Every broken parcel costs you twice: once to replace the item and reship it, and again in the one-star review that follows. Getting protective packaging right is one of the cheapest ways to protect both your margin and your reputation. Here's how Australian businesses choose bubble wrap and its alternatives—and pack smarter to cut damage and cost at the same time.
Why bubble wrap still wins for fragile goods
Bubble wrap traps air in pockets that absorb shock on every side of an item, moulds to awkward shapes, and weighs almost nothing—so it protects without adding postage. For glassware, ceramics, electronics and most ecommerce parcels, it's still the fastest, most reliable option. Browse the full bubble wrap range to see widths from 300mm to 1500mm.
10mm vs 20mm, single vs double layer
Bubble size and layers decide how much cushioning you get:
- 10mm bubbles — the standard for retail and ecommerce. See clear 10mm bubble wrap.
- 20mm bubbles — oversized cushioning for bulky or irregular items and void fill. See 20mm bubble wrap.
- Double-layer heavy duty — two layers fused for fragile, heavy or long-distance freight. See heavy-duty double-layer bubble wrap.
Specialty bubble wrap: antistatic, foil and eco
Not every shipment is the same, and using the right specialty film prevents damage a standard roll can't:
- Antistatic (pink): dissipates static charge to protect circuit boards, hard drives and IT hardware. See antistatic bubble wrap.
- Foil bubble wrap: reflective insulation for temperature-sensitive and cold-chain freight. See foil bubble wrap.
- Eco-friendly: biodegradable film that breaks down faster for sustainability-focused brands. See eco-friendly bubble wrap.
Bubble wrap vs the alternatives
Bubble wrap isn't the only option—here's when alternatives make sense:
- Paper & honeycomb wrap: kerbside-recyclable and great for lighter, less fragile goods, but less cushioning per layer.
- Air pillows: excellent, low-cost void fill for empty space in a box—but they don't wrap or protect surfaces.
- Foam: premium protection for high-value electronics, at higher cost and bulk.
In practice, most businesses use bubble wrap to protect the item and air pillows or 20mm bubble to fill the voids—the combination that stops movement inside the box.
How to pack to actually cut damage
- Bubbles face inward so the air cushion touches the item; the flat side faces out.
- Wrap 2–3 layers for glass and electronics; upgrade to double-layer for heavy or high-value goods.
- Secure with tape on every layer—a strong adhesive tape keeps corners and edges tight.
- Fill the voids so nothing shifts; items that move in transit are items that break.
- Right-size the box. For small fragile items, ready-made bubble bags are faster than wrapping by hand.
Cutting cost without cutting protection
The cheapest parcel isn't the one with the least packaging—it's the one that arrives intact the first time. Standardise on one or two roll widths, buy by the carton at wholesale pricing, and use specialty films only where they're needed. Do that and you'll spend less per parcel and send fewer replacements.
Bubble wrap & shipping — FAQs
Which side of bubble wrap should face the item?
The bubble side faces the item so the air pockets cushion it directly; the flat side faces out to stop the bubbles popping against the box during transit.
What is the difference between 10mm and 20mm bubble wrap?
10mm bubbles are the standard for retail and ecommerce parcels. 20mm bubbles give more cushioning for bulky or irregular items and work well as void fill.
What is the best bubble wrap for electronics?
Antistatic (pink) bubble wrap. It dissipates static charge that could damage circuit boards, hard drives and other sensitive components — standard clear wrap can build static.
Is bubble wrap recyclable?
Standard bubble wrap is recyclable through soft-plastics collection programs where available. Our eco-friendly range is biodegradable for faster breakdown. Remove tape before recycling.
Bubble wrap or air pillows — which should I use?
Use both: bubble wrap to protect and wrap the item, and air pillows or 20mm bubble to fill the empty space so nothing shifts inside the box.
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