How to Pack Fragile Parcels With Bubble Wrap and Kraft Paper

1st May 2026

Fragile goods need more than a sheet of protective material placed loosely inside a box. They must be cushioned against knocks, kept away from the sides of the carton and prevented from moving as the parcel is lifted, sorted, stacked and delivered.

Bubble wrap and kraft paper can work particularly well together because they perform different jobs. Bubble wrap provides cushioning around vulnerable products, while kraft paper can wrap surfaces, separate items and fill the remaining space inside the box.

The right method will depend on the product’s weight, shape and fragility. A ceramic ornament may need several layers of cushioning, while a boxed item might only require enough paper to stop it shifting during transit.

Why Use Bubble Wrap and Kraft Paper Together?

There is no single protective material that suits every parcel. The best results usually come from treating the packaging as a complete system rather than choosing between bubble wrap and paper.

That system includes:

A box suitable for the product’s size and weight
Cushioning around fragile or vulnerable areas
Separation between multiple items
Void fill to prevent movement
Securely sealed outer packaging

Bubble wrap is normally used closest to a fragile item because its air-filled pockets provide cushioning. Kraft paper can then be placed around the wrapped product to fill gaps and help keep it in position.

Using both does not mean adding as much packaging as possible. The aim is to provide enough protection for the expected handling conditions without creating unnecessary weight, bulk or pressure inside the box.

What Bubble Wrap Does

Bubble wrap creates a cushioning layer between a product and the forces it may experience during handling. This makes it useful for goods that could crack, chip, dent or become scratched.

It is commonly used for:

Glassware and ceramics
Picture frames and ornaments
Electrical equipment and components
Bottles and containers
Polished or painted products
Parts with vulnerable corners or projections

The bubble wrap available from Martins Mill Packaging contains a minimum of 30% recycled material and is offered in small and large bubble formats.

Small bubble wrap can be useful for wrapping smaller products and protecting surfaces. Large bubble wrap provides a deeper cushioning layer and may be more suitable for bigger items or filling larger spaces. The number of layers required will depend on the product and the journey it is being prepared for.

What Kraft Paper Does

Kraft paper is a versatile wrapping and packing material. It can provide light surface protection, separate products and help stop goods moving inside a carton.

Depending on the paper grade and how it is used, it may be suitable for:

Wrapping products before boxing
Placing between stacked or adjacent items
Protecting surfaces from light marks and dust
Filling spaces around products
Creating a protective layer at the base of a box
Giving retail and customer orders a tidy appearance

Kraft paper rolls and sheets are available in several forms, including standard and pure kraft papers, imitation kraft, tissue, waxed paper and specialist VCI paper for suitable metal components.

These papers are not interchangeable. For example, tissue paper is intended for lighter wrapping and presentation, while crumpled kraft or news offcut paper is more appropriate for filling spaces in many everyday parcels.

Step One: Choose a Suitable Box

Begin with a carton that is strong enough for the product and reasonably close to its packed dimensions. An oversized box requires more void fill and gives the contents more room to accelerate before hitting an internal surface.

A box that is too small can be just as unsuitable. Compressing bubble wrap or forcing the product against the carton walls reduces the space available for cushioning.

When selecting from a range of cardboard boxes, consider:

The combined weight of the goods
The external dimensions after wrapping
Whether the box will be stacked
The fragility and value of the contents
The length and complexity of the delivery journey
Whether single or double wall cardboard is appropriate

Previously used boxes should be checked carefully. Do not rely on a carton that is crushed, damp, torn or weakened along its folds.

Step Two: Prepare the Product

Inspect the item before wrapping it. Loose components should be removed or secured where practical, and lids, doors or moving sections should not be left free to open during transit.

If the product contains several parts, consider whether they should be wrapped separately. Allowing hard items to knock against one another can cause damage even when the parcel itself remains intact.

Protective caps, corner guards or other specialist materials may be needed where a product has particularly delicate edges or projecting parts. Bubble wrap should not be expected to correct weaknesses in the product or its original packaging.

Step Three: Wrap Each Fragile Item Separately

Place the item on a clean section of bubble wrap and cover it completely. Pay particular attention to corners, handles, rims and other areas likely to be damaged by an impact.

The wrapping should stay in position without being pulled so tightly that it places pressure on delicate parts. Tape can be used sparingly to secure the bubble wrap, but it should not normally be applied directly to polished, painted or easily marked surfaces.

When several fragile items are travelling in one box, wrap each one separately. Do not rely on a single outer layer around a group of glass, ceramic or metal products.

Individually wrapped goods should also be separated inside the carton so they cannot strike each other as the parcel moves.

Step Four: Cushion the Bottom of the Box

Before placing the product inside, create a protective layer at the bottom of the box. This may be made from bubble wrap, crumpled paper or another suitable cushioning material.

The required depth will depend on the item. A heavy product can compress soft void fill more readily than a lighter one, while especially fragile goods need greater separation from the box walls.

Place the wrapped product near the centre of the carton rather than directly against the bottom, sides or corners.

