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5 Ways to Reduce Delivery Damage
5 Ways to Reduce Delivery Damage
Damage in transit is a pain. It damages reputations, causes delays and disruptions, wastes resources, and hurts your bottom line.
The good news? You can reduce your damage rate with five simple packaging power-ups. Read on, and thank us later.
Ever wondered why some packages arrive perfectly intact while others look like they’ve been through a hedge (backwards)?
Use Void Fill & Cushioning
Void fill is like the bodyguard for your packaging.
Imagine putting an egg inside a cardboard box and dropping it. Although it’s inside the box, the egg will hit bottom of the box as it hits the ground, the egg will smash. Now, imagine adding a protective cushion to suspend the egg in the middle of the box. The box will hit the ground, but the cushion will take the impact. The egg doesn’t hit the bottom of the box, therefore doesn’t hit the ground, so it doesn’t smash.
That’s what void fill is for.
Common issues:
Too little void fill, or no void fill at all
Quick fix:
Use packaging such as bubble wrap, air pillows & kraft paper, to protect and cushion your products.Â
Upgrade your Board Grade
When it comes to boxes, thickness matters.
If you’re using cardboard that’s too thin for the job, it won’t stand a chance against the pressures of transit. You’re risking crushed corners, collapsed sides, or even items falling out of the bottom of the box.
Choosing the wrong cardboard grade is one of the most overlooked causes of damaged deliveries. Always select packaging that suits the weight and fragility of your product.
Common issues:
Cardboard too thin
Quick fix:
Choose the right grade and board strength for the weight and fragility of your product.
Check your Pallet Wrap Stretch
Pallet wrap is the only thing holding your pallets together, if it fails, your entire shipment could become a balancing act.
One common mistake is not stretching the pallet wrap enough before application. If it’s too loose, it can keep stretching after it’s wrapped—leading to saggy loads and serious pallet slippage.
Another common issue is not enough revolutions on the pallet wrap machine. It might seem like you’re saving time or material, but it weakens the containment force and risks the load shifting during transit.
So what’s the trick? Stretch the wrap properly before application and make sure you’re getting enough revolutions in.Â
Common issues:
Wrap not stretched enough
Not enough revolutions
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Quick fix:
Pallet wrap can continue stretching after application, causing slippage and load instability.
Check your pallet wrap supplier's recommended stretch, and give it a test on your pallet wrap machine.
Inappropriate Materials
Using unsuitable packaging materials is a leading cause of in-transit product damage.
A common example is placing a fragile item like a CD in a non-padded mailing bag.
While this may reduce material costs or parcel weight, it offers insufficient protection during handling and transportation. Items are frequently subjected to drops, compression, and impact throughout the logistics process, leading to breakages.
Another example is choosing a shipping box or outer packaging that is too small to include any protective materials. This means that your shipments are not going to have any protection from impacts.
We recommend choosing quality packaging based on the fragility and value of the product. Padded mailers, protective wraps, rigid boxes, and structural reinforcements are essential protective packaging materials. Using appropriate materials is a critical step toward reducing damage to fragile products, maintaining customer loyalty, and protecting your brand reputation.
A good rule of thumb is that if you think it would be damaged by throwing it down the stairs, it's not packaged securely enough!
Swap your Materials
Using unsuitable packaging materials is a leading cause of in-transit product damage.
A common example is placing a fragile item like a CD in a non-padded mailing bag.
While this may reduce material costs or parcel weight, it offers insufficient protection during handling and transportation. Items are frequently subjected to drops, compression, and impact throughout the logistics process, leading to breakages.
Another example is choosing a shipping box or outer packaging that is too small to include any protective materials. This means that your shipments are not going to have any protection from impacts.
We recommend choosing quality packaging based on the fragility and value of the product. Padded mailers, protective wraps, rigid boxes, and structural reinforcements are essential protective packaging materials. Using appropriate materials is a critical step toward reducing damage to fragile products, maintaining customer loyalty, and protecting your brand reputation.
A good rule of thumb is that if you think it would be damaged by throwing it down the stairs, it's not packaged securely enough!
Book a Free Packaging Review with Springpack
Want expert eyes on your operation? Springpack offers a free operational packaging review. Our industry experts will identify pain points, suggest better materials and methods, and help you wrap like a boss. No guesswork, just packaging perfection.
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Delivery damage doesn’t have to be part of the game. With these five easy upgrades, you can protect your products, please your customers, and keep your operations running smoother than a freshly wrapped pallet.
Ready to reduce damages for good? Book your FREE packaging audit with Springpack today!
If you are interested in Packaging, Springpack are experts in the field. Our team of Packaging Experts have all of the answers to your packaging questions. Why not get in touch with us today?
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Author: Alice Jeavons
Springpack is a UK packaging company delivering sustainable solutions that empower customers. We prioritise exceptional service, building strong relationships and developing innovative packaging solutions tailored to unique needs. Sustainability drives us, from eco-friendly materials to reusable practices minimising waste and emissions. As a family-run business, we’ve grown from humble beginnings to industry forerunners. Our passion lies in making a positive impact in our community and the lives of customers, employees, and stakeholders through outstanding service that exceeds expectations.