Poly mailers offer a cheap and lightweight option for transporting goods. Being a well-liked solution for e-commerce companies, poly mailers can be made in a number of sizes and thicknesses to fit a wide range of products. They provide great transit protection for goods, shielding them from contaminants like moisture and dust.
Nonetheless, it is essential to carry out quality inspections of the poly mailers after production in order to guarantee the safety and security of the products. The significance of quality inspection for poly mailers and the procedures to be followed throughout the inspection process will be covered in detail in this blog post.
Why is the quality inspection of poly mailers important?
Poly mailers, whose standards directly affect the safety of products during transit, must undergo quality inspections. Without them, customers might receive harmed goods and businesses might incur needless costs. The secret to guaranteeing that everything arrives at its destination in great shape is proper inspection.
Additionally, the importance of quality inspection also stems from its contribution to the company’s continued professionalism. Damaged, incorrectly sized, or poorly printed poly mailers can detract from the packaging’s overall presentation and give the company an unprofessional air. On the other hand, poly mailers that adhere to the necessary requirements demonstrate the company’s dedication to providing its clients with high-quality goods.
Pre-preparation for quality inspection
Preparing for a poly mailer inspection may seem like a straightforward task, but proper preparation is key to ensuring a successful outcome. A few important steps to take before beginning the inspection include clearing your work area, gathering all necessary tools and supplies, and reviewing any relevant guidelines or checklists. Proper preparation can help save time and prevent errors during the inspection process. Investing time in advance to plan your inspection leads to greater efficiency and accuracy, resulting in a successful completion of the task.
Proper environmental conditions are essential for successful inspection, so be sure to adjust the temperature and humidity levels in your workspace before getting started. The quality of the poly mailers might be impacted by extreme temperatures or humidity, which can cause problems throughout the inspection process.
How many samples will be inspected?
You must be curious about how many samples will be inspected since every order has different quantities. Here we’ll talk about the AQL inspection. To make sure that the products adhere to strict quality requirements, manufacturers frequently employ the AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) inspection procedure.
The AQL inspection entails picking a set number of samples at random from a batch and comparing them to established acceptance criteria. The entire order quantity and the required degree of the inspection determine how many samples should be inspected in each batch.
The inspection covers two parts: special inspection and general inspection. The criteria can be seen in the table below.
If the client doesn’t have a special requirement, we usually use the standard CRITICAL DEFECT=0, MAJOR DEFECT=2.5, and MINOR DEFECT=4.0. A minor defect is a flaw that doesn’t significantly impede the use of the product. A major defect will probably prevent it from being used for the purpose for which it was designed. And a critical defect can be dangerous or even deadly if not addressed.
The special inspection generally refers to functional inspection, and we generally draw according to the S-4 standard. We have zero tolerance for functional problems and will reject the whole batch of products if one bag with critical defects is found. Functional problems of poly mailers mainly include serious stains on the appearance, such as insects, blood, hair, and other dirt found on the bag or in the bag, or the residue of items that threaten personal safety such as blades. It also includes defects of poor sealing edge firmness, adhesive sealer firmness, and other severe problems that seriously affect the user’s use.
For instance, if the order quantity is 8000, the lot range is between 3201 and 10000. You can see from the table that the sample word code for the S-4 standard is G, and the sampling number for G is 32. It means that 32 bags shall be randomly selected to be measured. CRITICAL DEFECT=0, which means that if one function does not meet the standard, the entire batch will be discarded.
In addition to special inspection, there is general inspection, for which we often employ the level II criteria. For instance, we continue to suppose that the order quantity is 8000, level II corresponds to the word code L, and the sampling number for L is 200. MAJOR DEFECT=2.5 and MINOR DEFECT=4.0. You can see from the table that the corresponding AC values for 2.5 and 4.0 are 10 and 14. Therefore, among the 200 randomly selected bags, if there are no more than 10 bags with major defects and no more than 14 bags with minor defects being found, the batch shall be considered acceptable.
Quality inspection criteria
Inspection criteria of the poly envelopes include checking dimensions, printing, film firmness as well as many other quality concerns to guarantee superior results every time. The following are some important aspects.
