Ship rolled goods safely – How shipping tubes protect your products

Sensitive rolled goods such as textiles, labels, films, or technical web materials place special demands on shipping packaging. It's not just about protecting the goods against deformation, pressure, or moisture – storage, handling, and reusability are also playing an increasingly important role. Paper-based shipping tubes offer a particularly well-thought-out solution.

They are lightweight, sturdy, individually configurable, and fully recyclable. With the right core solution, you can reliably secure your roll products – while simultaneously increasing the efficiency and sustainability of your logistics.

Why roll goods need special protection

Whether stretch film, label rolls, or textile webs: Roll goods are susceptible to crushing, edge deformation, and deflection. Enormous forces are exerted, especially during long-distance transport—for example, on pallets, in cardboard boxes, or in containers. Without a suitable inner core or outer sleeve, damage is a risk, which is not only annoying but also expensive.

Paper shipping tubes provide these products with the necessary stability: They provide support from the inside, protection from the outside, and enable safe handling – even in automated processes. This makes them the first choice for numerous industries.

The advantages of shipping tubes at a glance

UPA Pack’s hard paper shipping tubes impress with a well-thought-out overall concept:

Stability and resilience

Depending on the wall thickness, the sleeves can support several kilograms of weight – ideal for heavy web goods.

Custom-made

Diameter, length, wall thickness and surface finish are manufactured exactly according to customer requirements.

Recyclability

All cores are made of recycled paper and can be returned to the waste paper cycle.

Cost efficiency

Significantly cheaper than plastic sleeves – with the same level of protection.

Print options

Can be printed with brand logo, product identification or handling instructions upon request.

Product overview: Which sleeves for which application?

Hard paper tubes

Paper cores are the heart of the shipping of sensitive roll goods. As the core inside the roll, they support the material and ensure even winding. They are particularly popular in the film, paper, and label industries. Learn more

Shipping tubes

These robust protective packaging wraps around the outside of the roll – or serves as stable outer packaging for fragile individual rolls. Shipping tubes are easy to seal and stack. Ideal for individual shipping. Details here

Combined applications

Many manufacturers use both variants in combination: A stable inner core with an individual outer sleeve not only protects during transport, but also cuts a fine figure when presented in stores.

Industry examples: How different industries benefit

textile industry

Whether nonwovens, woven fabrics, or technical textiles – the requirements are high. Paper cores from UPA Pack support the material during winding, prevent wrinkles, and ensure a smooth web.

Label manufacturer

Paper or plastic rolls are sensitive to pressure and moisture. Custom-made cores ensure the material retains its shape and is easy to process.

film industry

These often involve heavy, dense materials with a high dead load. Shipping tubes with reinforced walls protect against crushing – even during stacked storage or international shipping.

Technical railway goods

For adhesive tapes, membranes, or composites, customized sleeve solutions are crucial. They ensure dimensional stability and enable easy integration into production lines.

Sustainability as a packaging strategy

More and more companies are turning to packaging that's not only functional but also sustainable. Shipping tubes made from recycled laminated paper meet both requirements: They replace plastic solutions, reduce the carbon footprint, and are easy to dispose of after use.

They also impress with their inner qualities: Depending on the design, they are moisture-repellent, abrasion-resistant, and durable – without chemical additives. This makes them the ideal solution for environmentally conscious shippers.

Paper tubes in an international context

Demand for environmentally friendly shipping solutions is also increasing on the international market. Paper tubes are in demand worldwide – as cores for roll bags, protective film for packaging, or display packaging in retail.

They offer

Ecological advantages over plastic or metal sleeves

Easy handling due to low weight

Individual design options for brand presentation

Cost advantages in manufacturing and shipping

Practical application examples

Case 1: Film manufacturer

A food packaging company produces printed plastic films. By switching from plastic to paper cores, it could not only reduce packaging costs but also increase its recycling rate—a plus point in tenders with sustainability criteria.

Case 2: Textile company with shipping optimization

A nonwovens manufacturer is looking for a solution to transport damage in international shipments. The combination of a sturdy outer shipping sleeve and a custom-made paper sleeve inside can reduce the return rate by 80% – while also saving storage space through improved stackability.

Case 3: Label production with precision requirements

High-quality labels for the pharmaceutical industry are plagued by inaccurate roll results due to unstable plastic cores. Switching to precisely fitting hard paper cores can not only improve winding accuracy but also enable automated downstream processing.

Case 4: Technical films for the automotive industry

Surface protection is crucial in the production of technical multilayer films, such as those used in the automotive industry. With custom-printed shipping sleeves, a supplier can not only ensure product protection but also use the sleeve as an information carrier—with labeling, batch number, and barcode.

Case 5: Roll goods in direct sales

A gift wrap startup sells directly to end customers through an online shop. By using lightweight shipping tubes made of hard paper, returns due to creases or crushing can be drastically reduced. At the same time, the printed tube creates a positive "unboxing effect," which can strengthen customer loyalty.

Conclusion: Roll goods safely packaged – sustainable and efficient

Whether textiles, labels, technical webs, or films – roll products are standard in many industries. However, their delicate structure makes them susceptible to transport damage, deformation, and handling problems. Paper shipping tubes offer a smart solution: They not only protect the product itself but also optimize several processes along the value chain. Their stability and customization allow rolls to be secured precisely, whether inside or outside the packaging. This reduces the complaint rate, improves handling, and builds customer trust. At the same time, the tubes offer ecological advantages: They are recyclable, made from renewable raw materials, and significantly reduce the use of plastic. Furthermore, shipping tubes contribute to brand building – for example, through customized printing or special surface options. In times of growing sensitivity for sustainability and quality, such packaging solutions are gaining strategic importance.

In short: If you want to ship rolled goods economically, safely, and sustainably, you can't avoid customized hard paper tubes. They combine protection, efficiency, and responsibility – and turn every package into a strong selling point for your product.

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