Designing boxes for products is important. But you need to make sure that the product is transported safely via shipping, storage, and the product distribution. Bulk packaging materials that are used are just as vital as the products within. 

Void fill and cushioning get overlooked, and not appreciated enough. A ton of packing facilities and manufacturers will use whatever they can, and the cheapest of ways to fill these out. While bubble wrap, packaging peanuts and crinkle paper may seem like the same thing, it’s not.  It’s hard for some people to understand the difference in load and product damage. 

However, knowing the difference also means the difference between it being cost effective and bad for the environment. 

Here, we’ll go over different materials, and the benefits and drawbacks for each of these. 

Air Pillows and Bags 

They’re great for when you want to add almost no weight to boxes and get the but cushioning possible. They’re also totally recyclable. However, for long-term types of storage they are not ideal due to the air leaking out slowly over a period of time. They’re also not good for electronics or ceramics to protect them. they do shift around. 

Poly Foam 

This is good for the more fragile items, including electronics. 

They’re sheets that are clean, offer great protection, and are super versatile. They can be wrapped with the form around these objects within tighter gaps for better durability. It’s waterproof and comes with a lot of thickness to choose from. 

The downside to this one is that it’s not as economical. 

Loose Fill 

These are packaging peanuts. While most people do like them, there are some drawbacks. 

The biggest one is that some aren’t recyclable.  However, those tend to be biodegradable.  They are very light, and not expensive, perfect for larger boxes with much more space to them.  they do reach those gaps that are awkward and they may not fill as good as the others.  They do shift a little bit and can leave a mess too, so bear that in mind. 

Paper filling 

This is known as crinkle paper.  It’s crumpled up, and gives a lot of cushioning to this, and fills those weird paces. Affordable and very easy for a person to use, however it tends to be a bit wasteful. This is because a lot of packers use a lot more than they should. 

It also isn’t waterproof. However, if you’re looking for more economical solutions to this, especially for long-term benefits and success, you’ll definitely want to use this too. 

Different Void Solutions 

It’s something to remember that void solutions do need to be chosen based on the packaging needs. With this, you’ll be able to build some amazing void fill alternatives for what your packaging needs. You can refine this, and with the right experts, you’ll figure this out. 

Our goal is to offer cost-effective and protective solutions that minimize the waste as much as you can. If you can manage this, then you will do well. 

If you’re not sure where to begin, or if you need some help with cushion cushioning and also void fill options, then contact us! We’re right here to make this all work, and if you’re someone ready to take on the world of void fill, then you’re not alone. We are ready to build this and offer the best solutions for your needs. Try it today and see what will happen with your own personal cushioning, and the benefits that come with each of these unique solutions that sit there and are waiting for you.