Aromatherapy-The Holistic Way To Well Being!

Aromatherapy is used to maintain general health and well being and offers many additional benefits. These include boosting the immune system, aiding digestion, easing muscle pain, reducing stress and improving your skin complexion.

It can also reduce tension related headaches, alleviates anxiety and helps to reduce feelings of depression! This is why aromatherapy, as an alternative holistic therapy is becoming more and more popular.

Polmac 2-Tier Aromatherapy Starter Kits

Broadly, people who practice aromatherapy fall into two groups - practitioners and consumers and both groups need to keep their aromatherapy products and accessories somewhere.

Practitioners will have practitioner cases and consumers single, or 2-tier starter kits and simple aromatherapy boxes for their essential oils.

These kinds of containers not only keep the aromatherapy products and accessories in one place, they'll also protect and preserve the essential oils for longer.

Aside from aromatherapy boxes, if you're looking to impress your friends or relatives on a special occasion such as a birthday or Christmas, what better way is there than  giving them an aromatherapy gift set.

Premium quality wood is ideal for making aromatherapy boxes and gift sets because wood is a beautiful, versatile and organic material that compliments the organic nature of essential oils perfectly.

Aromatherapy boxes and gift sets may be crafted into many shapes, sizes and styles,  depending upon individual preferences and finished with beautiful clear lacquers, or stunning natural wood and colour stains.

They can also be supplied with printed logos and / or text, for a more personalized finish.

Different people will have different ideas about the contents of aromatherapy boxes and gift sets but the basics will include essential oils, carrier oils and lotions to dilute the essential oils and perhaps a burner or diffuser.

Scented aromatherapy candles can also be included, as they provide an excellent introduction to aromatherapy, some complimentary music cd's to create a soothing and relaxing atmosphere and perhaps a book about aromatherapy if the recipient is new to aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy boxes and gift sets and the essential oils they contain will provide valuable health benefits, along with enticing aromas that create a relaxing and holistic effect on mind and body that can be truly life enhancing!

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King Tutankhamun's Plywood Legacy!

In 1500 BC Egyptian craftsmen used thin strips of dark ebony to decorate the outside of a cedar wood casket found in King Tutankhamun's tomb.

The Greeks and Romans later used this technique to produce decorative objects such as fine furniture. In the 1600's this method of decorating furniture became known as  veneering and the thin strips were called veneers.

Since then the technology has advanced considerably and plywood is now made from three or more thin layers of wood veneer, glued together with an adhesive. Each layer, or 'ply', has the grain running at right angles to it's neighbour, in order to reduce shrinkage and improve strength. 

Birch Ply Round Hamper Gift Boxes

Plywood has excellent strength and stiffness properties, and therefore performs well in applications where high strength and rigidity is required. It also has good resistance to humidity and is easy to work and handle.

Most plywood is supplied in large, flat sheets with thicknesses ranging from 1.4 mm to 76 mm. The most common panel size used is 1.2 m wide by 2.4 m long.

One of the great advantages of plywood, particularly birch plywood is that it can be pressed into simple or complex curve shapes, for use in furniture, boats and aircraft, so is an extremely versatile material. 

For example, the De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito flown so successfully in World War II was built from compound sandwich panels using Canadian birch plywood.

De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito

However, plywood is also used extensively in wood box making! Among the most common uses for thin gauge birch plywood is the manufacture of round boxes such as large round hamper boxes and shaker boxes.

It's also used as the base layer of wooden boxes to provide greater overall strength and rigidity and as the top layer of larger wood boxes where solid wood would tend to warp!

Plywood has a smooth even grain pattern that's ideal for the application of clear lacquers and beautiful, natural wood and colour stain finishes, that undoubtedly add a touch of elegance and class to the finished product.

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Customized Wood Fly Boxes - A Cut Above The Rest!

Fly boxes are used as an easy and simple way to store flies neatly and safely. The inside of the fly box is usually designed to accommodate a variety of different fly sizes and types.

However, choosing the right fly box can be difficult, especially as there are so many different types available, including fly boxes made from metal alloy, plastic and wood. Plastic fly boxes are particularly popular, as they're cheap and practical to use.

So, why would anyone invest their hard earned money in a wooden fly box when there are so many cheaper versions available? Well, one of the main reasons is that wooden fly boxes can be customized!

Customized Teak Fly Boxes

For instance, you can tell the story behind the craftsmanship that went into making it. Hand-crafted, wooden fly boxes can therefore be extremely evocative, because they  connect with a person's basic emotions.

The best fly boxes comprise the finest woods available and a method of production that combines using woodworking machines with that very important, creative human touch.

The base and the lid of these high specification fly boxes are carefully routed out to allow space for pre-formed foam inserts to which the flies are attached and these are then joined together with strong internal solid brass hinges and flush magnets.

The fly boxes are then waterproofed with several coats of yacht varnish and made watertight by fitting an internal rubber gasket.

The end product is a labour of love that can be customized with an image that meets a particular emotional need, or has some personal significance, such as being related to a country, a place or a river. This kind of personalization is very powerful indeed.

Wooden fly boxes are made from a range of beautiful hardwoods, including teak, walnut, bamboo and cherry and may be embellished with decorative features, such as carvings, flush inlays and colour combinations. Teak is particularly popular as it has excellent water resistant properties.

There is no doubt that people are drawn to custom-made, hand-crafted, wooden fly boxes because they are personal and have a unique warmth and beauty that is difficult to replicate in metal alloys and plastic.

They can also be signed and dated by the craftsman, so they become true objects d'art that have a practical use, rather than just being looked at. The process of making fly boxes may take longer and may cost more but the outcome will be well worth it.

Hand-crafted wooden fly boxes make excellent gifts because they evoke feelings of pride, so they can be cherished over a lifetime and handed down as family heirlooms.

When you show members of your family, friends and colleagues your customized, hand-crafted, wooden fly box, they'll be impressed by that special quality and know immediately that you're fly fishing in style! Isn't that worth waiting for?

