Molded plastic containers are relatively inexpensive to mass-produce. However, with the proper training you can find ways to make your injection molded plastic containers at a lower cost to you. In addition to watching the bottom line on blow mold supply costs, you can find ways to run your molded plastic packaging equipment more effectively.

Blow molded plastics education and training can focus on a number of items. Probably the most cost-efficient measure you can take is to train all your shifts to follow the same procedures. That way there is no need to reset equipment and lose time and materials in the process. Proper training can insure that procedures are in place. Other training can help your staff:

1. Know how to properly handle different types of blow molded plastic materials.

2. Know how to test blow molded products to make sure the products are meeting specs.

3. Know how to set up custom blow molding jobs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Enroll in blow molded plastics classes

Whether it's a class at a local trade school or community college or a class offered by a professional trade group, classes can update skills and improve your knowledge of what is the standard among blow molding manufacturers. You can then take these basic standard operating procedures back to your shop to implement the skills.

I recommend: The Plastics Institute of America offers hands-on training for workers making blow molded plastics. Attend workshops and seminars in plastics blow molding offered by Penn State Erie. In addition to the basics of blow molds participants learn a variety of processes to make blow molded plastic material.

Get blow molded plastics education and training online

There are many online opportunities to learn more about injection molded plastic containers manufacturing. Some classes are general training sessions, while others offer very specific information relating to the engineering of blow molded product.

I recommend: Paulson Training Programs offers blow molded plastics education and training. In addition to working with blow molded plastic materials, the courses also offer training with other types of plastics. You can also get online training in blow molded products from A. Routsis Associates.

Bring blow molded plastics training into your shop

Get training for everyone who works with the blow molding machines. That way everyone has the same knowledge base to work from. While this may seem like a large expense, the increased efficiency from everyone being trained the same can soon pay for the training costs.

I recommend: Sidel can tailor training specifically for your blow molded product. Blow Mold Services can help you train for making molded plastic containers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As part of your blow molded plastics education and training be sure you find ways to recycle and re-use plastics. For example, setting machines to pinch-off the plastics properly can save materials as well as dollars.

Blow molded plastics have almost limitless applications. In fact, injection molded plastic containers are everywhere you look. From the molded plastic containers that keep our lunches warm, to the blow molded plastic material we drink bottled water from, blow molded products are major players in the food service industry. Beyond that, they play a key role in everyday life in just about every industry.

Blow molds can be custom made for your product specifications, or you can choose from a wide range of molded plastic containers. To make a molded plastic container, the manufacturer extrudes a tube of molten plastic into a mold. Air then forces the plastic out to fill out the mold. When the plastic sets, a trimming mechanism shaves off the excess.

If you choose to go with a custom blow molded plastic manufacturer, look for the following:

1. Some blow molding manufacturers make plastic products for consumers. Others specialize in making parts for industrial or engineering applications.

2. A good blow molding manufacturer can work with you to improve your design and lower production costs.

3. Some manufacturers specialize in mass quantities, while other will take small jobs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find manufacturers of blow molded plastic materials in the food industry

You can buy from blow molding manufacturers who make food-safe molded plastic packaging for your products. These blow molded products come in every size, shape and color you can possibly want. Plus, you can get blow molded plastic in the thickness you specify.

I recommend: Veriplas Containers, Inc. has a wide range of bottles for you to choose from. NOVAPAK Corporation offers a wide range of stock containers to package your food products.

Locate blow molded products for every application imaginable

Because blow molded plastic products are everywhere, it's impossible to list each industry individually. Start with general blow molding manufacturers and work with them to find exactly the right product for your business.

I recommend: Valco Plastics, Inc. offers a large selection of blow molded plasticware. Premium Molding Inc. offers products that range from small containers to large tanks.

Get custom blow molded plastic materials made just for your business

No matter what you need, there is a blow molded plastic product manufacturer that can design and produce the plastic good for your business. Whether it's a certain size, color or shape, you can get the right molded plastic product.

I recommend: R&D Molders, Inc. and Strong Plastics Engineering, Inc. both specialize in making custom blow molded plastic products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Blow molded plastic containers can have printing on them as well. You can print directly onto the container, or wrap a thin layer of polyfilm around it. Work with your blow molded manufacturer to get just the container you need.

With an understanding of blow molded plastics types and styles, you are more likely to find the right molded plastic container for your product. Because blow molded plastic material can vary from container to container, it’s important that you know the rudiments of the different blow molded plastics types and styles.

Once you know what blow molded plastics can do for your product’s image, find a blow mold manufacturer. Some manufacturers only do custom orders, while others only take orders for plastic containers they have in stock. As you look at this supplier, consider:

1. The kinds of molded plastic containers that are available.

2. The cost of the molded plastic containers.

3. The minimum number of containers a blow molded plastic manufacturer is willing to make.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select general use blow molded plastic materials

If your product is something that stores safely in plastic, this is probably your least expensive option. There are all kinds of blow molded plastic materials available, from clear products to a variety of colors. In some cases you can even have your product labels printed directly on the plastics.

I recommend: Confer Plastics can work with you to create general use blow molded plastic materials. It has a number of stock items and can also design custom blow molded products for your business. You can also see what's available from Heise Industries. You can use its stock injection molded plastic containers or work with the company on custom designs.

Find a manufacturer of custom blow molded plastic materials

If you want a plastic container for your product that is truly unique to your brand, this is your best option. Shop around to find blow molding manufacturers that are willing to produce runs in quantities that suit your needs rather than theirs. Remember that a custom job may have a higher price tag.

I recommend: Blow Molded Plastics can create custom blow molding projects for you. Whether you have a small or large order of blow molded product, the company will work with you to produce exactly what you want. Blow Molded Specialties can also create custom blow molds designed to meet your needs.

Pick blow molded plastic materials to package your food products

Water bottles and clear food packages are common pieces of blow molded plastics used in the food industry. With today's consciousness on environmental issues, it's important to work with your blow molded manufacturer to find an environmentally safe product.

I recommend: NOVAPAK has a large selection of molded plastic packaging suitable for foodstuffs. Choose molded plastic containers for beverages from Veriplas Containers.