Types of foam packaging may vary from material to use to its form. So which foam is right for your product? Read on to know the different types of foam packaging suitable for various applications! Whether they are packing foam sheets, foam wraps, foam pouch, or anti-static foam, foam packaging materials are safety precautions to pack products for shipment and storage. There are many types of foam packaging ranging from differences in material (expanded polystyrene, PE, PU, cross-linked) to use and form (ESD protection, pouch, wrap, rolls, tubing, blocks, egg box, etc). In this article, we go through the different types of foam packaging according to their material and application. CONTENT Different Types of Foam for Packaging Types of Foam Packaging Materials Which Foam Type is Right For My Product? Different Types of Foam for Packaging Foam Wrap Rolls Foam Sheet Foam Pouch Foam Tubing Foam Blocks Foam Liners Pick and Pull Grid Anti-Static Foam 1. Foam Wrap Rolls Foam wrap rolls are simply what its name implies: foam wrapped in a roll. These are continuous sheets of foam that can be cut into any size and shape. With this type of foam packaging, you can wrap items according to the dimensions you need them to be. They are perfect for providing padding for large items that require protection against scratches and abrasions during transit. For example, you can use foam wrap cushioning rolls for packing instruments, electronic equipment, table-top appliances, and many more. Foam wrap rolls can also be cut into smaller sizes to provide a gentle cushion for items that may rub against each other. Filling voids and using them as dividers is a great way to keep items from breaking during a house move. enKo Products supplies high-quality Foam Wrap Cushioning Rolls 12″ x 600″ in size and perforated. Our product is made up of eco-friendly resin with a flexible, lightweight, and soft texture padding roll. These foam rolls can fit perfectly on dispensers and can be ripped off easily at every 12″ perforation. 2. Foam Sheet Foam packaging sheets are pre-cut sheets that are easily available for use during packaging or storing. Most packers refer to them as easy-to-use, handy padding sheets that you can effortlessly grab, wrap the item with and you’re good to go. Unlike foam wrap rolls, there’s no cutting or tearing involved. Foam sheets are usually thin, around ⅛ mm to 1mm thickness, and used for interleaving fragile items before putting them in a moving box. You can also use them for wrapping collectibles, frames, glassware, and small electronic devices to prevent them from bumping into each other during transit. enKo Products offers 12″ x 12″ packing foam wrap sheets pre-cut into 50 pieces with ⅛ mm thickness. They are ideal for interleaving dishes, glasswares, and Chinawares before putting the items into a moving box. You can also utilize them for wrapping a variety of small fragile items or protecting the edges of the furniture during a home move. 3. Foam Pouch Foam pouches are lightweight foam packaging solutions that form into a bag to contain fragile items during house moves or shipping. They are also called foam bags and are ideal for packing and bagging items requiring surface area protection. Foam pouches are very convenient to use in that you can just put the items inside and seal them – no need to cut, shape, or roll the foam around the item. Hence, they are also great for providing protection from scratches and abrasions for items to be shipped, especially if you’re a store owner looking for lightweight packaging solutions. What we offer: 12” x 12” packaging foam sleeves or foam wrap pouches having a thickness of ⅛” which can be used for packing jewelry, figurines, items, and small fragile items. 4. Foam Tubing Need to ship products that have a long dimension that cannot be covered by foam wraps? Then you might need a foam tube for that. A foam tube can protect items with longer dimensions than your usual small, rectangular-shaped items. These items can be made of glass, steel, wood, or any scratch-prone materials. 5. Foam Blocks Foam blocks are rigid chunks of foam that come in handy for protecting items such as those that need to be secured and braced. Foam blocks come in 600mm x 600mm sizes for larger items such as furniture or 300mm x 200mm for securing smaller items. It can be cut to your desired shape and size for specific items. Foam blocks are comprised of closed-cell polyethylene foam and are free of CFCs and HFCs. 6. Foam Liners Foam liners have pre-formed contours similar to the design of an “egg-box” hence it’s another term called Egg Box Foam or Egg Crate Foam. Unlike the simple foam block, the Egg Crate Foam has raised formations that allow it to dampen vibrations. This type of foam packaging is suitable for lining boxes and cartons providing efficient protection from bumps and knocks. It’s remarkably durable and recyclable too. 7. Pick and Pull Grid Source: eFoam Pick & pull grid is a perfect foam packaging solution for creating extra security and adding snug shapes and sizes for specialized items. It is simple to add to any box and comes in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. Pick and pull grid foams are available in 1/2 inch grid or 1-inch grid formations and can be easily maneuvered to fit around the object. Because this type of foam can wrap a variety of products of any shape or size, it’s a terrific choice for objects that are difficult to pack and store. These include artifacts such as vases or sculptures which may have a lot of edges. 