Ask Ozone

Question

Good morning:

I’m a Project Engineer and for one of my projects I have to lease a shrink wrap machine. I’ve seen on your web-site that you possess shrink systems and please will let me know if something is available right now for lease – regarding to below information.

In attachment you will find pictures about our promotion production – 2 bottles shrink together – 114 fl oz + 22 fl oz. On these pictures you will find all dimensions regarding to our product. Machine requirements – The shrink tunnel with an aperture of min. 14″ high.

So please will let me know ASAP because I need this equipment here before oncoming Monday. I had one company how should lease me this machine (used shrink wrap machine) but unfortunately they have so technical issues with this machine.

Cheers,

Robert K.

Answer

Office Zone offers a wide variety of L-bar shrink wrapping systems with tunnels. L-bar shrink systems use impulses of electricity that cut and seal film much faster than traditional I-bar shrink systems. They also produce less odor.

We have everything you need to start shrink wrapping a wide variety of products including food, DVDs, CDs, bottles, software boxes and more. In your photos you indicate you want to shrink wrap two plastic household cleaning product bottles together. Most of the machines on our shrink wrap index page can handle this.

You also said that you needed a machine with a shrink tunnel chamber at least 14 inches high. Most of the models we offer do not have a heat chamber this tall. However, all you need to do is wrap the two bottles in the shrink film, position them next to each other horizontally in the chamber, and then close the hood to shrink wrap them together.

Office Zone has a lease-to-own payment system. You can find more information about our office equipment leasing program here.

Question

First of all, I want to tell you I’ve had the Carl R200 for about 2yrs. and never used it, pulled it out and I can’t believe why I didn’t use it sooner, it’s the best cutter I have ever used! Thank you for a good product. Now I will be needing replacement blades soon. Just wanted to let you know, your product is great. I bought it at Sam’s club, would love if they had the replacement blades.

Connie S.

Answer

I agree that the Carl RT-200 Rotary Paper Cutter is one of the best paper trimmers for the money. I purchased one almost eight years ago for my wife and it’s still going strong. The RT-200 is one of the most versatile paper cutters on the market that can be used for a variety of home and small office projects. We typically use ours for scrapbooks, photo albums, school projects, church projects, you name it.

The cutter has a sturdy rail system with a sharp carbide blade. We still haven’t had to replace the blade. The unit holds paper firmly in place while it’s cut, ensuring straight, precise trimming. And, the RT-200′s metal base and body make this machine very stable. Office Zone carries a wide variety of replacements blades for the RT-200.

Question

So will the Spiral O work with a 2:1 pitch?  I have a Zutter Bind it all and I’m trying to figure out the difference between these two types of wires and what will work with my machine.

Susan G.

Answer

We have heard of Zutter binding machines, but have not seen one up close. From what we’ve observed, it appears to be used mainly for home craft, scrap booking type projects. It does not appear to be a machine intended for use with office projects. The point is, we’re not sure what your binding machine’s hole punch pattern/pitch is and what type of wire to recommend.

Wire binding machines are manufactured in one of three different hole punch formats. The wire binding supplies must have the same hole pattern as the machine, or they simply will not work. The three hole patterns are 2:1 wire, 3:1 wire and 19-ring Spiral-O.

The 2:1 wire has two holes per inch, 3:1, three holes per inch, 19-ring Spiral-O has the same hole pattern as a comb binding machine. I’ve included a few images here for reference. Your machine should state what hole pattern/pitch it uses. Some higher-end machines will punch multiple hole patterns.

Office Zone offers a wide variety of colors and diameters of wire at a discounted price. We have hundreds of boxes of binding wire ready to ship, straight from our warehouse.

Signature capture pads and pens are making an invasion into many aspects of our lives. If you buy something at the store using a credit card, you have probably used a one of these devices. Ever picked up a prescription? You have probably used one. The same goes if you have ever signed for a package as it is delivered. These pads can be used to capture signatures for a variety of applications. Here are a few basic tips and information regarding these unique devices.

Digital pen tablets allow the operator to use a pen-like instrument to sign a plastic pad that captures that signature and transforms it into an image. This image can be stored in a database, be pasted into a document, be e-mailed and much more. There are several uses for these devices.

Many digital capture tablets can be integrated into existing software programs. Topaz, one of the leading manufacturers of these types of devices, has several developer kits available for use with multiple programming languages. Some kits make it possible to even securely sign documents over the Internet. Topaz manufactures lines such as the SigLite, SignatureGem and more.

Not all capture pads are the same. They vary in design and function, depending on the need for the device. The most basic signature capture pads typically handle around 10,000 signatures. Other signature capture pads can handle upwards of 250,000 signatures.

Entry-level signature capture pads do not include a visual LCD interface. They simply capture a signature, albeit there is a guide line letting the customer or user know where to sign. This is often all that is needed. LCD versions of signature capture pads include visual guides on where to sign the signature and allow the user to see their signature as it is being signed. LCD pads will often allow the integration of a menu guide for use with POS systems.

