Protective Packaging: Keeping Your Products Intact
Protective packaging is anything that wraps around, cushions, or shields your product from impact, vibration, and compression during transit. It sits between your product and the box walls, absorbing the shocks that would otherwise reach the item itself.
We are direct about this: the cost of proper protective packaging is always less than the cost of a damaged delivery. A single breakage costs you the product, a replacement shipment, staff time processing the return, and often a lost customer. Spending 15-30p on protection per parcel is not a cost. It is the most straightforward saving you will make.
Types of Protective Packaging
Bubble Wrap
Still the most widely used protective packaging in the UK, and for good reason. Bubble wrap is light, flexible, and provides excellent cushioning against impact. We supply small bubble (10mm) for wrapping delicate surfaces like glass and ceramics, and large bubble (25mm) for heavier items that need more cushioning depth. Small bubble conforms tightly to product surfaces and prevents scratching. Large bubble absorbs bigger impacts but uses more space inside the box.
Foam Sheets and Rolls
Thin polyethylene foam (typically 1-2mm) is perfect for wrapping products with polished, painted, or coated surfaces. It prevents surface-to-surface contact and stops scuffing and marking without adding significant bulk. We see this used a lot in furniture, automotive parts, and electronics where surface finish matters as much as structural integrity.
Corrugated Wraps and Pads
Corrugated cardboard wraps give you rigid protection. They are stronger than bubble wrap against compression and are fully recyclable through standard kerbside collections. We recommend them for flat items like framed prints, mirrors, and glass panels where you need edge-to-edge stiffness rather than cushioning.
Edge Protectors and Corner Protectors
L-shaped cardboard or plastic strips that clip over edges and corners, the most vulnerable points on any product. Essential for furniture, whitegoods, framed items, and anything with exposed corners that will dent or chip on impact. They cost very little per unit and prevent the most common type of transit damage we hear about.
Matching Protection to Product
Over-packing wastes money. Under-packing causes damage. Here is how we advise our customers to match protection levels:
| Fragility Level |
Examples |
Recommended Protection |
| High fragility |
Glassware, ceramics, electronics with screens |
Bubble wrap (small bubble, double layer) + corner protectors + double wall box |
| Medium fragility |
Small appliances, cosmetics in glass, ornaments |
Bubble wrap (single layer) or foam sheet + void fill |
| Surface sensitive |
Polished metal, painted surfaces, lacquered wood |
Foam sheet wrap + edge protectors where needed |
| Low fragility, heavy |
Tools, machine parts, dense products |
Corrugated wrap + double wall box for weight support |
| Flat and rigid |
Mirrors, framed prints, glass panels |
Corrugated pads on both faces + edge protectors on all four sides |
How to Pack Fragile Items Properly
We have packed thousands of fragile orders over the years, and the same basic method works every time:
- Step 1: Wrap the product itself. Use bubble wrap or foam, secured with tape, so nothing is exposed.
- Step 2: Line the bottom of the box with cushioning material, at least 25mm deep.
- Step 3: Place the wrapped product in the centre of the box, not touching any wall.
- Step 4: Fill all gaps with void fill so the product cannot shift in any direction.
- Step 5: Add a cushioning layer on top before closing the box.
- Step 6: Close the box and shake it gently. If you can feel movement, add more void fill.
That shake test is the single most useful quality check in packaging. If the contents move, they will get damaged. It is that simple.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives
We understand the push to reduce plastic in packaging. It is something we take seriously, and we now stock paper-based alternatives for most protective packaging types:
- Paper bubble wrap - concertinaed kraft paper that cushions similarly to plastic bubble wrap. Fully recyclable and biodegradable.
- Corrugated cushioning - die-cut corrugated inserts that flex and absorb impact. Made from recycled cardboard.
- Biodegradable foam - starch-based foam sheets that break down in composting conditions.
- Honeycomb paper wrap - expandable paper that stretches around products and provides good surface protection.
Be honest with yourself about what your product needs. Paper alternatives work well for medium-fragility items and surface protection. For genuinely fragile goods like glassware and electronics, plastic bubble wrap still outperforms the alternatives on pure protection. You can offset this by using recycled-content bubble wrap and encouraging customers to reuse it. Check our eco-friendly packaging page for all available options.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Industry data from the UK suggests that around 1 in 20 parcels arrives with some form of damage. For businesses shipping fragile goods without proper protection, that figure climbs much higher. Each damaged parcel typically costs 3-5 times the value of the protective packaging that would have prevented it.
We would rather you spent a bit more per parcel and never had to deal with a damage claim. Browse our protective packaging range above, or check the wider packaging accessories category. If you are not sure what your product needs, contact us and we will recommend the right combination.
