What makes your product unique? 

Long summer days give us time to enjoy a walk with our dog, a favorite song on the radio, or an ice cream cone. You see, simple things that we value and make us smile don't need to cost a lot. Go ahead! It's your turn to think of a few. Hit the pause button....

Now, what did you come up with?

We have another smile-worthy idea for you. Did you know that we carry a more economical line of our crystal clear bags and boxes? We call it our value line of crystal bags and boxes! Not only are these products budget-friendly, but they may be every bit as good for what you need to package. Your creative designs and edible treats will enjoy the same high clarity of our standard line bags and boxes. We'll let you in on a little secret. Chances are if you were to compare these standard and value options side-by-side, you may not be able to see the difference!

So, what is the difference? You must actually feel these products to fully understand. Imagine, if you will, that you are holding the smooth, clear plastic in your hands. Let's compare them side-by-side:

Did you feel the difference? It's not much, right? The value line will feel a bit thinner and not quite have the "heft" of our standard bags or boxes. Our standard line has a heavier, more durable feeling to it than the value options. Sometimes this is important to your customers. Sometimes not. It all depends on the brand experience you are going for. Choose what is right for you. Both standard and value options maintain crystal clear clarity and a durable barrier. If your customers are likely to focus on the packaging, then perhaps the standard option is better. If you use packaging for quick and simple protection, then the value option might be the way to go.

VL5, VL75 ,and VL4X6NF

While not at the tippy top, don't let our value line fool you! Our value line is made from the same high-quality material used for the standard line; BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene) for the bags, and PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) for the boxes. Besides exceptional clarity, both standard and value options are food safe, acid and lignin free, and archival safe for long-term storage. Our value and standard lines actually have more things in common than not.

VB303

Just like our standard line, our value boxes are soft-folding, easy to assemble, and work great for retail and display. For our value bags, we carry two options: Flap Seal Bags and No Flap Bags. The Flap Seal Bags have an adhesive strip on the flap of the bag that allows you to adjust the length (or height) of the bag for a customized fit. Simply fold the bag over for a snug fit and seal the bag closed. As they suggest, the No Flap Bags have no flap or adhesive closure and are open-ended.

For more cost savings, notice that the value bags come in larger quantities than for those in our standard line. See the following as an example.


For a 8 3/4" x 11 1/16" bag (for a 8 1/2 x 11 product), the breakdown is as follows:


This is a great value! With our value bags, you stand to reap even more rewards.

Our value bags and boxes are the most affordable choice in our line of Crystal Clear Packaging. A little creative budgeting can pay off in the long run. Depending on your packaging needs, our value line can provide simple savings without sacrificing quality. Remember, it's the simple things in life that are often the most satisfying.

Summer is a time to kick your shoes off, walk barefoot, and get a little extra Vitamin D. It’s a perfect time for some sunshine, don’t you think? This month join our Sunshine Sale – Take 10% off all Bags and Boxes. We’re starting off summer with a splash!

The Flap Seal or Protective Closure Decision

What bags and boxes will you choose? Decisions, decisions! Your choice will most likely depend on what you are packaging. That said, we understand that there are subtle differences in packaging options. Take Flap Seal Bags and Protective Closure Bags, for example.

Both bags provide the following:

• A crystal clear presentation
• An easy way to package products
• An adhesive strip to close (or A self-adhesive closure)
• Resealing capability

So, what’s the difference? The main difference is where that adhesive strip is located and how the bags are closed. The Flap Seal Bag has an adhesive strip on the bag flap, which allows you to adjust the fit for your product. The bag flap can be folded over for a tight fit, adjusting the length of the bag. So, if the size of your product varies, Flap Seal Bags may give you the flexibility you need. Because the fit does not need to be so exact, products are more easily inserted into these bags, providing a faster rate of production.

On the other hand, Protective Closure Bags have the adhesive strip on the body of the bag, rather than the flap. This closure requires that your product size is an exact fit for the bag. Standard sized products that are uniform in their shape and dimensions work best in Protective Closure Bags. Because the adhesive strip is on the body and not the flap, the adhesive glue does not catch your product when sliding items in and out. Art/photo prints and stationery products are popular choices for these reclosable bags.

Just remember to consider how your customers will access and use your product. The easier the experience, the more likely your customers will be back for more.

Spotlight Product – Tapered Totes in White and Kraft

New on the scene is our Tapered Tote Boxes – now available in three new sizes and in two different colors – White and Kraft. Cookies, favors, and gifts are right at home in this gable-top style box. This unique design features a product window to give customers a peek of what’s inside.

June Promotion

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Are you missing the promo code? Sign up below and we will send it to your email address.


Promotion ends June 30, 2017. Discounts only apply to stock items; they do not apply to clearance or custom products. Promo codes cannot be combined.

