Perforations
n. A series of partial incisions on some CASES or PRODUCT PACKAGES, intended to allow for easier opening, or to create a DISPLAY CASE to support the PRODUCT on the SHELF.NOTE: My advice on Perforations: avoid 'em if you can. Test if you can't. Pre-score any uncooperative perforations you're stuck with, so they'll actually work.
Perforations—and many other “easy open” conveniences of packaging with seductive invitations to “open here”—can be a great nuisance. Largely, that's because they don't work.
It's often best to avoid the frustration of wasted time and effort, and rely on an alternative in which you have greater confidence. My personal favorite is the SHARK CUT. With a sharp BLADE, you know that you're going to get a fast and convenient opening. No hassling with tear-outs, awkwardly-shaped openings, etc. SHARK CUT the top of a CASE on three sides, and you've got a lid on top, where it belongs, to prevent any leftovers from falling out the sides.
Thus, whenever possible, I ignore the perforations on CASES of gelatin or pudding snack cups, and on “open here” cases of cake and brownie mixes. I just SHARK CUT 'em. Things just go faster and better that way.
In those instances where I need a DISPLAY CASE, such as foil bags of instant potatoes, pouched tuna products, and so on, I'm always careful to first check the bottom of the CASE for tapes to be cut, so the upper part of the CASE becomes a lid that comes off nicely.
If not, and I'm forced to deal with the Perforations as such, I'll try one, carefully, to see if it cooperates. If not, the best bet is to lightly, or in some instances, completely pre-score the provided line or path of Perforations using your CUTTER, so that they don't tear out with unsightly blemishes, or fail entirely.
Perforations—and many other “easy open” conveniences of packaging with seductive invitations to “open here”—can be a great nuisance. Largely, that's because they don't work.
It's often best to avoid the frustration of wasted time and effort, and rely on an alternative in which you have greater confidence. My personal favorite is the SHARK CUT. With a sharp BLADE, you know that you're going to get a fast and convenient opening. No hassling with tear-outs, awkwardly-shaped openings, etc. SHARK CUT the top of a CASE on three sides, and you've got a lid on top, where it belongs, to prevent any leftovers from falling out the sides.
Thus, whenever possible, I ignore the perforations on CASES of gelatin or pudding snack cups, and on “open here” cases of cake and brownie mixes. I just SHARK CUT 'em. Things just go faster and better that way.
In those instances where I need a DISPLAY CASE, such as foil bags of instant potatoes, pouched tuna products, and so on, I'm always careful to first check the bottom of the CASE for tapes to be cut, so the upper part of the CASE becomes a lid that comes off nicely.
If not, and I'm forced to deal with the Perforations as such, I'll try one, carefully, to see if it cooperates. If not, the best bet is to lightly, or in some instances, completely pre-score the provided line or path of Perforations using your CUTTER, so that they don't tear out with unsightly blemishes, or fail entirely.
= Hover to color, click to enlarge.
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