Dimensions
When it comes to poly mailers, accuracy in measurements is vital. During the inspection, both their length and width must be thoroughly examined. An exact 3mm tolerance can never be exceeded because too much room could be disastrous. Every poly mailer must always provide the precise right dimensions, and this must be ensured. Great caution must be exercised to prevent costly and significant setbacks if this is not done.
Thickness
To ensure the highest standard, the product must be tested with a professional micrometer. Any deviations from the specified range render the package unfit for purchase. For example, we require a +/- 0.4 cmm margin for 6-cmm-thick poly mailers. If it exceeds, it cannot meet our strict standards and won’t pass quality control.
Film Color
Quality assurance for poly mailers demands more than the human eye. We deploy the very best equipment to assess and ascertain that the colors produced meet our stringent expectations. This helps us to ensure we’re always two steps ahead in stipulating only quality products for consumer use.
Ink saturation
If you want to achieve a professional look on your designed poly mailers, the ink applied should be at an optimal level of saturation. Pursuing an even, consistent display is essential and should not be too dull or too bright. This achievable level of perfection results in an even coverage that provides smoothness with every stroke. This ensures nothing but neatness, satisfying the standards of any professional goal.
Ink adhesion
We employ a two-step approach to evaluate ink adhesion. The printing surface is first covered with a special tape that is slightly stretched out to see how much of the ink layer was removed. This assists us in measuring adhesion strength accurately. Second, repeatedly rubbing the two surfaces together is another way to evaluate ink adherence. By doing this, it provides us with more information to help us determine whether the ink adheres effectively.
The stretching force of the film
Our poly mailer film’s stretching ability is essential for getting your mailer off the production line unscathed. We use expert in-house evaluation to ensure that the polymer film’s tensile strength is strong both vertically and horizontally. This enables us to be certain that after our product is full of stuff, it will securely hold whatever it is intended to hold.
The firmness of edge sealing
Edge sealing plays a critical role in the manufacturing process of poly mailers. The violence test is a critical part of the general inspection process, as it evaluates whether safety standards have been met and if components will stand up to rigorous use. By undergoing varying levels of force, this testing also helps ensure optimal strength and durability – two vital factors for workplace wellbeing and overall product quality assurance. Data from successful strength tests conducted are then applied to industry-accepted practices which define the packaging quality and guarantee high performance from all mailers. As such, edge sealing is clearly vital in order to produce superior poly mailers that meet or exceed common expectations for strong, durable packages.
The firmness of adhesive sealer
The poly mailer sealer is designed to be especially firm so that items remain secure throughout their journey. Without this added layer of defense, packages could substitute wear and tear or become damaged during their rendition. We strive for safety and security to ensure your items are in optimum condition when arriving at the destination.
Carton details
It is crucial to make sure that every aspect of the carton has been checked once the poly mailers have been placed within them. The QC team will inspect the cartons to make sure they contain the required amount of bags, are undamaged, have clear and accurate markings, and are properly sealed. To make sure the box is within the limits, we also verify its weight.
Stack details
As part of the inspection process, details of the stack shall be checked closely. Make sure that the legs of the stack are complete and not skewed, and that all cartons are well-protected with the proper wrap-around films and tapes. The protective corners shall also be checked to ensure that they are complete and able to provide the necessary support for the products. The attention to these small details ensures that the product arrives safely and in perfect condition.
Who does quality inspection for you?
Package N’ Go inspection
At Package N’ Go, we have a group of highly qualified experts and cutting-edge facilities devoted to quality inspection. Our team is trained to identify even the smallest flaws so that every delivery meets high standards. To provide complete transparency and give our clients the peace of mind they deserve, we issue a comprehensive inspection report.
Third-party inspections
For those who want more assurance, we are pleased to give the option of a third-party inspection. At every step of the inspection process, we guarantee validity and efficiency by working in close partnership with trusted institutions. No matter what challenges may arise, you can count on us to provide comprehensive support for third-party examinations.
Some inspection institutions
SGS is a highly regarded organization on a global scale with more than 90 branches and 200 laboratories worldwide. This company offers quality assurance backed by its 15,000+ highly skilled specialists. Anyone looking for assurance in what they are obtaining can rely on its seal of approval.
