Packing filler or void-fill refers to a material used to cushion products during shipping. The primary purpose of this material is to ensure the safety of your products. Interestingly, you can use this material for your branding advantage as well.
With the help of a good void filler, you can ensure the safety of your products during rigorous transport, in which the product packaging is susceptible to move around in the truck. Such materials also protect the product when it is being handled harshly.
Many brands use packaging filler as a way to promote their businesses. These materials add to the unboxing experience.
When to use void filler
Although the most essential purpose of void filler is to protect fragile goods during shipping and storage, it is not their only use. In today’s world, the void filler can serve as a branded material, which can help you promote your product and brand at an entirely new level.
If you are shipping a product with sharp or pointing corners, you can add a layer of void filler or some wrapping to make it less pointing towards the outer packaging.
Similarly, you will need to add a little more protection to heavy products that are meant to reach their destinations through air travel.
Now, we will take a look at some common materials that can be used as void fillers.
Packing paper
Packing paper is quite a versatile product. It’s a thin Kraft paper that you can fold to protect a product. You can also scrunch it up to add extra cushioning to your product inside a packaging box.
Additionally, you can use packing paper to add a minimalistic touch to some products such as books and clothes. It also adds a rustic touch to your products. In some cases, it may be the best material to build an unboxing experience.
Internal inserts
You can use internal inserts to present your product right when your customer opens up the package. These inserts are usually intricate pieces of cardboard folded in a specific way.
Products that come with internal inserts include cell phones and other electronics. Cell phone packaging uses this insert to house a charger, cell phone manual, headphones, and other accessories.
The best thing about these packaging inserts their strength. They fill the space inside a box without adding too much weight to the package.
Custom tissue papers
If you are an e-commerce brand, you may be aware of custom tissue paper and packaging paper. Although this material doesn’t add much protection to the product packaging, it certainly adds luxuriousness. This paper can keep a sweater or any other clothing item from unfolding during transit.
Shredded cardboard
If you want to use recycled packaging to protect your goods during transit, you may consider using shredded cardboard. Shredded cardboard is created from cardboard sheets or boxes that have reached the end of their lifecycle. Using them in shredded form is yet another way to use them before they end up in recycling units. This void filler has a lot of potentials to minimize the risk of damage to a product during transit.
