Packaging Test Lab

Key Capabilities

The Packaging Test Lab has the equipment and experts to provide a variety of standard and customized tests used to evaluate your packaging. We look at packaging challenges with the total supply chain in mind. Every touchpoint is considered and your end-of-project recommendations are always backed by proven data.

Performance Conscious Cost Reduction
Automation Recommendations
Packaging Process Optimization
Total Cost of Ownership Analysis

Rapid Prototyping

Ability to create and test our packaging recommendations, before we provide them to you.

Optimized Material

Our engineers always consider any alternate material options to reduce costs without reducing performance.

Our engineer performing a film force test

20+ Packaging Tests

Our lab can provide a wide range of tests, allowing us to provide recommendations for any packaging project.

Core Tests

Drop Impact

Drop Impact tests measure the capability of a container to withstand the sudden shock resulting from free fall.

Incline Impact

An Incline Impact simulates rail car handling, sudden breaking, and pallet marshalling.

Compression

A Compression test simulates the stacking of unitized loads during storage and shipment to make sure the packaging is able to withstand various compression forces.

Forklift Handling

A common distribution test will simulate forklift handling with rotational flat, edge, and corner drops as well as the ISTA forklift handling road course.

Environmental Conditions

Environmental testing determines if the package and product can withstand temperature changes, humidity, and other known environmental factors in the product's distribution environment.

Water Vapor Transmission

Used to determine the water vapor transmission rate of permeable and semipermeable materials such as paper, films, and fiberboards.

Load Containment Force

Load containment is a measurement of the force required to cause a shift in your pallet load.

Puncture Force

Used to measure a material's resistance to being punctured.

Tension Strength

Tension strength testing measures the force required for a material to break under tension.

Pallet Pattern & Packaging Analysis

Secondary packaging and your pallet pattern form a relationship that can have a big impact on your shipment process. Using specialized software, we analyze your package and pallet pattern stack to reduce any space you may be shipping. Completing a project could result in:

Increase the number of boxes per pallet and truckload
Improve productivity by decreasing time and errors in the loading process
Cut storage and transportation costs
Decrease overall packaging and materials costs
Reduce your carbon footprint

Packaging Test Lab FAQs

What standards are your tests performed to?

All standard tests performed in our lab are done so in accordance with ISTA (International Safe Transit Association) or ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) regulations.

I’m not sure if I need a full Lab Testing Project, but I’m interested in something smaller?

Check out the Pallet Pit Stop. You send us your finished pallet (product and secondary packaging) then we run a standard set of tests on it and provide you with any recommendations. Then we ship your pallet back to you. Simple.

I heard someone say that a very small amount of damage to the packaging is good, is that true?

This is a complex issue but yes, there is an amount of damage that is correct. Depending on the nature of the shipment, if you’re experiencing no damage you may be overpackaging at increased costs.

Why are you recommending a more expensive stretch wrap film, won’t that increase my cost per roll?

While your cost per roll may be more expensive, your cost per load won’t be. Premium stretch wrap films perform better and you’ll actually be using less material overall leading to cost reduction.

Start a Project Discussion

Our packaging engineers are passionate about collaborating with our customers to create innovative solutions that solve your toughest packaging challenges.