What type of packaging to protect your parcels?

Every e-tailer knows: the protection of his package is crucial. Indeed, there are risks of breakage or opening of the package during transport. This is particularly the case for fragile or heavy products, which can be put to a severe test before arriving at their destination. This is why it is essential to use effective protection to ensure that customers receive the goods correctly.

Kraft paper, bubble wrap, or corrugated cardboard: which protective packaging to choosefor your packages? RAJA gives you some answers in this article.

The must-have protective packaging to protect your packages

There is a wide choice of protective packaging suitable for your products. Cushioning materials help protect your goods and enhance the customer experience. Properly chosen, they can also improve the productivity of your packaging line.

The most commonly used cushioning materials

Among the must-have protective packaging to protect your goods, find:

Bubble wrap : this material is generally used to individually wrap the different products contained in a parcel. It is also used to fill the void. Bubble wrap comes in different thicknesses to suit all needs. Anti-shock thanks to its thousands of air bubbles, it offers optimal protection for your most fragile products.

Kraft paper : ecological, protective, and reliable, this material comes in a roll form that can be cut to your needs. It serves as a packaging for your products, but can also be used as a cushion inside the package. The advantage of kraft paper is that it is customisable, in terms of colours as well as logo printing, for example. For optimal protection of your products, choose a paper weight that is adapted to the weight of the goods.

Air cushions : ready to use or inflate, these cushions are 99% air. They generate little waste and have an insignificant weight, which is a great advantage for shipping your packages. Easy to use, the air cushions ensure optimal protection of your productsduring transport.

Packaging with built-in protection

Innovations have been going strong in the packaging sector in recent years. Now there are packages with integrated cushioning. They offer several advantages such as:

• A better order picking rate;
• A clean presentation of your products;
• Optimal protection of the goodsduring transport.

These packages with integrated cushioning can come in various formats. For example, to ensure that your goods are packed protectively, opt for:

Boxes, cases, cartons and crates with built-in protection: these protective packages may contain a shock-absorbing protective foam, or a plastic film layerto hold the product and protect it from shock and vibration.

Padded envelopes and pouches: ideal for shipping small items, these envelopes offer optimum protection during transit. They can be padded with both bubble wrap and foam. Lightweight, these envelopes with built-in protection have little impact on shipping costs.

To go further on what protections to choose for shipping your products, feel free to take a look at What protections should you choose to protect your packages? and The complete guide to parcel packing: how to properly protect your goods? ,our dedicated articles on the subject.

Eco-friendly protective packaging

Consumers are increasingly sensitive to environmental protection. As a result, the packaging sector is constantly evolving to meet these new demands. At a time when consumption is tending to become more eco-responsible, you have no doubt thought about opting for protective packaging that is more virtuous for the planet? Here’s a look at the products available on the market.

Recycled cardboard or paper curtains

The cushioning fibres made of cardboard or paper effectively cushion and protect products. Folded like an accordion, they are ideal for packaging, protecting and displaying your products in an environmentally friendly way. In addition, this material is clean and dust-free, providing an optimal customer experience.

Wood fibre

Like cardboard or paper friezes, wood fibre offers very good protection for the goods, while limiting the impact of your package on the environment. Biodegradable, wood fibre is impact resistant, crush resistant, and offers excellent thermal insulation. Finally, this material enhances the value of the products by lending the package a natural look.

Kraft paper

The Kraft paper is the best example of recyclable packaging. In fact, this product is made from wood chips, with no harmful solvents, making it 100% recyclable and biodegradable. Opaque, it protects products from light and thus ensures their preservation. its main advantage is that it is very resistant. It is therefore ideal for protecting any type of product during transportation, while providing an aesthetic appearanceto the package.

Recycled Corrugated Board

The recycled corrugated cardboard is thick enough to protect products, but it is also malleable enough to give it the desired shape. It offers optimal impact protection during transport, and good resistance against puncture. 100% recycled and recyclable, corrugated is an eco-responsible protective packaging of choice.

In order to protect and cushion your products, you therefore have a choice of different solutions, from the most traditional to the most environmentally friendly. Opt for protectionswhose characteristics are adapted to your goods. Last but not least, for your most fragile products, consider including a Fragile Product label. This can be a plus to ensure the integrity of your goods.