Choosing the most suitable packaging for fragile items has become increasingly important in the era of e-commerce. More and more people are buying almost everything online, and ensuring that their ordered goods shall arrive smoothly and undamaged, is now almost critical for businesses. In the following paragraphs we shall focus on how to choose the best packaging to protect delicate and fragile articles, how to pack them, and how to clearly label these packages so that they are being handled properly during transport.
How to Choose the Best Packaging for Fragile Items
From bubble wrap, through extruded polyethylene foam sheets, to inflatable protective cushions or, in other words, choosing the best packaging for fragile items includes selecting the right packaging materials based on the size, shape, and material of the article being packaged. It is also important to consider the box or carton in which the item will be placed, as well as the destination to which it shall have to be delivered or sent. What types of packaging provide the best protection?
Let us start with the various types of protective packaging you can use for your package. There is a wide range of protective packaging materials available, each of which is suitable for different ways of packaging fragile items based on their size, shape, texture, and the destination towhich they will be shipped.
One good and often preferred option is sheets or elements of extruded polyethylene. They are suitable for protection against scratching and abrasion, and are made of recycled polyethylene foam. Flexible and lightweight, these sheets are ideal for placing on, around, or inbetween items. They are ideal for items that are relatively sturdy but have a delicate or decorative exterior.
Air-filled protective cushions are another well-designed solution for cushioning, immobilizing, and reinforcing of fragile items. Cushions are usually made of polyethylene film and are filled with air to provide more comprehensive protection against impacts, remaining inflated and effective throughout the transport cycle.
Inflatable bubble wrap is another perfect alternative for packing items, as well as for filling void spaces in the boxes used. The protective wrap is lightweight, shock-absorbing, and resistant to abrasion, and in many ways it is the ideal protective material for any fragile item. They are usually made of two strong layers of low density polyethylene and retain their effectiveness even after repeated use.
"Fragile" packing tape combines the advantages of a secure sealer, by means of the adhesive tape, and a warning sign for fragile contents. This final element of your package will attract attention and serve as an alert to couriers, shippers and warehouse personnel, helping to reduce damage and returns of parcels with fragile content..
How to pack fragile items
Packing fragile items and then shipping them is the next challenge we will address. There is a variety of excellent packing materials available - boxes, protective inflatable packagings, foam products, etc., but using them in the right combinations is crucial to the protection of fragile goods being shipped.
The best way to send fragile items is to ensure that they are very well packed and protected - often by using different packaging solutions all at once. Packing fragile items intended for shipping requires a combination of solutions. As we have seen, the best packaging material for fragile items depends on what you are packing, as well as on where you are sending it. Often it takes a combination of packaging materials to provide the best protection against impacts, rough handling, vibrations, and shocks during transportation.
So, packing fragile items for shipping is something of an art. The starting point is to use a sturdy shipping box made of at least double-layered corrugated cardboard and large enough to fit the item(s) snugly while also leaving enough space to pack the box with shock-resistant packing materials.
For example, a combination of a sturdy box and a protective bag made of polyurethane foam like Instapak Quick will provide excellent protection against vibrations, impacts, drops, or even rearrangement during transport. The "fragile" label and the arrow indicating the direction in which the package should be transported are additional indications that the package should be handled with the utmost care. This is particularly important and useful for shipments sent abroad where language may be a problem.
Another method of packing fragile items for shipping involves using a packaging machine to automate the packaging process, especially for larger volumes of shipments. These machines are one practical solution for both - production lines and warehouses that prepare shipments before sending them out. Inflating significant number of meters of bubble film per minute makes these machines ideal for packing goods coming off the production line so that they can be provided with their own protective wrap or envelope that can cushion, block, and reinforce.
A great desktop and compact option as an alternative could be the FILL-AIR ROCKET packaging system. It saves storage space since the consumable is being transported and stored deflated. In addition, the machine produces 30 meters of inflated cushions per minute, which is enough to handle even the most demanding packaging operations.
One of the key things to remember is that no matter how you pack your products, if they are fragile, they should be clearly marked as such.
You want to learn more about our wide range of packaging solutions for fragile items?
For additional advice on packing fragile items, our experts are at your disposal to help you find the right solutions. Just call us at +359 2 975 61 00 or submit your inquiry online via our website.