Packaging 101: Bubble Wrap

January 30, 2023

The Best Way to Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is one of the most well-known packaging insulation items out there, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy giving them a good POP? The main purpose of bubble wrap is for the protection of your items. Depending on the size of the item you are trying to protect, you may want to consider using a different size bubble to assure your product is protected and doesn’t get broken in transit or in storage. So in honor of National Bubble Wrap Day, we have put together a list of different bubble sizes along with suggestions for items they protect best.

What is Bubble Wrap?

First, let’s start with the basics, bubble wrap is made from a transparent, amorphous polymer material made up of three layers, two outside low-density polyethylene (LDPE) layers that protect the inner bubble layer. The three layers are fused to each other through a heat rolling treatment that creates the air pockets and seals it inside.

For more information on the different types of plastics and their recyclability, click here.

Which Size Bubble Wrap Should You Use and Why?

1/8″ Bubble Wrap: 1/8″ bubble wrap is the smallest bubble wrap. It has very small bubbles and is best used as surface protection and lightweight interleaving. Even with small items, it is best to wrap them a couple of times to assure everything is cushioned. This size of bubble wrap is suitable for small, light items such as jewelry, makeup, and smartphones.
3/16” Bubble Wrap: 3/16” bubble wrap also has small bubbles and is best used for cushioning lightweight to medium-weight products like laptops, picture frames, and trophies.
5/16” and 1/2″ Bubble Wrap: 5/16” and 1/2” bubble wraps have medium sized bubbles and are usually used to fill the void in between the product and its box or cushion lightweight to medium-weight products. Lightweight to medium-weight products could be TV screens and art work.

Make sure you wrap your item(s) tight with bubble wrap so that it leaves little room for it to move around inside your package. For even more protection, consider using other stuffing material to assure your item(s) do not break, such as packing peanuts or paper.

To browse the different types of bubble wrap and other packaging material we offer to our customers, click here to view our.

Want to Learn More?

For more protective packaging and other shipping supplies available from WCP check out our eCommerce Packaging Guide or contact your local WCP account manager or customer service team. We’d be happy to set up a consultation to discuss stock packaging and custom packaging products to meet the goals of your business. Give us a call today at (877) 398-3030.

Source: Interesting Facts About Bubble Wrap Packaging

PS: Celebrating National Bubble Wrap Day

It’s no secret that popping BUBBLE WRAP® brand cushioning is fun, some might even say it’s addicting. But did you know it’s also proven to relieve stress? A survey conducted by Kelton Research reveals that about one minute of popping BUBBLE WRAP® brand cushioning provides stress relief equivalent to a 33-minute massage. January 30th is National Bubble Wrap day, so to celebrate, let’s take a minute and de-stress by popping some Bubble Wrap.