Types of paper tubes

Before we get into how a paper tube is made, it’s essential to know its various types.

• Spiral wound paper tubes: These have outer paper ply wrapped around in a tilted angle to the tube’s axis. They have low crush resistance and hence are great for packaging products such as cosmetics, food items, and medicines. They are also used to ship posters and unframed artwork safely.
• Convolute or parallel wound paper tubes: In these tubes, the outer edges are wrapped at a 90-degree angle. They have a high crush resistance and dynamic strength. Therefore, they are used for heavy-duty construction processes.
• Paper cores: Heavy-walled paper tubes, they are essentially used to wind webs or sheets of flexible materials like plastic films, foil, and textile into rolls.

How paper tubes are made

Step 1: Make ribbons from paper 

The first step is all about converting recycled cardboard sheets and lining material into ribbons. Then they are piled together to form giant ribbon rolls that look like poker chips sacked together. The thicker tube you want, the more ribbon rolls you will need.

Step 2: Stick the paper

The next step is to stick the ribbons of paper together using industrial glue in an overlapping fashion. Adhesive glue is applied between each layer to ensure the paper holds form. This process is known as cascading gluing system. Any excess paper is scraped back and recycled.

Step 3: Wind the piles

Once the paper is glued together nicely, it is passed through a mandrel (a metal bar that winds the paper). You can adjust the mandrel’s outer wheel to change a paper tube’s diameter. This process is known as ‘winding.’ It gives the paper tubes their spherical shape. 

Step 4: Cut the paper tube

The last step is to cut the long wounds of paper tubes into precise pre-decided sizes as per requirement. After that, tubes are customized with decorative graphics and colored paper ribbons to meet the customer’s brand preferences.

About New Hampshire Paper Tube

If you are looking for an eco-friendly spiral paper tube manufacturer, New Hampshire Paper Tube should be your one-stop destination. 98% of our raw material is recycled paper. Our tubes are biodegradable, recyclable, and home-compostable. From color tubes to spool and reel cores, we make all kinds of paper tubes.

We also provide custom paper tubes and cores, mailing, and textile paper tube. You can call us at (603) 706-6255 or email us at office@nhpapertbe.com to know more. You can also fill out our online contact form, and we will get in touch with you.