If you still require a paper copy, for filing or legal issues, there are signatures capture tables that use a sheet of paper on the surface, but can still capture the data digitally underneath the paper. The surface area of the signature capture pad varies as well, depending on how large a signature or how much data needs to be captured or displayed. Most pads have at least a 1 x 5-inch surface area.

Signature capture pads continue to rise in use and popularity. You can find out more information about digital pen tablets by contacting Office Zone.

There are many shops, businesses and entrepreneurs in the world who want to package and sell their products. This includes artwork, DVDs, gift baskets and more. One of the best ways to package a product is by using a shrink wrap machine. However, it isn’t always that simple. Often times, when a machine is purchased, the new owner has no idea where to go from there. There are two different types of shrink wrap film, depending on what is being packaged, that can affect the end product.

There are many questions one asks when researching packaging material for the new machine. Should I buy PVC film or Polyolefin film for my shrink wrap machine? What is the difference between the two? Is one better than the other?

The first thing to consider when looking for packaging material is to analyze what you will be packaging. With regards to the type of shrink wrap film you use, one must determine whether or not the product is edible, if multiple products be packaged together, if there are any sharp corners and whether or not the shrink wrap machine be used indoors.

The two most common types of shrink wrap film used today are PVC and Polyolefin film. PVC film used to be the film of choice. It was inexpensive and widely available. Polyolefin film has been growing in popularity over the past few years and is now almost as common as PVC shrink film.

PVC film is still very popular for use with CD and DVD packaging. You will also find PVC film being used to package boxes, software and other non-edible products. PVC film is more brittle than Polyolefin film and is not good for use with bundling multiple products. PVC film is also not safe for use with food products. PVC film emits an odor that some may find irritating if being used indoors. It is always recommended to use PVC film in a well-ventilated room.

Polyolefin film is very popular for use with food products, gift baskets, bundling multiple products and more. Poly film is more pliable than PVC film and does not tear easily. Polyolefin emits little odor and is fine for use indoors. As mentioned before, polyolefin is perfectly safe to use with food.

Most shrink wrap machines are capable of using both PVC and Polyolefin film. The heat required to shrink both types of film is about the same. Polyolefin and PVC film can be shrunk using a heat tunnel or a heat gun.

Shrink wrap continues to be the preferred choice for packaging products. Contact Office Zone for more information on shrink wrap machines.

Shrink wrapping products used to be something only found in a factory or industrial warehouse. Shrink wrap machines were huge cumbersome machines that required several people to operate. This is no longer the case. Shrink wrap machines are now available for small business and individual use. These machines are inexpensive and shrink film is cheaper than ever.

Shrink wrap machines used to be traditionally used for packaging CDs and DVDs. It was also used to package software boxes, tapes and other items. While shrink wrap can still be used to package CDs and DVDs, shrink wrap can also be used to package old documents, invoices, gift baskets, soap and much more.

There are two main types of shrink wrap machines available. These are known as I-bar and L-bar shrink wrap machines. Both machines are relatively easy to set up. I-bar sealers are typically designed for low to mid-volume shrink wrapping and L-bar sealers are designed for mid to high-level shrink wrapping.

I-bar sealers utilize a single sealing bar. This single bar is brought down in order to cut the film. It usually takes about three passes to fully seal a product with film. Once the film is cut around the product, a heat gun is used to shrink the film.

L-bar sealers use an L shaped sealer bar that cuts the film around a package in one single pass. This makes packaging extremely fast. Once the package is sealed with film, it can be shrunk using a heat gun or can be shrunk even faster with a heat tunnel. Many L-bar sealers now come with a built-in heat tunnel.

There are two types of shrink film that can be used with shrink wrap machines. These are PVC and Polyolefin film. PVC film has been around a while and is traditionally used to package CDs and DVDs. PVC film is more brittle and emits more odor when shrunk. PVC cannot be used with food.

The newer, and now more popular, Polyolefin film is more stretchy than PVC film. It is safe to use with food and costs about the same as Polyolefin film. Polyolefin film emits little odor and is safe to shrink indoors. PVC film and Polyolefin can both be used with most shrink wrap machines.

If you previously thought shrink wrap machines were not a viable option for you, you should reconsider and look at the wide variety of shrink wrap available today.

Business cards are a great way to get your name out, whether it is for outbound sales or at a trade show. They have even been known to win a free lunch or two with business card raffles at restaurants. Many of these business cards have sleek designs, brilliant colors and a clean finish. It may surprise you to know that many of these professional business card are created in house.

The quality of an in-house card will depend entirely on the printer being used to print the card. There are many card software programs out there to help design and layout a professional design. Ink jet and laser printers can be used to print the them. The speed at which they may be printed depends entirely on the printer model being used.

These cutters then take the printed sheets of cards and

cut them down to size. Most of these cutters are compact, usually no bigger than an inkjet printer. Business card cutters are available in manual and electric designs.

Manual card slitters, sometimes referred to as hand crank cutters, are very easy to operate and are great for low to medium volume use. A great example of a manual cutter is the Cardmate. A handle is turned, the paper is pulled into the machine and the cards are cut. After two passes, individual business cards are ready to use.

