6 Advantages of Using Bubble Wrap for Packing

Man holding a roll of plastic bubble wrap
Since bubble wrap was invented in 1960, it’s been one of the top choices for shipping materials worldwide. This light, durable and versatile packing material was first used to ship IBM’s original mass-produced computers, and its history has only gotten more distinguished since then. (And yes, even its inventor has said that one of the first things he did was pop the bubbles.)


Air Sea Containers has been a packaging industry leader for over 25 years, and we sell only the best and most effective packing materials—so, naturally, bubble wrap is one of our staples. Why should you choose it next time you need to ship fragile goods? The benefits of bubble wrap are numerous, but here are six of the most important that continue to make bubble wrap a favorite of shippers everywhere.

1. Bubble wrap is an excellent insulator against impacts. 


Bubble wrap is exceedingly good at its primary function: to keep goods safe and secure during transit. Freight transit unfortunately often includes rough handling or bumps in the road—thus, shippers protect their goods with bubble wrap. Its bubbles of sealed air provide a flexible but durable cushion that forms a surprisingly sturdy barrier against impact. When doubled or tripled up in layers and combined with a sturdy corrugated shipping box, it can protect goods from even severe impacts.

2. Bubble wrap is reusable.


When you’re done with your bubble wrap, don’t throw it away! Bubble wrap can almost always be reused unless it’s been significantly damaged. As long as most of the bubbles are intact, you’re good to use your bubble wrap, again and again, to protect your most valuable goods in transit. This makes bubble wrap a much more eco-friendly option compared to some types of packaging that are difficult to reuse, and it can offer big potential cost savings as well. It’s also great for companies that offer easy customer returns, as it’s simple to set up as part of a ready-to-go returns box.

 3. Bubble wrap is lightweight.


Bubble wrap is among the lightest void fill packaging materials. Its structure is mostly air, with a few layers of ultra-lightweight plastic for durability. That makes a seriously light packaging material that can translate to savings in shipping costs, especially if you’re shipping in bulk. Less packaging means lower costs when shipping by weight, as well as potentially lower fuel costs when shipping large amounts of goods.

4. Bubble wrap is cost-effective.


Bubble wrap isn’t just reusable—it’s actually a better deal to begin with! Air Sea Containers offers great deals on bubble wrap in bulk, including our two-packs of 24-inch bubble wrap rolls and our 48-inch jumbo bubble wrap rolls. Businesses that ship a lot of individual goods should also look into our individual bubble wrap bags—bubble wrap and a bag, all in one! Any way you slice it, bubble wrap is a bargain.

bubble wrap

 5. Bubble wrap is versatile.


Bubble wrap can insulate and protect almost any kind of small cargo. It can easily be cut with scissors into almost any form you need, and large sheets of it are malleable enough to effectively wrap and protect many kinds of oddly-shaped cargo. And its applications outside shipping are wide as well. Some people even use it to insulate their windows in the summer. With a little bit of creativity, the possibilities are almost limitless!

 6. Bubble wrap is a great stress reliever.


We couldn’t resist, and you probably can’t either. At the end of the day, bubble wrap is just plain fun, and keeping a little bit of it lying around the office or the warehouse can provide a great stress relief outlet for the frustrating days we all have sometimes. What’s more, customers love it too. For many people, it’s a nice extra that they can either reuse or pop to their heart’s content.

Female hands popping the bubbles in bubble wrap

In its almost 60 years of existence, bubble wrap has earned its place as a go-to option for those shopping for shipping wrap. It’s still just as great for void fill packaging and impact protection as it’s always been. And as eCommerce has exploded in importance, it’s arguably an even more critical tool for keeping goods safer than ever. Bubble wrap is an efficient and cost-effective way to package your cargo, and a roll of bubble wrap from Air Sea Containers is a smart investment that will keep your packages safe and sound. Call us at (866) 596-9448 or contact us online to learn more about our bubble wrap options.

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