If you have never heard of turned edge packaging, take a look at the turned edge process and technologies by watching our YouTube video.

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Now you should have a better understanding of what turned edge is and the process of making turned edge products. Turned edge can be applied to a variety of products. When a project requires a more professional look and a more durable material, turn to turned edge. The types of products that turned edge can bring a sophisticated look to include:

Boxes: Customization is key to making a product stand out from the others. Turned edge boxes are upscale and are perfect for products wanting to showcase elegance.

Binders: Turned edge binders have the look and feel of a hardcover book and are an impressive alternative to the standard 3-ring binder.

Permavue: These turned edge cases are excellent for showcasing unique and creative designs. The turned edge albums have many options like adding folders for discs and promotional materials. They are also light in weight, making them suitable for direct mail purposes.

Slip/Slant Cases: These turned edge cases are great for organizing program materials, periodicals, marketing mailers, and office papers.

Media Packaging: Turned edge media packaging contains thermoformed trays that are strong and durable, making them ideal for sales kits, multimedia kits, audio books, and promotional materials. They can range from holding one CD or DVD or an entire set of product materials.

Turned edge is unique in that it has an array of customization possibilities. The options include offset and screen printing, foil stamping, embossing, and debossing. There are also many foam shape and size options as well as the use of thermoformed trays. Turned edge works with a variety of materials. From standard paper to suede to linen, there’s a vast amount of materials to choose from. Turned edge packaging can also come in a variety of shapes and sizes that fit whatever a company has in mind.

Turned edge packaging provides durability, versatility, and the ability for a product to stand out from its competition. The upscale look turned edge packaging possesses gives a product a unique and creative look.

Digipaks are becoming a popular option for CD/DVD packaging. They are an attractive and unique way to showcase products and artwork. People all over the world are switching to digipaks because of the versatility they offer. Digipaks can be customized to fit any type of design. They also have many benefits that make digipaks a great option for media packaging. Digipaks are not your ordinary packaging for CDs and DVDs and are being used by many for a variety of different things.

8 Benefits of Digipaks:

1. Two Products in One: Fuses parts of a jewel case and cardboard together.

2. Eco-friendly: They are made from recycled materials and use less plastic than traditional jewel cases.

3. Quality: Digipaks are made from high quality materials and are less resistance to breaking or cracking.

4. Display Capabilities: Images are easier to print on digipaks and graphics can be put anywhere. They can be UV coated or matte finished; both providing the digipak with a luxury finish.

5. Multi-disc options: Digipaks are not limited to only holding one disc. They can be made to hold as many discs as your project requires.

6. Customization: Digipaks are classified by the number of panels. A panel being a one sided square that is apart of the digipak.  They can have as little as 2 and as many as 8 panels. They can be customized by adding pockets, folds, and booklets. They have various places for printing options as well. There are many possibilities and options available.

7. Marketing Included: Since digipaks have the ability to contain more graphic display, marketing efforts are lengthened. The marketing message that is to be delivered can be done on the digipak, increasing the message’s reach.

8. Creativity Has no Boundaries: Digipaks are a fun way to express a creative side. They have to ability to showcase anything that  comes to mind. Whether you use only black and white or the colors of the rainbow, a multitude of graphics or just a few, a digipak will portray the idea you have and give it life.

Microsoft is rolling out their latest window’s upgrade. So, of course we were curious about the packaging and checked out the Windows Blog to see what they had to say. One of the challenges Microsoft was facing in designing its packaging was the stigma of the Vista packaging which almost needed dynamite to open it.

A quote from Microsoft about their packaging reveals, “We approached the packaging for Windows 7 the same way we approached the product – by listening to what our customers told us they wanted: make it a simple clean design, easy to open, and reduce waste.” So, rest assured, Microsoft listened and has improved the packaging.

Their theme is: Simple, Clean and Easy To Open…

Simple:
The graphics are clear and bold. They text font is larger and easier to read. Each version has its own distinct color which makes it easy to identify which version of the operating system you are picking up.

Clean:
The cover graphics are simple and minimal which gives the packaging a fresh and clean feel.

Easy To Open:
The upgrade disc comes in an easy opening, recyclable, frosty clear DVD style case. The case is shaped with the iconic curve on the upper right corner. For security reasons, there will be a seal on the top of the case which is claimed to be removable with little effort.

Reducing Waste:
So how green is it? The entire package is 37% lighter than previous packaging. They accomplished this by using less material to make the case. And the case is recyclable. In fact, the entire package consists of only 3 elements:

1. The upgrade disc
2. A “Getting Started” manual
3. And the recyclable case

So, we give kudos to Windows for listening to consumers and giving them the packaging they want.

The job losses and pay cuts experienced by many people throughout the country have brought on new roles for librarians. Libraries are no longer just a place to check out books, music, and videos for free. They are a place for the unemployed to go seeking comfort and help during hard times.

An article in The New York Times described the new stresses put on libraries.

Without as much money to spend on leisure, more and more people are turning to the libraries’ free resources and entertainment. Many libraries are seeing as much as 10 to 30 percent increases in patronage, as well as double digit increases in DVD, CD, and audio book circulation. This means that a larger media selection is needed, as well as durable, replacement packaging.

Libraries are serving a whole new crowd of users. There have been 40 million visits to New York libraries over the past year, which is the largest amount ever over 12 months. With the unemployment rate up to 8.5% the highest since November 1983 these people are looking to libraries for job-seeking help.

Many libraries are now offering job-search desks, help writing résumés, and workshops to bring hope to the jobless. Librarians are being trained to help with these specific needs, as well as receive counseling from therapists. They are learning how to deal with the stress of dealing with sometimes very emotional job-seekers. At times, depressed and discouraged people may even try to talk to librarians for emotional support. This can be difficult for librarians. In addition, there has been an increase of theft and violence at libraries has brought the need for added security and support.

More than ever before, people are turning to libraries for entertainment, job-help, and emotional support. People are coming in to write a résumé that may have never used a computer before, or may not know how to read or write in English. Librarians need to be trained, in order to perform these tasks for the new roles in which they are placed. With the added help and support, frustrated job-seekers can be given hope for new possibilities.

Given the current economy, people are using libraries more than ever before. They are looking for any way to save money and are turning to the free resources that libraries provide.

Libraries offer books, audio music and books, magazines, programs, computer services, the Internet, and even some DVDs all free of charge. It’s no wonder that so many people are using these free resources, rather than paying for the same thing.

Laura Dolce from seacoastonlone.com reported on several libraries in southern Maine that are having increased circulation of their collections. Several interesting numbers were cited in her report:

• Huge increase in the number of people taking out books, DVDs and audio materials.
• One library saw circulation from July to December of last year increase 8.5%
• DVD usage has increased significantly.
• The number of patrons using libraries regularly has increased also

Not only do libraries need to increase their collections to support this demand, but they may also need to replace their current DVD cases with more durable, long-lasting ones.

But libraries are not exempt from economic hardships. Costs are rising and budgets are tight. Libraries need to watch where they are spending their money. For this reason, it would be a good idea to invest in premium-quality DVD cases and durable audiobook cases for a reasonable cost. More use means that there will be more wear and tear on the cases. Therefore, libraries need cases that will last long, rather than having to replace them frequently.