Six Typical Mistakes When Ordering Custom Paper Tubes (and How to Avoid Them)
First Mistake: Choosing the Wrong Type of Paper Can
Paper can packaging is diverse, with a dozen common types of options.
The types of paper can designs not only enhance product looks but also improve functions, convenience, and market competitiveness. When selecting, fully consider the specific packaging needs of the product. For example, cookie tubes often use side window designs so customers can see the product inside clearly on store shelves.
How to Avoid It:
Second Mistake: Size and Tolerance---Overlook Size, Height, and Details
The diameter of a custom paper tube directly decides the opening size, which is the key to whether the product fits smoothly. Common sizes for reference: Note: Standard sizes may differ from one manufacturer to another. if the size you need is non-standard, you may need to open a mold ( usually at a cost). In some cases, mold fees may be refunded once order quantities or values reach a certain level. Be sure to confirm specific policies with your manufacturer. However, custom paper tube dimensions are not just about diameter and height. You also need to consider wall thickness, end closure types (e.g., screw caps, crimped edges, or easy-open tabs), and crucial manufacturing tolerances. Tolerance refers to the tiny size range allowed during production—a normal event. Failure to account for this can cause your inserts or products not to fit properly in the custom tube box, affecting the user experience.
How to avoid this:
1.Measure precisely and test multiple samples: Accurately measure your product and all internal fillers, then test 1-2 samples to ensure your order is perfect before ordering in bulk.
2.Proactively discuss critical sizes: Talk with your custom paper tube manufacturer about the tolerance range for diameter and height. They can suggest sizes that meet standards while fitting your needs.
3.Insist on physical samples: Always get physical samples of custom paper tube to confirm the tube fits your product.
Third Mistake: Neglecting the Importance of Cardboard Material and Thickness
The thickness and material of custom paper tubes are not uniform. Assuming all cardboard has the same thickness may result in serious packaging errors. Common cardboard types include: The custom paper tube's thickness (typically measured in microns or millimeters), quantity of paper layers, and paper quality together define its strength and suitable applications. Using tubes that are too thin may collapse during transit, damaging the contents. Conversely, employing excessively thick tubes for lightweight items results in unnecessary cost waste.
How to Avoid It:
1.Define the Application: Clearly explain the exact purpose of the tubes to suppliers—whether for light cosmetics, busy documents, or fragile items.
2.Understand Material Specifications: Ask about cardboard types (e.g., kraft paper, white card stock, coated paper) and relevant strength metrics like burst strength or edge crush resistance to accurately assess material performance of custom paper tube packaging.
3.Conduct Physical Testing: Request samples to verify the tubes' actual thickness and structural integrity. This includes checking their ability to withstand drop impacts or maintain structural integrity when stacked.
Fourth Mistake: Providing Artwork with Color Discrepancies or Insufficient Clarity
Your custom printed paper tubes serve as a critical medium for showcasing your brand image. Submitting low-resolution or incorrectly formatted artwork can result in blurred, pixelate prints or misaligned graphics. Printing on a cylindrical surface requires high-resolution vector files and precise prepares settings. Raster images (like JPEG or PNG) typically have limited resolution and struggle to achieve sharp, accurate printing on custom printed paper tube surfaces.
How to Avoid:
1.Use Vector Files: Prioritize vector files in formats like AI or PDF. These files allow lossless scaling, ensuring crisp printed edges.
2.Confirm Bleed and Safety Margins:
Confirm with designers that bleed areas (typically 3mm) are included in artwork and that adequate safety margins are set to prevent critical content from being cropped or leaving blank edges.
Request Digital Proofing: Obtain digital proof samples of custom printed paper tubes from the manufacturer before production.
Fifth Mistake: Ignoring Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) Requirements
Many buyers are often unprepared for custom paper tubes due to lack of prior notice of Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) requirements.
Custom paper tube box production requires specialized tools and equipment setup, making small-batch orders difficult to execute due to high unit costs—or even impossible to schedule.
How to Avoid It:
1.Confirm MOQ Early: Before initiating the design process, consult the manufacturer about the MOQ for your required paper tube type and plan based on actual inventory needs.
2.Evaluate Standard Size Options: For smaller orders, inquire about whether standard-sized custom paper tubes are available. These products typically have lower MOQs and often support custom printing.
3.Flexibly Adjust Packaging Solutions: If the MOQ for custom sizes exceeds expectations, consider modifying the design to fit existing standard custom paper tube types, thereby balancing costs and order volume.
Sixth Mistake: Choosing Suppliers Based Solely on Price
While price is an important factor, it may be more costly to select paper cardboard tube packaging suppliers based only on the lowest quote. The cheapest option often entails compromises in material quality, printing results, or customer service. This can ultimately cause packaging that isn't aligned with your brand image, fails to provide adequate protection, or even affects overall schedules due to delivery delays.
How to Avoid It:
1.Comprehensively evaluate supplier value: Beyond price, consider the supplier's market reputation, quality control systems, delivery cycles, and customer service standards for custom tube packaging.
2.Verify credentials and past projects: Review relevant certifications and previous client case studies to ensure the supplier possesses the capability to meet your requirements.
3.Define and confirm delivery timelines: Clearly agree on delivery dates with the supplier before placing an order and ensure their reliability in meeting deadlines to prevent disruptions to subsequent production schedules.
Summary: How to Order Your Custom Paper Tubes Confidently
Ordering custom paper tubes doesn't have to be difficult. By understanding and avoiding the six common mistakes outlined above—choosing the wrong paper tube type, setting incorrect dimensions and tolerances, overlooking cardboard material and thickness, submitting unclear print files, ignoring minimum order quantities (MOQ), and selecting suppliers based solely on price—you can ensure a smooth and successful process.
The key to a successful outcome lies in selecting an experienced, reputable manufacturer. They will guide you through the entire process of customizing your custom paper tube packaging from initial design of custom tube box to the delivery of high-quality finished custom printed paper tube. This approach ensures you receive durable, visually appealing branded custom paper tube box that not only protect your products perfectly but also leave a great impression on your customers.