While it&#;s definitely nice to have packaging that looks good, the main purpose of packaging is to help your products arrive at their destination in one piece. However, as you probably are aware, that doesn&#;t always happen! The shipping process can be rough and tough&#;especially on fragile products that can easily end up broken or damaged upon arrival.
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One of the best ways to prevent this from happening is by utilizing protective packaging. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about protective packaging, types, and uses so that you can discover the best options for your company.
What Is Protective Packaging?
Starting with the basics, protective packaging refers to packaging that is specifically designed to protect, buffer, and insulate products from damage or destruction during the often unpredictable shipping process. Protective packaging can be made out of a wide range of different materials ranging from cardboard, plastic, metal, and more. In addition, protective packaging can be used as a primary packaging component or a secondary packaging component.
For example, you can use a corrugated cardboard box as a primary component of protective packaging in addition to using secondary components such as packaging inserts, void fillers, air pillows, etc. No matter what type of protective packaging you use or how you use it, the end goal is to protect your precious products and help them arrive at their destination in one piece.
Why Use Protective Packaging?
If you&#;re wondering why it&#;s necessary to invest in protective packaging, wonder no more! Many cost-conscious business owners are wary of incorporating additional components into their packaging that can drive up the cost. However, it&#;s important to remember that doing so could actually end up saving you money in the process when you have little to no damaged goods as a result. Furthermore, it can also really save you on the customer side as well.
This is because customers these days really value their unboxing experience. In fact, about 40% of all consumers said last year that they will take a photo or a video of their unboxing experience. Needless to say, a broken or damaged product won&#;t make for a very good unboxing experience for the customer or video for their network. You can prevent this from happening, ensure customer satisfaction, and hopefully get some free marketing as a result of investing in effective and strategic protective product packaging.
What Are The Different Types Of Protective Packaging?
Just as there are many different uses for protective packaging, there are many different types available as well. Here&#;s a quick breakdown of some of the different types of protective packaging so that you can have a better idea of what options are out there and what may work best for your packaging needs:
Air pillows are typically made of plastic pieces inflated with air to create &#;pillows&#; that can cushion fragile products during the shipping process. Oftentimes, air pillows come in a sheet with several different sections to ensure that they stay properly inflated throughout the journey.
Angle boards are typically made of a hard paperboard material formed to a right angle in order to protect the sides and corners of products being shipped. This helps prevent any knicks or scratches that may occur on the edges of the product.
Bubble wrap features a sheet of small inflated air bubbles that are used to cushion and cover fragile products to prevent damage or breakage during the shipping process.
Corner blocks are very similar to angle boards and are designed in a right angle to protect the corners of an object from damage.
Corrugated wrap serves the same purpose as bubble wrap but is made out of corrugated paperboard rather than inflated plastic. This paperboard is scored so that it is better able to protect and cushion fragile products during the shipping process.
Packaging inserts are typically made of cardboard or paperboard and are designed to separate different components within a single shipment, fill empty space, and secure the product within a certain location in the package to prevent movement during transport.
Molded packaging is a specific type of packaging insert that is designed to perfectly fit different products or components being shipped so that they stay perfectly in place throughout the journey.
Packing peanuts are typically made of styrofoam in order to completely surround, cushion, and protect loose items that need extra protection during transport. That being said, there are now more environmentally-friendly options for packing peanuts that are biodegradable instead of using styrofoam that can take hundreds of years to decompose.
Similar to packing peanuts, void fillers are also designed to completely surround, cushion, and protect loose items that need extra protection throughout the shipping process. Void fillers can be made out of recycled shredded paper for a more environmentally-friendly option that can then be reused or recycled afterward the initial journey.
How To Choose The Right Type Of Protective Packaging?
All of these different types of protective packaging can be overwhelming and confusing if you&#;re not exactly sure what you&#;re looking for. Thankfully, there are experts, like those at BoxGenie, who can help you determine the right type of packaging for your company. This includes both primary packaging options as well as secondary. When it comes to choosing the right type of protective packaging, here are some key things to consider:
Consider your brand image and values.
