How to Use Stiffening Materials for Packaging

Poor packaging can result in damaged goods, especially if the contents are breakable. There are quite a few packaging supplies on the market, but some packages require stiffening materials to properly secure the contents through the mail. It only takes a few extra minutes to properly wrap a package, and the few extra dollars you might spend are worth protecting your valuables. Stiffening materials for packaging can be purchased at most shipping and packaging stores.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bubble packaging material Tape Smaller box Larger box Air-filled plastic bags Polyethylene-coated boards Foam peanuts

1. Wrap your object in several layers of plastic bubble packaging material secured with tape.

2. Place the wrapped item into a snug box that tightly surrounds the item.

3. Place the smaller box into a larger box, with at least 8 inches of space on each side. Position polypropylene plastic bags filled with air under, over and around the smaller box.

4. Insert polyethylene-coated boards inside the larger box between the sides of the box and the air-filled bags so the smaller box is completely snug.

5. Fill in all the extra space in the larger box with styrofoam peanuts. Tape the larger box closed.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to wrap the objects well in bubble wrap or foam before laying them in a box. Stiffener packaging material is great for securing the object in the container but not for proper protection of the actual object.
• The plastic bags must be leak-proof. Without a full bag of air, they will not provide ample protection.