The Different Types of Packing Materials for Shipping, Explained

Are you getting into the packing business? There are many items you need to consider and learn before starting. One of the considerations is choosing the right type of packing materials for shipping.

You have to decide which type of material you want to use before packaging your product for shipment. Ensure you understand the packaging product’s suppliers. Remember that a low-quality material for your shipments can damage or break bottled and Jarred packaged goods during delivery.

Here are some of the packing materials you need to consider for your shipping business.

1. Use Corrugated Boxes

Ask anyone who’s been in the shipping business for the best packaging materials. The answer will be the corrugated boxes. Why corrugated boxes?

Corrugated boxes have been a go-to packaging material for the packaging industry for many years. They’re the staple materials for packaging that are well known worldwide. Corrugated boxes come pre-formed into a rectangular box shape.

These boxes also come in flat stacks, and you have to put them together using your hand. These staple boxes are the best packing materials for shipping. This is because they are used with case erectors packaging machinery.

You can use these packaging machines to turn flat cardboard into a traditional box shape. Some of the items you can pack in corrugated boxes include consumer goods, electronics, and pre-packaged food items such as chips, cookies, and cereal.

2. Foam Packing Materials for Shipping

Some shipping products require additional insulation for more protection. If you have such items, use a foam packaging material and accord them maximum protection. You can place the foam sheets across the bottom, sides, or top of your shipping product to give it that extra protection.

Foam sheets consist of two types: Styrofoam and polyethylene. Styrofoam is good for covering electronics and other large items, thanks to its rigidness. Polyethylene is best for wrapping delicate items and filing out space because of its thin and flexible nature.

3. Molded Packaging Inserts

Provide your package with a nice feeling and look by using molded package inserts. If you love class in your packaging business, this is the way to go. Besides being the expensive form of packaging material, it gives your packaging a premium feel.

The packaging material can give you loyal customers due to their attractiveness. In addition, this type of packaging material ensures the items are intact during transit. Besides packing, you can also use them to transport electronics, home goods, delicate consumer products, and glass.

4. Packing Peanuts

These are not the peanuts you get on airplanes. Packing peanuts exists in two types, which are Styrofoam and starch. They’re the most attractive packing solutions for most products because of their high shock absorption and low cost.

However, packing peanuts have its challenges. Styrofoam peanuts are not biodegradable, while starch peanuts decompose when exposed to moisture. Also, cleaning them is not easy, and they’re prone to static.

5. Pack Your Shipping Products in a Bubble Wrap

The list of different types of packing materials for shipping is endless. You have a wide range of options to choose from, regardless of the shape and the size of what you’ll be shipping. If you’re majoring in shipping rectangular products such as books and pictures, go for bubble wrap.

Bubble wrap will ensure your rectangular items are safely packed during shipment. One important thing with bubble wrap is that it comes in large rolls to enable you to wrap and re-wrap items that are more delicate. Thus, they offer maximum protection to delicate items.

Another interesting feature with bubble wrap is the recycled and colored options which it comes with. This allows you to customize the packaging design according to your customer’s specifications.

The eco-friendly packing materials also come in four different sizes based on diameter. They come in 1/8 inch, 3/16 inch, 5/16 inch, and ½ inch.

Bubble wraps are good for packaging larger and heavier products that might need more impact on transit. Therefore, the bigger the item, the bigger the bubble wrap should be.

6. Stretch Film Packaging Materials

The world of packaging materials is diverse, and it’s not complete without the mention of stretch film. Stretch film is the most common packaging material across the packaging world. They’re used to contain products on pallets before shipping.

They protect products from collapsing and getting damaged when shipping, courtesy of the load containment. In other words, load containment secures the load in a place to ensure it arrives safely at its destination.

Stretch wrap comes in various types, and each of them has specific applications. They include machine stretch, hand stretch, color stretch, and vented stretch. These are just a few of them, and there are still many types available.

7. Shrink Film Packing Material

This is the best option for packaging material so far, leave alone being popular. It’s widely used in the packaging world. It’s used to package essential and expensive items.

Shrink films exist in different types of formulations. The most common ones are polyvinyl chloride, polyolefin, and polyethylene. Each of these formulations has specific applications.

If you don’t use the right shrink film, you can end up packaging the products poorly. It can also lead to safety and machinery problems. The two packaging machinery in the shrink film includes shrinking tunnels and sealers.

Your packaging line is incomplete without these two types of packaging machinery. You run your product through the sealer then put it in a shrink film bag. You then seal the bag with heat, making the product move down the line into the shrink tunnel.

Package Well to Protect Your Shipping Items

When protecting your items on transit, you have to choose the best packing materials for shipping. Presentation is also important in packing. You must consider the aesthetics and the quality of your packing materials.

If you want to take your packaging business to greater heights, there are also great tips to help you out. Stay on this site for more helpful business insights from our blogs.