Things to note...

Types of packaging materials

Cardboard boxes

The first commercial cardboard box was manufactured in 1817 in England. By the turn of the twentieth century, cardboard boxes were ubiquitous and starting to replace wooden crates as packaging, helped along by foodstuffs like cornflakes which utilised cardboard packaging.

Most “cardboard boxes” nowadays are in fact made of corrugated fiberboard, not cardboard, but the name “cardboard box” endures.

Paperstone supply boxes of all shapes and sizes, including postal packs. You can also choose between single-walled and double-walled boxes. Double-walled boxes are suitable for valuable, heavy goods. Where the product is light and not fragile, a single-walled box may suffice.

Bags

We sell bottle bags, carrier bags, standard polythene bags and grip seal polythene bags.

Bubble wrap

Everyone's favourite packaging material, bubble wrap is a transparent plastic material with protruding air-filled hemispheres. Bubble wrap cushions fragile and breakable objects from harm. Use multiple layers of bubble wrap to provide extra protection where you see fit.

Aside from its protective qualities, bubble wrap is popular because of the pleasure derived from popping its “bubbles”, an activity inherently satisfying and seen to have a cathartic effect. The popularity and ubiquity of this activity is such that a portable bubble wrap popping simulator, called Eternal Poppety-Pop, has been manufactured in Japan. This keyring-sized game allows users to pop plastic bubbles, which are then replenished immediately and repeatedly. There are also virtual popping games on the web.

Kraft paper

Kraft paper is strong and relatively coarse paper produced by the kraft process from wood pulp. It is used, amongst other things, in grocery bag and envelope packaging. It is a robust paper suitable for a variety of packaging uses, including wrapping books and thick documents.

Stretch and shrink wrap

Stretch and shrink wrap is ideal for wrapping books, CDs and DVDs. Because these wraps seal so comprehensively, this sort of wrapping is suitable for tamper resistance, protecting objects from damp and keeping things free from contamination (hence use with perishable foods). Shrink wrap shrinks when heat is applied while stretch wrap seals tightly because of its high elasticity.

Tenzalopes

Tenzalopes are self-adhesive packing list envelopes that protect documentation while making documents visble and ensuring documents arrive along with the goods. You see the sort of thing when you get a package from a mail order company.

Tissue sheets

Tissue paper is a tried and tested packaging material used for protection and filling empty spaces in packages or simply for wrapping. It is ideal for wrapping fragile items such as china and glass.