For example, if you want to give off a high-end feel with your packaging, you may need to invest in higher-end materials so that customers feel justified paying a premium price for your product as well as the packaging.
eco-friendly packaging
. If you establish yourself as a brand that values taking care of the environment, you wouldn&#;t want to be using environmentally harmful protective packaging components such as styrofoam packing peanuts or traditional plastic bubble wrap. Instead, there are more eco-friendly alternatives that you should consider using.
Consider your ideal customer persona.
What do they care about in terms of packaging? What are they expecting when they see and open the package? This is another area where being eco-friendly can easily come into play since more and more consumers, especially younger ones, are willing to pay higher prices to purchase from eco-friendly brands. So if this is what your customers want to see&#;give it to them!
Consider your product.
How fragile is it? How heavy is it? How is it being stored? All of these answers will affect your protective packaging options.
Consider your budget
Some types of protective packaging will cost more than others. Higher-end products usually warrant more expensive protective packaging. On the other hand, it doesn&#;t make much sense to spend a lot of money on protective packaging for cheaper products.
Consider your sales channel.
Is the product being shipped direct to the consumer? Is it going on a shelf at the store? These very different scenarios will likely require very different protective packaging solutions.
How To Design Quality Protective Packaging?
Once you have the basics down in terms of what type of protective packaging you need to use, it&#;s time for the design process. This is one area that many companies tend to struggle with&#;especially if they&#;re just starting out and may not have an established brand image.
Overall, when it comes to designing your packaging, think of it as an extension of your brand. Include relevant logos, fonts, colors, designs, slogans, etc., so that it can strike a positive impression with consumers and lead to strong brand recognition. It may seem like a lot of work now, but every second (and penny) you spend on this will be well worth it in the end when you can keep your products safe, keep your customers satisfied, and keep growing your company as a result.
For more information, please visit Shock-Resistant Packaging Solutions.
Final Thoughts On Protective Packaging
As you can see, protective packaging is extremely important for keeping products safe throughout the shipping process and ensuring that customers are satisfied when they receive intact items. Being proactive with your packaging now can save you a ton of time, money, and headaches caused by damaged products in the future! So be sure to strategically plan and test out your protective packaging along with the experts at BoxGenie for a durable and dependable packaging solution that delivers every single time.
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Whether your next move is big or small, there&#;s probably some packing to do on the horizon. But what packing materials do you need for moving? You likely know you need moving boxes. However, when it comes to protecting the stuff that goes inside your boxes, it can be a little less clear.
To give you a head start, we put together this guide that outlines the best packing supplies for moving, and more specifically, the best packing material for fragile items. That way, when you box up your fine china, antique décor, pricey gadgets, and everything in between, you can pack with confidence knowing you have the best materials for the job at hand, as recommended by the packing experts.
Need packing materials for shipping?
Use our helpful guide on How to Pack Boxes for Shipping to view essential packing tips and learn which packing materials we recommend you use for shipping.
Bubble cushion, bubble wrap, etc. Whatever you want to call it &#; those air-filled bubbles that you loved popping as a kid (and maybe still do) are a must-have when it comes to protecting items in moving boxes. The reason bubble cushion is so effective is because the plastic air-filled bubbles are lightweight and easy to use yet they provide effective cushion to keep your items in one piece. Our Enviro-Bubble is available is large and small bubble sizes to accommodate different sized items and different needs.
Bubble cushion is one of the best materials for wrapping and protecting fragile items like electronics, glassware, artwork, home décor, and more. We recommend you use large bubbles for impact protection and small bubbles for abrasion protection. When wrapping your items, be sure to keep the bubble-side on the inside facing toward your item for maximum cushioning. Keep in mind that bubble cushion doesn&#;t secure itself. Pair it with packing tape or mover&#;s wrap to keep it in place.
