the can is filled, the cover is put on, and the can is then banded with a substantial paper band, after which it is labeled. Three things in connection with the banding and labeling are noteworthy: first, the character of the labels; for it is to be noted that the labels are designed to be characteristic and serve as a trademark or means of identification of the inks, no matter where the cans may go, and each can also carries the label of the representative who handles the ink; second, the grinding number perforated in the band which is also an important feature; third, liquids are packed in screw top cans, which are also banded and labeled, as are all of the cans of our manufacture.

"The wooden cases in which all cans (and tubes) are shipped are very important in export shipments. The case used is of special construction as shown in cut page 542. Attention is called particularly to the following: the small size of the case, 2714" x 17" x 151⁄2", outside dimensions; the thickness of the wood from which the case is made,-" stock; the way the case is constructed, particularly the cleats on the end and the way they are built in connection with the rest of the case (cut page 542 shows this feature, which gives a corner which protects the cleat, making it practically impossible for the cleat to be pulled off, and also holds the cover in position); best results are obtained by using sufficient nails, but not too many, coated nails being the best.

"In order to make the cases as waterproof as possible, a heavy manila paper bag lining is used. This lining is made of two thicknesses of manila paper with a tar preparation between, making a practically waterproof paper. The lining is made the exact size of the inside of the case so that it drops down into the case without folds or creases. This lining is shown at the left in cut page 542. The rolls of cans are placed in the case as shown in cut page 542, and shavings, which are much better than sawdust, because they do not sift out, are packed carefully around each roll of cans and tamped down solidly, which gives a very firm packing of the cans in the case. A case

so packed is shown in cut page 542. The lining is then folded over as shown in the same cut, and the cover nailed on the case.

"After the case is nailed, it is strapped with iron, as shown in cut page 542. This strapping is put on with a special machine which draws it so tight that the strapping absolutely cuts into the wood at the corners, after which it is sealed with a special seal, as shown on the top of the box, cut page 542. A nail is driven through the strapping and through each board of the case. This not only holds the strapping securely, but discourages pilfering. The case is then ready for stenciling.

"Great care should be used in stenciling cases in order that it may be easily read, and so that there can be no question as to any of the lettering on the case. This is also shown in cut page 542.

"Five and ten-pound cans are packed in the same size cases in a similar manner. The cases are comparatively small, because printing ink is a relatively heavy material, and it is found that the smaller the cases, the stronger they are and the better they travel. These cases have been used for export shipments for the past twelve years without a complaint from any customer on account of faulty packing.

"Years of experience and many experiments have shown the methods described to be fundamentally necessary and correct for the successful packing of printing inks for export. They are fundamental for all export packing. The principal object is that the goods shall reach the ultimate consumer in an attractive form, packages unbroken and in good condition, and this latter statement is especially true of the labels."

CHAPTER XX

EXPORT PACKING OF GOODS IN CARTONS

T

HE neat and attractive fashion in which a large and increasing variety of American goods of all descriptions are put up in cartons for the retail trade show-window and shelf and counter display, has attracted the admiration of foreign merchants all around the world and the envy of European manufacturers of similar products. The English trade papers especially have repeatedly urged on British manufacturers an imitation of American practices in thus packing shelf and counter goods. The packing of such goods in cartons for export shipment, therefore, involves primarily the delivery of the contents of cases to customers in distant lands in the salable and attractive condition in which they leave the original shipper, that is, in the condition in which the maker of the goods intends and expects they will arrive and be placed on display by retail dealers, no matter where situated.

At first blush it might be thought that packing for export shipment of such commodities as are now under consideration would involve no special problems,-that all anyone would have to do would be to take the individual cartons, stow them away in the case, nail it up, and forward it. But on maturer consideration it will be recognized that there are a great many considerations which ought to have thoughtful attention. In the first place the strength of the cartons employed when goods are despatched to overseas markets ought, in many instances, to be superior to the somewhat flimsy cardboard occasionally used with some products for domestic sales purposes. In intimate connection with that consideration comes the question of the size of cartons, and the packing of the goods themselves within the cartons. As has been re

peatedly pointed out in this volume, waste of space in foreign shipments means increased freight charges on the goods, and if an unnecessary freight cost, even of 2 per cent on the value of the goods, can be avoided it is obviously highly desirable that the shipper should adopt every possible measure to affect this saving and space reduction. Many cartoned goods are shipped for export in identically the same fashion in which they are supplied to trade here at home. In the latter trade it is obviously of no moment at all whether the contents of a carton fit exactly or snugly, or whether there may be half an inch in length, breadth, or thickness which is unoccupied by the contents. This waste of space may, however, be a highly important matter in export shipments; take, for example, a case containing 60 or 100 cartons of no matter what product, and if there is a waste of space in each carton of half an inch in length and a quarter of an inch in height, it is not difficult to figure out that the unnecessary cubic space occupied by a case containing such a quantity of cartons would easily measure a total of two or three cubic feet. This might mean paying unnecessary freight and other charges of as much as two or three dollars on the case in question, and this unnecessary charge might amount to a total of 2 per cent of the value of the contents. Furthermore, if the contents of a carton do not exactly fill it there is certain to be a good deal of play and rubbing or knocking of the contents in the course of repeated handlings before the shipment reaches its ultimate foreign destination, and hence if the cartons themselves are not strong and substantial they are not likely to arrive in immaculate condition. On all of these accounts, therefore, most careful thought ought to be given to the desirability of special cartons for export.

Of course shipping any commodities in cartons is not the most economical possible fashion of so despatching them by steamship. The packing in cartons inevitably involves the use of considerably greater shipping space than would be necessitated were the same commodities

packed in bulk, without the use of cartons. However, importers and retail merchants in other countries prefer to pay the higher freight charges involved when goods are forwarded in attractive cartons. These materially assist in increasing sales at retail, and no American manufacturer should contemplate shipping in bulk when this element of attractiveness of the package is an important one at least, unless his foreign customers specifically urge and instruct the abandonment of the carton. Instances have been known where, in certain Latin American markets, where differing rates of duty apply to cases containing mixed commodities, importers have instructed that the goods themselves be packed separately, in bulk, and that the cartons in which the goods are ordinarily shown and sold at retail be separately shipped, in order that the importer, after securing reduced import duties through such shipment, might properly repack the goods in the cartons after receipt in his warehouses.

Before passing on to other considerations affecting the packing of goods in cartons, it should be noted that the interior packing of cartons should be designed to prevent any rubbing or similar damage to their contents. These should fit closely, or if not, be adequately protected by wrappings or stuffings of tissue paper or other materials, as the nature of the contents might require. This applies particularly when contents do not exactly fit the cartons.

It would appear to be true that most manufacturers and shippers of commodities now under consideration employ stock cases for their export shipments. In the domestic trade the commodities in question may be and probably usually are sold in standard quantities, a dozen or a gross of one article, 50 or 100 of another article, perhaps 48 or 60 pairs of shoes, and so on. Stock cases adapted for such standard quantities may be entirely suitable for export work, but a good many foreign orders involve shipment in other than standard quantities, and very frequently may involve shipment of odd quantities of assorted goods. In such instances stock cases ought