Supplies and equipment for strapping packaging materials are vital to all companies that use strapping to package and ship or store their products. These supplies allow you to use the strapping with ease and cut down on the hassle of strapping cartons. Strapping materials are more durable and longer lasting than most tape and adhesive products. Strapping can also be removed from a container with out harming the container or products inside. If your companies uses strapping material, you will benefit from these supplies.

There are three types of supplies and equipment for strapping packaging materials. Strapping dispensers are needed by all companies to store and dispense the strapping. Companies that use larger amounts of strapping may benefit from a machine that applies the straps for you. If a machine is not used, certain tools are needed to properly apply these straps. The tools will vary depending on the types of strapping that is used. Review your company's strapping needs and select an option from the list below.

1. Purchase material strapping dispensers.

2. Find strapping material machines.

3. Locate strapping tools that will work with metal or plastic strapping material.

Action Steps
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Locate material strapping dispensers

Dispensers are rolls used to hold the strapping neatly until it is used. These dispensers are available in all sizes and are often available in starter kits for companies that are using strapping for the first time.

I recommend: Kubinec Strapping Solutions has dispensers for strapping material. Visit Stretch Associates to find a wide variety of strapping packaging supplies. Locate strapping kits that include dispensers at PAC Strapping Products.

Locate strapping material machines

These machines are used to attach the strapping to cartons or objects. Machines are considerably faster that manually applying the strapping. However, they can be expensive. If you do a considerable amount of strapping, one of these machines would be cost effective.

I recommend: Hughes Enterprises has a variety of strapping packaging material machines. Visit a leading strapping supply company, Universal Packaging, for machines for strapping and packaging cartons. Locate strapping machine at BrassPack. Browse the wide selection of strapping materials available at Uline Shipping Supplies to find machines for poly and steel strapping.

Find strapping tools that will work with metal or plastic strapping material

Strapping tools are uses to tighten the straps around objects. These tools are specially designed to work with specific types and sizes of strapping. The most common tools are the sealers, tensioners, tightener and the sealless combo.

I recommend: Visit PackagingPrice.com to find industrial strapping materials and strapping tools. Greenough Packaging has tools to work with strapping for any of the leading steel strapping manufacturers. Quality Strapping has many tools for industrial strapping materials.

When your business requires packages secured with something more than tape, strapping packaging fits the bill. Most businesses eventually rely on shipping or storing large boxes and packages. Industry and construction companies ship heavy products by rail or truck with strapping. In-house packaging requires manual strapping tools or strapping machines for greater output.

Packaging materials typically come in steel or plastic rolls. Each product contains length, width, strength and for steel strapping—thickness. The most important factor in strapping materials concerns retaining strength and elasticity to compensate for loss of tension during shipping. Steel strapping offers strength. Polypropylene strapping, considered the most common product used, provides price economy. Polyester presents greater strength over polypropylene. When ordering strapping supplies consider the following:

1. Choose your strapping material type by size of packaging—light, heavy or industrial.

2. Determine the correct construction characteristics of the strapping material needed for your business.

3. Look for the right strapping tool or machine for packaging.

Action Steps
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Find steel strapping material

What steel strapping loses in elasticity, it gains in strength. Coils typically weigh more than 100 lbs. with lightweight portable coils 10 to 15 lbs. Consider rust and corrosion resistant zinc-coated coils for long-term outdoor storage.

I recommend: Select standard, high tensile, super duty, portable, stainless steel or zinc coated strapping at Uline Shipping Supplies, with same day shipping. Choose regular to medium use cold rolled or high tensile, medium to heavy duty heat treaded steel for general applications or high tensile heat treated strapping at Stretch Associates Packaging. See price per lb. for regular or high tensile strength with discounts on skid load quantities at Grant Packaging LLC. Visit Universal Packaging for a variety of manual steel strap sealers.

Locate industrial strapping materials

These plastic and steel strapping manufacturers and suppliers offer solutions for your business. Products include strapping machines, tools and materials.

