout on the slipcase to reveal the UPC on the actual snapcase, and maybe a foil version of the front cover. But with manufacturers phasing out those insert sheets, presumably to cut costs, why the seemingly redundant slipcase?

Not only does it seem a huge waste of paper, but it creates a conundrum for packrats like me who hate to throw out stuff like this, even if the desire to keep them has become less compelling over time. And some of them do look purty upon first sight.

Oodles of noodles

dosterm — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 07:41:36 -0800

How many noodles are in a can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup? OK, my team won trivia night last night, but we got the above question wrong. That is to say: we had no earthly idea and instead used a mulligan.

My question is twofold.

First, is this just nonsense? Can anyone confirm the number of noodles? (I'll keep that secret for now.)

Second, what bizarrely dehumanizing manufacturing process from the future would lead to the same number of noodles each time? We theorized a precise measurement of weight, or a more linear packaging process than scooping soup would seem to imply.

I should obviously contact Campbell's corporate (and I still might), but we're more fun. Thanks all!

I am having trouble finding the right box.

msali — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 18:39:39 -0800

My father in law is celebrating his 70th birthday this weekend. We got him a kickass present, and it deserves to be presented in a kickass box/receptacle/container. I am not finding it. Ideas please? All the kids kicked in and bought my father in law his dream Harley Davidson leather jacket for his birthday. Given the fact that it is leather, and a size triple XL, whatever we put it into has to be pretty darn big. I went to a craft store, the UPS store and the Party Store, and no dice. What I am looking for is a nice solid (not collapsible) cardboard box to place it in. My husband suggested putting it into a printer paper box, but I find that tacky! It's the man's seventieth birthday! We spent heaps of cash on this present, can't we find something classier to put it in?
Caveats: not interested in doing a gift bag with a Harley jacket, kinda ruins the effect, don't you think?
So I turn to you, my humble hive, where do you think I can find a box with a lid by this weekend that is at least 2 1/2 feet long, 18 inches wide, and 6-7 inches tall. Don't suggest the Harley store where we made the purchase, I already asked. I am in Chapel Hill, if that helps. I am open to pretty much all creative suggestions.
Much love and many thanks to you all.

Where can I find examples of pizza box designs?

edmz — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:44:55 -0800

The gods of google might be mad at me since I haven't found a website that has a decent collection of pizza box designs (something I find a little weird since pizza is quite popular and people like to collect/photograph all kind of things). I have only been able to find some photos on flickr and a portfolio from a company that does custom design of pizza boxes. Help me find photos/examples of pizza box designs on the internets.

Looking for stand made out of paper and obscure envelope.

LongDrive — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 03:57:06 -0800

Papercraft! Looking for two obscure things made from paper. For a little self-promotion thing that I am throwing together. The first thing is something like a 'Plate Easel'. Check out the hinged examples here and here

Basically I need something that can be folded flat, with the footprint of about the size of a postcard, then assembled and hold up something the size of a postcard :)

The second thing is a small negative envelope. Sort of like the one shown here, but much smaller. Like business card size. To hold, wait for it, a business card.

I could easily make a dieline for both of these things and have them printed, but I would like to avoid that cost if possible, so if anyone knows anyplace in the world where I could possibly procure one of these items, I will shower you with rubies. Bonus rubies for outlets in Australia.

Replacement foam for a larger Pelican case

hobbes — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:18:23 -0800

Need to some replacement foam for a larger Pelican case. Besides Pelican's original Pick 'N Pluck foam, what are some other options? I know the Pelican foam is pre-diced, but I was wondering if I could find something similar (don't need it diced) and much cheaper. This is a large case too, so leftover packaging scraps are probably out of the question.

I'm in San Jose if there are any local shipping/packaging shops.

Thanks MeFi.

Is air exposure ok for Pseudoephedrine

Mitheral — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:57:05 -0800

Is it safe to repackage Acetaminophen/Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride/Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride from the manufacturer's blister pack to a child resistant pill bottle? My daughter is going to be able open this blisterpack in about 3 seconds. Obviously I'm going to keep them someplace she can not get to them but in the interests of belt and suspenders operation I'd like to transfer them to a child resistant pill container. I've already stripped the original labels and I'd write on the container what they are. The question is whether the blister pack is also acting as a freshness package. IE: will my glorious Pseudoephedrine oxidize or something if I move them to a bottle?

On the phenomenon of 'do not return item to the store'

hodyoaten — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 10:48:46 -0800

Why do manufacturers beg in their packaging to not return an item to the store, and to call their 1-800 number instead? The possibilities I can think of are:

1. They get flagged at big box stores as having too many returns, so the big box eventually drops them as a vendor.

2. The store returns damaged items to the manufacturer (and if so, is it a complete loss for the manufacturer?)

3. The manufacturer honestly wants to deal with the consumer to make things right. I'm skeptical though that International Particleboard TV Tray Corporation cares that much about me, though.

