Packaging and Shipping Supplies
Athens is where Packaging Matters! We are your trusted supplier of packaging supplies and shipping supplies — a leading distributor in the Southeast since 1952. Athens offers a wide range of shipping supplies and solutions to help you meet your company's profitability goals. Our packaging experts know how to maximize value and minimize costs with wholesale prices for packing materials and packaging materials. We deliver next day solutions with our own fleet of trucks, providing the absolute best service in the industry. Contact an Athens representative to discuss setting up a stocking program for your unique needs.
Packaging Products
Count on Athens for quality products, innovative ideas, and a partner to help you improve your supply chain. We offer a full line of packaging products across the following categories.
Corrugated Products
Athens offers a practical mix of corrugated products for shipping, protection, and daily warehouse use.
- Cartons
- Corrugated plastic sheets
- Pads
- Sheets
- Mailers
Poly & Flexible Packaging
Whether it is custom or standard, printed or clear, Athens can assist you with your poly and flexible packaging needs. We maintain a lineup of dependable partners and offer high-quality products.
Poly Films, Bags & Tubing
- Poly films and sheeting (single wound & centerfold)
- Poly liners and pallet covers
- Poly bags — flat, gusseted, reclosable, bubble, anti-static, anti-corrosive, wicketed, and lip & tape
- Drum liners
- VCI (Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor) film & bags to protect metal items against corrosion
- Ziploc bags
- Bubble bags
- Bagging machines (semi-automatic to fully automatic) for significant cost and labor savings
Shrink Film
Shrink film packages finished goods by using heat to shrink the polymer tightly around the item. Athens stocks POF, PE, and PVC shrink films ready for next day delivery.
- POF (polyolefin) — extremely durable, strong, and versatile. FDA accepted for contact with food. Allows for thinner gauge film, yielding time and material savings.
- PE (polyethylene) — one of the most common plastic films, used for bags, packaging, bundling, and product protection.
- PVC (polyvinyl chloride) — still used for items such as CDs, DVDs, and software boxes where specific characteristics are required.
- Shrink sleeves & bands for tamper-evidence and branding applications
Stretch Film
Stretch film is the most economical method of unitizing product — securing multiple packages together or anchoring product to a pallet. When properly applied, stretch film reduces damages and product loss, discourages load tampering, and helps prevent worker injury. Athens stocks many types for next day delivery.
- Machine grade
- Traditional hand film
- Pre-stretch film
- Banding film
- Anti-static film
- Vented film
- Colored stretch film
Protective Packaging
Your goal is to ship product so it consistently arrives safely with the least amount of investment. Athens helps you evaluate the different factors to find the most economical way to package your products for shipping so your customers have a positive experience.
Surface Protection & Cushioning
- Bubble wrap — lightweight protection for products of different shapes and sizes. Available in multiple thicknesses determined by bubble height. Ask about bubble on-demand systems for operations with limited storage space.
- Polyethylene foam — cost-effective surface protection against scratches, scrapes, and scuffs. Used for cushioning, surface protection, interleaving, and anti-static applications. Available in various thicknesses and density options.
Void Fill
The goal of void fill is to prevent product sliding, shifting, or moving during transit. For small parcel shipments, shippers recommend about two inches of space between your product and the box wall.
- Newsprint and kraft paper — an economical option. Paper dispensing systems (semi-automatic or automatic) are available for larger operations and can dispense crinkled paper for cushioning or flat pads for blocking and bracing.
- Air pillows — a popular inflatable alternative that reduces bulky storage. Inline delivery systems can deliver inflated product directly to the worker, creating substantial cost savings.
- Expandable foam — on-demand foam systems ideal for high-volume scenarios and as a great alternative to polystyrene foam.
Blocking & Bracing
- Corner boards
- Corrugated angle pads
- Roll edge guards
Poly & Kraft Mailers
In many cases, cushioned mailers are more cost-effective than traditional boxes. Both types can be custom printed to promote your brand.
- Kraft bubble mailers — rugged exterior durability with protective bubble interior. An economical choice for e-commerce and fulfillment.
- Polyethylene bubble mailers — protection with added tear, weather, and puncture resistance.
- Packing list envelopes
- Padded, bubble & poly mailers
Palletization Products
Athens has one of the widest selections of strapping inventory and securement products of any distributor. Whether you are looking for the right tools or have questions about which type of strapping is best for your application, Athens has the answers.
