Many people use rubber bands in their daily life. Whether you need a rubber band to tie things together or keep bags closed, you can easily and cheaply purchase whatever type of rubber bands you need. For example, some people may require latex-free rubber bands. Or you may been the large pallet bands for securing tarps over your pallets. You also may wonder more about how companies make rubber bands and how they will ship them to you. Start by learning these key terms.

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Printed rubber bands

Printed rubber bands are thicker and have a message printed on them. Many people will wear them around their wrists as a reminder of a cause or organization that's printed on it.

I recommend: View examples of printed rubber bands at Aero.

Pallet bands

Pallets are a large wooden base that companies stack their boxes of goods on for shipping. In many cases, you may want to secure a tarp over the boxes in order to protect them from the elements or simply to keep the boxes together. To do this, you need a very large and strong rubber band. This is called a pallet band because it is able to fit around the pallet.

I recommend: View examples of pallet bands and the various dimensions they come in at Lee Rubber Products.

Latex-free rubber bands

Some people have a latex allergy. Most regular rubber bands have latex in them, which could irritate the skin of those with allergies. Latex-free rubber bands work just as well as regular rubber bands, but do not include latex.

I recommend: See latex-free rubber bands and learn some of the advantages at Alliance Rubber.

Extruder

An extruder is one of the machines that is used to produce rubber bands. It forms the plastic tube of the rubber band, pushing it out like a pasta maker.

I recommend: You can see a large extruder at Advanced Extruder Technologies.

Vulcanization

Vulcanization is a chemical process that the rubber for rubber bands goes through which gives it its stretchiness. Without vulcanization, rubber bands would not be of much use.

I recommend: Learn about vulcanization at Bouncing-Balls.com.

Count/lb.

In most cases, rubber bands are too small for manufacturers to count them out before putting in boxes to sell. Because of this, rubber bands are often sold by the pound. However, most consumers want to know how many rubber bands come in a package, so companies list the approximate count per pound, or count/lb. on their website.

I recommend: See the count/lb. listing on Rykema Rubber Band. Note that larger rubber bands weigh more, so there are fewer rubber bands per pound.

Rubber band manufacturers produce unusual sizes and types of rubber bands to meet all needs. If they don't produce what you want, many rubber band manufacturers will create custom rubber bands that satisfy your requirements.

You buy rubber bands in bulk for binding groups of envelopes, pens and files. You secure boxes on pallets with rubber bands, and many adults (as well as teenagers and young children) wear rubber wristbands proclaiming some message. Sometimes you just need a few rubber bands for a specific task. Whatever your needs, consider the following when you research rubber band providers:

1. Rubber bands can help you identify your inventory and supplies.

2. You can order what you need when you have information at your fingertips.

3. Avoid purchasing custom rubber bands sight unseen.

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Consider printing information on rubber bands you order

Printed rubber bands serve a couple useful purposes. Use them for identifying or labeling the contents they secure, or place your company name on rubber wristbands and use them for trade show giveaways and advertising. Either way, printed rubber bands provide quick identification of a product or company.

I recommend: Look for printed rubber bands at Aero Rubber Company, or visit The AWristocrat.com for printed wristbands. They display a varied selection and provide free artwork, free shipping and no set-up or mold fees.

Know what's available in customized rubber bands

If you're buying the standard rubber bands you keep in your desk drawer, this may not seem important. However, if you purchase specialty bands, pallet bands or any type of rubber band where you need confidence that it works before you spend the money, look for companies that provide samples.

I recommend: Check out Dykema Rubber Band Company for a large selection of sizes for both stock and specialty rubber bands. If you need latex-free rubber bands, try Alliance Rubber Company. If you use rubber bands outdoors, Lee Rubber Products produces special-application rubber bands that tolerate high temperatures and direct sunlight. Fill out the customer inquiry form and request more rubber band information or a price quote. Also, check out the large variety of Aero Rubber Company's rubber bands that you can use for industrial purposes, stationery binding, drum or trashcan liners, pallets and other purposes.

Try before you buy

If you're buying the standard rubber bands you keep in your desk drawer, this may not seem important. However, if you purchase specialty bands, pallet bands or any type of rubber band where you need confidence that it works before you spend the money, look for companies that provide samples.

I recommend: Check out the different rubber band sizes at Bigwig and then complete a request form for samples. You can also view band sizes at Dykema Rubber Band and then request a sample kit.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To ensure a longer life for your rubber bands, store them in airtight containers in a dark place. Dark, dry storage will protect the rubber bands from sunlight and heat which cause breakdown.
• •  Even though rubber bands generally cost very little, beware that some minimum orders can exceed $200 when you shop rubber band suppliers and manufacturers. If you don't need a large quantity, you can usually find what you need at an office supplies store.
• •  Color rubber bands often possess inferior quality compared to natural rubber bands. Even though color rubber bands often cost less, sample the quality and durability before you buy in bulk.