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How To Get A Cracked Paint Finish Onto Wooden Boxes!

Many wood gift boxes manufactured for commercial use today are made to high quality standards, with a highly polished finish!

However, authentic cracked paint finishes on wood boxes are also incredibly popular but authenticity is a rare commodity nowadays.

So, this kind of finish is often produced artificially, to provide similar effects to the natural deterioration that occurs to paint over time, particularly when exposed to daylight.

Wooden Box With Cracked Paint Finish

The resulting paint finish is unusual and eye-catching and if done correctly can provide that weather beaten, rustic, farmyard effect that you may be looking for.

So, how do you get a cracked paint finish on a wooden box? Well, there are a number of proprietary 'crackling glaze' products, that you can buy over the counter at your local DIY shop, that will get the job done for you.

The application of the paint is simple enough but you need to understand the process, if you want an authentic looking finish. With this in mind, a little practice on some wood off-cuts you've discarded, until you get it right, makes good sense.

Proprietary crackled glaze products will provide instructions on how you can apply their paint successfully. However, to achieve the very best results, you need to use a combination of water based emulsion paint and crackle paint.

Use two base coats of emulsion paint, then one base coat of proprietary crackle paint. After the first coat of emulsion, add the crackle coat, brushed in the same direction as the emulsion paint underneath.

The second coat of emulsion paint should be applied at right angles to the first. Naturally, each coat of paint needs to be thoroughly dry before the application of the next coat.

Here are three tips to help you, when applying your paint finishes ...

Tip 1: Avoid applying the crackle paint in straight lines. You'll get a far more natural looking finish by painting randomly over the whole box.

Tip 2: Apply the crackle paint quickly, as the crackling process starts almost immediately.

Tip 3: Avoid overdoing the painting. If you paint back and forth too many times, you'll smear over the cracks and spoil the effect.

To provide a more interesting finish, you may wish to use two paint colours. For instance, you can use white emulsion paint as the base coats and red crackle paint as the finishing coat. Your wooden boxes will be painted red overall, with white cracks showing through - a terrific effect!

After drying, you can apply the crackle paint top coat which will seal and protect the crackle effect you've produced.

The process of applying your crackle paint finish is easy and straightforward, once you've had a little bit of practice. 

If you proceed step by step, with a little care and attention, you'll give your wooden boxes a great vintage look and feel that will impress not only your customers but maybe those farmyard animals as well!

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How To Store Your Dutch Oven!

Dutch ovens are large earthenware or cast-iron cooking pots and are used as simple ovens that are heated by placing them under or near hot burning cinders.

They're thick-walled cooking pots with tight fitting lids used for cooking such things as stews and casseroles and have been used for centuries.

During the 17th century the Dutch produced a technically superior design. A similar design was subsequently patented in England, so the term 'Dutch Oven' has endured!

Pinewood Dutch Oven Container

However, once you've used your Dutch oven what do you do with it? Well, you can leave it lying around the kitchen to gather dust and get in everybody's way, or you could obtain a wooden storage container, specially designed for the purpose.

Using pinewood would be my choice of wood, as it's robust, hard-wearing and inexpensive, with lots of knots. The construction of your container needs to be substantial. The side panels should be between 15-20 mm thickness and include a tight-fitting, hinged or lift-off lid to prevent dust incursion.

You can use butt joints, or tongue and groove joints to hold the side panels together, which are easier and cheaper to form but I would recommend glued finger joints for a stronger, more permanent solution.

Pinewood is a soft wood, so is susceptible to dents and scratches but minor impact damage such as this, over time tends to enhance rather than detract from it's rustic quality!

Pinewood also has a long tradition of use in cooking. For instance, pinewood has been used to make dough boxes for hundreds of years and many Italian Pizzerias even today use them to make their pizzas crispier.

Pinewood baking boxes are also used today to bake traditional fruit, pumpkin and chocolate fudge cake. This makes the cakes uniquely moist and infuses that delicious, natural pine aroma from the natural oils and resins into the baking.

Pinewood Dutch oven containers will make a great addition to your kitchen and will protect your Dutch oven for many years. You'll only need to obtain one, unless of course you buy another Dutch oven!

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Why We Love Memory Boxes!

Our homes are stuffed with objects that hold personal memories. Putting these items into memory, or keepsake boxes as they are sometimes called, is a way of retaining these objects and the memories associated with them, so we can stay in touch and others can discover and learn from them.

Memory boxes can contain objects that help us recall people and events from the past. They can be based upon a particular theme or era and may contain items such as photographs, letters, a toy from childhood, music, or even a recorded message. For instance, baby keepsake boxes are incredibly popular nowadays!

Polmac Hand-Painted Keepsake Box

Though it may take some time to find which keepsakes to store in your memory box, it's certainly worth the time and effort, as they can provide a continuous and fascinating time-line to the past, for future generations.

Memory boxes can be made from practically any material. Keepsakes can even be stored in an old trunk if nothing else is available. However, if a memory box is to be created from scratch, wood is the ideal material, as it's natural warmth and beauty resonates so well!

Wooden memory boxes can be inscribed with a personal message and/or decorated with natural wood and colour stains, carved, or hand painted with colour motifs to provide a particular theme. They can also be left unfinished, if the natural, raw quality of wood is preferred.

Ideally, memory boxes should be small enough so they can be lifted easily and large enough to accommodate a range of keepsakes of different shapes and sizes that can be easily accessed.
 

Wood memory boxes can be designed with compartments if necessary, for different t5ypes of keepsakes and provided with a lock and key to help keep the contents secure!

You can create several memory boxes with different themes. For instance one memory box can be dedicated to children and another for a favourite hobby, or sport and so on.

Memory boxes are being used more and more nowadays to engage with people suffering from dementia and similar illnesses, where memory may be a huge challenge, providing them with an opportunity for mental and even physical stimulation.

Creating a memory box, particularly if it's an activity undertaken with friends and relatives can take time but it can also be a lot of fun and it may someday be a great memory itself. Now there's a thought, or is that a memory!