Palletization Supplies
- Angle board
- Bail ties
- Hand stretch film & dispensers
- Machine stretch film
- Strapping & strapping tools
- Mailing & other wire products
Strapping Material Types
- Steel — available in black, blue, or galvanized. The strongest strapping material made. Grades: regular duty, super duty, and high tensile. Best for heavy loads and/or bundles that will not crush.
- Polypropylene (PP) — available in white, clear, yellow, and black. Good for light to medium duty unitizing, palletizing, and bundling. The most common strapping used.
- Polyester (PET) — available in green, black, and limited clear. Smooth or embossed texture. The strongest and most rigid plastic strapping — use when polypropylene is not sufficient.
- Cord — five times lighter than steel and ideal for outdoor applications. Available in regular and woven types. Can be secured with buckles, seals, or hand tying.
Retail Packaging
From merchandise bags to wrapping materials, Athens stocks retail packaging essentials to support checkout and presentation needs.
- Merchandise bags
- Grocery bags
- Labels
- Wrapping tissue
Shipping & Mailing Supplies
Athens provides core shipping and mailing supplies that help keep packing stations organized and shipments moving.
- Industrial staples
- Inks — marking, stencils
- Knives, blades & cutters
- Packing list envelopes
- Padded, bubble & poly mailers
- Shipping labels
- Shipping tags and wires
- Thermal labels
- Twine
Tapes & Adhesives
Athens is a respected and recommended carton sealing tape supplier. We carry a variety of tapes and adhesives for all your packaging and fulfillment needs.
Carton Sealing Tapes
Choosing the right pressure-sensitive carton sealing tape is crucial. Key factors to consider: the case sealing process, corrugated type and thickness, and environmental conditions.
- Hot melt adhesive — by far the most popular, with a wide range of flexibility and superior adhesion. Good for overfilled cartons.
- Acrylic adhesive — the second most popular grade. Good initial tack, excellent all-temperature performance, high shear strength, and excellent clarity.
- Natural rubber adhesive — superior tack in challenging conditions such as recycled cartons, humid environments, and dusty settings.
Water Activated Tapes
Athens offers a complete line of water activated tape products and dispensing equipment. Water activated tape provides a pilfer-proof seal ideal for parcel post packages. Benefits include permanent closure, durability and strength, and a professional appearance.
Strapping & Filament Tapes
Reinforced paper tapes with polypropylene, polyester yarn, or glass yarn filaments. Commonly used for bundling boxes or cartons on pallets and for shipping large items that must withstand load shifting.
Paper Masking Tapes
Effective and economical for splicing, bundling, identification, and packaging. Higher grades available for demanding applications such as powder coating, sandblasting, transportation, marine, and metal fabrication.
Double-Coated & Adhesive Transfer Tapes
Double-coated tapes bond two surfaces together as an alternative to rivets, screws, or glue. Adhesive transfer tapes (no carrier) are more flexible and conformable — used for graphic applications, mounting, splicing, and gasket applications.
Floor & Safety Marking Tapes
Ideal for identifying lanes, material holding spaces, and hazard areas in your facility. Certain grades are better suited to high-traffic areas and withstand the cleaning process. Higher-visibility options available for areas requiring extra attention.
Printed Tapes
Promote your brand or communicate a message with stock templates or fully customized tape printed with your company name.
Other Adhesives & Equipment
- Duct tape
- Specialty tape
- Adhesives & applicators
- Tape dispensers
- Tape sealing machines — ask Athens about a tape equipment investment to increase throughput and lower labor cost.
Facility Supplies
Athens also offers a full line of facility supplies products for the production floor, office, and break room.
Janitorial
Keep facilities clean, stocked, and compliant with a broad lineup of janitorial products for daily operations.
- Absorbants
- Air fresheners
- Cleaners & disinfectants
- Feminine hygiene products
- Floor care products
- Hand & body soaps
- Toilet & urinal supplies
- Towels, tissues & wipers
- Trash liners & receptacles
- Mops & brooms
Safety Products
Athens supplies safety essentials that support worker protection across production, shipping, and warehouse environments.
- Gloves
- Ear plugs
- Safety glasses
- Protective clothing
- Respirators & dust masks
- Fall protection equipment
- Spill pads, socks & kits
Food Service
Support break rooms and food prep areas with food service disposables and paper products from a single supplier.
- Cups, plates & cutlery
- Napkins
- Foils & films
- Food containers
- Butcher paper
- Freezer paper
Packaging Equipment
The right packaging equipment makes your team more competitive and your company more profitable. The packaging solution experts at Athens Paper ask the right questions to determine the best equipment for your facility. Once we understand your unique situation, we provide you with the right solution to streamline production, increase speed, and reduce waste.
