Bandall: How printing companies can bundle more efficiently

After all the work that goes into printing and finishing a product, the last thing you want is for the end result to have damaged corners, messy stacks, or unnecessary packaging around it.

Whether you are bundling brochures, labels, folding cartons, leaflets, envelopes, or other printed materials, the way products are prepared for handling and transport has a direct impact on both efficiency and presentation.

Banding offers printing companies a simple way to keep printed products securely together while using relatively little packaging material. And because the process can be adapted to different products, bundle sizes, and production environments, it can fit into anything from small post-press operations to highly automated production lines.

So, where can banding make a difference?

Secure bundles with the right tension

Printed products can be surprisingly sensitive.

A stack of brochures needs enough pressure to stay neatly together, but too much pressure can damage the edges. In-mold labels or thin labels may need even more careful handling and behave differently than brochures.

With banding, the tension can be adjusted to suit the product being bundled. This helps keep stacks aligned and secure without applying more pressure than necessary.

Reduce the amount of packaging around each bundle

In high-volume print production environments, small amounts of packaging quickly add up.

If you are processing thousands of bundles every day, using just a little less material per bundle can make a noticeable difference over time.

Banding uses a narrow strip of paper or film banding material around the product. Unlike shrink film, it does not need to cover the entire bundle. And for products that only need to be grouped rather than fully protected, it can also remove the need for additional packaging such as boxes.

This means less packaging material needs to be purchased, stored, handled, removed, and disposed of.

For printing companies looking to make their post-press process more efficient, banding offers a compelling solution.

This article was originally published by Bandall.