TUV Rheinland is a truly global leader when it comes to product inspection and certification with an impressive legacy of over 130 years under its belt. The German Technical Inspection Agency Network (TUV) has been around for more than a century now – keeping quality standards high across 30+ countries worldwide. Boasting one of the most comprehensive and rigorous sets of test methods in existence, this internationally recognized certifying body ensures that only top-notch safety & quality products make their way onto the market.
Certification standards of different countries
One of the main factors that differentiate poly mailers is the certification standards of the different countries. It is necessary to be aware of these standards.
Knowing the specific certification standards of different countries can help buyers make an informed decision when purchasing poly mailers, ultimately guaranteeing that their products will arrive in good condition. Therefore, even though it can seem like a little point, spending some time learning about the different standards is a smart decision when it comes to transporting goods.
The following are the certification requirements and standards for poly mailers in some countries and regions.
United States
TPCH Certification: The TPCH Certification is designed to minimize potential health risks posed by heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium in packaged products. In 2021 the Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation was updated with new criteria for identifying and regulating additional hazardous chemicals found in packaging materials like PFASs or ortho-phthalates which could be potentially harmful if ingested.
ASTM Certification: The American Society for Testing and Materials is a nationally renowned leader in material testing. Through their ASTM Certification, mailer bag manufacturers have access to the highest standard of quality assurance — ensuring that all thicknesses, strength levels, and sealing capabilities meet essential industry criteria when producing high-quality mailing bags.
FDA certification: To help protect from contamination and other safety issues, shipping mailer bags used to transport food and drugs require certification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA carefully reviews materials, production processes – among many others – in order to ensure that items can be sent safely with few risks of damage or harm.
Europe
EN certification: A number of standards for mailer bags have been created by the European Council for Standardization (CEN), including EN 13427, EN 13428, and EN 13432. These standards outline the specifications for mailer bags in terms of material, thickness, size, strength, and degradability, as well as packaging waste, source reduction, packaging reuse, material recycling, etc.
REACH certification: REACH, the European chemicals management regulation, requires that all chemicals entering the European market, including those used in poly bags, must be registered, evaluated, and authorized to ensure their safety for humans and the environment.
ISO certification: Poly mailer manufacturers can also obtain certifications such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, which certify that the manufacturer’s production processes and management systems meet international standards and have certain quality and environmental safeguards.
Australia
AS/NZS certification: Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand developed AS/NZS 4736, AS/NZS 5810, and other standards, specifying the requirements for mailer bags in terms of material, size, color, printing, etc., while the degradability, biodegradability, etc. are specified.
APCO certification: The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is an organization formed by the government and businesses to promote sustainable packaging and waste management. Mailer bag manufacturers can join APCO and obtain relevant certification to prove that their mailer bag production and management meet the requirements of sustainable development.
ACCC certification: The ACCC is dedicated to maintaining the safety and quality of products available on the Australian marketplace. Manufacturers must ensure their items meet all necessary standards as well as follow any relevant warnings or instructions stated on packaging labels. With this regulation in place, consumers can shop with confidence!
Canada
CSA certification: The ACCC is dedicated to maintaining the safety and quality of products available on the Australian marketplace. Manufacturers must ensure their items meet all necessary standards as well as follow any relevant warnings or instructions stated on packaging labels. With this regulation in place, consumers can shop with confidence!
CAN/CGSB certification: Specifications like CAN/CGSB 51.34, which details the material, size, color, printing, and other specifications for courier bags as well as their biodegradability, have been developed by the Canadian Government Standards Board.
Environmental certification: The Canadian government encourages businesses to use environmentally friendly resources and manufacturing techniques. Manufacturers of mailer bags can demonstrate the environmental friendliness of their goods by obtaining environmental certification, such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or EcoLogo (Environmental Choice) certification.
Where to buy poly mailers?
Package N’ Go, the one-stop shop for E-commerce packaging you can trust
Package N’ Go is your go-to source for custom poly mailers, whether you need one poly mailer or thousands. Our professional staff ensures the strictest quality inspection so that you can rest assured that your poly mailers are up to your standards. We know how important it is to make sure every poly mailer is perfect before it’s used in shipping – which is why we take the poly mailer quality inspection so seriously.
You can trust us and place your order without hesitation, click here to check the price chart. And if you still have anything to ask about custom poly mailers or other packaging, feel free to contact us. Package N’ Go has the best service for packaging and customizing.
