Case Study: How One Military Unit Eliminated Laminating Waste with TerraSlate
Overview
A high-readiness military unit based in the continental United States was facing persistent challenges maintaining field-ready materials. From training schedules and SOPs to mission briefings and emergency protocols, they relied heavily on laminated sheets to ensure documents held up under rough conditions—rain, mud, wind, and sand.
But every update meant reprinting and re-laminating large batches—costly, slow, and environmentally unsustainable.
The Challenge: Slow, Expensive, and Logistically Burdensome
The unit’s operations support staff reported growing frustrations:
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Frequent Revisions: Updates to mission plans, equipment checklists, and operational procedures meant printing and laminating dozens—even hundreds—of new documents per month.
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Wasted Time: The process of printing, cutting, feeding, and sealing sheets through laminators took dozens of man-hours each week, often pulling personnel from higher-value tasks.
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High Supply Costs: Lamination pouches, toner, heavy-duty printers, and laminating machines cost the unit over $10,000 annually.
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Logistical Delays: In a fast-moving operational tempo, waiting for laminated materials to be produced or outsourced delayed distribution and reduced readiness.
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Environmental Waste: Laminated sheets couldn’t be recycled, adding bulk and waste in already resource-constrained environments.
The Solution: TerraSlate Waterproof Paper
After evaluating several alternatives, the unit switched to TerraSlate waterproof and tear-proof paper—a material already in use by other branches for field manuals, emergency cards, and tactical signage.
Key features that sealed the deal:
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No lamination needed: TerraSlate prints on standard laser printers and withstands water, dirt, and tearing without any coating.
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Faster turnaround: Documents are ready as soon as they’re printed. No more delays waiting on laminating machines or contractors.
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100% recyclable: TerraSlate sheets are environmentally responsible and can be recycled through standard processes.
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Free overnight shipping: Orders arrive quickly to meet urgent mission needs, with no added shipping cost.
Measurable Results
In just 60 days, the impact was significant and quantifiable:
| Metric | Before TerraSlate | After TerraSlate |
|---|---|---|
| Time Spent per Week | 20+ hours | Under 2 hours |
| Annual Material Cost | $10,400 | ~$3,200 |
| Readiness Delays | Frequent | None |
| Recyclability | 0% | 100% |
| Durability in Field | Moderate (bubbling, tears) | High (weatherproof, tear-resistant) |
Key Benefits
🛠️ Improved Operational Efficiency
With print-and-go capability, mission materials are now generated same-day with minimal labor. Support teams no longer burn hours on lamination logistics.
💸 Cost Reduction
By eliminating laminating supplies and replacing special equipment with standard laser printers, the unit is saving over $7,000 annually.
🌱 Environmental Sustainability
Documents that were once single-use and landfill-bound are now recyclable, aligning with DoD sustainability initiatives.
Final Thoughts
For military units operating in fast-paced environments where clarity, speed, and durability are non-negotiable, TerraSlate offers a tactical advantage that goes beyond paper.
“We’ve removed an entire step from our process—and in the field, every minute saved counts,” said the unit’s logistics officer.
