This article will take an in-depth look at poster tubes.
The article will bring more detail on topics such as:
This chapter will discuss what poster tubes are and how they function.
A poster tube is a cylindrical, triangular, or rectangular hollow prism that is commonly used to transport rollable, unframed art, important documents, or long and slender materials. They also carry objects like large papers, blueprints, and sign banners. They are commonly used because they provide substantial protection against bending, crushing, denting, dropping, and creasing due to rough handling during transportation.
Poster tubes are relatively cheap and easy to obtain from numerous poster offices, office supply stores, and shipping stores. They also come in various sizes to accommodate the large range of items with different lengths and widths that require transportation. Poster tubes protect fragile paper products a lot better than cardboard boxes. This is because of their round shape, which resists and distributes pressures and stresses evenly, and the dense, thick walls that add extra protection to the contents.
Some poster tubes come in slick designs and with favorable attributes. For instance, some are waterproof and covered with a layer of polyester canvas. This protects the contents from damage that may come from liquids or spillages. Other tubes come with shoulder straps and compartments with zippers.
Poster tubes are made from wood pulp fibers and have a generic cylindrical shape. The cardboard material is made up of several layers, which are cut into ribbons and coated with adhesive wrappers or fibers for reinforcement, and then enveloped around a mandrel in the desired shape at a constant angle. Finally, the long paper tube is adjusted and cut to size. Choosing the correct size of poster tube before transporting the intended contents is very important.
Carrying a small package in a large tube may result in damage to the package as there is room for it to move back and forth during transit and damage the edges. On the other hand, a small tube cannot be used to transport a large package as this would result in the unintentional folding and possible tearing of the contents inside.
An optimum tube should be slightly longer than the rolled product. The ends of the tube are plugged by caps that can be snapped on or glued, and they are usually made of plastic, wood, or a thick sheet of metal. Some custom design tubes can use kraft paper to provide a nice finish with text, designs, colors, and images.
Packaging and shipping materials are constantly developing to meet the ever-growing technology requirements and different shipping methods. Initially, long items that required shipping were placed in boxes or enveloped in paper with the hope that nothing would be damaged during transit.
Modern poster tubes have been perfected to meet the demands of present-day shipping. The tubes are designed in varying shapes and sizes to accommodate different lengths and widths. The tubes have improved sturdiness and durability, which makes them successful in varying modes of transportation.
Telescopic poster tubes, also referred to as adjustable tubes, are retractable and can have their length extended to accommodate other differently-sized objects like maps, documents, banners, parts, and posters. These poster tubes are built with a wound spiral of thick and heavy-duty cardboard walls.
Telescopic tubes are typically a tube inside a tube within another tube. The inside tube easily slides in and out of the exterior tube to tally the length of the object that requires shipping. Telescopic poster tubes have good durability and sturdiness, making them ideal for shipping metal rods, long industrial parts, or other lengthy objects. In addition, these tubes can be customized to suit any given length. A label or tape is stuck onto the connection between the tubes to prevent the tube from retracting.
Snap seal poster tubes are also known as crimped end mailing tubes. They are well known for eliminating the need for tape and end plugs. To load an item into a snap seal poster tube, one end of the tube is crimped while the other is left open. Any objects to be shipped are slid in through the open end until the tube is full. When there is no more room to fit other items, the open end is also crimped.
Among all poster tubes in use, snap seal poster tubes are the most economical, yet they still retain the strong and rigid structure commonly found in other poster tubes. The closed ends of the poster tube are easy to open and close, saving time and forming a tight seal. Snap seal poster tubes are typically made of wound kraft paper glued on a mandrel. Their length usually ranges from a few inches to four feet (1.2 m).
