Types of Packaging Materials Used to Pack Fragile Items

Packing fragile items requires a lot of attention and careful consideration for the choice of materials. Packing a glass vase in a wooden box may be inappropriate as the vase may move about in the box and break. Similarly, you can’t pack it in a paper bag as the bag may be unable to take the weight of the glass. You need to choose the packaging materials carefully. Here are a few of your options.

Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is one of the most popular material for packaging fragile items. It creates a buffer that can absorb shock if the product bumps against something else. Bubble wrap also makes the product fit snugly into the carton so that the risk of moving is minimized. Bubble wrap can be reused a few times before the air trapped in the bubbles is all released.

Styrofoam

When you’re packing high value fragile items, you do not want to take any risk of having the product shift within its box. This is where Styrofoam becomes useful. The product is literally molded around the product so that it takes up all the negative space within the box. Styroafoam can be reused to pack only the same product. In most cases, the packaging is thrown away after use. It is not biodegradable.

Honeycomb Paper

If you’re looking for a sustainable alternative to bubble wrap, you should take a look at honey comb paper. This is a simple sheet of paper that has been cut with slits such that when the paper is stretched, it opens out to a honey comb pattern. This pattern of cutting the paper allows it to act as a buffer for fragile items. It is the ideal packaging material for companies trying to project a eco-friendly image with a low carbon footprint.

Corrugate

Whether you choose to use bubble wrap or honeycomb paper, the next layer of packaging is usually corrugate sheet. This sheet is available in rolls and can be cut to size. Corrugate sheeting has a single layer of corrugate backed by a single sheet of backing paper. This construction makes the material flexible and durable. It is often used to package irregularly shaped products.

Corrugate Cartons

Once the product has been wrapped in buffer material, it should be placed in a corrugate carton. These cartons can be customized to your product dimensions. The cartons are strong, lightweight and can be flat packed when not in use. The cartons are also useful for branding and can make your packaging look attractive.

Choosing the right packaging material is key to keeping your products safe as they are transported from the manufacturer to the customer. That said, having access to material is not always enough. Handling packaging on your own can take a lot of time and effort. It would be better to delegate the task to a professional packaging company. They can do the job at a quicker pace, ensure the safety of your cargo and minimize the risk of damage. It may seem cheaper to do it on your own but remember, it is better to pay a fee for packaging rather than have your products arrive in a damaged state.