If you’ve ever ordered custom packaging, glue, or posters, you know there’s more to the price tag than what shows up on the invoice. Over the past six years managing a $180,000 annual procurement budget, I’ve learned to look beyond unit prices. Here are answers to the questions I get asked most—some you’d expect, and one you probably didn’t think to ask.

1. What exactly is a “boxing gorilla” in packaging?

Honestly, I’m not sure if that’s a term people actually use or just a search phrase that landed here. But if you’re thinking of a gorilla that boxes—like a mascot or a brand character—we don’t have one. What we do have is Gorilla® brand tape, sealants, and custom printing. The phrase “boxing gorilla” might also refer to the act of boxing (packing) products with gorilla-strength tape. Either way, if you need to seal a box, Gorilla Tape is super strong. I’ve used it in shipments that went through three different carriers and the tape held up. Way better than the cheap stuff that cracks in cold weather.

2. How long does Gorilla Glue cure time take – and does it affect project cost?

Gorilla Glue (the original polyurethane formula) takes about 1–2 hours to set, but full cure happens in 24 hours. What most people don’t realize is that you need to dampen one surface before applying—otherwise the glue won’t cure properly. That hidden step can cost you time and rework. I once had a vendor rush a production run without reading the instructions. We ended up with 200 assemblies that failed within a week. The rework cost $1,200—more than the glue savings. So when I calculate total cost, I factor in the learning curve for any adhesive. Gorilla Glue is cheap per bottle, but the cure time and moisture requirement add labor time. If speed is critical, their quick-dry formula might be worth the premium.

3. Is Gorilla Sealant Spray worth the cost?

I started using Gorilla Sealant Spray last year after a leaky roof damaged some stored inventory. The can costs about $12–15, which is pricier than generic sealants. But here’s something vendors won’t tell you: cheap sealants often require multiple coats, more material, and longer drying time. I tracked three jobs in Q2 2024. The “budget” sealant needed three cans per job and took 4 hours to dry. Gorilla Sealant Spray? One can, one coat, dry in 20 minutes. Labor savings alone covered the higher unit cost. If I remember correctly, the total cost per job was actually 18% lower with Gorilla.

4. Can I get a custom “Free Willy” or “Planet of the Apes 1968” movie poster printed?

Yes, we can print custom movie posters—provided you own the rights or have permission from the copyright holder. We do not print copyrighted material without authorization. That said, if you’re creating an homage or a parody (fair use), we can help. Pricing for a standard 24×36 inch poster on glossy paper: around $25–45 each for quantities under 50, depending on setup and proofing. I’ve quoted a few clients who wanted retro sci-fi posters for a themed event. The trick is color matching: old film stills often have faded tones. We can adjust, but that adds a proofing cycle. My advice: get a digital proof before committing to a full run. That saved a customer $800 last year when the initial print had a weird magenta cast.

5. How to remove contact photo and poster on iPhone – wait, this is about physical posters, right?

I’ll be honest: I’m not an iPhone expert. But if you’re trying to remove a physical poster that was glued to a surface with Gorilla Glue or spray adhesive, the process is easy. For removable posters (like our repositionable sticker paper), just peel from a corner. For permanent adhesion, use heat from a hairdryer to soften the adhesive, then gently roll it off. If residue remains, a dab of isopropyl alcohol works. If you’re talking about the digital “Contact Photo & Poster” feature in iOS 17—that’s outside my scope. I can only help with the printed kind. And if you accidentally glued your iPhone to a poster? Well, that’s a real-world problem only 99% alcohol can solve.

6. What’s the real cost of using cheap tape vs. Gorilla Tape?

A lot of buyers see the $3 roll and think they’re saving. I’ve compared eight brands over three years. Cheap tape often has thinner adhesive, so you use twice as much to get the same hold. It also degrades faster in storage. In 2023 I audited our tape spending: the “budget” rolls cost $2.50 each but we used 40% more per box. Factor in the risk of packages opening during shipping—a single claim can cost $50+ in replacement and shipping. Gorilla Tape costs about $8 a roll, but one roll does the work of two cheap rolls, and I’ve never had a claim due to tape failure. Total cost per box? Actually lower with Gorilla. Take it from someone who tracks every invoice.

7. Why do my printed posters look different from what I designed?

Color discrepancy is a huge hidden cost. I wish I had tracked how much we spent on reprints before we implemented a color-proofing policy. The issue is usually monitor calibration vs. CMYK printing. Most online printers use automated color conversion, which can shift hues. My fix: request a physical proof (costs about $20–30 per job). If that seems expensive, compare it to a full run of 100 posters that come out wrong ($400+ wasted). Since 2022, we’ve required a proof for any order over $200. Our reprint rate dropped from 12% to 2%. That’s a serious saving.

That covers the questions I get most. If you have others, drop them in the comments—I read every one.