One of the biggest concerns people and businesses have when shipping goods is whether they will arrive in the same condition. They do not want their items to be damaged in any way, which is why it is essential they are packaged appropriately. 

This involves not only using the right materials to cushion the items but also adopting packing techniques to ensure safe delivery of the contents of your parcel. 

To find out how to make sure your goods arrive without any damage to them, read on. 

Choosing the right materials

What materials you choose to wrap your goods in will depend on what they are, but when it comes to fragile items, it is best to use cushioning material. This prevents them from bashing against the edge of the postal box, against each other, or against the sides of the transport. 

By filling up the space around each article, they are less likely to move and, therefore, there is less risk they will crack, chip, scratch or smash. 

Bubble wrap

Bubble wrap is a popular option whether you are moving home, relocating office or simply posting a package you do not want to get broken. 

You can wrap your fragile items in the protective material and this will provide cushioning for it. 

The good thing is it comes in a huge array of sizes and can be cut down to fit smaller objects. For instance, if you are moving house, you could use a roll wrapping some items of furniture as well as your glasses.

After wrapping smaller goods in the bubble material and putting them in a parcel box, they will stay put during transit, reducing the chance for them to break. 

You could also opt for anti-static bubble wrap, which is ideal for sensitive electronic equipment. It prevents damage to these appliances thanks to the additive they are made with, which reduces static charge.

Therefore, they are a good option for computer monitors, TVs, and circuit boards, as these can produce static charges that can damage them.

Bubble bags, both anti-static or not, are good when posting items, as they offer effective protection for small articles. Therefore, you can be confident your jewellery, homemade craft or electronic item will turn up as you expect it to. 

Foam sheets

Another option is to use foam sheets, as these separate items from each other in their box. They work particularly well on flat objects, such as books or photo albums, as the thick pieces of foam can be placed between them so they don’t move while in transit. 

Foam sheets are also a sensible choice for larger items, such as small pieces of furniture, wall art and framed photos, as they provide suitable cushioning and have shock absorption qualities. 

They are also a good insulation against heat, so if your goods are likely to become damaged in extreme temperature changes, this is a good choice of packaging material to protect them against this. 

Shredded kraft paper

If you need to protect against breakable items, shredded kraft paper can be used. This fills the void in the packaging, preventing items from clanging against each other, resulting in damage. 

As the paper pieces can fit easily in little gaps, this can be a better choice if you need all the empty spaces filled for extra protection. 

This works in a similar way to air pillows, natural wood wool, polystyrene beads and loose fill chips or peanuts, as these small soft items can be squeezed into tight spaces making sure the items are fully surrounded. 

The other advantage of using natural wood wool, shredded kraft paper or biodegradable loose fill chips or peanuts is that they are environmentally friendly and you will not be adding to landfill when putting them in your packaging. 

Cardboard pads

If you want to pack plates or bowls, it is worth buying cardboard sheets or pads for the job, as these provide a buffer to protect them against damage. At the same time, their slim design means they do not take up too much room, so more goods can fit in one box. 

They are also great when it comes to storing the goods after transportation, as they continue to offer protection when stacking items on top of each other. 

As these are made out of cardboard, they are also sustainable, so you do not have to worry about them deteriorating over time or being non-recyclable. 

Technique

Of course, you could use the best protective materials, but if the person packing is rough with the goods, this can also cause them damage. 

That is why it is important that packers are slow, considerate and careful, particularly with breakable items. Although they might want to pack as quickly as possible, this could lead to reckless mistakes, so it is best to be patient and do the job properly than rush it through. 

It is also a good idea they label boxes as fragile goods, so they are treated with care during transportation.