I recommend: View Samuel Strapping Systems for products that include machine systems, steel, plastic, seals and buckles among other items; contact for pricing and solutions. Go to Teknika USA, Inc., for regular to heavy duty steel, plastic or cord strapping tools and polypropylene strapping.

Get plastic strapping material

Polyester strapping provides savings in cost per foot over steel for heavy duty binding that includes packaging lumber and pallets. Polypropylene offers cost advantage for light to heavy duty applications.

I recommend: Go to StretchPak, Inc., for heavy duty polyester strapping in 4,500 to 16,750 foot rolls. Search by size or product with the click of your mouse on the type of material you need at Dynaric, Inc. Choose polypropylene or polyester in machine or hand grade strapping at Johnson Plastics & Supply.

Choose strapping supplies

These companies combined provide the complete package for your business needs. Common items include tools, machines, steel or plastic strapping and boxes.

I recommend: Click your needed strapping packaging materials that include strapping, tools, machines, corner protectors and boxes among others at BrassPack Packing Supply, with same day shipping. Go to PTIPackaging.com and select from the list that includes power and manual strapping tools, dispensers, machines, and poly strapping. Go to AA Sales, Inc., for a nice line of steel and plastic strapping packaging materials.

Consider strapping tools and machines

Get the right type of manual strapping tools in many sizes and shapes. For enhanced production, select a battery, electric or pneumatic tool.

I recommend: Choose strapping carts, steel, poly, polyester or Signode strapping tools at CS Packaging, Inc. For metal strapping with 1/2 or 3/4 inch widths see the strapping sealer or the plastic and metal tensioner at Paper Mart. See Polychem Corp., for this manufacturer’s complete line that includes battery tools, PHT, PWT, manual plastic tensioners, sealers, dispensers and others.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For getting optimal performance from steel strapping material, consider painted and waxed coatings for better results with automatic or manual tools.

Any company that stores or ships pallets or large containers uses some form of strapping packaging materials. These materials are available in an array of styles to match the variety of shipping needs on the market. This includes many choices when it comes to shapes and sizes of strapping packaging materials. When you are shopping for strapping materials you may come across words or phrases that you may not be familiar with. Learning the meanings of strapping packaging materials key terms allows you to find the products you need in a timely manner.

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Polypropylene

Polypropylene is a material made of polymer resins. These resins are normally made from propane and have the chemical formula CH2CH(CH3). Polypropylene fibers are tougher and more durable than polyethylenes.

I recommend: Learn more about polypropylene from San Diego Plastics. Babylon.com also provides information about polypropylene.

PET

PET, or polyester, is a material used in strapping products. Polyester strapping materials are highly durable and do not stretch. PET has replaced most polyethylenes in the production of strapping material. Polyester straps are great for use when transporting products around the warehouse.

I recommend: Learn more about PET at Paper Mart. EurLex also has information about polyester strapping.

Galvanized

Galvanized is a term that refers to metals that have been coated with a thin coating of Zinc. The galvanization process makes the metal both rustproof and waterproof.

I recommend: Visit Studyworld.com to find details about galvanized products. Build Easy also provides information about galvanized steel.

AAR

The AAR, or the Association of American Railroads, sets the standards for steel strapping material. The AAR consists of representatives from the major freight railroad companies based in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

I recommend: Visit the official website of the Association of American Railroads to learn more about their organization. The Transportation Technology Center also has information about the AAR's standards.

Wire stitch

A wire stitch, or wire stitching, refers to a specific way a wire stitching machine transforms wire into staples and then staples that stitching to a product or pallet. Wire stitching requires a specialty machine.

I recommend: Dictionary.com provides more information about wire stitching. Review charts at Taconic Wire to calculate the amount of wire stitching your company requires.

High tensile

High tensile is a grade of steel strapping that can withstand heavy stretching and loads without losing shape. High tensile products are designed for heavy duty strapping jobs.

I recommend: Tooling U supplies more information about high tensile strength. Visit BusinessDictionary.com to learn more about high tensile steels.