A broken product or messy unboxing can hurt your brand. That’s why so many companies rely on custom box inserts. Foam and corrugated box inserts are two of the most common options. Both hold items in place and protect them during transit. However, the right choice for your business will depend on a few different factors. In this blog, we’re highlighting the differences to help you make an informed decision.
What are Foam Inserts?
Foam inserts are designed to absorb impact and keep products secure during transit. They’re one of the most reliable ways to ensure your product arrives safely in the customer’s hands. They’re custom-cut to fit the product shape, and they offer great protection for electronics or high-end products.
These inserts will be made of either polyurethane or polyethylene. Polyurethane is a flexible yet durable open-celled foam material. It’s soft and has quick recovery capabilities, making it compatible with a wide range of products. Additionally, it’s lightweight, which helps you save on logistics costs.
Polyethylene is a closed-cell foam perfect for dampening vibrations and protecting shock-sensitive components. With its rugged construction, it’s best for heavy and fragile parts.
While these inserts are great for a wide range of applications, they do come with some limitations. They’re often more expensive than corrugated inserts and can be less sustainable. Additionally, they can be bulkier than custom box inserts, which may result in higher shipping costs.
What are Corrugated Custom Box Inserts?
Corrugated custom box inserts are packaging pieces made from corrugated cardboard. Like foam inserts, they’re designed to hold products securely inside a shipping box. They’re cut, folded, and slotted to fit your specific product. They might take different forms, like die-cut shapes that cradle an item, partitions that separate multiple products, or layers that keep items from shifting.
Because they’re made from corrugated board, they’re lightweight, recyclable, and can often be produced from recycled materials. That makes them a popular choice for businesses that ship at high volumes or want to highlight sustainability. They usually don’t provide as much cushioning as foam; however, they offer a clean, organized presentation that can be tailored to fit almost any product shape.
Considerations for Choosing Between Foam and Custom Box Inserts
If you’re trying to decide between foam and custom box inserts, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Product fragility is the first consideration. If you’re shipping highly fragile products, you’ll most likely want to stick with foam inserts. Otherwise, corrugated box inserts are ideal for general protection.
You’ll also want to keep your budget and order volume in mind. Foam typically costs more, so it’s better for low-volume, high-value products.
Sustainability is another important factor. Foam is not impossible to recycle, but it is harder to recycle compared to corrugated material. If sustainability is important to your brand, it may be best to opt for custom box inserts.
Lastly, consider weight and shipping costs. Foam may add more weight or require larger boxes. As a result, you may pay more in logistics costs.
In Need of Custom Box Inserts or Foam Inserts? Turn to Jamestown Container
If you’re looking for custom box inserts or foam inserts, the Jamestown Container team is here to help. For decades, we’ve been creating innovative inserts to help keep your products safe during transit. Our high-quality products are capable of handling even the toughest jobs.
In addition to inserts, we also offer other packaging solutions to ensure you have exactly what you need. From boxes to pop displays and more, trust us to be your one-stop shop. We also offer contract packaging and electronic vendor-managed inventory services. That way, you can spend less time focused on your packaging and more time growing your business.
With decades of experience under our belt, we can help you get the perfect packaging for your needs. Contact our team to get started.