Triangular poster tubes are manufactured the same way as boxes, with the difference being the shape. The tubes are die cut with flaps which are then folded and glued, forming the triangular shape. The main advantage of a triangular poster tube is that it can be laid down flat and will not shift, roll or move during transportation. In most cases, they are made from a corrugated board with flaps. Like snap seal tubes, their length can range from a few inches to four feet. The three sides of the triangular prism also come in different widths to suit the specific requirements of a product. The size of the tube’s opening also depends on the width of the triangular dimensions. Usually, one side will be made larger and used as the base of the tube to increase its stability during transportation.
Contrasting to wound cylindrical tubes, triangular tubes can have multiple ways of opening. In one, the tube can open on both ends, with three flaps overlapping to close the tube. The items to be shipped are placed in the tube as with a cylindrical tube by being slid in through one open end. Another method of opening is the same as a box with flaps and a lid. In this configuration, one of the sides of the tube is used as a lid. The tube ends, which look like the ends of a box, are tightly sealed and glued for extra strength when closed during transportation. The items to be shipped are fed in through one side of the tube, and then the lid is closed and tapped. The different types of tube opening configurations make it possible to adjust the tube to precisely fit the needs of the product. This kind of flexibility gave rise to the popularity of triangular poster tubes.
Plastic plug poster tubes are another alternative to snap mailing tubes. They are made using the same method as snap poster tubes, but a plug fits into one end to replace the snap. They are wound around a mandrel that has overlapping layers of kraft paper. Plastic plug poster tubes are made in several different designs depending on the type of plug used.
Plastic plug poster tubes can be closed by a permanent metallic plug, a cardboard flap, a permanent plug made of plastic, or a removable plug at one end. The type of plastic plug poster plug at the end is completely dependent on the manufacturer and the design of the tube.
In addition, plastic plug tubes come in a range of lengths and diameters. The lengths usually go up to several feet, and the diameter is usually up to ten inches (25 cm) wide. The plugs in this design are usually forced into the tube to form an impenetrable seal that keeps out dust, water, dirt, and other contaminants.
A metal poster tube is an alternative to plastic plug tubes. This type is permanent and more durable compared to its plastic counterpart. Metal plugs assume different formats from plastic plugs; the plugs can be wedged into the end holes of the poster tubes. Another type of metal plug is self-gripping or self-locking, which permanently attaches to the ends of the poster tubes after it has been inserted using a mallet.
A metallic plug tube has one accessible end, and the other end is permanently plugged. The plugs are made from a durable, heavy-duty material, making them capable of numerous uses. In addition, they come in varying diameters ranging from one to nine inches (2.54 to 22.86 cm). In the poster tube packing industry, plastic, metal, or any other form of plugs are referred to as closures and are designed to meet the different shipping needs of a wide variety of applications.
The curled end poster tube is also referred to as the rolled edge canister. It comes in telescoping tubes of two or three interchangeable pieces or sometimes in single-piece tubes. In one of the designs of the curled end poster tube, the circumference is folded inward with a round piece of heavy paper or cardboard glued to the top of the curled ends.
In a two-piece adjustable curled poster tube, the telescoping piece is curled and sealed with a piece of cardboard or paper. A three-piece curled end is changeable and has a single piece of the tube without its ends sealed. It fits into the two curled tubes that have one end curled and sealed.
The paper cap poster tube is one of the oldest forms of poster tubes; its ends are usually paper-shaped cups that are placed over the tube’s two ends. Kraft paper is used to make the end caps sturdy, with one of the ends glued or stapled. The cap on the other end can be slipped off to load the tube.
A square poster tube has the same build as a box and is die cut. They can be opened on one end like a long box or on the side like any other box. Like the triangular poster tubes, a square poster tube sits flat, and other tubes or items can be stacked easily without shifting or moving.
These tubes can be manufactured from white-coated paper boards or corrugated paper boards, which are durable and can endure the stressors that arise during shipping. After being shaped during manufacturing, the tubes are shipped flat to intended users, who then fold them and secure them with tape or glue.
This chapter will discuss the applications of poster tubes.
