[FR] Packing with bubble wrap: how do I do it?
5min read
12/07/2023
Bubble wrap is a packaging material that is particularly popular with professionals. Its many air bubbles provide optimum protection for even the most fragile products. It is a real bulwark against shocks. What can you protect with this material? How do you use bubble wrap? What types of bubble wrap are available on the market? Find out all you need to know about successful bubble wrap packaging with RAJA.
1. What can I do with bubble wrap?
Bubble wrap is generally used to wrap products to protect them during transport. Wrapped in bubble wrap, the most sensitive objects are much less subject to shock or vibration. It is therefore used to wrap small, fragile parcels containing glass or breakable objects, for example.
Bubble wrap is also an essential material for removals. It has the advantage of adapting to any shape. It can therefore be used to wrap large items of furniture, crockery, etc.
2. Which way should the bubble wrap be placed?
Should the bubble wrap face inwards or outwards to protect your products? There is indeed a preferred direction. The smooth side of the bubble wrap should face outwards, while the bubbles should be in contact with the product to be protected.
In this way, the tiny air bubbles that make up this packaging material form a sort of protective mattress. In this way, the contents of your parcel can remain intact.
3. The different types of bubble wrap
Most people think of bubble wrap as a roll of transparent plastic. However, there are different varieties…
| Classic bubble wrap .  |
. Classic bubble wrap is the most common type. It comes in rolls, with or without pre-cut sheets, or in bags. It is used as packaging or as cushioning for fragile products. |
| Antistatic bubble wrap .  |
. Antistatic bubble wrap is used to protect electronic products. This material undergoes an antistatic treatment. As a result, it is designed to prevent the build-up ofstatic electricity while offering optimum protection against shocks. It is ideal for wrapping computers, cameras and electronic components. |
Foam bubble wrap |
. Composed of one side of bubble wrap and one side of foam, foam bubble wrap offers optimum protection. The addition of foam provides extra protection for fragile products. It’s ideal for wrapping small objects, but also furniture, doors or windows that need extra protection, especially around the corners. |
Isothermal bubble wrap |
. The metallised side of isothermal bubble wrap keeps products at the right temperature, while the bubble wrap side protects them from shocks. Thanks to its thermal insulation function, this model is ideal for transporting products that are sensitive to thermal shocks, such as pre-packaged chocolate. |
4. Eco-responsible alternatives to packaging with bubble wrap
Over the years, many alternatives to traditional plastic film have been developed. First came the development of recycled plastic variants. An ideal way of giving new life to discarded plastic. Then came alternatives made from a renewable raw material: paper. A real innovation that allows you to create a mono-package with your cardboard box. Let’s take a closer look at these paper alternatives below.
| Paper bubble wrap .  |
. This bubble wrap is made from kraft paper. It is highly impact-resistant thanks to its embossed structure and the air between the 2 layers of paper. It reproduces the same effect as traditional bubble wrap. Bubble wrap is flexible, opaque, anti-static and easily recyclable. |
| Corrugated packaging paper .  |
. The corrugated relief gives this wrapping paper a solid, dimensionally stable structure that absorbs shocks very well. Wrapping paper is an excellent tool for those who want to pack fragile products in an environmentally-friendly way. You can also use it to fill empty spaces in a crate. |
| Tissue paper .  |
. This is a natural, environmentally-friendly material that is particularly suitable for packaging delicate products. Tissue paper also has biodegradable properties, making it the ideal packaging for greener logistics. However, it should not be used on its own for brittle products. This delicate material offers good protection against micro-scratches, but not enough against breakage. |
In this video, RAJA shows you what bubble wrap can be used for:
Protecting your parcels is essential to delivering an optimal customer experience, so don’t miss out on this crucial step when packing. Want to find out more about bubble wrap? Find out what you need to know about this protective packaging on the RAJA blog.
3 surprising facts about bubble wrap
- Bubble wrap reduces your stress levels: research has shown that spending 1 minute popping bubbles in bubble wrap is as relaxing as a 30-minute massage. This may have something to do with our ancestral habit of crushing ticks or other insects that used to torment us, with that typical noise that goes with it. It could also have something to do with the fact that people calm themselves by touching them. By rubbing the bubbles and popping them, tactile sensations are simulated.
- Originally, bubble wrap was a type of wallpaper: in 1957, engineer Al Fielding and Swiss inventor Marc Chavannes wanted to bring to market a wallpaper with enhanced texture. As an experiment, they glued 2 shower curtains together. Once the edges were sealed, air bubbles remained in the centre. As a wallpaper, the idea never caught on, but the packaging industry soon got interested.
- In January, you can celebrate Bubble Wrap Day: the last Monday in January is the day we celebrate the benefits of bubble wrap. Thanks to this versatile protective material, a multitude of products arrive safely at their destination every day.
Source : 15 surprising facts about packaging
