How to pack and protect with paper?

Anyone who regularly stands at the packing table knows that cardboard and paper are surprisingly versatile packaging materials. They are also easily recyclable and give your parcel a sustainable appearance. Corrugated or flat, brown or white, crepe or kraft… there are so many ways to pack and protect with paper! Do you know what each type is used for exactly? With this selection guide we will help you on your way.

1. Five ways to pack and protect with paper

European research1 shows that 52% of consumers consider cardboard to be the most environmentally friendly packaging material. Cardboard (and by extension paper) therefore represents a promising basis for packaging your products.

Another fact from the same survey: 64% of consumers believe that retailers and brands are not yet making enough effort to use environmentally friendly packaging materials. So there is still work to be done. And you can do your bit! Check out all types of paper protection below and what you can apply it to each time.

1.1 Filling voids

Inside a box, you should always make sure your products are firmly secured. By filling all empty spaces properly, you significantly reduce the risk of damage. Filling paper is the best solution here. You can fold the paper a few times and then apply it to the empty spaces around your product. A second option are paper pads. They fill every conceivable nook and cranny in your box. Besides being efficient, they are also very original: the coloured versions immediately give your packaging a unique look. And that comes in handy during the unboxing experience!

1.2 Absorbing shocks

Shards bring good luck… or do they? Fragile products are best packed with an extra layer of protection, preferably one that can absorb shocks well. How do you do that with paper? In the first place, you can opt for corrugated cardboard. The waves or ridges optimally absorb shocks. Secondly, you can wrap a product with cardboard bubble wrap. It is more flexible than corrugated cardboard, making it easier to fold around products with an irregular shape. By the way, a case apart in this category are the hand-wrapping rolls of crepe paper: they are ideal for wrapping anything round. Think pipes, profiles, furniture legs, etc.

1.3 Preventing scratches

Thirdly, protecting with paper is possible when you want to avoid scratches. For this, you should stop at wrapping paper or silk paper. Silk paper (also called tissue paper) is the softest and thus best suited for very fragile surfaces. For example, glass, ceramics, leather goods, etc. Fancy some colour? Even then silk paper is the ideal solution! On the other hand, we have packing paper. It is much stronger and better suited for packing heavier products (with a less fragile surface). You can even use it as extra padding inside your box.

1.4 Separating products

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For our next stopover, we stop at cardboard interleaves. A corrugated cardboard intermediate sheet is more versatile than you might think at first glance. You can use it to separate products horizontally. This makes stacking inside a box easier and gives the packaging more strength. To cope with shocks better, it is best to use an intermediate sheet of honeycomb cardboard. These hexagonal ‘honeycombs’ are surprisingly strong and therefore the perfect shock absorbers. In addition to intermediate sheet, you can also use it as bottom or cover sheet.

1.5 Protecting corners

This last application of protecting with paper brings us to the corners of your products. Those corners are often the most vulnerable. A dent, break or scratch happens quickly. Don’t despair, because salvation is at hand! Cardboard corner protectors were designed especially for this kind of protection. To cover the edges of your products completely, there are L-profiles. The corrugated cardboard they are made of is very strong and absorbs shocks like no other.

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2. What are the advantages of packaging and protecting with paper?

Is the roll of packing paper or corrugated cardboard already ready at your packing table? For those who still need a little push, we list the 5 main benefits of paper. Pack or protect with paper? I wouldn’t hesitate!

2.1 Natural look

Paper and cardboard immediately add value to your packaging: because it looks natural and cared for. As a company, are you going for a 100% ecological packaging image? Then combine the paper protection inside your package with a cardboard box and paper tape. A perfect match guaranteed! And convenient for your customer: he can sort everything together, without having to worry about further waste separation.

2.2 Recyclable

Due to its natural nature, paper is easier to recycle. After use, you can sort it in the form of ‘waste paper’ and have it given a new life. Did you know that almost all of RAJA’s paper protection material is suitable for recycling? Because the basis of paper consists of a renewable raw material (= wood fibre), the environmental impact is less and you contribute to closing the raw materials cycle. Besides recycling, you can also compost paper by the way.

2.3 Safe

Do you ship electronics? Then it’s good to know that paper is always antistatic. So there is no risk of electrostatic discharges that could damage your electronics. In general, paper is also free of chlorine and acids. This makes it an ideal protection for packing printed documents and photos, among other things. And for those shipping metal parts, there is even corrosion-resistant paper (coated with paraffin to prevent rust).²

2.4 Flexible

Paper is flexible and easy to manipulate: by this we mean that you can fold it effortlessly into the desired shape. So no matter how crazy the shapes of your product or packaging, protecting it with paper is almost always possible.

2.5 Strong

Paper and cardboard are strong materials that can cover even the sharpest objects without losing strength and effectiveness. However, air cushions or bubble wrap can be torn and deflated by sharp objects, causing them to lose their effectiveness.

¹ Study Pro Carton. European Consumer Packaging Perceptions study. 2020
² Good to know: paraffin-coated kraft paper cannot be sorted with regular paper. It therefore belongs with residual waste. If in doubt, check with your local waste disposal partner.