Various Types of Packing
Posted on 05Jun 2012

Packing is not only the mechanical process of wrapping items in packing material, it is an art and science of managing to cover items carefully and efficiently, the way their safety will be ensured during storage, transportation or sale. The whole process of packing includes proper evaluation of the necessary packing supply, manufacturing a specifically designed package and packing goods for short or long-term storage, or for the purposes of transportation. Guaranteeing that goods will be preserved for days or months is a packing material's biggest requirement. Industrial packing deals with big amounts of material and its needs are different from an individual's needs. The so called consumer packing is oriented towards the client. Nowadays an individual can purchase almost any kind of packing material, in a variety of sizes. People use different types of packing for relocation, packing gifts, packing items for storing in a self-storage unit, shipment of goods and so on. Packing at home differs a lot from industrial packing. Most people don't have special equipment for packing, they use packing tape and scissors to manage with the packing material. Most consumers don't even realize how complex the process of product packing is, for instance. Different products require specific material and care - medical devices, food, drugs and similar items need to be protected from moisture, damage, wear and tear. The process of packing has three main stages: primary, secondary and tertiary. The first category is when the packing material has contact with the product itself and that serves as the basic coverage. The second phase provides a secondary layer: it is used to gather products of one type together in one package. The last phase is used for long-term storing, transportation and easier handling of bulky items. There is a big variety of packing material available on the market. The things you should consider before choosing the right material is its strength, weight, cost and durability. If the packing material is of good quality and isn't affected by moisture or pressure, it means you can pack anything you want to keep safe for longer. One of the hardest processes of packing individuals face is when moving house. However, the process is actually quite straight forward and with a little help and the right tips one can manage successfully. One of the most common packing materials is plastic, favored for its light weight, strength and affordability. It comes in a variety of sizes and shapes - plastic wrap, plastic sealable bags, etc. Another strong material for packing and storing goods is metal, with aluminium and tin being the most popular. They are usually used for preserving liquids and food. Cardboard is a reusable material, which is made into all sorts of boxes and used as sheets too. Shrink wrap is mostly used for storing and protecting goods, it protects products from moisture so it is used for wrapping various commercial goods. Bubble wrap is another very popular packing material, best for packing fragile items, since its "bubbles" are shock resistant and guarantee safety. Another materials used for packing goods is glass (perfect for liquids and food), which is reusable, doesn't change form and can be used long after it has been produced. Brick carton is another material used for storing liquids. It is light weight, but strong and keeps liquids air tight. Packing varies depending on the item and the purpose - sale, storage or transportation. Regardless of the purpose, make sure you pack properly and you only trust products which have been properly packed too.