How to Cut a Spiral Out of Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap has many uses besides packaging fragile items.

Bubble wrap is useful in shipping packages and wrapping fragile items for storage. It is a plastic sheeting that contains many air pockets. Many people enjoy popping the air pockets on bubble wrap by squeezing the bubbles with their fingers. Others place a sheet on the floor and walk or jump on it to hear the amusing popping noises. Cutting a spiral out of bubble wrap is not impossible, but you must take care not to destroy all the air pockets while doing it.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp scissors

Instructions

1. Cut a large circle of out of the bubble wrap with scissors. Make it approximately 3 feet in diameter or larger.

2. Lay the bubble wrap down on your work surface. Inspect how closely the air pockets are together. Some bubble wraps have very small air pockets, while others are the size of a quarter or even larger. The goal is to cut the sections in between the air pockets to preserve most or all of the bubbles. In most bubble wrap there is little space between the air pockets.

3. Cut into the bubble wrap at one edge of your circle approximately 2 inches and then line your scissors up with the outside edge of the bubble wrap to cut the spiral.

4. Work your scissors around the circle by following the shape. Try to keep the strip you are cutting approximately 2 inches wide. Take care not to cut into any of the air pockets. Continue this method until you reach the middle section of the bubble wrap circle.

5. Remove your scissors and pick up one end of the bubble wrap. The remainder hangs down in an attractive spiral shape.

Tips & Warnings

• Begin with a square piece of bubble wrap if you desire a geometric spiral shape. Follow the square shape as you cut your strip until you reach the center.

References

• Packaging Knowledge: Bubble Film & Bags