A shipping company is a business that delivers goods from one place to another. This can be done by land, air, or sea. The goods may be delivered to businesses or consumers. A shipping company may also distribute products to retailers. There are many types of packaging that a shipping company will use to protect and deliver their products.
If that is your business, then you will find something such as pallet and shrink wrap an invaluable material to use. Anyone in distribution will likely feel the same. We all want our goods to arrive safely.
Some types of packaging that a shipping company will use include:
Boxes
Boxes are the most common type of packaging used by shipping companies. They come in all different sizes and can be made out of different materials such as cardboard, plastic, or metal.
Corrugated cardboard is used for its extra strength. Extra layers of cardboard provide extra protection for the items inside the box and the structure of corrugated cardboard is designed to offer extra protection.
Additionally pallet boxes are also commonly used for their ability to accommodate different loads and logistics requirements, from lightweight collapsible options to heavy-duty stackable models. They are typically made from durable materials like plastic, wood, or metal, offering superior strength and protection for items during transportation and storage.
The advantage of boxes is that they will come in a variety of sizes so that they can effectively house the products they are required to. They can also be easily individually labeled. In terms of shape, you can, for instance, have a deep, square box or a long, rectangular one. We can measure how products will fit perfectly inside a box to avoid movement. Bear in mind that certain products will need internal packaging to stop items from rubbing together and have that cushion around the inside of the box closest to the edge.
Bubble wrap
Bubble wrap is often used to protect fragile items from breaking during shipping.
Where there are just a few layers of bubble wrap around the item, or large bubbles are opted for, an object will practically bounce off the floor when dropped. We do not suggest you try it, but that is the kind of protection we are talking about. It is a great form of protection that is used a lot for sending items through the mail.
Foam
Foam can be used to cushion items and prevent them from moving around too much during shipping. It is a material that can be cut to the shape required.
Polystyrene
Bubble chips, which are made from polystyrene, are a great way to bulk up a box and stop its contents from moving around. They come in different shapes and sizes but perform the same function.
Electronics are often packaged using polystyrene inserts inside boxes.
Pallet Wrap (Stretch or Shrink Wrap)
Pallet wrap is used to secure items to a pallet so that they can be easily moved and stored during shipping.
There are two main types of pallet wrap. The choice for shipping and transportation is to either use a stretch wrap or a shrink wrap. The differences are:
- Stretch wrap does not require heat to shrink but instead relies on its elasticity to conform around the product.
- Shrink wrap is a plastic that is heated so that it shrinks around the product.
The advantages of the stretch wrap are that it is less expensive and can be applied faster. The disadvantage is that it does not provide as tight of a seal as shrink wrap. Shrink wrap provides a stronger hold and tamper-evident seal.
Both materials are, of course, weatherproof in that they will protect the product from rainwater and dust.
An advantage of a product that is usually clear is that you can potentially identify through it what is inside a pallet without so much labeling. We can feel assured that our product is okay as we look at it through the clear pallet wrap. This can be at different stages throughout its journey to know at the earliest opportunity if any damage has been sustained.
Plastic Bags
Plastic bags are used to protect items from moisture and dust. They are often used for food items or products that are sensitive to the environment. There are different types of plastic bags. Mylar Bags, for instance, are used by marijuana businesses to store edibles, concentrates, and so on. Similarly, anti-static poly bags are designed to protect electronic components and other static-sensitive items from electrostatic discharge. You want to avoid contamination with certain products, which is why these bags mainly exist.
Wrapping paper
Wrapping paper is often used to dress up packages for special occasions such as birthdays, holidays, or weddings. It is frequently used to protect items from scratches or other damage.
Envelopes
Envelopes are often used to ship smaller items such as documents or cards. They are a good way of keeping things together in the same place.
Shipping companies, distributors, and even individuals moving home or marking special occasions by posting gifts use different types of packaging. What is used will depend on the items they are shipping or sending and the destination of the shipment. It is important to choose the right type of packaging to ensure that products arrive safely at their destination.
