Packaging paper is essential for preserving your items during transport or storage. Selecting the appropriate packaging paper guarantees that your products reach their destination undamaged and unharmed. With so many types and grades of packaging paper readily available, it might take time to pick the best selection. This post will provide detailed guidance on purchasing packaging paper and making the best choice for your business.
Determine the type of packaging paper you need
Protecting your products during transportation or storage starts with suitable packaging paper. The following factors should be considered when choosing packaging paper:
- Type of product: Think about the type and nature of the product. For example, fragile items may require more substantial and durable packaging paper to remain intact during transit.
- Weight and size: Calculate the product’s weight and size. Ensure the packaging paper is strong enough to hold the product’s weight and big enough to wrap it.
- Durability: Consider the durability of the packaging paper. It should withstand any possible wear and tear during transit or storage.
- Moisture resistance: Use packaging paper with a moisture-resistant coating or water-resistant material if your product is susceptible to moisture.
- Environmental impact: Consider the packaging paper’s environmental impact. Ensure the packaging is made from environmentally friendly materials like recycled or biodegradable paper.
- Appearance: The appearance of the packaging paper is also essential, especially if you want to make a visually appealing package. Pay attention to the packaging paper’s color, pattern, and texture.
Having figured out the above factors, you can match the characteristics of different packaging papers to find the right one. Choosing the correct type of packaging paper starts with knowing the features of the most commonly used papers:
Non-food contact categories
- Card paper: It is a flexible packaging material since it comes in various thicknesses and densities. Usually, it is utilized for carton folding. Card paper is a fantastic choice if you need packaging with a flat surface that is simple to print on.
- Corrugated paper: Two flat layers plus a fluted layer make up corrugated paper. Often used for shipping boxes, display packaging, and mailing envelopes, this packing offers additional cushioning and protection. Corrugated paper is a wonderful option for lightweight packing material.
- Special paper: Special paper comes in different colors, textures, and weights. It can be used to make bags, tissue paper, and wrapping paper. If you demand excellent packaging, utilizing special paper is a wonderful idea.
- Foil paper: Foil paper is paper that has been covered with a thin coating of metal foil. It shields moisture and light and is usually used for gift wrapping, artistic packaging, or other unique objects that need to be shielded from light. If you’re searching for packaging that stands out and gives protection, employing foil paper can be a good alternative.
- Grey board: Also called “grey cardboard” or “greyboard,” a heavy paperboard manufactured from recycled and virgin fibers. Due to its sturdiness and endurance, it is frequently used in packaging applications like boxes, book covers, and binder covers. The unbleached or partially bleached fibers used in its production give the grey board its signature gray or grey-brown color, hence the name. Because of its high recycled content, it is frequently used for environmentally friendly packaging.
- Coated paper: Paper that has been coated or covered with a layer of material to improve certain qualities, such as brightness, smoothness, gloss, or ink absorption, is referred to as coated paper. The coating can be applied to one or both sides of the paper and can be created from substances like clay, calcium carbonate, or polyvinyl alcohol. For high-quality printing projects including brochures, periodicals, catalogs, and packaging, coated paper is frequently used. The layer shields the paper against deterioration while enabling clear and vivid printing.
Food contact packaging paper:
- Butcher paper: Butcher paper is used to wrap and store meat. The meat’s flavor and freshness are retained because of its strength and resistance to moisture.
- Greaseproof paper: It has been given a specific coating to make it resistant to grease and oil, known as greaseproof paper. It is typically used to package oily or fatty items, especially fried foods or baked pastries.
- Waxed paper: It is a type of paper that has been covered on both sides with wax. It is moisture-resistant and can package food items like sandwiches or baked goods.
Calculate the amount of packaging paper you need
It is best to have a die-cutting layout design that illustrates how the packaging paper will be cut and folded to form the final packaging product if you want to calculate the precise amount of packaging paper you require.
It’s crucial to take into account details like the product’s size and form, the kind of paper being used for packaging, the level of protection necessary, and any printing or labeling requirements when developing a die-cutting arrangement.
Consult a seasoned package designer or manufacturer to ensure your die-cutting plan suits your unique product and packaging demands. We can assist you in selecting the best kind of packaging paper and in designing a layout that makes the most efficient use of the material and produces the least waste. With this info, you may correctly determine how much packaging paper is needed for each product.
Find a supplier
Some typical places to buy packing paper are listed below:
- Online marketplaces: Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba are just a few online markets where you may buy packing material. These marketplaces provide numerous selections at reasonable costs and with easy accessibility.
- Office supply stores: Suppliers like Staples, Office Depot, and FedEx Office are good places to find packaging paper. Shoppers can place in-store or online orders for later pickup or delivery.
- Packaging suppliers: Companies like us–DEJIA Packaging that supply packaging materials stock a variety of paper types for use in packaging. Since we deal in large quantities, we are usually able to offer low costs.
- Local paper suppliers: Another option is to find a local paper supplier who carries packaging paper. Some vendors could provide more tailored options and test samples before you commit to a purchase.
- Wholesale clubs: Discounted packaging paper is available in bulk at warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale Club. You can purchase in bulk, and it would be cost-effective if you need to pack in large numbers.
Compare prices and place your order
Compare prices from different suppliers to find the best deal. Consider the quality and cost of shipping if purchasing online. Once you have found a supplier and determined the type and amount of packaging paper you need, place your order. Make sure to provide accurate shipping and payment information.
Receive and inspect your order
When your order finally arrives, check the packaging paper to see if it satisfies your standards. Common markers of high-quality packaging paper include:
- Material composition: The quality of packaging paper is largely determined by its composition. Look for paper made from high-quality, virgin fibers, which will provide the greatest strength and durability.
- Basis weight: The basis weight of the paper refers to the weight of a ream of paper in pounds or grams per square meter (GSM). Choose paper with an appropriate basis weight for your product, as this will affect the strength and durability of the paper.
- Ply: The number of plies in the paper refers to the number of layers. Generally, the more plies a paper has, the stronger and more durable it will be.
- Smoothness: The smoothness of the paper refers to the level of surface irregularities, such as bumps or creases. Look for smooth and even paper, as this will ensure that it can be printed on easily and will provide a consistent appearance.
- Moisture resistance: Choose paper with moisture-resistant properties if your product is moisture-sensitive. This will help prevent damage and ensure your product arrives in good condition.
- Recyclability: Choose packaging paper that is recyclable or biodegradable whenever possible. This will help to reduce waste and minimize your environmental impact.
- Certification: Look for packaging paper that has been certified by a reputable organization, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). These certifications ensure that the paper has been responsibly sourced and produced.
Making ensuring your items make it to their final destination undamaged is as simple as picking out the correct kind of paper to package them in. You may make a well-informed choice about packaging paper if you are familiar with the various options, take into account the elements that influence packaging paper performance, and know how much paper you will need. You may save money while still preserving your products during shipping and storage by purchasing packaging paper from a reliable supplier.