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Wood Turning & The Art Of Producing Beautiful Round Boxes!

Wood turning is the art of using a wood lathe with hand-held tools to cut shapes that are symmetrical around the axis of rotation.

The wood lathe can be used to create many beautiful forms, including hollowed out cylindrical wooden boxes, needle cases and urns etc.

Before the industrial revolution in England, wood turnery was a difficult skill to master, because the turning mechanisms used were primitive. This is why turnery at that time became known as 'the misterie'!

Wood Turned Box With Lift-Off Lid

However, once mastered, wood turning is a great way of transforming small pieces of wood into beautifully crafted objects, using creativity and skill.

Most woods, including alder and linden wood can be used to make turned boxes, although a fine-grained hardwood is probably the very best wood to use.

Irrespective of the choice of wood, it's essential that it's properly cured and seasoned, to avoid any moisture movement which could lead to warping issues.

Wood turned boxes may be created as stand-alone artwork, or as functional and economical storage containers, with or without lift-off lids!

They are usually small and round, due to the lathe-turning process and so their lithe appearance differs quite significantly from square or rectangular boxes

Lids may be designed in a variety of ways, including ...

1: Sitting loosely on the base.

2: There is some resistance between the lid and the base but any sharp movement will dislodge the lid.

3: The lid is retained on the base securely and will not fall off if the wooden box is overturned!

In the case of 1 and 2 above, lid restraint can be easily improved by the use of tiny, flush mounted, lid magnets, if required

Beautiful turned boxes may be made from single pieces of wood, laminated woods and even segmented woods and despite the special skills needed, they can be very economical to produce.
 

They can be decorated with stunning natural wood and colour stains and clear lacquer finishes, to bring out the natural warmth and beauty of wood. 

For more exotic finishes they can also be embellished with metal, or hardwood inlays and hand carved decorations.

Whatever the style or finish chosen, the only limit on the design of wood turned boxes is your imagination!

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Tramp Art - Why This Art Form Is Being Re-Discovered!

Polmac (UK) Ltd is always curious about art forms that include the production of wooden boxes and the construction and decorative techniques used to make them, to see what we can learn.

One of these is 'Tramp Art', an art form that evolved around the world when small fragments of wood, from discarded shipping crates and cigar boxes were carved into complex geometric shapes.

 

Tramp Art Carved Box

The outside edges of each layer was 'notch carved', or made in the form of a 'crown of thorns'. Tramp Art was popular in the years between the 1870s and the 1940s, after which it began to rapidly decline.

Simple tools such as pocketknives were used to carve the wood and assemble mainly utilitarian objects. Thousands of tramp art objects were produced worldwide but mostly in the USA where the art form took root.

The most common objects produced were carved wooden boxes, such as jewellery boxes and picture frames, although objects of every conceivable shape and size, including full sized furniture were made.

Tramp Art was a democratic art form made wherever suitable raw materials could be found. It is thought that in the USA 50 different ethnic groups were involved in making tramp art objects.

It appealed to anyone who was proficient at whittling wood with a penknife, because making tramp art objects was relatively quick and easy. Tramp art was mostly made in the home environment by people from all walks of life.

Tramps or 'hoboes' as they were called in America, also made tramp art but not in very great quantities. The name tramp art was conceived in modern times and was believed to have been created by skilled German or Scandinavian immigrants to America, although some people dispute this.

Tramp art is an important art form and is a testament to the ability and creativity of ordinary people, with little, or no training in the arts, to produce objects of great artistic merit and beauty.

The Tramp Art movement was among the first to use discarded materials to make objects of art, as well as every day utilitarian objects. Many of these objects are truly stunning and it is no surprise that the art form it being discovered once again.

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Traditional Materials & Premium Spirit P.O.S. Displays!

Whisky and other premium spirit suppliers spend millions creating 'touch points' for their brands, because it's known that most buying decisions are made at the point of sale.

However, consumers are inundated with thousands of marketing messages every day. So, there's a great deal of white noise to be overcome before their message is heard.

With such a high degree of impulse buying and severe competition, whisky and other premium spirit brands are under huge pressure to be creative with their point of sale displays, in order to make their products stand out from the crowd.

Jura Whisky Counter-Top Display Stands

It's crucial therefore to research the demographics and the motivating factors, in order to understand the target market.

Is it the image, the kudos obtained by being seen ordering a premium spirit, the unique taste, or is it that wonderful warm feeling that people get when the spirit goes down? These factors can and will influence point of sale design.

When certain visual cues are triggered they send signals to the brain which converts them into buying impulses. For instance, if someone can smell a product, pick it up, feel it and inspect it, they are almost twice as likely to buy it.

That's why traditional, wood display stands are such effective marketing tools for whisky and other premium spirits.

What's more, consumers today are becoming more and more environmentally aware, so they  react positively to displays made from traditional materials obtained from managed and sustainable sources. Sustainability is a deep-seated, emotional benefit that persuades many consumers to buy.

With counter-top displays, visual impact will be the main impulse, so this has to be as evocative and stimulating as possible. The more senses that are engaged at the critical point of purchase, the better the sales figures will be!

In today's competitive market, using virtual imagery is popular because it can bring point of sale displays to life. However, traditional materials such as wood will always have their place, because they resonate so well with people's emotions and senses!

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Why Use Wood To Manufacture Whisky Boxes?

For centuries whisky distilleries have stored their whiskies in oak barrels or barrels made from other 'pure' woods, to give the whisky it's 'flavour'.

Oak is most often used because it has unique, physical and chemical characteristics that seem ideal for whiskey making!

Oak Whisky Barrels

Whisky derives it's colour and character from direct contact with the wood, particularly if the barrels have previously been used to store different spirits such as rum, sherry and red wine.

In fact, many Scottish and other distilleries around the world use barrels previously used to store bourbon to age their whiskey and this process takes a minimum three years.

When these oak barrels reach the end of their useful life for whisky production, they may be ground down into wood chips and used in barbecues, or sold off to be made into quirky pub furniture!

