Alongside of box cost, filler for packing boxes such as peanuts, bubble wrap or tissue can eat up profits quickly.  This guide offers suggestions on how to trim these costs, while still presenting a professional image.

What is Filler?

When packing a box for shipping, filler is anything which keeps your item from shifting around and helps prevent it from being damaged in shipping. Some types of filler include:

• newspaper
• Styrofoam peanuts
• air pillows
• tissue paper
• white papers

Remember that filler is NOT the same as protection.  You stil need to protect breakable items with bubble wrap or other materials.  What we are talking about here is material that keeps your item pretty much immobile during shipping-- which helps prevent breakage. It needs to be used in conjunction with good protective materials.

How can I reduce my filler cost?

One of the easiest ways to reduce filler cost is to use filler that is FREE, rather than purchased.  In the recycling effort-- there are many types of fillers which are not only clean and efficient, but also do the job remarkably well. Another thing to consider is the WEIGHT of your filler.  Unless you are shipping in a lfat rate box, make sure you don't use free filler that ends up costing your more in extra postage than you woul dspend buying air pillows, bubble wrap or styrofoam peanuts.

Start with cutting down the box

One of the easiest ways to reduce your filler costs is to reduce the size of extra box needed to be filled.  A box should always have 1.5 - 2" on all sides, in order to protect the item and make the item eligible for insurance, should it be needed.  Anything additional is just extra space you need to fill. (Exceptions to this might include electronics.)

When using a larger box, cut off the tabs (flaps) and then create new flaps by cutting down the sides of the box at the corners.  Be sure to leave at least 2" on top of the height of your object.

Filling the space around your item.

Newspaper

I would recommend against using newspaper as the main packing filler.  Although this is a great recycling effort- the ink on the newspaper can make a less than professional image, and newspaper also tends to compact during shipping.  If you do want to use newspaper-- consider using just the advertising sections-- and shredding them with a regular paper shredder.

The shredding percent packing to some degree, and the ad inserts are less likely to absorb shipping odors (such as smoke) or transfer inks to your item.  If you do use newspaper, be sure to protect the item with a clean layer of plastic or tissue to prevent transfer.

A good way to use newspaper:

Some newspapers will sell their "end rolls" the end of the paper used to print newspapers (unprinted) for a few dollars, and some will even give them away for FREE  if you come pick them up.  I checked into this locally, and the rolls themselves can be quite large- so you might need a truck or station wagon. CAUTION - NEWSPAPER is HEAVY.  Nest used only in situations like a flat rate box.

Plastic Bags

Free and readily available, plastic grocery and shopping bags make excellent filler.  Not only do they compress less (when packed tightly) than wadded newspaper-- there is also NO ink transfer, and they are very light weight.  Most households have a ready supply, and they are usually clean and easy to use and fit into spaces.

Styrofoam Peanuts

Definitely professional, clean and work great! The downside would be storage, and cost if purchasing new.  One great place to get Styrofoam packing peanuts cheaply is any friend who happens to be getting married-- about a gazillion of these things will be mailed to their house with new wedding presents.  Store owners of stationary shops might be happy to give these to you also. 

Place a WANTED ad on Craig's List or Freecycle (websites that can't be posted here) for packing peanuts once a week-- usually someone has a bag they just didn't want to end up in the landfill, and will happily donate them.

Other Cardboard containers

Another way to fill box space is to use a smaller box.  This provides stable packing to prevent shifting of weight which will help keep a package for getting damaged.  However-- be sure to watch the weight.  (Toilet paper and paper towel rolls work great in this capacity.)

Tissue Paper

Tissue paper does not make great space filler-- beacause in large quantities it is pretty heavy.

Empty Your Cross Cut Shredder

We shred nearly everything for privacy protection in a crosscut shredder that creates very small pieces.  These are then dumped into a large wardrobe box- and prior to using the shred mix for packing-- it is mixed thoroughly to provide additional security.

Used this way, those annoying credit card offers and junk mail can actually fill your boxes for free, while helping protect you from identity theft.

Since shredded paper can be very messy-- do your buyers a favor and fill plastic grocery store bags with the shreds, rather than just dumping them in the box.  Ans always make sure any paper you use is clean and dry. They will thank you when they don't have to scrpae the filler out of their carpet. These shreds can also be HEAVY.  Use them only when you have small packages to fill.

Air Pillows

There may be a more professional name for these things-- but what I mean are those inflated air pockets that come in boxes shipped to your house. Storage of a great deal of these may pose a problem, but they are clean- great space fillers- usually readily available and lightweight.

(on a side note, the deflated ones can also be used as a moisture protective barrier for small items.-- Simply snip one end open - slide in your item and tape shut... Free!)

For other ideas on how to Save money on shipping-please see my other guides. And if you have additional suggestions, please let me know!