Electric card cutters are more common and operate more quickly. These machines are usually available in 10-up, 12-up and 4-up designs. A 10-up card is a page template that prints 10 cards on an 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper. A 12-up is 12 cards and a 4-up is four cards. Most electric business card slitters still require two passes to complete the cutting process, but this is very easy to do. The Intimus GC210 is a good example of an electric business card cutter designed for high volume cutting.

Other than saving a lot of money over time, business card slitters have other benefits. One of the most common reasons people love them is convenience. They allow the user to cut more business cards, as they are needed. There is no delay or waiting for someone else to get the job done.

Slitters are an ideal choice for any business or organization that wants to save money and streamline operations. Contact Office Zone for more information on business card cutters.

Question

We need more information about this laminator. Does it laminate both sides or just one? Is it a pocket laminator? etc.?

Mandy H.

Answer

The SircleLam EM-40 Roll Laminator laminates on both sides. It is not a pocket (pouch) laminator. It is a roll laminator. This means the machine uses two separate rolls of lamination film to fully encapsulate whatever it is you need laminated.

The SircleLam EM-40 is capable of laminating signs, posters, and other related material up to 40 inches in width. This particular model can laminate items up to a 1/4 inch in thickness. The SircleLam EM-40 and is best suited for use in print shops, copy shops, various schools, offices, government organizations and more.

The EM-40 operates at the relatively fast speed of 10-feet per minute. It comes fully equipped with all of the features you need — including four rollers — to ensure a professional, smooth-looking lamination job. One big advantage of the EM-40 that customers prefer is the machine’s power requirement. It plugs into a common 110v outlet, thus eliminating the need to have a separate 220v line installed in your building.

Display racks are an important part of presenting books, DVDs, magazines and brochures in a professional way. Several styles and designs are out there, ranging from wall-mounted racks to tabletop designs. Displays made from plastic are growing in popularity, but the question is asked, “Are they durable enough?” This article will discuss the benefits and disadvantages to owning a plastic display rack.

These displays are certainly nothing new. They have been around for decades. Found in gas stations, dentists offices and school halls, plastic display racks do a great job of presenting material in a clear and professional way. This style of rack, however, has gone through its share of growing pains.

Plastic display racks used to have a bad reputation of breaking easily, creating cracks and sometimes-dangerous jagged edges. Because of this reputation, many people have been cautious about using this style of rack. Wooden magazine racks continue to be the display rack of choice for lobbies and businesses throughout the world.

Literature displays made from plastic are no longer made from flimsy plastic, but rather Polyethylene Terepthalate Glycol (PETG) plastic that is shatterproof. Most plastic displays are made from this material. It is still clear and professional, but isn’t dangerous and is also capable of resisting scratches. This improves its longevity.

Display racks made from plastic are available in a wide range of shapes and designs. One of the most popular designs is the wall-hanging rack that can be bolted to a wall. Pocket sizes range from model to model, but are primarily used to display magazines, brochures and other literature.

These may also be found in desktop display rack models and carousel desktop models for displaying smaller volumes of literature. Another popular style is the corner hanging rack, which is great for tight spaces and makes great use of space usually not used for anything.

Plastic display racks are a viable and smart option for those just beginning to look for a way to display magazines and literature or who are in need of a replacement rack.

Why would anyone want to use a vacuum food sealer? Perhaps a better question is, Why would anyone want a vacuum sealer in their home? Using a vacuum sealer in a retail business makes sense. You can package food for resale, extend its life, freeze it and much more. Here are a few reasons why you may want to consider using a vacuum food sealer for home use.

1. First off, vacuum food sealers are no longer just huge machines that sit in the backroom at a grocery store or packaging plant. They have really come down in size and are now so compact they can be used on a counter or table. Some models are so light (12 pounds) that they could even be used on a flimsy card table. This compatibility and convenience makes packaging food at home possible.

2. Vacuum food sealers can extend the life of perishable food by up to 3-5 times. This can really save a family money. How many times have you had to throw out food because the Tupperware container or Ziploc back didn’t do its job? A vacuum-sealed bag removes 99.9% of the air and dramatically cuts down on bacteria that can spoil food. This can be for freezer or fridge use.

Do you like to fish or hunt? Chances are pretty good that meat from fish or deer will be thrown in the freezer for later use. Unfortunately, food placed in the freezer for storage can suffer from freezer burn. Meat is very susceptible to freezer burn. Vacuum-sealed meat is impervious to freezer burn.

Fruits and vegetables from the garden can also be vacuum packaged and placed in the freezer for later use. Many people like to vacuum package strawberries or raspberries for freezer storage to be made into jam months later.

3. Have you ever heard of sous vide cooking? Sous vide isn’t a clothing line, but a creative way to cook food in a vacuum bag. Sous vide is French for “under vacuum.” Using boil barrier vacuum seal bags, food (such as ribs) can be vacuum-sealed and boiled. Many people like how the flavor of marinate sauces and natural juices are kept in the bag during the cooking process. The end result is a flavorful meal. Cookbooks are available online with step-by-step recipes.

Packing food with a vacuum sealer is a practical and convenient way to preserve and protect food. Contact Office Zone for more information on vacuum food sealers.