I've never seen notices like this 5 or 10 years ago, so I wonder if big boxes have developed enough clout where they're screwing manufacturers on returns. Then again, there were plenty of big boxes doing business in the 1990s, so what is it that changed?

... and run(time) with it!

ChrisR — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 15:42:00 -0800

How best to extract the Java runtime environment for repackaging with an application? I need to package the JRE on windows and linux in a ./jre directory for distribution with my application, and I'd like to do so with a minimum of fuss and registry|/usr/local mess. How should I go about it?

The curiously strange packaging

jclovebrew — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 15:16:14 -0800

Why do altoids have that wax paper inside the tin? Is there any practical reason for it?

Do these things even exist?

god hates math — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 15:00:50 -0800

Where can I find CD Sleeves like these in the real world? They're super-easy to find online, but I'm on a bit of a time crunch, and I'm not dying to pay overnight shipping. Okay, so I'm having a short-run of CDs made, and the sleeves need to go to the printer as soon as possible. I've looked at Office Depot, Staples, Best Buy, a few different record stores, Target, and god knows where else. Are there even stores in the real world that would stock these? I thought about trying to contact a cd duplicator and seeing if they'd sell me some, but it's the weekend and only retail places are open right now.

I'm in the DC area, if that's of any use.

Where to find unique DVD packaging?

still — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 10:27:42 -0800

I'm looking to get a small-run high-quality DVD packaging manufactured in the U.S... For portfolio purposes, I'd like to get about 50 DVD packages created that aren't the stereotypical amaray/Jewelboxing solutions. I love the Digipak format, but it doesn't look like there's anyone that will run something like that for an order of less than 1000.

I'm really just looking for a unique platform that I can use for this packaging, and can't seem to find much outside the norm that isn't prohibitively wasteful and expensive (1000 runs is wayyy too many for my needs). I'll be handling all of the design, if it matters.

I need blank boxes!

symphonik — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 21:55:36 -0800

Where can I get a small number of blank retail software boxes? I know, it sounds mind-blowingly exciting. But I need to get a hold of a small number of software boxes. You've seen 'em; you browse the aisles at CompUSA or the Apple Store, and there's lot of games and other software titles in small boxes (usually about 5" x 7" x 1.5"). Often they have flaps that open and describe more about the product inside.

I want blank versions of these that I can print on. Most box companies require you to use their printing services and have minimums of 250 or more. I just need about 10 or 15.

Anyone work at a paper company, or know where I can order these? Surely there's some site out there for a designer with a box fetish?

PackagingFilter - Desperately seeking specialty packaging.

bkdelong — Mon, 06 Feb 2006 19:46:38 -0800

PackagingFilter - Desperately seeking specialty packaging: Die-cut, corrugated plastic mailers? I've been searching far and wide for specialty packaging for a mailing I am doing. I did a similar mailing in 2000 but the company I used is no longer in business.

I'm looking for black, die-cut, plastic corrugated mailers roughly the size of a book: 10 x 8 x 4in

I've just about Google'd myself out and I'm wondering if there are certain keywords I'm missing.

Thanks in advance.

Help me get rid of large chunks of styrofoam.

young_simba — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 11:24:37 -0800

Hints on how to discard enormous pieces of styrofoam? Lots of big items come with very large blocks of styrofoam packing. If they're thick, they're very difficult to break into smaller pieces, especially without making a mess and expending a lot of physical effort. Also hard to get into even huge garbage bags. Is there a better way? Oh -- and I have no space to keep this stuff for potential future needs. Thanks.

Ideas needed - interesting packaging for books

blag — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 16:06:06 -0800

Looking for interesting yet professional ways to package a hardback book which will be sent through the mail. A friend has just written a business handbook on a specialist topic. The publisher is going to provide him with 200 complimentary copies: he wants to send these out to business leaders, CEOs etc. as a way of promoting his consultancy.

We're trying to think of interesting and innovative ways of packaging the book. At the moment, all we can come up with is a simple cardboard box. Do you know of any UK suppliers who can make a custom box to fit the book? Or is this a job that any printer could handle? Book details are as follows:
* Hardback
* 220 pages
* approx. 8 x 5 x 1 inches.

We're planning on including a personalised letter with it but any other ideas would be welcomed. The contents have an 'ethical' dimension, so ideas that have a minimum environmental impact would be fantastic. Also, since the books are going through the postal system, some degree of protection would be handy.