Where you can find us in upcoming trade shows

Our summer schedule is looking busy. We’d love to see you. Stop by for a special promo at the following locations:

• June 4 -6, Sun-Tues – IDDBA, Booth #2269 – Anaheim, CA
• June 12 -14, Mon-Wed – Cannabis Bus Summit & Expo, Booth #317 – Oakland, CA
• June 13 -15, Tues -Thu – EastPack, Booth #2950 – New York, NY 
• June 14 -16, Wed-Fri – APIC, Booth #905 – Portland, OR 
• June 14 -16, Wed-Fri – CWCB NY, Booth #221 – New York, NY 
• June 25 -27, Sun -Tue – Summer Fancy Food, Booth #1055 – New York, NY 

In case you missed them

 Canva: Why You Should Love it as Much as We Do

Give your social media posts a professional edge with Canva, a free graphic design tool. We love it for its easy drag-and-drop interface and access to templates, fonts, and graphics. Did we mention it’s free?

Read more >>



Featured Customer: Kate Weiser Chocolate

This month we’re on a chocolate journey with Kate Weiser. Is there anything more delectable than chocolate? We didn’t think so. Learn how chocolate meets art and the unexpected creations that follow.

Read more >>



Decorative Packaging with Ornate Boxes: For Food, Favors and Gifts

Four-sided packaging is so predictable. Why not turn up the charm and try an ornate box instead? Popular across multiple industries, ornate boxes offer a fresh look for products.

Read more >>



**The Fine Print:
10% off promotion ends on June 30, 2017. Does not apply to custom orders and cannot be combined with any other offers. Cannot be combined with customer-specific pricing program. Limit one use per customer.

This is a guest post from our friend Niki over at 365 Days of Crafts. You can view the original post here! 

Niki goes over how to create this stunning DIY gift from start to finish, that features stenciling our Kraft Tapered Tote for a fun and unique twist.



Try this boho chic gift packaging idea and DIY baby onesie tie dye idea for a great handmade baby gift that does not cost a lot of money but looks like a boutique gift! I don’t know about you but my friends are still popping out the little ones and I am always trying to think of something unique to give them that they want and will actually use. My kids went through baby onesies as fast as they did their diapers. So I thought I would tie dye a bunch of onesies and package them up. I will give directions on how to make both the tie dyed onesies and the uber cool and creative boho chic gift packaging.

SUPPLIES FOR BOHO CHIC GIFT PACKAGING :

• stencil – Handmade Charlotte by Plaid
• paint – Ceramcoat Paint by Plaid
• stencil brush
• Sakura Micron pen
• kraft gift packaging by Clear bags
• scrap paper to tap off excess paint

SUPPLES FOR TIE DYE BABY ONESIES:

• onesies
• fabric dye in multiple colors
• tongs
• rubber bands
• gloves
• covered work surface
• mason jars
• a stove or a microwave
• wear old clothes!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BOHO CHIC GIFT PACKAGING :

Select your paint colors and stencil then place the surface to be stenciled on a covered work surface. Place the stencil in the desired location and dip the stencil brush into the paint. Tap off excess paint. When stenciling less paint is better because you can always add layers.



You can change brushes in-between paint colors. On this project I did not because I wanted blended colors. Play around and get comfortable with paint and see what you like best.

Stencil randomly all over the gift box and allow the paint to dry. Use the same stencil that you used to apply the paint and use a micron pen to create an outline. None of this has to be perfect because that is the nature of hand-made and part of the boho chic look.

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TIE DYE BABY ONESIES:

Cover your work surface before you begin, wear gloves and old clothes. As I say that, I am sitting here typing this in with blue fingernails and a splash of blue dye on the front of my shirt.

Add rubber bands to the dyed item to create your pattern and then soak the items to be dyed in a bath of clean hot water. This helps to get a better dye result.



Either heat up your dye in a dye only pan on the stove or in a jar in the microwave. Use caution when moving hot stuff.
 

Place the item in the mason jar or pan and allow to soak for 15-30 minutes. The longer it soaks the stronger and brighter the color will be. Remove the item dyed and rinse with cool clean water.



Wash with a mild detergent and air dry away from direct sunlight for best results.

Package the dyed baby onesies into the super cute boho chic gift packaging and watch the delight on their face when they see your cool creation.

Item Number: FS181

If you ask us, ornate boxes belong in the whimsical, unique or fun category of packaging. Noted for their fancy shapes, ornate boxes offer an alternative to traditional square or rectangular boxes. With ornate boxes, you’re more likely to see geometric-inspired triangles, tubes or cones. Some are shaped with a purpose. Others are just simply cute! Purses, totes, and Chinese-style takeout boxes remind us of the familiar. Twist tops and clover shapes appeal to our playful side.

