Choosing the correct packaging materials in which to send off your products to your customers is a decision that is sometimes overlooked by retail companies, small or large. What a lot of people don’t realise is that there are a wealth of packaging materials available from specialised companies who know how important it is that a product is packaged correctly.

If a product is packaged incorrectly, then there is every chance that by the time it reaches the customer it won’t be in the perfect condition it was when you sent it. If the amount of padding used inside the package is not adequate, then the likelihood is that even the toughest products will have at least some bumps and scratches on them, and fragile products could be outright destroyed. The most common type of packaging, as everyone will be aware, is the everyday cardboard box. There are two main types of cardboard box and the difference between the two is essentially, thickness and durability.

There’s the single-walled cardboard box that is ideal for transporting goods that do not weigh very much. Then there is the double-walled cardboard box that is thicker and more durable and so is far more suited to transporting goods of a heavier weight. It can be tempting to just buy a load of double walled boxes, pad them out and stick everything in them, however the double walled boxes do cost more than the single walled, and they are more harmful to the environment when disposed of, so buying lots of them can be a bit of an unnecessary expenditure.

Then we come to padding. By far the most popular form of padding used alongside any kind of packaging materials is bubble wrap. It is popular not just among retailers, but also among the people who receive items packaged with it. We all know how satisfying it can be to sit and pop those plastic bubbles! Aside from this, bubble wrap is used as a very effective way of protecting the contents of a package. Another popular method of doing this is to use polystyrene “peanuts” which are small pieces of foam-like material.

Start by creating a list of the items you are going to be moving into Portland self storage, along with an itemized list of packing supplies you have and things you will need to purchase. Identify the items that will require special attention when being packed, such as larger pieces, fragile and awkward shaped items. Once you’ve recognized the items that will require a little extra consideration you will be able to compare your list to your packing supply inventory.

Most Portland self storage facilities will have packing supplies available for consumers to purchase, however you can also find items at a mail service supply store, office supply outlets, and online. To save money on boxes, your local grocery store is a great place to look. Sometimes boxes will be placed aside each week for people to come and get, find out what time the store receives large shipments and when they usually finish unloading the trucks.

Other packing supplies you might need include unprinted newspaper, bubble wrap, tape and a permanent marker. If you use printed newspaper you run the risk of having to spend time cleaning up your belongings after unpacking.

Items such as foam, plastic wrap, inflatable bags and packing peanuts can also be used to cushion and secure your items during the move. Foam, inflatable bags and packing peanuts can be used to fill extra gaps you may have in a box, ensuring that a fragile item doesn’t shift in the box. Plastic wrap is great for holding items together and protecting the surface of these items.

Being organized during a move can make a great deal of a difference in how your possessions are preserved during the packing and unpacking process. Taking that extra time to ensure that items are packed properly and securely will make it all worthwhile.