Step Five: Fill All Empty Spaces

Once the item is in position, fill the space around it with crumpled kraft paper or another appropriate material. Add the paper gradually and distribute it evenly around the product.

The purpose of void fill is to prevent movement, not simply to make the box look full. Pay attention to gaps at the sides, between individual products and above the contents.

A gentle movement check can help identify remaining gaps. Hold the carton securely and move it carefully. If the contents can still be felt or heard shifting, add more fill before sealing it.

Do not pack the paper so tightly that it crushes the product or distorts the box. Fragile goods need firm support without excessive pressure.

Step Six: Add a Final Protective Layer

Place another layer of paper or cushioning above the product before closing the flaps. This helps prevent the item from moving upwards and provides separation from the top of the carton.

The box should close naturally. If the flaps bow outwards or need to be forced down, remove and rearrange some of the packing material or choose a larger carton.

Conversely, if the top of the box collapses easily when light pressure is applied, there may be too much unsupported space inside.

Step Seven: Seal and Label the Parcel

Use packaging tape suitable for the box and parcel weight. Seal the main opening securely and reinforce other seams where the load or journey makes this necessary.

Remove or cover old delivery labels and barcodes when reusing a carton. The new address and shipping labels should be clear, securely attached and placed on a flat surface.

A fragile label can provide useful information, but it should never replace adequate packaging. The parcel should be prepared to withstand normal handling even when the marking is not noticed.

When Bubble Wrap Alone May Be Enough

Bubble wrap may provide sufficient internal protection when an item is already packed in a closely fitting, strong outer box and no significant empty spaces remain.

Examples might include:

A small product placed inside a correctly sized postal carton
A component protected by a fitted insert
An item with its own strong retail packaging
A single product that can be wrapped and centred securely

Check that the wrapped product cannot move and that it remains separated from every side of the box. Additional paper may still be needed if gaps remain.

When Kraft Paper Alone May Be Enough

Kraft paper can be suitable where the product needs light wrapping, surface separation or void fill rather than significant impact cushioning.

This may include:

Clothing and textiles
Books and printed materials
Non-fragile goods in their own boxes
Soft products that are unlikely to break
Orders that mainly need to be held in position

Paper should not automatically be treated as adequate protection for glassware, ceramics, electronics or other vulnerable products. Crumpled paper can provide some cushioning, but its performance depends on the grade, quantity, product weight and packing method.

When Using Both Is the Better Approach

Combining bubble wrap and paper is often useful for fragile items being sent through parcel and courier networks.

Bubble wrap protects the product itself, while kraft paper helps create a stable arrangement within the box. This can be particularly helpful for:

Mixed orders containing several products
Glass, ceramic and decorative goods
Products with irregular shapes
Items being sent over longer distances
Parcels likely to pass through several sorting and handling points

The combination is only effective when the outer box is also suitable. A weak, damaged or badly sized carton can undermine otherwise careful internal packing.

Common Packing Mistakes to Avoid

Using a Box That Is Too Large

Excessive empty space increases the amount of void fill required and makes it harder to hold the product securely.

Wrapping Several Fragile Items Together

Products can still collide inside a shared wrapping layer. Wrap and separate each vulnerable item.

Leaving the Product Against the Box Wall

Keep cushioning between the item and every external surface, including the bottom and top of the carton.

Using Too Little Void Fill

A product that can slide or rotate inside its box may still be damaged even when it has been wrapped.

Compressing the Packaging Too Tightly

Overpacking can put pressure on delicate products and cause the carton to bulge or split.

Relying on a Fragile Label

Labels do not provide physical protection. The parcel must be packed appropriately before it enters the delivery network.

Reusing Damaged Materials

Bubble wrap with deflated sections and paper that is wet, torn or heavily compressed may no longer provide the expected protection.

Test the Packing Method Before Using It Regularly

Businesses sending the same products repeatedly should develop a consistent packing method rather than leaving each employee to decide how much material to use.

Pack a representative parcel, check for movement and inspect how well the product is supported. For fragile, valuable or frequently dispatched goods, a controlled trial can help identify weak points before the method is adopted across every order.

Useful details to record include:

The box size and type
The amount of bubble wrap used
Where additional protection is required
The type and quantity of paper void fill
The tape and sealing method
The completed parcel weight

This can improve consistency, reduce unnecessary material use and make it easier to train new packing staff.

Choose Protection for the Product and Journey

Bubble wrap and kraft paper should not be viewed as competing materials. Bubble wrap provides cushioning around fragile goods, while paper is useful for wrapping, separating products and preventing movement inside the box.

For many delicate parcels, the most reliable approach is to wrap each product appropriately, position it inside a strong box and use paper to fill the remaining gaps. Less fragile goods may only need kraft paper, while certain closely fitted products may be protected adequately with bubble wrap alone.

Martins Mill Packaging supplies bubble wrap, kraft paper, cardboard boxes and other materials for commercial packing and dispatch. For help choosing an appropriate combination for a particular product, contact the team with details of the item’s dimensions, weight, fragility and delivery method.