It is this traditional connection in the production of whiskey that makes wood resonate so well with the 'elixir of life'. In fact, wood is the only material that can transcend a purely functional product into one that is truly beautiful! Yes, it's true!

Other materials such as aluminium, cardboard as well as fibreglass try to mimic the warmth and natural beauty of wood but fail to do so.

Wood whiskey boxes provide incomparable design and finishing possibilities that add real 'value' to the whisky inside, even if it's a 'special' and an extremely valuable distillation!

Furthermore, choosing wood for packaging whiskey boxes will give whiskies, particularly single-malt whiskies, that crucial competitive edge, because the unique quality of wood will make them stand out from the crowd!

Inherent characteristics such as colour, texture, grain and lustre all come into play in wood's visual appeal. For instance, a wood that has lustre appears to have a natural sheen that's difficult if not impossible to replicate in other materials!

Wood from the same tree may look the same but there are always differences due to it's organic nature! These are the subtle qualities that make wood such a beautiful, diverse and desirable material in the manufacture of whisky boxes.

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Tak a wee dram afore ye go!

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How To Display Military Memorabilia!

During the course of their military careers, many people accumulate items that have personal and / or historical significance. Some of these will be stored,  some  discarded, whilst others are displayed, as a reminder of their time in service. Sadly,  the display will sometimes serve as a memorial to a family member, or friend who has been lost!

Military memorabilia is a very broad category and is often referred to as 'militaria' and may include any, or all aspects of military life, from small items like medals and ribbons to larger items such as uniforms and equipment!

When organizing military memorabilia there is often a need to display these items in custom made, wood display cases and / or frames. Wood has unique qualities that resonate well with the traditions of military service and is used extensively.

Militaria Display Cases

The framing and display of military memorabilia is very personal and depends upon the materials available and the required size and style.

However, to create a great display, the details are always important. The first consideration is the importance and significance of the items to be displayed. They may have a personal significance, or they may simply be a collector's display, acquired for some other reason, such as an investment.

Then there arises the more practical question of how extensive the display is and the nature of the items, their size and quantity. The most popular displays are wall-mounted and often comprise glass-fronted wooden display cases, or wood frames rather like picture frames.

These may be either fixed displays, or with some kind of easy access, either at the front or the rear. With wall mounted display cases, the glass panel at the front will often be hinged and have a lock.

If a collection has particular significance it may even be displayed on a specially designed table, or other piece of free standing furniture. The display will have a glass top, or front for protection and so it can be clearly seen.

Military display cases and frames are important personal possessions. Invariably they'll occupy a place of honour in the home, that will provide a focus of attention for family members and guests.

Militaria display cases and frames are a testament to a person's achievements and military career and  represent an important aspect of a family's heritage. For these reasons, the design of the display, the materials used and workmanship should always be carefully considered.

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Why Use Tubes In Wood Presentation Packaging?

In the commercial world, companies vie with each other to stand out from the crowd, so potential customers are drawn to their products rather than a competitors'. That's why innovation in product design is so important!

When people think of wooden boxes, they probably imagine a square or rectangular wood box. However, in recent times and particularly in the premium spirits sector, tubes are being used more and more as an economic alternative to traditional rectalinear shapes.

Whisky Boxes In Tube Format

They can be made from thin gauge plywood, such as Finnish birch ply that can be easily bent to a tight circumference, then lapped and pinned with copper, or plated metal studs at the vertical joints. These may be straight, or shaped to produce a wave pattern, or saw tooth effect, for greater decorative impact!

Tubes can also be made from natural wood veneers, which are popular because of the range of beautiful veneers to choose from. Natural, wood veneers are readily available, economic, stable and very practical to use.

Veneers are thinner than plywood, so are normally glued to an inner core for greater strength and stability, either as flat sheets, or to provide a winding, spiral effect.

Once the tubes have been made, solid wood bases and lift-off lids can be added. Lift-off lids may be traditional, lapped or flush style, or cut at forty five degrees at the base, to provide a more contemporary look and feel!

Thin gauge plywood or wood veneered tubes can be decorated using a wide range of natural wood and colour stains and clear lacquer finishes, if the natural warmth and beauty of wood is preferred.

They can also be branded with a company logo and/ or text by printing directly onto the wood surface, or using engraved, or etched metal plates.

Thin gauge plywood or natural wood veneered tubes are quick and easy to make. Where practical,  economic and innovative design solutions are required to replace traditional rectilinear shapes, they can provide a stunning alternative.

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How To Brand Your Wood Presentation Boxes With That 'Wow' Factor!

Metallic foil blocking, screen printing and laser engraving are all excellent ways of printing directly onto wood presentation boxes, to provide a high quality, branded finish! However, if you want your wood presentation boxes to have that 'wow' factor, consider using engraved or etched metal plates, fixed directly to your wood gift boxes, or promotional boxes.

Engraving and etching are methods of cutting lines into hard surfaces like metal, for the purpose of decoration and/ or branding. The key difference is that engraving uses a sharp tool, often diamond tipped, to 'score' the metal whilst etching is a chemical process that uses acid to 'burn' lines into the metal.

Glenfarclas Whisky Box With Branded Brass Plates

It's also possible to apply colour print directly onto metal plates. These methods have largely superceded traditional hand engraving techniques!

Nowadays, the engraving and etching process, particularly in the commercial world is largely computer controlled for precision purposes. It has increasingly been used for branding onto metal plates, as a highly effective and economic method of printing.

For instance, a solid brass, aluminium, or polished metal plate, etched with an exquisitely designed, coloured logo and text is high-quality branding indeed that customers notice when considering a purchase! Even a simple etched metal plate with few embellishments can look and feel really special!

The visual impact of polished metal plates can also be enhanced by introducing special design features such as chamfered or scalloped corners.

Furthermore, metal has other important characteristics such as being a hard, non-combustible and impact-resistant material It also has excellent resistance to heat and chemicals!

However, metal may corrode in certain conditions and the engraving darken over time, so to avoid this special coatings are often used!

