For packaging and shipping, you’ll want to make sure that you fill the box correctly as well. Void fill is something that’s used to aid with this, especially when it comes to both shipping, and packaging the products correctly.
What they Are
They’re basically a kind of material that’s used for one reason: to fill those gaps that are left within your packaging, used to protect your products as they’re transported, and to protect them from moving about, and being a natural shock absorber. When you see this for a practical use, you’ll notice that it also offers a natural aesthetic too to the packaging.
The right void fill must be determined by how you’d like it to be cushioned, and the protection along with the padding that’s needed, and the packaging weight.
Paper Void Filling
This is very cost-effective, and it’s more than just using paper. Even packaging or newspaper, or crinkled paper or tissue paper is a kind of void filler. While it’s not as strong as the rest, this is the most eco-friendly of the items for the sole reason that it can break down, so if you want to utilize older scraps this is the best way to do this. It also isn’t as visually appealing, because it can look dirty and messy.
Filler Wraps
This is a filler wrap that allows for your products to be protected. The most common one of those is bubble wrap, and it’s used as a protective and cheap means. It’s got the downside however, of this is not as sustainable as the paper options, so it’s why some people don’t really like it.
Craft or corrugated paperboard is another one, and this is a more eco-friendly sort of means, and they’re much prettier than bubble wrap, but they don’t absorb the shock as well, and they’re not very malleable.
Foam Sheeting
These are sheets that aren’t around just the product, but within the box, and they’re basically a type of protection that’s there between the box itself, and the product that’s in there.
It’s absorbed in the shock, and while it’s usually good for fragile cookware and glass, this can sometimes cause scratches and dents in some cases.
Another big thing is that they aren’t very eco-friendly, and they tend to be a waste after you’ve used them once. They also tend to make the packaging much bigger, so if you’re trying to save some money on shipping, you may want to look elsewhere.
Peanuts
Peanuts or packaging peanuts are usually known as packing popcorn and are basically loose-fill kinds of packaging that fill up those empty gaps, especially ones that don’t feel uniform.
They tend to be made either through Styrofoam, or biodegradable options, and are made from cornstarch and wheat types, and they’ve become a new, popular way for you to use this type of filling.
The packaging peanuts tend to be a lot more eco friendly when made this way, and also cost less energy for you to make them. They also dissolve in water bodies easily, so you don’t have to worry about polluting anything.
The biggest downside, however, is that they tend to be a lot more costly, so if you want to use this, discuss it with your business, as they can sometimes take a lot more out of your budget.
It’s good to get void filling but making sure that you have the right one will help improve your chances of the packaging being safe, and worth it, so assess your options and make a decision from there.