These packaging materials have their pros and cons depending upon how goods need to be packed.
Both big companies and small businesses use this bubble wrap packaging on their product before sending them out to the market or any other place where goods need to be sent.
Foam sheets are also used as packing material but they're made from a different kind of foam from the type that you find in your couch or bedding materials. This foam comes flat packed when purchased, but when it needs to be used you can fold the foam sheet into any foam packaging shape that you want. While using the foam packing materials, make sure that you use a size larger than what is needed for the object to be packed. The foam wrap material is less expensive than the bubble wrap but doesn't hold air in it which reduces its protective qualities. This means that if an item breaks during transit then there is no chance of saving anything at all.
This is one of the widely used materials for packaging supplies purposes. Bubble packaging consists of trapped air enclosed in plastic sheeting creating a bubble cushion effect that prevents objects from getting damaged during transit. The best thing about this strong air-cushioned protective packaging is that it does not allow the wrapped items to move around and cause damage. It is suitable for small items for light cushioning. The use of bubble wraps has been increasing in recent years as it is cost-effective and re-usable hence it helps save money. It also provides astounding protection, unlike other packaging materials. However, bubble wrap is not suitable for wrapping polished metal and polished wood as it may leave small cell marks on these products.
Foam sheeting is a lightweight material made from foam similar to the one found in bedding and cushions for sofas or chairs. This foam comes flat packed when bought and needs to be folded into shape before it can be used for any purpose that requires cushioning effect to protect items such as packaging fragile objects like glassware, crockery, picture frames, etc. One major advantage of this type of packing material is that it can easily be cut into shapes needed using a knife or scissors. This allows you to make your package using this cheap alternative without having to spend more money on bubble wrap or foam peanuts. Foam rolls are dust-free and are suitable for the surface protection of your polished items.
Bubble wrap and foam sheets can be used as an alternative for each other for protecting products depending upon the object that needs to be packaged. The major difference between these two materials is that bubble wrap consists of inflatable small air pockets while a foam sheet has a cushion-like effect due to the soft properties of its material. Form rolls are thinner than bubble wraps hence they occupy less space. The foam rolls do not contain any gas in them, unlike bubble wrap hence the low cost of this material.
Bubble wrap is made by trapping air in small cells. It's created by feeding plastic into a machine that forms and extrudes it. This material then passes through two rollers that flatten and heat the sheet before inflating it with tiny air cells to create tiny bubbles which absorb shock. When there are enough tiny air pockets created on this material, it is cut into manageable sheets and cooled so that the plastic can hold its shape once it's packed away for shipping.
The lifespan of bubble wrap varies depending upon how you use this material. If you leave it exposed to sunlight or dampness, its performance might deteriorate faster than if you keep your precious bubble-wrapped items inside their boxes and packaging materials all the time. It's a good idea to replace bubble wrap every five years or so.
There are two main types used for packing purposes: SB (Single Bubbles) and DL (Double Layer). As their name suggests, the first one consists of individual bubbles attached to each other at one corner while DL has two layers of bubbles and film and is available in various colours such as clear, pink, blue, yellow and green.
Packing foam is a material that looks similar to the type of foam used in furniture cushions and seating arrangements found on sofas or armchairs. It's a good choice for wrapping around fragile objects for surface protection but it's not as safe as bubble wrap because it does not have any air pockets inside hence limited protection. This means your items will be more prone to damage due to collision or vibrations during shipping. Some foam like anti-static foam is designed specifically for electronic components as it does not produce static electricity. Foam corners can be used for the protection of large products from moving inside the box and ensure adequate shock absorption.
The main benefit is its safety qualities since these come in various sizes and shapes, you can pick those that suit your specific needs and use them as needed. This type of cushioning material has another advantage over bubble wrap: it can be reused several times without deteriorating too quickly, making this option cheaper than the latter. It is also non-abrasive hence does not scratch items making it suitable for packaging polished and shiny items. Foam is also made of thin material which reduces the space required hence helping you save shipping costs. This material also provides thermal protection against items that are temperature-sensitive and does not build static electricity hence suitable for packaging of general electrical equipment.
Packing peanuts are tiny foam beads that can be found in various colours such as white, pink, yellow and blue. These materials are usually used to pack delicate objects because they're small enough to get between items and cushion them from each other while also not being too heavy like a foam brick or board might be. Since the peanuts move around the package during shipping, it's best to use double wall boxes when you send things with this type of packaging material; this way your package will remain intact regardless of any bumps that might occur along the carrier's route.
These materials are made by feeding plastic into an extrusion machine which then liquefies it before injecting air into the material so that its shape is formed. The mixture is then discharged from a die plate and cut to various sizes depending on the manufacturer's specifications.