Very important valuables are transported in poster tubes. Poster tubes are specifically designed for the transportation of items like maps, blueprints, expensive art, or confidential documents. These valuable documents are inserted into the tubes, which offer greater protection from unintended bending, folding, or damage during transportation. The tubes can be sealed to prevent damage from spillages, rough handling, and sometimes overpacking of goods with hard textures.
Another important use for poster tubes is the storage of important paperwork. Maps and blueprints can be safely stored in poster tubes and packed on shelves and boards. Custom-made tubes can be made waterproof to prevent water or any liquids from damaging important documents. The stored paperwork can also be protected from termites and other pests that damage or eat them. Unframed paintings can be stored inside poster tubes before they are delivered to intended users. In the case of painting and blueprints, the tube protects the papers from folding as some documents are required in near-mint conditions.
Some designs cannot be packed inside boxes or any other packing medium. Poetry and craftwork are priceless but brittle, therefore requiring utmost care in storage and transportation. The structural support and additional strength offered by poster tubes are very dependable for keeping craftwork and art safe.
Modern-day banners are stored in poster tubes when not in use and rolled out of the tube when used. Long and thin equipment like radio aerials is packed in tubes because they are easily damaged when folded and roughly handled.
Poster tubes are very important in the proper storage and safekeeping of props used during theater and filmmaking. The tubes can be labeled, organized, and packed neatly without fear of the items getting damaged.
These tubes are designed as good holders for pyrotechnics. Large-scale fireworks displays are set up in tubes so that they can be detonated in succession automatically without having to ignite them one by one.
Poster tubes can be used as foundation layers. The cardboard tubes can be used to pile building material and hold them in place before a building process is carried out. They are usually used in areas where ground heaving is expected, and they are designed to maintain their circular shape even after the pouring process.
Unusable poster tubes can be reused to plant trees and other plants so that they can be nurtured in a controlled environment. The seedling is grown inside the tube, where compost, manure, or other prerequisites for plant growth are compiled to nourish the plant.
Cardboard tubing is important for drastically simplifying the packing of a survival camping kit. A hiker or camper can pack a lot of equipment, saving space and making room for more essentials.
This chapter will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of poster tubes.
The benefits of poster tubes include:
An increasing number of companies and retailers, looking to avoid plastics, are seeking an alternative for their product organization and packaging. Like any other cardboard packaging, paper tubes are made of cardboard and paper. They are completely eco-friendly, plastic-free, and biodegradable, thus reducing environmental impact. The atmospheric carbon footprint is greatly reduced, improving overall health and quality of life.
With the increasing awareness of plastic pollution and environmental protection across the planet, customers often choose to live a green lifestyle that is further incorporated into their purchases. Because of this, a company offering recyclable and sustainable packages has an advantage over competitors who do not offer environmentally friendly products. The customers will think of the products as a “green” choice.
As previously mentioned, cardboard tubes are manufactured from paper and cardboard, ensuring that the product is safe, natural, and non-toxic. This is very important if the tube is to hold foodstuff (dietary supplements, protein powder, or milk), beverages (coffee, tea bags, or loose-leaf tea), cosmetics, beauty, or other personal care items like lip balm, lotion, deodorant, or solid perfume soaps. There is no worrying about the packaging material tainting, poisoning, or corroding the contents inside.
Another advantage of poster tubes is their naturally sturdy design. As the tubes are spirally wound with layers of cardboard, they become durable, sturdy, and physically difficult to break. During transportation and handling, a custom thick cardboard wall can offer premium cushioning and protection to fragile and brittle goods such as glass round bottles, cosmetic cream jars, liquor bottles, glass candle vessels, or other products.
Paper is relatively lightweight compared to wood, metal, and glass. For packaging spices and seasoning, more brands are starting to use cardboard shaker tubes over glass shaker jars. This is because cardboard jars are very light and cheap to manufacture.
The tubes are also compact due to their cylindrical shape, allowing them to save a lot more space, especially when packing blueprints, posters, certificates, drawings, or other important documents. This attribute ensures that many items can be transported in one tube, saving money on transportation.
