Best Protective Packaging Materials for Shipping

Packaging can just not look pretty, you have to work (not hard, but smartly) to protect your products from getting damaged while in transit. And a slight overlook on this part will have you a bunch of frustrated customers and a damaged reputation.

So, what are the best packaging supplies to ship products? Obviously, it depends on what products you are shipping and the packaging would depend upon that.

Foam Packaging

To ship fragile products, use custom foam inserts, especially if they are irregularly shaped. These foam inserts are designed exclusively to support your products and you can be rest assured that your products will be safe and secure and the contents will be protected from any tampering. It is also lightweight meaning lower shipping costs.

Packaging Paper

When it comes to protecting your items during shipment, the packaging papers come with a lot of benefits. The first would be that they protect fragile products from scratches and manhandling. This is also pocket-friendly making it easier for the retailers to invest. Furthermore, packaging paper is sustainable and is easily biodegradable.

Bubble Wrap

These air-filled bubbled sheets, which were supposed to be wallpapers, are simply great when it comes to protecting your items during shipment. The bubble wrap provides a durable cushion that is flexible and absorbs any amount of impact, making it the most popular choice for customers.

But the only problem with this is that bubble wrap is not helpful of its own completely, and it is recommended that you pair it with another packaging material. Also, bubble wrap can be hefty on the pocket and is not really an environment-friendly choice.

Packing Peanuts

Packing peanuts are small polystyrene bits that get interlocked with each other when packed tightly, filling all the empty spaces and acting as a buffer to safeguard your products from shifting during transit and getting damaged.

This packaging supply is usually pocket-friendly and very efficient in packing, but the regular packing peanuts are not very environment-friendly.

Here are Five Tips to Safely Pack Your Products

The Size Matters

Make sure that the cardboard box you buy is close to the product you are shipping. This not only saves you shipping costs (because your package will be lighter than the larger boxes). This would also mean that you would also require less amount of protective packaging materials, which make it a win-win situation.

Cheap is Not Equal to Cost-Effectiveness

In the long run, buying cheap materials won’t save you money. Why so? Suppose you buy thin Bubble Wrap sheets but a lot more is required when compared to the thick and expensive version of Bubble Wrap. So, on the whole, you are ending up spending more because of the quantity of product required.

Reducing Plastic Waste

Across the world, the movement to reduce the usage of plastic continues to grow and it is a bonus point for your company if you can go plastic-free. Instead of getting your branding done on plastic covers, get them printed directly on the cardboard boxes, or get kraft paper sleeves designed. Even while reusing your cardboard boxes, your customers will be reminded of your brand.

Consider the Packaging Weight

The more packaging materials you put inside a cardboard box; more will be the overall weight of your packaging increasing your shipping charges.

Choose Wisely to Deal with Palette Stacking

Choose cardboard shipping boxes that would maximise the palette efficiency. While round boxes leave a lot of space on a palette wasting money, rectangular or square boxes stack well, leaving no excess space behind.

These are a few tips to manage your products and product shipments smartly, that would deliver all your products safe and sound, and also keep in mind the well-being of your pocket.

How To Pack Parcel Boxes for Safe Shipping?

Parcel: Long travelling alert! All you need to do is make sure it arrives in one piece! And here are the tips for you.

The Best Box for Safe Shipping

Corrugated cardboard boxes are the go-to container as parcel boxes, they’re reusable, cheap, eco-friendly, easy to stack, and are super strong.

Can You Reuse an Old Cardboard Box That is Just Right for Shipping Your Item?

Have an old box that’s just the right size for your item? You can reuse it till the box hasn’t sustained any damage.

To ensure that you have a safe delivery when reusing an old box, make sure that the sides of the box are rigid, the flaps are intact, there are no tears, punctures, or corner damage, or any previous labels or shipping marks.

The more you use packaging materials, the more they deteriorate. Don’t plan to ship your items in old cardboard boxes before you give them a thorough check.

How To Pack Boxes to Ensure Safe Delivery

Packaging supplies are needed and meant to protect products inside parcel boxes from getting knocked together or hitting the walls of the boxes. Keeping that in mind, it’s also not just enough to fill the boxes with newspapers. One should surely use packing materials to create a cushioning barrier.

Follow The 2-Inch Rule: Surround each product with at least 2 inches of cushioning and place them away from the walls of the box by at least 2 inches.

Get your hands onto proper packing materials that are designed for shipping: Bubble wrap, packing peanuts or inflatable air bags.

Use clean and dry packaging materials only.

Wrap each product separately so they don’t bump with each other.

Fill the box with enough packing materials so that the items do not move even when you shake the box.

For any items that dirt and moisture can damage, pack them tightly and separately in a plastic bag inside the box.

And of course, it goes without saying, make sure that the parcel boxes are received by the recipient in hand and not left behind at the doorstep.