Author: mediaworkshailey

Picking the right packaging void fill is one of the fastest ways to reduce in-transit damage while keeping packing speed and shipping costs under control. The goal is simple: stop movement, absorb shock when needed, and do it in a way your warehouse team can repeat every day. Lenertz Industrial Supply Co. stocks a range of shipping supplies and protective packaging options—like bubble mailers, packing tape, and protective materials such as foam and peanuts—so you can match the material to the product instead of forcing one solution on everything.

What “Best” Really Means for Void Fill

The best choice isn’t just about price per unit. Great packaging void fill fits your workflow and your product mix. A lightweight apparel brand doesn’t need the same protection strategy as a company shipping metal parts or fragile components. Before comparing materials, define what you’re optimizing for: fewer damages, faster pack-out, less storage space, or a cleaner unboxing experience.

A helpful rule is to choose the simplest solution that consistently prevents movement. If the product can’t shift, it’s far less likely to scuff, puncture the carton, or arrive looking “handled.”

Paper Void Fill

Paper is a solid choice when you need easy, predictable performance and a tidy packing station. In many operations, paper-based packaging void fill is popular because it’s straightforward to train on: crumple, wrap, or layer, and you’re done. Paper works especially well for light to medium-weight items and for businesses that want a more premium, organized presentation.

Where paper can struggle is heavy items with sharp edges (it compresses) or very fragile items that need higher shock absorption unless you use enough of it.

Foam (including loose fill peanuts and foam protection)

Foam options can shine for shock absorption and irregular shapes. If you ship mixed items, foam-based fill can help fill odd gaps and stabilize products that don’t sit neatly in a box. Lenertz specifically calls out protective packaging options like foam and packing peanuts among its shipping supplies.

The tradeoff is housekeeping and consistency. Loose fill can be messy if your station isn’t set up for it, and it’s easier for packers to use “too little” when they’re rushing.

Air Pillows

Air pillows are fast—especially for high-volume operations—because they fill space quickly with minimal weight. If your top priority is packing speed and keeping parcels light, packaging void fill in the form of air pillows can be a strong fit. They’re also clean and easy to store compared to bulky materials.

The downside: air pillows are primarily for blocking and bracing, not heavy shock absorption. For sharp corners or heavy items, they can pop or allow movement unless you pair them with better blocking.

Corrugated Inserts

Corrugated inserts are the “structured” option: they block movement with precision and can make your packing process more repeatable. For items that ship often, corrugated can reduce variability because the product naturally nests into place. That makes packaging void fill more consistent across shifts, which can reduce damages and rework.

Corrugated inserts can take more planning up front (designing the insert or standardizing box/insert combos), but they often pay off when you’re shipping the same SKUs repeatedly.

A Simple Decision Guide Your Team Can Follow

To choose packaging void fill quickly, match the material to the job:

• Light, durable items: paper or air pillows to prevent shifting
• Fragile items: foam options or structured corrugated to stabilize and cushion
• Heavy or sharp items: structured corrugated plus targeted cushioning
• High-volume packing stations: air pillows for speed, with add-ons when needed

Lenertz supports operations with thousands of in-stock items and a broad range of packing supplies, which helps you standardize a few “go-to” filler choices instead of improvising order to order.

How to Improve Cost, Speed, and Consistency at Once

The most efficient setups don’t pick one material—they pick a small system. For example, you might standardize two or three packaging void fill options based on product type and keep them stationed consistently. That reduces training time, speeds packing, and helps your team make the same decision every time.

Your Best Next Step

Start by reviewing your top 10 shipped items and assigning each one a default packaging void fill choice (and a fallback). When those choices stay consistent, your station runs smoother, damages drop, and you spend less time correcting preventable issues—exactly what a well-stocked supply partner like Lenertz is built to support.