Finding the Best Equipment for Your Needs
Our solutions are material neutral. We work with you to match equipment to your specific operation and help you identify the best fit from among major manufacturers.
Manufacturers We Represent
- Highlight
- Shrink Tech Systems
- PAC Strapping
- Handle It
- Samuel Strapping
- Pregis
- Eastey
- PolyAir
- SMI USA
- Loveshaw
- 3M
- Wulftec
- Sealed Air
Strapping Equipment & Solutions
Are you hand-strapping and looking for a way to get more done in less time, or wanting more consistency and a better-looking package going out the door? Athens has affordable options on battery-operated hand tools and tabletop machines.
USPS Update (effective July 2025): USPS regulations now prohibit rubber bands on most presorted flats. Whether you are affected by this regulation or simply looking to save time and money, Athens has the expertise, equipment, and supplies to help.
Strapping Tools
- Manual tools — cutters, tensioners, and sealers for steel and poly strap, plus buckles for cord strap.
- Battery-operated tools — tension, cut, and weld strap with one click. Lightweight, consistent, and a significant time saver over manual strapping.
- Pneumatic tools — compressed air tools available for light, medium, and heavy strapping applications.
- Dispenser carts and kits to keep your workspace organized.
Notable Equipment Options
- PSM1412-IC3A tabletop machine — general semi-automatic strapping. A true time saver.
- FROMM P328 — battery-powered hand strapping tool for plastic strap.
- Teknika MUL-20 — sealless combination tool for steel strapping. Simple and low-cost.
Automatic & Semi-Automatic Strapping Machines
Automatic strapping machines are high-speed inline units built to handle a variety of package sizes. Available in bottom seal, side seal, open, and closed frame configurations for light, medium, and heavy production applications.
Semi-automatic strapping machines are a low-cost solution for consistent, quality, and reliable operation. Available in tabletop and side seal configurations. Athens keeps a limited number of units in stock for immediate delivery.
Strapping Glossary
- Core Size — common sizes: 16×6, 16×3, 8×8, and 9×8. First number = inside diameter; second number = core width.
- Tensile Strength — the stress at which a material breaks or permanently deforms.
- Break Strength — the force (in pounds) required to break the strapping.
- Elongation — percent of stretch in the strap as tension is applied.
- Joint Efficiency — percent of total breaking strength at the joint, where most breaks occur.
- AAR (Association of American Railroads) — the highest quality designation. Always look for an AAR approval number on the packaging.
- Weld Efficiency — ratio of joint strength to base material strength. ASTM minimum: 50%; AAR minimum: 75%.
Download Strapping Equipment Sell Sheet
Download Strapping Solutions Flyer (2025)
Request Strapping Information
Fill out the form below and an Athens expert will contact you to answer questions and provide pricing.
Stretch Film Equipment & Consulting
Your local Athens sales representative will help you tackle your stretch wrapping challenges. From the simplest to the most unique situation, Athens can help you achieve maximum efficiency and identify cost-saving opportunities in your current operation.
Where Athens Can Help
Talk to Athens. We will help you identify opportunities for savings. We audit areas like packaging equipment, analyze stretch rate potential (if you under-stretch, you overpay!), and help train employees on proper wrapping techniques. Put yourself in the best position to compete and win.
Stretch Film Equipment for Automation
Automation can make your operation more efficient and consistent with fewer workers. Athens can help you evaluate whether a stretch wrapper is a good investment. Certain new machines can ship in 1 business day, and finance options are available with today's changing times.
Shrink Film Equipment
Athens offers equipment ranging from the simplest hand-held tools to fully automatic shrink systems. Contact your local Athens sales representative to design an industrial or retail shrink package you will be proud of.
Sealing Equipment
- Impulse bar sealers — manual tools for surrounding product with film.
- L-Bar sealers — for higher volume production, welding film around each item more efficiently.
Heating Equipment
- Heat guns — for manual, lower-volume film and banding operations.
- Heat tunnels — provide consistent shrink in higher-volume applications with a more professional appearance.
- Continuous motion machines — for high-speed operations requiring accurate, repeatable shrink seal quality.
Packaging Vendors
Athens Paper proudly represents the following packaging vendors:
For general inquiries about packaging and shipping supplies, call 800-888-7901 to speak with an Athens packaging expert.