Solid brass, plated brass and steel plates are protected with a clear lacquer finish and aluminium can be supplied anodised. These thin coatings can then be used for fine detail engraving and etching.

If you want your wood presentation packaging to stand out from the crowd with that 'wow' factor, that encourages customers to buy your products, then engraving or etching onto polished metal plates, as an alternative to traditional printing methods', is definitely worth considering!

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Natural Wood Weave Veneer & Reed Boxes!

When considering wood veneer, many people immediately think of furniture. In the furniture sector, veneering is a technique using thin sheets of wood that are glued onto rigid panels, typically solid wood, particle board or mdf.

Veneering was developed as a more economical alternative to solid hardwood which can be expensive. The veneer is obtained by cutting a thin slice of wood from a solid log, or a large block of wood.

Polmac Natural Reed Boxes With Lift-Off Lids

There are many different varieties and thicknesses of veneer ranging from 0.5 mm to 2mm in thickness, depending upon their use. Every tree is different, so each piece of veneer has a unique appearance, which means the colour, texture and grain pattern can all vary, creating stunning finishes!

One of the simplest and cheapest ways to make storage boxes, or gift boxes is to use strips of natural wood veneer, or natural reed, to form a basket weave pattern. Wood veneer can also be used in solid sheets to make beautiful, tactile boxes!

Natural, organic reed provides a more consistent, even finish compared to wood veneer. However, natural reed boxes are a popular, food compatible method of packaging, particularly in the food industry!

Using basket weave or solid sheets of wood veneer means we can create different styles and sizes of boxes. These include square or rectangular boxes, long cylindrical boxes, or flatter, round 'shaker boxes', with or without lift-off lids!

Solid veneer cylindrical boxes often have solid wood discs at top and bottom to maintain the round shape, with a flap opening arrangement along the vertical body of the box, secured by means of a wooden stop and string, rather like an envelope.

An alternative design for both cylindrical style and shaker boxes using sheets of wood veneer, is to have lift-off lids with the wrap around veneer secured along the vertical edge with polished metal stud fixings. The free end of the overlap may be straight or shaped with a band saw to provide a 'saw' or 'wave' pattern effect, for a more elegant finish!

The most economical style of weave boxes is to use veneer or reed strips throughout. The panels can then be stapled or pinned together, with no solid wood end pieces or other reinforcements!

Wood weave veneer and reed boxes can provide a unique and elegant look that many people find compelling and are an economic alternative to solid hardwood boxes. In today's competitive marketplace, where margins can be tight, this can make all the difference!

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Choosing The Right Branding Colour!

One of the major decisions when designing wood presentation boxes is what colour stain, block colour, or finish to choose? What are the factors that will influence your choice of colour/s? 

Well, if you have a strong branding colour (think red Ferrari) the choice is probably fairly straightforward!

Colours are important because they affect our general well-being and mood. Each of us has colours we like a lot and other colours less so!

 

Polmac Wood Colour Stains

Our colour perception (ie. response) depends upon many factors, such as shade, type of light (natural or artificial) our health and mindset etc

From a marketing perspective, choosing a branding colour can be a challenge, as we all have our own preferences, experiences and cultural differences etc., which may influence our choice.

Therefore, when making decisions about colour/s it's probably better to look for practical solutions rather than relying on theory!

There have been many attempts to relate customer responses to specific colours but there are far too many variables to make this a worthwhile exercise! In terms of colour perception however, there are broader patterns that may give us clues.

For instance, it's been found that many impulse buying decisions are based on colour alone. The perceived appropriateness of the colour relative to the brand is another important influencing factor!

The personality of the brand is also a big factor in the decision making process. Who, for example, would want to buy a Ferrari, if they didn't get that feeling of power and status?

When it comes to picking the right colour/s predicting customer's reactions to colour appropriateness seems to be more important than the individual colour itself.

Choosing brand colour/s is definitely challenging and there's no obvious way of making a decision. However, the context you're working in, is an important consideration. 

If your brand, or product creates the right mood, feeling and image, then you've probably cracked it!

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Using Natural Wood & Colour Stains!

The principal reason for staining wood boxes with natural wood and colour stains is to provide a beautiful, alternative finish to imported hardwoods, which can be expensive!

However, wood is an organic material that has variations in colour, texture and grain etc., even from the same log, which means there is not always an exact match from one wooden box to the next.

Polmac Natural Wood Stain Finishes

These variations are perfectly acceptable and indeed desirable, in order to maintain the natural beauty and character of wood, as long as they're within reasonable limits!

However, the goal is always to keep the final colour and finish as consistent as possible, which is why it's so important to visually select the wood and use the best wood stain available!

Wood comprises millions of cells (or pores) that absorb the liquid stain. The rate at which the stain is absorbed, along with other factors such as the colour of the cells, will determine the final colour, when the wood stain is applied!

The very best wood stains are intended to reveal the natural grain of the wood. This is one of the main attractions, because by revealing the grain, a beautiful, translucent effect is produced, that many people find irresistible!

It follows that the darker the stain, the more consistent the final colour will look, because darker wood stains will mask the wood grain and any blemishes more effectively than lighter wood stains!

However, grain pattern can also affect the stain matching process.

Wood pores in a piece of wood are arranged more or less consistently. It's this grain pattern, combined with the natural colour of the wood, which distinguishes one piece of wood from the next.

However, the grain pattern in each piece of wood can still vary, due to naturally occurring blemishes and the differences become even more pronounced when a stain is applied!

Other factors that influence the final colour of the wood are the way the logs are cut in the saw mill, the absorption time of the liquid stain, the age of the wood and the moisture content. 

For instance, wood that's extremely dry can absorb more wood stain than one that has a higher, moisture content, which means the colour will be darker!

Keep in mind that there are a wide range of wood stains from oil-based to water-based and these will also affect the final colour and appearance.

As a general rule, using oil-based wood stains will provide better protection from finger marks and will keep wood boxes pristine for longer than water based wood stains!

Only by removing or reducing the differences in natural colour, grain pattern, cut, absorption time, age and moisture content between the different pieces of wood can a more consistent colour match be obtained. This is key!

