It’s one thing to have a great product. It’s another to ensure it arrives safely at every customer’s doorstep.
From packing to delivery, dunnage is the key to protecting items from dangers like moisture and damage. From crinkle paper to specially fitted plastics, here are 11 common dunnage options, as well as some of their pros and cons.
What is dunnage?
Dunnage in shipping refers to the protective packaging for cargo of all sizes. Whether it’s packing peanuts or firm structures, dunnage keeps items in position and well-padded.
Some dunnage offers more safety precautions than just padding. Frozen food needs insulation to shield it from warm temperatures, and glass items need shock-absorbing dunnage to avoid breakage. The key is choosing a type of dunnage that suits the product it protects.
3 key benefits of using dunnage for shipments
Here’s a closer look at why packaging materials are important.
1. Absorbs shock
Dunnage absorbs shock impulses from movement during shipping, reducing the risk of damage, especially if shippers drop a package or if boxes collapse during transport.
2. Protects from damage
Damage happens in a variety of ways — many of which are unavoidable. Unexpected rain can ruin a parcel, and truck accidents can wreck a whole load. While you can’t protect cargo from every variable, dunnage covers most of the bases. It waterproofs, cushions, and stabilizes boxes and packages.
3. Offers aesthetics
Some dunnage, like colored bubble wrap and confetti-like crinkle paper, adds visual interest and builds brand recognition. And when customers open a package with branded or vibrant dunnage, it adds an extra touch showing them you care.
11 common types of dunnage
Here are 11 common dunnage types for different products.
1. Kraft paper
Kraft paper is a thick brown paper that comes in large rolls. Use it to wrap items or bunch it up to fill packaging gaps. This type of dunnage is affordable, recyclable, and versatile. The downside is that kraft paper only provides medium protection.
2. Bubble wrap
Bubble wrap comes in large sheets you can cut or tear to size. It provides good shock absorption because of the air-filled bubbles, and since it’s made from plastic, it protects against moisture. While bubble wrap is also a low-cost product, for all intents and purposes it’s difficult to recycle, so it’s not the best choice for eco-conscious businesses.
3. Foam wrap
Foam wrap is an alternative to traditional bubble wrap. It comes in thin sheets of foam that act similarly to bubble wrap but take up much less space. Some manufacturers customize foam wrap to fit specific items, like laptops. Packers also use it to line shipping envelopes. Like bubble wrap, it is not practical to recycle.
4. Packing peanuts
Packing peanuts are small peanut-shaped pieces of foam that take up empty space. While they’re traditionally made of styrofoam, many companies opt for recyclable or compostable peanuts made from corn starch or wheat instead.
Packing peanuts are versatile and low-cost, but because of their small size, you need a lot of them. Some types dissolve in water, making them unsuitable for packages exposed to moisture.
5. Air pillows
Air pillows are made of plastic and inflated with air. They provide substantial cushioning, making them ideal for fragile products. They’re also inexpensive and come in a variety of sizes. You can’t usually recycle air pillows, but some companies make them from bioplastic or recyclable materials.
6. Dunnage bags
Dunnage bags are large inflatable bags that prevent cargo from shifting around inside a truck or shipping container. Instead of protecting individual items in packages, they fit between palettes or large boxes. Manufacturers make these bags from durable and puncture-resistant materials such as nylon and polypropylene, then inflate them.
7. Crinkle paper
Crinkle paper is made up of long, thin pieces of paper — often from recycled cardboard or paper. It provides strong protection, and shippers use it for fragile items. Since the pieces are so small, crinkle paper gets messy, so it’s best for protecting goods in smaller boxes.
Crinkle paper machines, which cut and crinkle paper for you, are relatively inexpensive. They’re a good investment if you plan on using this dunnage often. Plus, you can recycle paper materials you already have, saving money and the environment.
8. Corrugated paper
Corrugated paper dunnage is similar to crinkle paper because it’s made from recyclable, textured materials. But it comes in rolls or sheets instead of smaller pieces for a much cleaner packing process. It’s lightweight and versatile, and shippers often use this eco-friendly paper to package gifts or household items.
9. Steel
Steel dunnage refers to structural steel platforms that provide support for large equipment. While steel dunnage is heavy and expensive, it’s important for stabilizing large yet sensitive cargo like medical equipment, household appliances, or electronics. This type of dunnage is often customized to protect items as effectively as possible.
10. Wood
Wood dunnage does the same job as steel, but it’s more eco-friendly because it decomposes over time. It’s also more versatile because you can break it down into wood chips to cushion small shipments. While this type of dunnage is expensive, it provides solid protection.
11. Box inserts
Box inserts are custom-made dunnage that conform to an item’s shape, holding it in place during shipping. Manufacturers typically make box inserts from plastic, molded cardboard, or other solid materials. These inserts are costly but worth it for protecting fragile items like framed art and ceramics.
3 packaging strategies to know
Effective packaging involves more than adding dunnage to individual boxes. There are a few different strategies for efficient packing and shipping processes. Here are three to know.
1. Kit packaging
Kitting combines multiple items into one kit or package. The goal is to encourage customers to buy a kit instead of a single item, bringing in more sales at a lower packing and shipping cost. Many companies bundle less popular items with bestsellers to get older inventory off the shelves.
You can prepare standard kits of related items or make the kits customizable. For example, a cosmetics company could sell a makeup starter kit where customers select preferred colors for predetermined items.
2. Multi-material packaging
Multi-material packaging fuses several layers of different materials to customize dunnage. For example, the packaging may include a plastic and paperboard layer to achieve the specific benefits of each type of packing material.
This type of packaging is common in the food industry. It ensures the material closest to the food is free of chemicals and any non-food-safe materials are on exterior packaging layers. The strategy achieves greater stability and offers protection against leaks or moisture.
3.Component packaging
Component packs have separate bags or areas for products with multiple parts. These smaller containers within a package protect products’ components so nothing gets damaged or lost. For example, when you buy assemblable furniture, the screws and tools are often in separate packaging next to the larger components.
Ensure efficient packaging and shipping options with Fishbowl
No matter what dunnage you use, a comprehensive inventory solution like Fishbowl streamlines your packing and shipping process.
Fishbowl’s QuickBooks integration lets you efficiently track and manage dunnage inventory, ensure optimal packaging practices, and achieve smoother supply chain operations. Whether you’re managing material across multiple locations or shipping from a centralized warehouse, Fishbowl’s here to help you organize and track stock with ease.