Just to be clear: this isn't packaging for the full print run - just for a couple of hundred copies which will be sent out as promotional 'gifts'.

Thanks in advance.

Where should I get music packaging made in the UK

caek — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 10:53:12 -0800

Where can I get small-run, high-spec, right-on CD (and vinyl) packaging manufactured, ideally in the UK, but failing that elsewhere? I run a UK-based (very) independent record label. Next year we will be releasing half a dozen CDs and a couple of 7" records. The runs for all of these releases will be around 500.

Most of our bands have a vaguely Arts-and-Craftsy look, and I have a thing for rough-around-the-edges packaging and boutique printing techniques. So we're looking for a printer that can handle the printing of around 500 CD cases like the Earthy Crunchie or Stumptown's Arigato Pak! and 4-Panel cases.

In fact, what we're really looking for is Stumptown printers, but in the UK and not Portland, OR. I've been enormously impressed with their customer services in my preliminary dealings with them. They may even be cheap enough to offset the increased cost of shipping and (presumably—I don't know how this works) VAT and excise duty, but, unless I can find a UK equivalent, I'll never know.

If it makes any difference, I understand this need only be done with an offset printing process (and not letterpress). Screen printing would be fine, but would presumably be expensive. I'm not an expert.

Bonus marks for businesses near Oxford, Bristol or London. And still more bonus marks for businesses without skanky websites with naff stock photography of women Waiting To Take My Call and spindles of CDRs. We don't need the same company to handle the CD replication, but it's not the end of the world if they insist on doing it.

I fully anticipate my UK search drawing a blank, so I do welcome further recommendations of Stumptown-equivalents in Ireland, mainland-Europe and the US and Canada.

Plain kraftboard CD/DVD cases?

agregoli — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 11:23:52 -0800

I'm looking for something but having a tough time - plain cardboard or kraftboard CD and DVD cases - blank for do-it-yourself label-affixing or decorating. I'm looking for something like the "Earthy Chrunchie" on this page, in both a CD and DVD version, but not with any custom printing - just with the blank holder to decorate myself. Any leads for me?

McMefi Recycling

bkdelong — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 18:37:56 -0800

McMefi - What packaging from McDonalds can I recycle? I've been involved in a fundraiser catered by, sigh, McDonalds and we have bags of straws, straw packaging, cardboard packaging, paper burger wrappers, plastic cups, plastic cup covers, napkins, bags, fry packages, and paper hash brown wrappers. I can't seem to find any place that tells me which I can recycle. Is all of it recyclable? How much of it is made from recycled products? Searches resulted in a lot of lawsuit responses and vague FAQ information. Help!

Where to get a custom overslip printed?

Nothing — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 14:47:32 -0800

I ordered something recently that came in a standard-looking cardboard box with a custom printed sleeve that slipped over it (Actually, I think it's called an overslip), making the whole deal look very professional. Where could I order something like that? Google is full of spam on this topic for some reason. The only company that seems at all legit (and them only barely) is koolprint, and they only make one size. I need something much bigger than a software box.

Jewelry Packaging

leapingsheep — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 09:50:59 -0800

Would you be put off if you ordered some beaded jewelry and it arrived in bags like this (or something similar) instead of in boxes like this (or something similar)? I think they look fine and serve the purpose well, and are even suitable for gift-giving. Indeed, giving someone jewelry in a bag like that would offer more of a surprise than presenting something in an obviously jewelry-sized box. But jewelry always comes in boxes, so some people might feel that it's just wrong for it to be packaged otherwise. What do you think?

Multi-CD snazzy packaging

sharksandwich — Sat, 18 Jun 2005 23:44:40 -0800

I just received (and installed) the Adobe Creative Suite of software. All of the discs came in a thick DVD-like pack, with the 5 discs held in sort-of staggered holders. Can you tell me where I might find packaging like this? I have a five disc Ween Bootleg (Rotten Cheese) that I would like to do all proper-like...

Toy Twist Tie Packaging

Instrumental — Thu, 05 May 2005 08:24:33 -0800

Every toy I buy for my daughter has a ton of those annoying wire twist ties holding them to to the package. Then there's tape....then the invisibly small rubber bands.....it's worse than CD packaging! I have to keep a pair of wire cutters in her bedroom. Why? The obvious answer is to protect the toys, but there MUST be more to this story. Is this a conspiracy to damage Chinese worker's hands? American purchasers? A Google search just finds people who hate the twist ties, no explanations

plastic label wraps

sharksandwich — Sun, 10 Apr 2005 17:16:03 -0800

Product packaging designers: Can you tell me the name of the process in which plastic labels are heat shrunk to conform to the shape of containers like this...

Also, can perfs be incorporated near the cap area to provide a "safety/freshness" seal?