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Should I Use Wood Presentation Boxes To Sell My Products?

For those businesses that sell tangible products that you can pick up and touch, one of the first questions they may ask is "How do I sell my products"?

One of the best ways to sell tangible products is to use high quality, wood presentation packaging, because this type of packaging has been proved to increase sales and boost profits!

Many businesses, particularly small to medium size businesses, believe that using presentation packaging will stymie sales, due to the inevitable hike in price. "My products will be too expensive for my customers, if I buy your wooden boxes" is a typical comment!

Polmac F&M Condiments Box

However, the most successful companies know that high quality, presentation packaging adds value to the products inside, so it attracts more customers, which means they'll make more sales!

Furthermore, because of the 'added value' created, a psychological transformation takes place and customers will even be prepared to pay more!

"But my products are relatively low value and do not lend themselves to this type of packaging!" I hear you say! This may be true. Wood, presentation packaging is best used for selling high value products, such as single-malt whisky, cutlery and precision instruments etc. 

However, the perception that customers have of low value products can be raised significantly by selling them in gift sets!

In other words, by using gifts boxes, your products are now perceived as high value and will be much more attractive to potential buyers!

This is a technique that's often used in the health & beauty and speciality food industries with great success. Gift boxes are popular throughout the year and particularly on special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays and Christmas and are a great way to sell your products!

One of the special features of wood, presentation packaging is that you can easily create your own designs, to suit your exact needs, so you can test the market at little cost. This means you can try out new ideas, without breaking the bank and have more money available to invest in your business. For small to medium size businesses this may be godsend!

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Why Choose Wood Presentation Packaging?

Different wood species have different characteristics and even two pieces of wood from the same log can look and feel differently. All these characteristics added together will determine the use and appeal of wood!

Colour, lustre, texture, grain, and figure all have a part to play. When using wood, presentation packaging these characteristics are important if the products being marketed are to have maximum appeal, because first impressions are crucial!

For instance, the texture of wood may be fine or coarse and there are a wide range of colours to choose from, including red, yellow, purple, brown and orange etc.

Colour Variations In Birchwood

Among the most attractive features of some woods like birch is lustre, which is a  natural sheen, that's difficult to replicate in other materials such as metal and plastic. However, lustre can be added by polishing wood.

Figure is the pattern on the surface of the wood that can come from variations in colour, grain and irregular growth characteristics.

Grain describes the orientation of the fibrous elements on the surface of wood and can be anything from straight to wavy!

Polmac (UK) Ltd uses linden wood extensively to manufacture it's wood, presentation boxes because it's a soft, white wood, with fine grain character, so it's ideal for staining purposes, giving a smooth, even finish every time!

Wood is a beautiful, natural, organic material that provides exceptional value, is uniquely sustainable and adds warmth and character that many people find irresistible!

When using wood, presentation boxes to market products, a high quality wood finish creates a 'magnet' like effect that attracts more customers, which means more sales are generated! Isn't that what we all want?

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Presentation Packaging - Logos, Branding & Identity!

When products come in customized presentation packaging, it's crucial the packaging is branded with a company logo.

The logo represents a contract with your client, letting them know what they can expect from your offering. It also differentiates your company from your competitors, so customers are more likely to remember you!

Your logo is a reflection of your brand and the presentation packaging you use should always display it in a prominent place.

Printed Logos

When using presentation packaging, there are a number of ways a branded logo may be applied. Three of the most popular methods are metallic foil blocking, screen printing and infill laser etching.

Metallic Foil Block Printing
In metallic foil blocking (sometimes described as hot foil stamping) a pre-heated metal die is stamped over a thin, coloured metallic foil onto the substrate.

Metallic foil blocking is one of the most economical way of applying a permanent, printed logo. However it should be kept in mind that the stamping process may lead to some loss of definition, if the design is particularly intricate.

Silk Screen Printing
Screen printing is also an economical method of printing and is an ink process which is suitable when fine definition is required.

Coloured ink is wiped across a fine mesh or 'screen' that's stretched over a frame and to which a stencil is applied to block off the non-printing areas. If more colours are required a separate screen is used.

Infill Laser Etching
Laser etching is a process that uses a computer controlled laser beam to permanently cut or 'etch' a logo onto a substrate like wood.

The laser etching may be left 'raw', or filled with a special paint to provide a more vibrant colour finish.

Laser etching can be a more expensive printing method because it's a slow process. The larger the logo, the more expensive it will be. However, the effects can be truly stunning!

A logo helps consumers remember a product and the purpose is to increase sales by making that product more visible and desirable. In today's competitive market, if consumers recognize a logo as a mark of quality, then they are more likely to purchase it and come back for more, time and time again! Isn't that what we all want?

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Premium Quality Presentation Packaging Can Boost Profits!

Many companies fail to understand that it's not just their product/s that encourages a sale but it's also the way they're presented, because this plays a crucial role in the decision making process.

In today's highly competitive market where products are often very similar, even the smallest details can make the difference between a sale and a non-sale!

The presentation packaging used is a representation of the product and the company that supplied it. First impressions are important and if these are unfavourable it can be an upward struggle from then on to sell the product.

Polmac (UK) Ltd Hand Chisel Box

However, a favourable first impression should always be reinforced by the second impression, that occurs when the packaging is opened. If the second impression is negative, then all the good work can quickly unravel.

This is why the internal finish/ restraining arrangement for the product/s should also be well considered.

For instance, if a high specification, set of hand chisels are left loose in the bottom of an otherwise well constructed, wood presentation box, the overall impression will be unfavourable.

However, if a special, moulded tray is inserted, where each chisel has it's own place, providing a neat, well considered solution, the overall impression will be favourable!

When it comes to presentation packaging there are three important considerations...

Firstly, if the product is supplied in premium quality presentation packaging, it's natural for customers to assume that there is something of value inside, even before the product is seen and/or used! This provides the 'hook' that may compel the customer to investigate the product further.

