Packing Supplies, Inserts and Dividers

What do packing supplies actually do?

A box holds your order together. Supplies keep each item still, protect corners and surfaces, and close the package. They also shape what a customer feels when the lid opens.

This range covers three jobs. Some pieces hold products apart, some guard edges and flat goods, and some seal or dress the package.

Most items are cut to the box they go into. So the first thing we ask for is the inside length, width and height, in inches.

If you pack bottles, jars or candles, start with corrugated dividers cut to your box.

Which supply is right for which product?

The table lists all eleven items in the range. Use the last column to see what sets each one apart from its neighbors.

Dividers or inserts: which holds goods better?

Dividers are slotted strips that lock together into a grid. Each item stands in its own cell. They suit rows of matching products, such as twelve jars in one carton.

Inserts are die cut trays with pockets shaped to each product. They suit kits where nothing is the same size. A serum, a cream jar and a brush can each get a pocket.

For small, light items, thin board wins on space. Chipboard dividers for vials and samples fit more cells into the same carton than corrugated partitions.

How do I protect edges, corners and flat goods?

Corners take the hardest hits. An edge protector is a stiff L-shaped strip that sits along an edge. Straps cannot bite in, and a bump cannot crush the board underneath.

Cardboard sheets protect flat surfaces. Laid between layers in a carton or on a pallet, they spread the load and stop one row from marking the next.

For pallet loads, framed art and flat-pack furniture, order edge protectors cut to each edge.

Sheets come in the same boards as our boxes. E flute, about 1/16 in thick, makes a slim backing board. BC double wall, about 1/4 in, makes a firm pallet layer pad.

What size tube do I need for posters and prints?

Some goods should never be folded. Posters, art prints, plans and fabric swatches travel best rolled, with a cap at each end.

Pick a tube that lets the roll slide in without force. An inside diameter 1/2 to 3/4 in wider than the loose roll works well. Make the tube at least 3/4 in longer than the paper so the caps do not crush the edges.

A poster 18 in wide needs a tube about 19 to 20 in long inside. Wrap the print in tissue first so the surface does not scuff. Our kraft paper tubes for posters and prints are made to the length you give us.

When is molded pulp the better choice?

Molded pulp is paper fiber shaped while wet, then dried. Each finished piece hugs the shape of the product and holds it snugly, whether it is a tray or a box.

It suits items that flat board holds badly, such as glass, ceramics and electronics. Molded pulp boxes for fragile items are made around your product.

Because each shape is made for one product, pulp pays off when you ship the same item again and again.

It also helps brands that want less plastic. Pulp is paper based, so there is no foam or film layer for the customer to separate.

How do I size supplies to my box?

Inserts and dividers must match the inside of the box. Send the inside length, width and height, plus the size of each item to be held.

For dividers, tell us how many cells you want across and down. A 3 × 4 grid holds twelve items. A 4 × 6 grid holds twenty-four. Give the bottle's diameter and height, not the label size.

Sheets and edge protectors need the final length and width from you. Ordering new boxes too? Ask for corrugated inserts made for your box in the same quote, and our designers check both parts on one proof.

What mistakes should I avoid with packing supplies?

The most frequent fault is cells cut too snug. Bottles with a wide shoulder or a wrap label need extra room. Allow about 1/8 in around each item.

Another mistake is loose fill where an insert would do better. Fill settles in transit, and heavy items sink to the bottom.

Test a sample before the full run. Pack one box with real products, shake it, then tip it onto every side. If anything rattles, adjust the cells.

Do not pick thick board just to be safe. It adds bulk to every package. Thin paperboard is enough for many light goods, as folding carton inserts for cosmetics show.

Can I print on inserts and supplies?

Yes. Inserts, dividers, sheets and tape can all carry print. A short message on an insert or a logo on a divider turns plain packing into part of your brand.

Folding carton inserts take full color CMYK sharply because the paperboard is smooth. Corrugated pieces print well in one or two colors. We send the exact price by email once we know the size, board and print.

Keep inside messages short. A thank-you line, a care tip or a web address gets read. Long paragraphs get skipped.