Paper is not only the lightest but the cheapest raw material compared to glass, metal, PET, and wood. Post-consumer waste paper (PWC) or virgin paper stock can be chosen depending on the packaging requirements, providing flexibility in the budget. In addition, rigid boxes involve more labor, adding to the manufacturing cost; therefore, using poster tubes is more advantageous. Another advantage is that because of tight packing in tubes, many more products can be shipped at once, cutting down on the number of trips to complete a shipment and saving a lot of money.
Branding is key to gaining an edge in the modern competitive marketplace. With visual signifiers like logos, icons, slogans, and color schemes, one can establish and define a brand image on a poster tube. Cardboard paper tubes are very flexible as they are easily customizable in dimensions, style, extra-value added finishes, and relatively low order minimum for custom artwork design and printing.
Cardboard poster tubes are easily customized to fit desired specifications and match visual systems to create branded and identical packaging that can elevate marketing efforts and set up brand awareness.
Poster tubes are a popular choice for shipping items because they are capable of keeping these items safe from harm. These tubes give the user peace of mind that their documents will reach the intended destination safely. In addition, the documents are rolled before they are placed inside the tube, preventing them from creasing or tearing.
Depending on the nature of the items shipped to clients or businesses, the mail might need to stand out from others. Items shipped in regular, obvious envelopes might look like any other package in a client’s incoming mail. However, shipping tubes are sure to make a statement.
Mail cannot be ignored if it’s sent out in poster tubes. These mailing tubes can be made from various materials, usually cardboard, and can further be reinforced with other materials to protect their contents. Additionally, these tubes can be customized with attractive visual graphics and printed information.
Despite their use, poster tubes do come with a set of drawbacks that make them less readily preferred. The drawbacks of poster tubes include:
The high carrying capacity of poster tubes is well known in the transportation industry. Because some carry so many contents, transporting companies put a heftier charge on the carriage of these tubes. In the case of transporting maps and blueprints, there is no fixed number of items that can be rolled and packed inside a tube. Therefore, this means that transporters can charge an astronomical price on the shipment of a tube regardless of whether it is filled to capacity.
Cardboard poster tubes are not naturally waterproof. There is no guarantee that the contents inside are safe from liquids; they will likely be damaged if any fluid slips inside the tube. The process of making the tubes waterproof is complex and requires a considerable number of resources.
Despite being adopted for the protection of documents and items, poster tubes have little or no protection against fire. Since they are made from cardboard paper, which is flammable, there is little guarantee that the contents can survive a fire.
In the event of a robbery, poster tubes stand out and are an easy target for thieves who know they contain important documents.
Poster tubes can be used to ship blueprints, posters, banners, architectural drawings, artwork, vinyl car decals, and other papers that can be rolled into cylindrical shapes. The tubes can also be used to ship cylindrical items like steel rods. However, because these tubes often ship valuables, the exact packaging must be considered carefully.
The first and most important consideration is the item’s dimensions. Dimensions to note are length, width, and height if the item has a considerable height. The tube must be slightly bigger than the items to be transported. Some objects come in irregular shapes and sizes, like golf clubs, so it is important to take overall measurements of length.
The weight of the contents is important as the best poster tube must be determined based on thickness and strength. For example, if a steel rod needs to be transported, consider a thicker and stronger poster tube than what would be used for transporting documents. For heavier contents, triangular or rectangular prism tubes are ideal as they have a stable base that will not roll over.
For the shipment of delicate and fragile goods, one must choose a poster tube that ensures the maximum safety of the goods. It is recommended to use a poster tube with internally padded walls so that the tough walls of the tube will not harm the fragile goods inside.
Transportation of rollable, unframed art, important papers, and long, slender items frequently involves the use of poster tubes, which are triangular, rectangular, or cylindrical containers with a hollow interior. They are also utilized to transport materials like bulky papers, blueprints, and banners. These tubes are used often because they offer good defense against damage from rough handling during shipping, such as bending, crushing, denting, falling, or creasing.
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