Secondly, premium quality presentation packaging can make a customer believe that the product inside, is better than it actually is, which may encourage a stronger buying response. In other words the presentation packaging is raising the 'value' of the product/s inside and encouraging the customer to make a purchase!

Thirdly, because careful attention has been paid to the overall presentation, the customer may see the entire package as high value and therefore psychologically will be prepared and ultimately happy to pay more. This means premium quality presentation packaging can boost profits!

People are often told to dress the way they wish to be addressed but most of the time business is conducted in the opposite way. Customers can and will form opinions about a company and its product/s, based upon the way they are presented.

When presenting a product every detail matters because if you get it wrong it can easily ruin a sale and the future opportunities that may be available, even if the product is better than a competitors.

The most successful companies know that if a product is delivered in high quality presentation packaging, customers appreciate it and they'll more often reward you with their custom, loyalty and future business.

The attention to detail that premium quality presentation packaging represents will enhance a company's image making them appear more trustworthy and if a customer trusts you, they'll do business with you. Isn't that what we all want?

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Generating New Business With Corporate Gifts - 3 Essentials!

One of the best ways of showing your clients that you value them is to send them a gift. A thank-you card or a phone call is fine but a gift with your logo on it, is a permanent reminder of YOU and your company!

If done properly, corporate gifts can be an important part of marketing your business, because it can strengthen relationships with key clients, create goodwill and promote your company's image. It can also be used to reinforce other elements of your marketing strategy such as advertising and sales promotion.

F&M Single-Bottle Branded Wine Gift Boxes

There are huge benefits in corporate gift-giving and it's a marketing tool that's on the rise. However, there are 3 things you need to consider, if the process is to be successful ...

1/ Marketing
The first is to decide where your gift-giving fits within your overall marketing strategy. This ensures that your plan is focussed, creative and effective.

2/ Objectives
The second is to decide the objective. What do you want to achieve? Is it to thank the client for their business, creating brand awareness, boosting the company's image or promoting a new product or service?

3/ Culture & Ethics
The third is to establish the cultural and ethical norms that you need to consider? Many companies in the UK and abroad have rules about receiving gifts and observe certain cultural and ethical norms! These must be adhered to if you want to avoid a disaster!

Corporate gifts come in all shapes and sizes and can comprise a fountain pen, a simple bottle of wine or champagne, or a food hamper, depending on the client. However, one important principle is that the gift must always be good quality.

The quality of the packaging which will reflect the value of your relationship with your client must also be good quality, because first impressions count! If you include a personal, hand-written note so much the better, because personal touches like this are very powerful.

The packaging can comprise a large round or square hamper box filled with treats that are designed to be shared, to smaller, more personalized gifts such as single-bottle wine and champagne boxes, allowing you to mark a significant relationship.

Many companies stay connected with their clients via email, or direct mail to grow their relationship and encourage future business. Valuable benefits come from this constant contact, or 'drip campaign' and the same principle applies to corporate gift-giving. If it becomes a regular event, the bond with your clients become stronger and stronger.

A properly timed and appropriate gift is one of the most effective ways of emphasizing that your client relationship matters. The client will appreciate the gesture and reward you with their loyalty and custom.

The main recipients of corporate gifts are existing and potential customers and it's been found that the most effective times to distribute gifts is at the launch of a new product or service at Christmas and/ or the New Year.

However, the key to the successful corporate gift-giving as a marketing tool is in adding value to the product or service you offer.

Corporate gift-giving is a serious business. As part of a well considered marketing strategy, it can enhance important client relationships and your company's image, create goodwill and become a cost-effective means of generating new business for the future!

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When It Comes To Packaging Perception Counts!

Most low-value products are sold in simple, basic paper or cardboard packaging that does very little for the product itself, besides telling you what it is.

The reason is of course cost. Providing an expensive presentation packaging solution to a low value product makes no economic sense, as it will more than likely result in a loss.

However, if you put together a number of low value products in a good quality presentation box, such as a wood presentation box, then you can turn that perceived low-value into high-value and reap the benefits! 

Polmac F&M Condiment Presentation Box

When low-value turns to high-value, the customer's psychology begins to change. What they see is not a number of low-value products in a high-value presentation box but a high quality, total package.

They see something they'd be proud to purchase and which they'd enjoy sharing with their friends and family.

Therefore, they'd be thankful to YOU for providing a packaging solution that they can admire, which means they'll reward you with their custom and loyalty and probably make many repeat purchases.

Today's marketers see a big opportunity in providing innovative presentation packaging solutions into the mix of  low-value products, to boost sales and increase profits.

The presentation of low-value products, so they're perceived as high-value products has become part of the daily shopping experience across a wide range of products in the commercial environment. Think of food products such as condiments and chocolates and health & beauty products such as soap!

Increasingly, customers interact with high-quality, customized, presentation packaging each time they make a purchase. For manufacturers and suppliers this is good news because customers are always prepared to pay more for high value products.

High quality, presentation packaging for low-value products can boost profits, lower costs and make them more easily available. It can also enhance product branding, which means manufacturers and suppliers can drive sales forward and make their low-value products move a lot faster!

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Customized, Wood, Condiment Boxes / Holders - What A Pickle!

Condiments are supplementary foods like salt, pepper, mustard, or pickle that are used to add flavour to food, enhance a flavour or simply to compliment the food.

Originally condiments were referred to as pickled or preserved foods but the meaning has changed gradually over time, to include sauces and various other popular flavours.

If you visit a restaurant, you expect the condiments to be available with the food you order and often they're supplied individually. Think salt and pepper pots!

Customized, Wood, Condiment Holder

However, customers are always looking for a wider choice of flavours with their food and the very best restaurants try to meet these needs by supplying a range of condiments in a more creative and stylish way.

Juggling a number of condiments from table to table is not always easy, so the more discerning restaurants provide them in specially designed, wood condiment boxes / holders. All the condiments are kept together, so they provide a simple and practical solution for both customers and the restaurant.