Other ways to use bubble cushion:
Want more information on Bubble Cushion?
Check out our Bubble Packaging 101: A Complete User's Guide to learn more!
Packing Paper also carries several monikers, including wrapping paper, moving paper, and packaging paper. But no matter the nickname, this type of material is a staple in the world of packing, and for good reason. For starters, it&#;s one of the more affordable protective materials out there. It&#;s also available in bulk and extremely versatile. Most packing paper is made from recycled newsprint paper, so it can be recycled after you&#;re move is finished for a more sustainable move (be sure the tape is removed). It&#;s also acid-free so it&#;s safe to use on a variety of surfaces.
Packing paper - also known as paper moving pads is best suited for filling open spaces in moving boxes and storage containers to keep your items from shifting or colliding during transport. The sheets of paper easily crumple and fold so they can be stuffed into tight spaces and keep your items safely immobilized and scratch-free. Packing paper is also useful for wrapping items and providing protection, like bubble cushion. Just know that it doesn&#;t provide the same level of cushioning as bubble cushion.
Other ways to use packing paper:
Biodegradable Packing Peanuts are like the traditional Styrofoam peanuts that have been used for packing and shipping for decades, only they&#;re 100% biodegradable and environmentally friendly, making them a guilt-free choice. They&#;re also anti-static, so they&#;re a natural solution for packing electronics. Made with natural materials, biodegradable packing peanuts are dust-free and abrasion resistant so you can safely use them alongside your most fragile items. You can even flush them down your toilet when you&#;re finished!
Packing peanuts are hands down the best void fill material, great for moving or shipping. Use packing peanuts when packing electronics, large crystal vases, collectibles, glass figurines, and other fragile items. Packing peanuts are so effective because the unique size and shape allows them to fill empty spaces better than packing paper and other larger, more rigid materials typically used for void fill. Use packing peanuts for moving, shipping, or storage.
Note that we don&#;t recommend using packing peanuts alone when packing for moving. It&#;s always best to use a material like bubble cushion to provide some level of impact protection, then fill the box with packing peanuts for immobilization as the last step in the process.
When it comes to packing dishes and glasses, you have options. You can get away with using packing paper or bubble cushion (or both), but those aren&#;t the most effective materials. Those also take longer to apply and use up materials that would be better served elsewhere. That&#;s where dish foam comes in. This soft, compact material is designed specifically to cushion and protect fragile kitchen.
Dish foam was designed to make packing dishware more efficient. It&#;s the perfect size for safely stacking plates or wrapping glasses before placing them in a box. You can also use it with collectibles, silver, stemware, and other fragile items around the home. Dish foam also comes in pre-formed pouches that make packing plates, bowls, and other serving dishes as simple as sliding them in the pouch.
Other ways to use dish foam:
If you&#;re not familiar with corrugated dunnage, think of it as cardboard pieces that are placed strategically in a box to protect the items inside. It&#;s more commonly used in industrial or commercial shipping, but the same concept can be applied to packing for a move as well. Corrugated dunnage isn&#;t the best choice when it comes to protection. However, its rigid nature makes it useful for immobilization. It&#;s also an economical packing choice if you&#;re moving on a budget.
Using corrugated dunnage to protect items in a moving box mostly entails using spare boxes to fill gaps and keep items from colliding. For example, you can cut up a box and using the strips to create protective cells between rows of plates or glasses to keep things isolated. Or you can place a small piece of cardboard between plates as you stack them, so they stay isolated and immobilized.
Pro Tip!
If you&#;re looking for cheap packing materials, you may be able to find free boxes at your local U-Haul center at the Take a Box, Leave a Box bin to use as corrugated dunnage.
When you&#;re ready to get your move underway, be sure to stop by your local U-Haul location or visit uhaul.com to stock up on packing essentials for moving. U-Haul carries a wide variety of moving boxes, packing supplies, and other products designed to Make Moving Easier. When you order online, choose from Same-Day Delivery or FREE in-store pickup for added convenience.
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