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What to fill a carton with for shipping – 7 tried and tested ideas.
Filling – additional security for the shipment.
Popular materials as fillers.
Sending a parcel may seem like a simple operation involving placing the item in a cardboard box and sealing it with tape. However, some parcels need additional protection. If you want their contents to arrive intact, you need to use the right filling to prevent the item from moving uncontrollably inside the carton.
In the following discussion, I will give you 7 tried and tested ideas for filling a carton for shipping.
1. Bubble wrap.
One of the most well-known and popular fillers. Made of plastic, its surface is covered with air-filled bubbles. It has excellent cushioning properties and is waterproof. It can be used for everything from small, delicate packages to large furniture, white goods, electronics, etc. It is worth not throwing it away, as it can be reused and thus reduce the production of rubbish, which in this case is not recyclable. There is also an anti-static version on the market, which greatly simplifies the packaging of electronics.
2. Perforated paperboard.
It is an eco-friendly filler. Thanks to its many cuts, it is given sufficient flexibility and can secure objects regardless of their shape or size. It is a lightweight, inexpensive and effective filler. The market offers the availability of many variations in shape and thickness. Easy to cut, it provides protection at a fairly high level, protecting the contents of the parcel from shocks and other damage.
3. Scropak.
Another eco-friendly filling. It is a 100% biodegradable and compostable granulate, made from plant-based ingredients, and dissolves by pouring water on it. It can also be found under the name polystyrene chips. It tightly fills the empty spaces in the packet, preventing damage to the contents. This granulate is very light and inexpensive, and has anti-static properties, so it can also protect the shipping of electronic devices.
4. Wrapping paper.
It is also an environmentally friendly material, usually made from recycled materials. As well as wrapping parcels from the outside, it can also be an excellent filler. It is good at damping vibrations and impacts, protecting the contents of the parcel. It is most often used to package lightweight, small-sized items. It can be easily crumpled and adjusted to the space you want to secure.
5. SizzlePak.
They are narrow strips of anti-static kraft paper, cut appropriately (usually as a zigzag / spring), which helps them to cushion the vibrations that arise. They can come in many colours, which makes them very aesthetically pleasing and adds to their visual appeal. They are often used for decoration. SizzlePak filler is fully eco-friendly, recyclable and quickly biodegradable. It perfectly fills the voids in the carton, allowing you to fully protect your packaged products.
6. Airbags.
Another product made of plastic. They are filled with compressed air. They perfectly absorb shocks and vibrations, stabilise the contents of the package, have thermoregulatory properties, are durable and inexpensive. They can be purchased individually or as air mats. In addition to protecting the contents, they have soundproofing and heat-insulating properties. They are produced in a range of sizes, so they are easy to select for a specific consignment. They will even protect fragile, easily damaged items without any problems.
7. Wood wool.
Another eco-friendly material that can be used repeatedly and is biodegradable. Made from wood, it has a wide range of applications. The chips obtained look natural and elegant, and can also be any colour. They can be used to make a package stand out. In addition to its filler function, wood wool is recommended for decorative gift wrapping. It is very light, so it does not significantly affect the weight of the parcel.
Remember that every parcel should be well protected not only on the outside, but especially on the inside. The carton fillers described above do not encapsulate all the options available. Only the 7 most commonly used ones have been collected here, although we also encourage you to test the available materials in person and select the filling exactly to your product range. The better the box is filled inside, the less vulnerable the contents will be to damage.
Already know what fillers you want to use? See also the related article discussing the 5 rules for effective parcel packaging.
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