At Wynalda Packaging, quality is a commitment woven into every stage of the production process. From folding cartons and rigid boxes to molded pulp, each material and packaging project undergoes a rigorous series of tests designed to ensure structural integrity, aesthetic excellence, and performance in real-world conditions.
Here’s a closer look at the various packaging testing methods we use across our product lines:
Material Testing
Before a package takes shape, the raw materials themselves are tested to ensure durability and performance.
Stock
- Surface Tension (Dyne Test): Measures how well inks and coatings adhere to the surface.
- Ink Drawdown Test: Evaluates ink behavior on specialty stock.
- Drop Dart Impact Test: Assesses the puncture resistance of plastic films and sheets.
- Peel Test: Tests bond strength of laminated materials.
- Paper Stock Moisture Analysis: Ensures paperboard has ideal moisture levels for converting and printing.
- Crease Test: Determines the creasability of printed and unprinted stock.
- ZDT Test: Measures the internal bond strength between the stock coating and paper fibers.
- Gloss Reading: Confirms the correct level of gloss or dullness.
Glue
- Viscosity Test: Measures the consistency of cold extrusion glue.
- Drawdown Test: Checks the application performance of cold extrusion glue.
Folding Carton & Rigid Box Testing
For folding cartons and rigid boxes, aesthetics and function must go hand-in-hand. Our testing methods ensure both are consistently achieved.
Color & Print Quality Tests
- Spectrophotometer & Delta E Tests: Ensure color accuracy for both four-color process and spot colors.
- Gloss Reading: Measures glossiness or dullness.
- Rub Test: Assesses scuffing and rubbing resistance of the ink and coating on the printed substrate.
- Tape Adhesion Test: Evaluates ink adhesion by applying and removing tape from the printed surface to check for ink transfer.
Structural Integrity & Functionality Tests
- Coefficient of Friction (COF) Test: Measures the slide angle to gauge surface slickness.
- Opening Force Test: Measures the force required to open a flat folded carton to ensure compatibility with machines used for fulfillment.
- Tuck Lock Force Test: Tests the amount of force needed to release the tuck lock.
- Bar Code & Digital Code Verification: Ensures all scannable codes are accurate and legible.
Inspections
- Visual Flaws: Check for belt marks, pressure marks, cracks, dents, bumps, holes, scratches, scuffs, nicks, cuts, crushed edges or corners, webbing, bursting, wrinkles, laminated film separation, fractured plastic, excess glue, and dust/debris.
- Print issues: Check for unwanted wave or checkered patterns, voids caused by foreign objects, and unwanted ink transfer.
- Registration: Confirm alignment of print layers, coatings, foil, emboss, cutting, fold lines, magnets, glue joints, tape, windows, and rigid box wraps.
- Foil & Emboss: Check for clumping, excessive flashing, overstamping, lifting or missing foil, and depth of emboss.
- Structure: Confirm overall dimensions, folding quality, glue joint bond strength, and rigid box squareness.
Molded Pulp Testing
Eco-conscious doesn’t mean compromising on quality or performance. Our molded pulp packaging is evaluated using the following methods:
- Pulp Consistency Test: Measures the consistency of the paper pulp in the mixing tanks before thermoforming.
- Pulp Moisture Content Test: Measures the moisture content of formed pulp trays.
- Structural Inspection: Confirms correct dimensions, weight, wall thickness, cutting register, and emboss placement of formed trays.
- Visual Inspection: Assesses opacity and edge cleanliness, and checks for visual flaws, such as stains, holes, creases, crushed edges and corners, webbing, nicks, tears, and debris.
Conclusion
Testing ensures that every package we produce not only looks great but performs flawlessly throughout its lifecycle. Whether it’s protecting a luxury product or standing out in a crowded aisle, these testing methods allow us to uphold the highest standards in packaging quality.
Want to learn how our packaging solutions can elevate your product? Let’s talk.