The quality of the food and the service are naturally the most important aspects of a customer's overall restaurant experience but little touches like well designed, condiment boxes / holders can also make a difference!

Customers appreciate the attention to detail and personal service, which means they're much more likely to return. Of course, providing a few discount vouchers with the meal may also help!

Practical and cost-effective wood, condiment boxes/ holders may be customized to match the restaurants branding style, using colours, text or logos, so are perfect for the busy restaurant or bistro.

The branding also keeps the name of restaurant in the customer's minds eye during the meal, which means they're more likely to remember the name of the restaurant the next time they go out for a meal!

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Wood Presentation Packaging - Adding Branding Value!

A wide range of presentation packaging materials are used today for marketing purposes. For many manufacturers and suppliers, wood presentation boxes and packaging represent the most effective marketing option for their product/s. It's the first thing customers see so has become a vital part of the branding process.

There are many reasons manufacturers and suppliers choose wood - It's a beautiful and versatile material that adds warmth and character to any product, providing exceptional value for money, especially when compared to other high quality materials.

Wood is also a natural and renewable material with unique sustainable qualities that are important to many customers.

Polmac Cutlery Boxes

Packaging evolved to protect and contain the product/s inside. However, over time it became part of the whole branding experience and was designed to attract customers and make product/s more marketable.

Presentation packaging is essentially how your product/s are presented to customers. It's purpose is to provide additional value by creating a memorable and sharable experience, so your customers come back to you and by adding value they will often buy more as well!

It's important to use every opportunity to distinguish your business from the competition. For high value products in particular, wood presentation packaging provides an opportunity to do so because it will make your customers feel they're part of something special and exclusive.

In a recent survey it was found that 52 % of customers were more likely to make repeat purchases and 40% would share an image on social media if the product/s were supplied in a high quality, visually appealing packaging.

Wood presentation packaging comes in all shapes, sizes and finishes. It can also be personalized with printed logos and text to provide unique and irresistible solutions to your presentation packaging needs.

It can boost direct marketing and social media marketing results that will keep your company ahead of your competitors, thereby increasing sales and profits! It drives brand loyalty and awareness - Vital marketing components, if you want to be successful!

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Bubbly Sophistication!

Winston Churchill once said that meeting Franklin D Roosevelt was like opening his first bottle of champagne and knowing him was like drinking it! It's this capacity to generate excitement that makes champagne so special.

Champagne is a sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France under strict appellation and sourcing rules. The chalky earth of the Champagne region makes it ideal for growing the primary grapes used in Champagne production- Pinot Noir, Pinot Meusier and white Chardonnay.

It's interesting to note that with climate change French Champagne producers are now seriously checking out sites in the south of England to grow their Champagne grapes!

 

Fortnum & Mason Champagne Boxes

However, in many countries it's illegal to use the term 'Champagne' to describe a wine product, unless it comes from the Champagne region of France and is produced under their strict appellation rules.

In the early days, Champagne bottles often exploded, so producers started wearing iron masks in their cellars to protect themselves. The development of more sophisticated bottling practices and the use of deep cellars with constant temperatures largely cured the problem.

However, the ability of Champagne to 'pop' and for the bubbles to spill out when the cork is removed is a significant part of it's appeal.

In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries royalty began to drink Champagne extensively, so leading producers tried to associate their Champagnes with them for commercial purposes, through advertising and packaging. This led to Champagne becoming popular with the emerging middle classes and subsequently to the whole of society.

Champagne is known throughout the world as the ultimate drink for celebrations and is used extensively at special events such as weddings to toast newlyweds, to mark milestones and to applaud achievements.

Today, fine quality champagne is considered a mark of sophistication and is often supplied in beautiful wood champagne boxes to reflect it's traditional origins.

However, regardless of the type of Champagne packaging used, it's important to enhance the quality of the Champagne that it represents. After all, you wouldn't attend a black tie event in your working clothes, would you?

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Turn Your Wood Presentation Boxes Into Objects Of Desire & Real Affection!

Now that Christmas is over, what do you do with all those wonderful, wood presentation boxes that were used to package your presents?

Most presentation packaging materials such as cardboard and plastic are designed to be discarded once the product inside has been consumed or used.

However, wooden boxes are more robust and long-lasting, so there's no need to throw them away. There's something really satisfying about prolonging the life of wood boxes by finding new and creative uses for them.

It's a bit like an old work horse who's retired and is now enjoying a more sedentary life on a farm, providing rides for the local kids, instead of being sent to the knackers yard!

Wooden Storage Box Decorated With Promotional Theatre Images

Wooden gift boxes are often thought of as simple storage containers but with a little creative thinking they can be turned into objects of desire and real affection!

Wood gift boxes are used as containers for many everyday products, such as whisky and premium spirits, wine and champagne, cheese and condiments and tools etc. They come in all shapes, sizes and designs. Some have hinged lids, lift-off lids and sliding lids or are supplied as cases and crates without lids.

So, how can we give our wooden boxes a new lease of life? Well, that's up to you but you can turn them into such things as flower boxes, wall décor shelves, storage containers for old vinyl records, kitchen utensils, vintage china, tools and children's art materials. 

They can also be used to create flower arrangements for dinner table centre pieces, seed beds for the garden and storage containers for your fruit and veg!

Once you've decided how to use your wooden boxes don't worry about the condition. Sometimes that battered look is an advantage, so all you need to do is clean them up a bit. 

Children's Pencil Boxes Plain Decorated With Side Images

On the other hand if you want some colour you can paint them with a plain matt emulsion to provide that rustic, retro look and perhaps stick some interesting images on the sides! 

One simple and inexpensive way to decorate your boxes is to create attractive collages using materials from around the house. These could be bits of old newspaper, wallpaper pieces from your last decorating job, hand crafted paper, brown wrapping paper, coloured tissue paper, pieces of coloured silk and flock fabric, pictures from glossy magazines and old sheet music!

Your wooden boxes can truly become objects of desire and real affection, with a long lease of life, if you find a new purpose for them. All you need to do is to put your thinking cap on and get those creative juices flowing!

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