Rubber band manufacturers make rubber bands through an interesting process. Information on rubber bands reveals that they form the rubber by combining latex and other compounds for a desired quality. An extruder forms a tube of the rubber. They expose the tube to heat, changing the chemical properties of the rubber, which gives it the elasticity. Then they cut the tube into rings to form rubber bands.

Every business uses rubber bands in one way or another, whether it’s to secure a large bulk of envelopes bound for the post office or keep the pen drawer better organized. Regardless of how you use them, rubber bands are a handy office supply. Take a look at rubber bands pricing and costs and you’ll also find these options to be very inexpensive:

1. Small rubber bands in bulk are handy for everyday uses.

2. Use an oversized rubber band for retail store packaging.

3. Printed rubber bands are a great way to promote your business.

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Obtain bulk packages from rubber band suppliers

The most commonly used type of rubber band is simple, small and versatile, typically measuring less than seven inches in length. These are available for a vast array of uses around any office, such as securing loose items or even as part of the packaging for merchandise that manufacturers distribute. Whatever the need, your best bet to save money is to purchase from rubber band providers in bulk.

I recommend: Shoplet offers discounted rates on all sorts of rubber bands, including Alliance’s ergonomically correct line for less than $6 per pound. Find rubber bands from less than one inch to seven inches in length through Donson Supply. You can purchase them by a quarter or full pound for $2 to $5.

Secure large items with oversized bulk rubber bands

Oversized rubber bands are great for use in securing bulk deliveries from retail stores. Many of these large rubber bands are so big that they can expand to fit over a piece of furniture and keep the cover in place for transport.

I recommend: Sale!Signs has 54-to-72-inch rubber bands in packs of 12 for $13 to $15 per pack. Check out the selection from Dykema Rubber Bands. They have 12-to-15-inch rubber bands, for $6 to $9 per pound.

Use custom rubber bands to spread the word about your company

Customized rubber bands are a great way to promote your business at minimal cost. Have your company logo printed on every rubber band that you use on anything that comes in or out of your office. Schools, churches and other organizations can use imprinted rubber bands as awareness wristbands for fundraisers and special events.

I recommend: Aero Rubber requires a minimum order of about $500 (around 1,000 items) for their custom rubber bands. Get a variety of sizes and colors of personalized rubber bands from Bagwell Promotions for less than $1 each.

Rubber bands are small pieces of latex and rubber shaped in the form of loops. They are generally used to hold many items together. Stephen Perry Bobstein originally patented the rubber band in 1845.

Most other types of rubber products contain synthetic rubber, but rubber bands are manufactured with natural rubber from the sap of a rubber tree. This gives the band a superior amount of elasticity. There is a multitude of rubber bands applications and uses, including:

1. stabilizing large pallet loads which are usually sold as bulk rubber bands and are very large;

2. helping to grip bottles or cans with twist-off tops for those with medical conditions such as arthritis; putting tubes with the rubber on them on mandrels and then applying heat;

3. utilizing large rubber bands in resistance based exercise programs for weight training activities in therapy and gym like settings.

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Buy custom rubber bands to help secure large products and save money

By using custom sized rubber bands, such as those used to stabilize pallets of products, your business will save money by eliminating the use of shrink wrap, plastic type films or tape and stretch wrap. This also eliminates clogging landfills with loads of plastic. Since these are reusable, this eliminates the costs of tape, plastic films and shrink wrap.

I recommend: Aero Pallet Bands has a variety of sizes of rubber bands which can be used to secure products on pallets and other large sized inventory. U.S. Cargo Control makes rubber mover bands, which are extra large to secure moving covers around furniture.

Teach your patients to use rubber bands as assistive devices if they have arthritis-like conditions

Conditions such as arthritis may make it difficult to grip/grasp a drinking glass, jar or any other glass object securely, especially if it is wet. By wrapping a few rubber bands around the glass object, it becomes easier to grip.

I recommend: Dykema Rubber Band makes many different styles and sizes of rubber bands which enhance gripping for those affected by conditions such as arthritis. Alliance Rubber, one of a number of rubber band manufacturers, has a very large inventory of rubber bands of all sizes that can also be used for gripping as well. Both of these rubber band providers sell rubber bands in bulk as well as smaller quantities.

Use exercise rubber bands for your gym/physical therapy business to help patients gain strength

Many physical therapy and gym programs incorporate weight resistance exercise to tone muscles by using the patient's own strength. Using rubber bands, results are seen much sooner, which allows the patient to maintain a healthy weight.

I recommend: Iron Woody Fitness carries a full line of printed rubber bands used for exercises and physical therapy on patients who need weight training programs. Pacillo's also carries a variety of resistance bands that focus on increasing muscle mass and improving muscle function.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Store rubber bands in a dark airtight container to protect them from breaking down due to heat and sunlight.