Q: Do you offer any type of bulk packaging for finished inks?
A: Yes, we offer several types of bulk packaging larger than 55-gallon 
(200-liter) drums. However, we do not offer any more metal tote bins for rental. First, we offer the Spacekraft Export disposable bulk bin. It has a net capacity of 2200 lbs. (1 metric tonne). The Spacekraft design uses a simple bag-in-box, so it is suitable only for liquid and very low viscosity pastes only.
(200-liter) drums. However, we do not offer any more metal tote bins for rental. First, we offer the Spacekraft Export disposable bulk bin. It has a net capacity of 2200 lbs. (1 metric tonne). The Spacekraft design uses a simple bag-in-box, so it is suitable only for liquid and very low viscosity pastes only.For more viscous paste inks, we also offer the Fluid-Bag disposable bulk bag.
This design is considerably more sophisticated than the Spacekraft product, thus enabling the Fluid-Bag to be used for a wider variety of products. Like the Spacekraft tote, the Fluid-Bag offers a side discharge port at the bottom of the container, so that these units offer a plug-in substitution capability against the commonly used metal tote bins common in the USA.
Fluid-Bags are unique because they do not rely upon gravity like the Spacekraft tote does to empty the inner bag. Instead, they use a variety of air-powered devices to empty the bag's 2200 lb.
net capacity. Pictured is the air-powered roller discharge frame that can squeeze the bag 99% empty.
Additionally to the right and below is the "Universal" pneumatically-powered bag stretcher, which is used to pull the bag empty of most of its contents with little or no operator assistance. It is ideal for thinner inks like newspaper inks and very low tack free-flowing heatset inks. While this device is very simple and inexpensive to purchase, its only limitation being that highly gelled inks cannot be effectively emptied using this option.
Both designs are non-returnable and are readily available for immediate shipment. Remember that unlike re-usable metal tote bins, these disposable containers have no return freight charges associated with them. Cost is a few cents per pound over our standard drum price.
Q: Why is it that I can order inks in 3 1/2 gallon buckets, but Kerley doesn't offer some extenders, bases or varnishes in any size smaller than 15 gallon metal kits?
A: The reason we do not offer some extenders, varnishes, or bases in small packages is because of two factors: first, some of these items, especially gel varnishes are very, very hot when they are placed in a container. Processing temperatures of varnishes can surpass 300 deg. F (150 deg. C) for many of our gel vehicles when they are packaged. Thus, filling directly from a hot varnish kettle into small-mouthed containers made from thermoplastics is not safe or even very neat. We must use wide-mouthed metal containers to package these items, so that all of the hot varnish that spews from the ejector pump actually goes into a heat-proof metal container. Second, the viscosity of many items is so heavy that when the item is cooled off that it cannot be easily scooped out of a larger container and into a smaller one. A heavy gel varnish is an excellent example of something too heavy for a person to dig out and re-pack into a small container. However, there are many items like the vegetable oils, soft extenders, compounds, and driers we sell that are capable of being placed in 3 1/2 gallon buckets, since these items are easy to dig, pour and re-pack at room temperature.
Q: Kerley offers rent-a-totes, don't they? How much do they cost?
A: Kerley is no longer offering metal rent-a-totes to wholesale clients (other inkmakers & graphic arts distributors) beyond what is already available in our tote bin pool. You will have to furnish metal totes for new business. MEtal tote bins are still available for our retail clients, although we are phasing out their use and converting over to the Fluid-Bag disposable design.
Q: Does Kerley offer any product in 5-lb. cans?
A: Yes, Kerley can package just about any product (except liquids) offered in our catalog into 5-lb. (2,2 kg) tins. We use an off-site contract packaging plant which fills any product
into cans over a 3-roll mill. Thus, we can even offer many of our products with metallic drying catalysts packaged in ready-to-print cans. All cans are slip-cover style. We charge a per-pound premium over our standard drum price for this package which includes: skin papers, tape, application of client-supplied labels, and six-pack boxes, all shrink-wrapped on a wooden pallet. We do have a minimum order of 800 lbs. which can be from a combination of products.Q: Can I get product in 55 gallon fiber drums from Kerley?
A: Yes, but the order must be placed well enough in advance for us to order the fiber drums, since we usually don't stock many of them. Also, we need to see an order in excess of 30 drums.
Q: Does Kerley sell any product in super high-capacity bulk containers?
A: Kerley is capable of filling any super high capacity container such as a tanker trailer or an ISOtank. These containers are capable of holding 20 metric tonnes
(about 44,000 lbs.), which is the American over-road weight limit. Currently, we cannot fill railroad cars, but our plant property is located on a main industrial 
railway route near Chicago, USA. We can deliver black ink from one of our tankers to any point within a 550 mile radius of Chicago, USA. (see adjacent chart) Beyond that radius, we will have to furnish our clients with an ISOTank. Below is a photograph of an ISOTank being loaded at our black plant.
railway route near Chicago, USA. We can deliver black ink from one of our tankers to any point within a 550 mile radius of Chicago, USA. (see adjacent chart) Beyond that radius, we will have to furnish our clients with an ISOTank. Below is a photograph of an ISOTank being loaded at our black plant.