Packaging Accessories: Everything Beyond the Box
The box gets your product from A to B. The accessories inside it determine whether the product arrives in perfect condition. We supply the full range of packaging accessories you need to pack, protect, seal, and present your shipments properly.
Getting this right is not optional. Damaged goods cost you the product, the replacement shipping, and often the customer. We have worked with enough e-commerce businesses to know that spending an extra 10-15p per parcel on the right accessories cuts damage claims dramatically. It is the cheapest insurance you will find.
What We Stock
Packaging Tape
Every box needs sealing, and the tape you choose matters more than you might think. We supply polypropylene tape for general use, vinyl tape for heavier cartons, and reinforced gummed tape for maximum security. For most standard shipments, a good quality 48mm polypropylene tape does the job. If you are shipping boxes over 15kg or using double wall cartons, step up to vinyl or reinforced tape.
A common mistake we see: using cheap, thin tape and applying only one strip across the top. For anything over 5kg, use the H-taping method, one strip along the centre seam and one across each end. It takes three seconds longer and prevents the box opening in transit.
Tissue Paper
Tissue paper serves two purposes. It protects surfaces from scratching and scuffing, and it adds a layer of presentation that customers notice. For e-commerce brands where the unboxing experience is part of your marketing, tissue paper is worth every penny. We supply standard white, coloured, and printed tissue paper in bulk quantities.
Protective Packaging
This covers everything from bubble wrap and foam sheets to corrugated wraps and corner protectors. Your choice depends on how fragile the product is and what kind of impact it needs to survive. Browse our full protective packaging range for the complete selection.
Void Fill
Void fill stops your product from moving around inside the box. Even a well-protected item will get damaged if it can shift and bounce off the walls of the carton during a bumpy van ride. Options include loose fill peanuts, paper crinkle, tissue paper, and corrugated shred. See our void filler range for all available options.
Documents Enclosed Envelopes
If you ship with invoices, packing slips, or customs documents, these self-adhesive pouches stick to the outside of the box and keep paperwork visible and weatherproof. Essential for B2B shipments and international orders. We stock both printed ("Documents Enclosed") and plain versions in A6, A5, and A4 sizes.
Polythene Mailing Bags
For products that do not need a box at all, like clothing, soft furnishings, and non-fragile items, polythene mailing bags are lighter, cheaper, and faster to pack. They are waterproof and tamper-evident. We supply them in a range of sizes with self-seal strips.
Matching Accessories to Your Box Type
Different cardboard boxes need different accessories. Here is what we typically recommend:
- Single wall boxes with light items - tissue paper for presentation, basic void fill to prevent movement, standard polypropylene tape.
- Double wall boxes with heavy items - bubble wrap or foam sheets around the product, firm void fill like scrunched kraft paper, vinyl or reinforced tape with H-seal method.
- E-commerce subscription boxes - tissue paper (branded if possible), shredded paper void fill for a premium look, a packing slip in a documents enclosed envelope.
- Fragile goods - corner protectors on edges, bubble wrap or foam around surfaces, tight void fill so nothing moves, double wall box minimum.
Eco-Friendly Options
We know sustainability matters to your customers, and it matters to us too. We stock paper-based alternatives across most accessory categories. Paper tape instead of plastic, recycled tissue paper, biodegradable loose fill, and paper bubble wrap alternatives. Visit our eco-friendly packaging page for the full range.
The honest truth is that paper-based options cost slightly more than their plastic equivalents. But for many businesses, especially those selling to environmentally conscious consumers, it is a worthwhile investment. Your packaging is the first physical thing your customer touches. It says a lot about your brand.
Setting Up a Packing Station
If you are packing more than 20 orders a day, a properly set up packing station saves serious time. Keep your most-used box sizes within arm's reach, mount your tape dispenser at the back of the bench, and have void fill and protective materials in bins or dispensers at the side. Every second you save per parcel adds up fast at volume.
We supply all the consumables you need, and we are happy to advise on quantities based on your order volume. Get in touch and we will help you work out what you need and how much to order.
