Which Void-fill should I Use?
Void fill is the term that describes materials used to fill empty spaces and cushion the goods in a box, protecting them from damage during freight.
Since most eCommerce freight is shipped in corrugated cardboard cartons, void fill is an essential material. If your products are fragile, they will need to be padded with void fill and kept still during transport. Too much empty space inside the package will cause damage so using plenty of void-fill will save you costly losses to your business.
What type of void fill do I need?
When considering the type of void-fill you need, you will be influenced by the function you want it to perform:
- Wrapped protection – fragile items wrapped individually before placed in a freight carton
- Cushioning – surrounding soft protection for your items to stop them moving and getting damaged during transit
- Bracing – stuffing the voids around your objects will keep them still during transport
- Presentation – enhance your brand and add to the unpacking experience for your customers.
Apart from its practical reasons, void fill can be an aesthetic addition to your packaging, especially if it is made from natural and recycled materials. Presentation is important when shipping to customers. You want them to have a positive experience with frustration-free unboxing and a pleasing first impression of your choice of materials. You want to build eco-friendly credentials with your customers because they are becoming increasingly concerned about the environment. Minimising the plastic packaging they receive in the mail will help them with their recycling efforts and feel good about shopping with you.
What you need to consider with void-fill:
There are some considerations to think about before you go ahead and bulk buy your void-fill.
- Is it recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable?
- Can general waste management facilities recycle and compost your void-fill?
- Is it made from non-toxic materials?
- How much storage space does the void-fill take up in your workshop/ mailroom?
- Does it need a dispenser, and will it fit neatly into your workstation?
- Is it portable for use in different spaces around the workroom?
- Is it affordable and accessible to buy?
Void fill types
Here we will look at the different eco-friendly void-fills available. There have been some innovations in the field of packaging with inventions of new materials, repurposing the used and transforming and enhancing the performance of long-term materials such as kraft paper.
Paper
Paper can be:
- Newsprint – white paper
- Kraft – brown paper that comes in different weights
- Bogus – thick grey paper made from recycled kraft and newsprint
- Indented – brown paper with textured ridges
All the above can be used for wrapping objects and scrunched up for void-fill and cushioning. Most paper fills come in a pack and there are dispensers available that are either table-mounted or portable. Scrunching dispensers also crumple the paper for void-fill, so you don’t have to do it by hand.
Die-cut Kraft paper
This die-cut brown paper expands into a three-dimensional honeycomb form, trapping air pockets to provide cushioning and wrapping. The hexagons lock to each other, preventing unwrapping and eliminating the use of tape to enclose your items. This material is moldable to wrap any object and is available in a recyclable cardboard dispenser. The dispenser also comes with a roll of tissue interleaf paper, so the wrapping has an aesthetic protective barrier.
Shredded cardboard
Shredded cardboard can add to the aesthetics of your packing, especially if you are going for the earthy eco look. It is also an affordable option with the benefit of being either reusable or recyclable.
Shredded material is good for making nests for your products and filling around items to keep them shockproof during transportation.