8. Anti-Static Foam Source: Plastifoam Pink Anti-Static Foam prevents electric charges, ESD, or electrostatic discharge, from forming during transportation. Anti-static foam differs from other forms of bespoke foam in that it is designed to release electrostatic charge slowly and safely. Anti-static foam sheets help you save money in the long run by preventing sensitive electrical components from being harmed by electrostatic discharge and affecting damage during transportation or shipping. Types of Foam Packaging Materials Foam types may also vary according to their material. These are: Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) The most commonly seen foam material Cost-effective Versatile Durable Thermally-insulated Packing sheets Packing peanuts Polyethylene (PE) Durable One of the strongest Can withstand huge amounts of shocks Used for dampening vibrations Large foam rolls (⅛ inch thick) Polyurethane (PU) Combines the properties of plastic and rubber Easy to modify and work with Can be customized Foam tube Foam block Anti-static foam Convoluted foam (egg-crate foam) Pick and pull grid foam Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) One of the strongest, most durable foam High-density, closed-cell foam Water-resistant and chemical-resistant Protects Class A surfaces Used for medical products and equipment High-end, classy look Anti-static foam Foam blocks Foam tube Pick and pull grid foam Charcoal Foam Clean foam that is tough to dirty Open-pore structure Used as filter Filter foams for aquariums, etc. Which Kind of Packaging Foam is right for My Product? A number of criteria will determine which foam is best for your product. While weighing options, you need to consider the following: How much protection does the product need? Thinner foam types such as foam pouches or foam wrap rolls might not provide enough protection especially if you’re packing fragile items. Pairing these types of foam with another packing material may do the trick here, but make sure the items are secure and snug. For vases and unusually-shaped objects, you may want to use pick and pull grid foam for boxes to braze the items. Does the final appearance of the packaging matter? If you’re selling items on Etsy and need aesthetically-pleasing packing solutions for your product, pick a foam that will offer the best look and great protection for the product. You can either choose foam pouches for smaller items or foam liners, foam tubing, or foam blocks for securing larger items. How heavy or large is the product? A large and heavy product may need expanded polystyrene foam materials and a suitable box. How much am I willing to spend? Most moving foam types are quite inexpensive for the purpose of easily packing smaller stuff. Foam wrap rolls, foam sheets, foam pouches are offered at budget-friendly prices and in packs of 12, 50, 100, 200 suitable for house moves or product shipment. On the other hand, Cross-linked polyethylene foam materials are top-notch foam types but are rather expensive. Considering sustainability? Are you packing a disposable item or one that can be recycled or reused? Considering a reusable foam? Expensive, but durable foam may be used again and over again. Single-use foam, which is usually sold in bulk is meant for temporary storage and should be thrown out once worn out. Should the foam be highly shock-resistant? If the object is sensitive to bumps, movement, or vibrations, such as vases and sculptures, consider using thicker types of foam such as Foam Liners or Foam Blocks. Should the foam be anti-static resistant? If you’re shipping electronic devices, consider using anti-static foam to protect them from damage and ESD. Are you considering interleaving? The best foam type for interleaving plates, bowls, cups are foam sheets. Consider going through these questions before picking the right foam-type material for your items. Related Products: 12″ x 12″ Packing Foam Sheets Wrap Foam Wrap Cushioning Roll 12″ x 600″ [Perforated] Foam Wrap Pouches / Packaging Foam Sleeves 12″ x 12″ – 50 Packs Packaging Materials from enKo Products enKo Products is a foam packaging supplier of many types of foam. We offer a huge variety of foam packaging materials and configurations perfect for moving, packing, and shipping. Choose from the right supplier to get you the best products at one of the most budget-friendly prices in the market right here at enKo Products! Related Articles: What is Packing Foam? Packaging Tips: How Small Businesses Can Securely Package Items for Shipping How To Choose The Right Packing & Packaging Supplies? Why Packaging is Important? Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram Like & follow our social media pages to see more updates and promotions ! Tags: Foam Packaging Gene Paul Lim
