Do you want to guarantee perfect and secure envelopes to your important customers? If you haven’t yet considered this, I’d suggest starting now. “Adhesive‐related issues are the number one cause for customer returns,” according to the Envelope Manufacturers Association. Some envelope converters may say, “Our envelopes open and stay closed just fine.” Is this acceptable? An experienced converter will know to ask a customer where the envelopes will travel or how they will be stored to enable the right selection of adhesive. But, in regards to actually applying the glue, what are the right questions to ask? If you are buying envelopes, I’d likely be impressed with any additional knowledge on the subject. This type of expertise could be what helps decide to use one envelope converter over another.
So, what do professionals consider a secure envelope? In technical terms, a secure envelope has at least three folds and two overlapping edges, with seam gumming applied to the overlapping areas. There may be a discrepancy in how well the seam is glued.
To ensure a secure envelope, the manufacturer should have systems in place that apply adhesive consistently, with a clean cut-off. There are a variety of envelope types t
hat may need glue application, however closed seam envelopes are the strongest form of seam construction and they are also the least vulnerable to breaking or popping during the mailing process. The operator must consider the specific method of application, the machines involved in the process, and equipment speeds to ensure the right applicator style is selected. Paul Chambers, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Valco Melton explained, “A 0.35mm nozzle is the right choice for side seam gumming, because it applies gum lines consistently, thus eliminating the inherent problems associated with using improper nozzle sizes, such as tailing and clogging.”
In addition to proper gumming, quality inspection will ensure that the adhesive has been accurately applied at high line speeds. A quality inspection will assure an end-user that the important documents inside their envelopes are secure, without manual operator intervention. If you have ever had to manually check envelopes for quality, you know that this is a big time-saver. Specifically, quality assurance gum inspection sensors guarantee that envelope side seam flaps are glued flawlessly in volume, start and stop, and overall length.
Using an intelligent gluing system with quality assurance will increase business. Here is a quick run-down on how manufacturing a consistent end product will help you:
- Increase new purchases and repeat business with a repetitive quality product
- Provide trust and confidence by knowing you have the right equipment in place to do the job best
- Improve loyalty with a solid track record of superior end-product from the same company
- Make yourself more marketable by using the very best technology from a global manufacturer that you can depend on to support you whenever you need it
Valco Melton is the world’s leading supplier of envelope gluing systems and quality inspection equipment. Learn more about proper gumming and quality inspection here or by speaking to an expert in envelope adhesive dispensing and quality assurance today.
