Why one-size-fits-all bundling doesn’t work anymore

Not all products are the same. They vary in weight, format, material, and many other aspects. So why bundle them as if they were?

Traditional methods like shrink wrap or pre-sized cardboard boxes often rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. While functional, these bundling solutions can lead to material waste, inefficient packaging, and unstable bundles. This is where banding excels. Banding offers a flexible, low-waste bundling solution that conforms to your product, not the other way around.

In this blog, we’ll explore how banding meets the bundling demands of various product types, adapts to unique packaging scenarios, and how cross banding provides added stability where it matters most.

Bundling that matches your product

Whether you’re bundling three cartons of toothpaste or a 3-meter carpet roll, banding can be adapted in different ways to match the product’s size, shape, and structure.

1. A band across the width

Placing a single band horizontally across the center of the product is one of the most common and effective bundling methods. It creates a tight, secure bundle while keeping material usage to a minimum.

This approach is ideal for a wide variety of applications across industries such as:

• Food
• Fresh produce (fruit and vegetables)
• Books, magazines, labels, etc
• E-commerce and retail packaging

Whether it’s keeping a stack of leaflets together or neatly bundling a stack of meat products, a width-wise band offers a clean, efficient solution.

2. Band along the length

If placing the band across the width is not an ideal option, for whatever reason, a band can be placed across the length of the product. The outcome would be the same: an efficiently bundled stack of products.

3. Multiple Bands for Larger Items

For heavy or oversized products, such as rugs, carpets, wooden planks, or other similar items, a single band may not offer enough stability. In these cases, multiple bands can be applied at key points along the product to ensure a secure hold.

With banding, you have the flexibility to apply as many bands as required, exactly where they’re needed, all while still keeping material usage to a minimum.

Cross banding: Total security with minimal material

Some products are tricky to contain. Slippery trays, loose stacks, or fragile bundles can shift easily with a single band. That’s where cross-banding becomes a real game-changer.

What Is Cross Banding?

Cross banding applies two bands to a product, one horizontally and the other vertically. Together, they form a criss-cross pattern that holds products tightly in all directions, preventing products from slipping out of the stack.

Cross-banding in action: Delibarn

One standout example of cross-banding in action comes from Delibarn, a company specializing in deli meat packaging. Their challenge? Keeping stacks of flimsy plastic trays filled with sliced meats stable and efficiently secure inside their inner packs without adding bulky materials.

Their solution was cross-banding. By applying one band horizontally and another vertically around the stack of trays, Delibarn was able to create tightly bound stacks that stayed intact through handling and transport. This not only minimized movement and product damage but also enhanced presentation and reduced packaging waste.

Why banding is the future of custom bundling

The true strength of an efficient bundling solution lies in its adaptability and flexibility. Banding offers this. Whether you need one band, two, or a cross-banded solution, you can tailor it to your exact product.

Combined with the speed and sustainability benefits of banding, this level of adaptability makes it one of the most future-ready bundling solutions available today.

Need a bundling method that works with your products? Banding is ready to deliver.