Packaging Materials

Discover our comprehensive range of packaging materials online now. Here at Cromwell, we stock quality packaging at great prices, including corner protectors, banding and tissue paper. We've put together high-quality products from our own brand, Avon® to give our customers the best choice for their business.

What are packaging materials?

Packaging materials are used to wrap and protect an item for transport. Made of plastic, cardboard and more, good packaging ensures a product arrives at its destination as it set out: without scratches, dents, or broken components.

Why buy packaging materials?

In order to protect goods during shipping, some form of packaging material is always required. Items damaged during transit can be costly and time-consuming to replace and claim for, so a well-packaged and protected item makes good business sense.

When are packaging materials used?

Packaging materials are used for transporting goods and storing items safely. If an item is particularly delicate, a larger box is often used and backfilled with more packaging materials to keep it safe in transit.

Packaging material types

Keeping products safe in transit or storage often depends on the material the product is made from, its shape and fragility. Here is a list of the most common types of packaging and a brief description of their purpose...

• Anti-rust paper   -   Both wax and grease-free, anti-rust and anti-corrosion papers contain a corrosion inhibitor that protects ferrous metals against moisture and vapour for safe storage and transport.

• Bubble wrap   -   These plastic sheets feature small air bubbles to cushion and protect fragile products.

• Cardboard boxes   -   Lightweight, but durable corrugated cardboard is used for most packaging boxes to provide a parcel's first layer of defence against impact.

• Craft paper   -   This is frequently used to wrap clay and porcelain products after purchase to pad the items against one another and avoid breakages.

• Edge protectors   -   Fabricated from thick, hardwearing cardboard or plastic, edge and corner protectors are often used on heavy appliances to protect against denting.

• Strapping   -   Also known as banding, strapping is applied using strapping machines and is often used to secure boxes onto pallets or to connect pallets for stability.

• Stretch wrapping   -   Similar to strapping, stretch wrapping also have the benefit of waterproofing a package. It's not generally strong enough to connect pallets together, however, it does a great job of stabilising boxes onto a pallet.

• Tissue paper   -   Used as a wrapping on small, delicate items, tissue paper is often the starting point for packing and is usually supported by bubble wrap or craft paper.

Considerations when choosing packaging materials

• Product material - for both storage and shipping, ensure packaging materials are compatible with the product they're used, like anti-rust paper for ferrous metals.

• Size - buy is bulk for large and frequent packaging requirements.

• Shape - challenging shaped items are often easier to package using stretch wrapping, especially if they're large.

• Fragility - use plenty of packaging to cushion a delicate item and keep it securely in place inside its box.

FAQs

What is the most common packaging material?

Plastic is the most commonly used material when it comes to packaging. It's used to construct a wide range of packaging types, including strapping, stretch wrapping and bubble wrap. Some are recyclable or reusable, but unfortunately, a lot are single-use only.

How can I reduce the cost of packaging?

One big way to reduce packaging costs is to optimise the size of the boxes needed for your items. One of the biggest customer bugbears is receiving a small item in a large box with lots of filler. Not only is this bad environmental practice, but it also reduces your profit margin.