Ornate boxes are used for all types of products across multiple industries. Popular for packaging food, crafts, party favors, specialty gifts, and niche items, these boxes give products a fresh look. A triangular box for triangular cheese? Yes, please! And who wouldn’t love candies popping out of a box disguised as a purse? A stack of cookies fits like magic inside a tube or when placed in a takeout box gives new meaning to the expression “dessert first.”

On the functional end, some ornate boxes are made for specific products in mind—talk about special treatment. At ClearBags, we carry Wine Boxes for your favorite vintage, available in Clear and Frosted. Ornate Candy Apple Boxes keep decorative apples intact and have a hole for the stick so your apple won’t tip. Let’s not forget cupcakes, because important cupcakes simply deserve their own individual box. Flower Top Boxes are a great option for cupcakes and can include inserts for added stability. Pull a ribbon to close this fancy box and, voilà, your stylish cupcake is ready to go.

One thing’s for sure, ornate boxes get special attention. You can’t help but notice them! Check out this photo gallery and see for yourself. Do you have a favorite box?

Image from Blackshears Berries Item Number: FS56

Image from Gustus Vitae Item Number: FS321

Item Number: FS283

Item Number: FS182

Item Number: FS212

So, did you spot your favorite box? We put together a Glossary of Ornate Boxes for a handy reference. We carry the following boxes:

Candy Apple Box – FS56

Clover Top – FS278

Flat Cone Box – FS286

Flower Top – FS181, FS212

Handle Box – FS211

Purse – FS210, FS182, FS209

Takeout Box – FS283, FS284

Tapered Hanging Box – FS180

Tapered Tote Box (Clear) – FS279, FS280

Tapered Tote Box with Window

• Kraft – FS320, FS321, FS328
• White – FS330, FS331, FS338

Twist Top – FS238

Triangular Box – FS239

Wine Box –

• Clear – PLB176
• Frosted – PLBF176

Most of our ornate boxes are crystal clear, while our Tapered Window boxes come in natural Kraft and in white paper. All of our ornate boxes are food safe and ship flat to save on shipping costs. Assembly is as easy as folding them into place.

Decorative and always fun, we think your product will be the life of the party inside an ornate box!

Image via Kate Weiser Chocolate Item Number B49NF

What makes your product unique? 

My company has a very modern feel to it and the techniques we use in the kitchen are cutting edge. The first thing our customers notice is the presentation of our bonbons. We mainly focus on the ingredients that we use and the flavor combinations and textures.

How do you package your products and what ClearBags™ products do you use?

We use ClearBags all the time to display our beautiful chocolate sculptures. The packaging comes in almost any dimension you can think of, so we never have trouble finding a box that fits our products perfectly.

Image via Kate Weiser Chocolate Item number: PLB87

Where do you sell your product? 

We sell our products in our 2 store fronts – Trinity Groves and Northpark Center in Dallas, TX. We also sell our products online on our website.

Image via Kate Weiser Chocolate Item number: FPBI261

How long have you been working with ClearBags™ and how does ClearBags™ help you succeed?

I started using Clearbags since the creation of my business, so about 4 years now.

Image via Kate Weiser Chocolate Item number: CTES26

What one piece of packaging advice would you give to other business owners? 

Start off using stock packaging before you begin to create custom. Clearbags had everything we needed to begin our brand and as we move forward we have created custom accessories that fit onto our clear bag packaging. It’s a great way to start small and grow into it.

Image via shabbysnap Item number: B49NF

How can people connect with you?

Instagram: @kateweiserchocolate

Facebook: facebook.com/kateweiserchocolate

In the social media world, change is constant. You must work quickly to keep up with inquiries, new product releases and content creation. Finding tools to make this process streamlined is incredibly important.

One of the tools we have found exceptionally useful is Canva! Canva is a free graphic design tool that is easy to use because of its drag and drop interface and suite of templates, fonts and graphics. All the while giving your social media posts a professional edge.

Creating Graphics

Our favorite part of Canva is their variety of design types. Instead of worrying about perfect pixel proportions or trial and error, they have taken the guess work out and created ready to use templates. We frequently use their “Instagram Post" to make it easy to drop a photo in and resize it, instead of trying to make the photo work inside the Instagram app. Once you decide on which design to go with, they give you a wide selection of pre-made layouts as well. Or if you are feeling particularly creative, design from scratch using custom dimensions.

Photo Editing

If a photo only needs minor tweaks instead of an editing overhaul, then Canva has that covered. Pictured is an example of their filter and flip options. They also have a "crop" option that helps you get the perfect fit for whatever template you are using. Another helpful thing we have found is that Canva allows you to enlarge your photo to best fit the template without the image getting blurry.

Drag and Drop

Cost