Protective Packaging Guide

Our product is ready and is just waiting to be packed and shipped. Even the customized boxes are ready: the care and attention to detail will offer our customers the perfect product and a unique unboxing experience! But what to do if our product needs protective packaging? What solution to adopt?

Fortunately, today it is possible to go beyond simple polystyrene or bubble wrap and choose from a multitude of options (some eco-friendly) the one that best suits your needs.

Why use protective packaging?

The use of protective packaging is not a constant in packaging. Many items can be boxed directly, without the aid of any addition, but not all of them. Let’s see some examples of situations that may need further attention, especially in transport:

• extremely fragile product
• particularly heavy product
• items with edges or corners exposed and subject to damage
• sharp objects
• items that cannot be boxed in custom-made boxes, so there is some space left in the box

Protective packaging: what solution to adopt?

Thinking that one protective packaging is the same as another and therefore proceeding with a random choice can jeopardize the seal of our product and increase costs. This is why it is important to know what kind of problem we will solve.

Individual protection

Some product categories, such as glassware or ceramics, need special attention for their transport. To ensure their safety, it is necessary to use individual protective packaging to minimize the risk of chipping or breaking. In addition, the individual protection will prevent objects from touching each other without barriers and act as a cushion inside the box.

Filling

Used to fill the gaps and spaces between several products, the protective filling packaging is the simplest solution if tailor-made boxes are not used. Filling the gaps between the box and the product inserted will avoid tossing the contents in the transit and delivery phase.

Shock absorber

Although not fragile and particularly suitable for packing in standard boxes, some products (soaps or candles, for example) need protection that absorbs any impact that could damage them. In addition, using a “cushion” protection above and below the product will offer that extra safety if you feel the need for such forethought.

Anti-scratch and anti-dust

Items such as clothing or, generally, textiles do not present any particular problems in transport. However, scratch or dust protection is a preventative solution that will decrease the risk of returns and provide an extra clue of care for your customers.

Presentation

While not requiring any protection, choosing to use protective presentation packaging for some products will increase the chances of strengthening the bond between the end customer and your brand. The attention to packaging the product in an attractive and personalized way (if sustainable, even better!) Will not go unnoticed, increasing the probability of building customer loyalty.

Protective Packaging Options:

Wrapping paper

Wrapping paper is raw, fully recyclable, and biodegradable paper. It can be used as a filling and individual protection or to create original and eco-sustainable presentations.

There are different types of wrapping paper (newsprint can be an original alternative!), So find the one that’s right for you and have fun!

Bubble paper

Completely eco-sustainable, bubble paper is the sustainable alternative to the best-known bubble wrap. Versatile and easy to handle, it also has a pleasant appearance that invites a tactile experience. Perfect for individual protection and widely adopted to protect fragile objects, it is also an excellent solution for cushioning blows and bumps.

Born from cutting waste from corrugated cardboard, bubble paper is suitable for protecting objects with delicate corners or edges and creating “nests” to store fragile products to cushion any sudden movement.

Corrugated paper

The corrugated paper protects by filling the empty spaces inside the box, thus offering a cushioning effect for the product to be protected. In addition, it is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional packaging materials, such as bubble wrap and other plastic solutions.

Corrugated paper is 100% recyclable, and in its realization, it is easily adaptable to specific needs.

Tissue paper

Lightweight, almost translucent, and easily foldable, tissue paper certainly lends a luxurious effect to the unboxing experience. Personalized or simply plain, tissue paper is used as an anti-scratch and anti-dust protection, but it also perfectly solves the presentation if handled with care.

Other solutions

While not all fall into the eco-sustainable category, there are several other valid and widely used solutions in protective packaging. Let’s see some of them:

• cardboard cutouts
• chopped paper
• bubble wrap
• polystyrene flakes
• inflatable bearings
• polystyrene

Conclusions

The world of protective packaging is really wide and continues to be enriched with ever new and, above all, increasingly sustainable solutions. Choosing the right option will secure your products and offer you the opportunity to strengthen the bond with your customers. Britwrap is at your disposal to evaluate the solution suited to your needs with you.