Void Fill Packaging: Types & Where to Buy

Matching Void Fill to What You Ship

Most packing damage happens not because the outer box fails but because products have room to move inside it. Void fill closes those gaps so items stay in place through every bump, drop, and sort along the delivery chain. The material you choose matters because each type handles weight, fragility, and shape differently.

Paper-based options like kraft and crinkle paper suit everyday shipments and leave a better impression with eco-conscious customers. Bubble wrap and foam peanuts take over when fragility or awkward shapes demand stronger cushioning. Most busy packing operations end up stocking more than one type to cover the range of products they ship.

Globe Packaging supplies all five common void fill types from a single UK depot, including recycled and biodegradable options, with same-day dispatch on orders placed by 4 pm.

Void Fill Packaging Varieties 

1. Air Pillows

Air pillows are best for blocking and bracing products to prevent lateral movement,
and for lightweight shipments where added weight increases costs.

Air pillows are lightweight plastic pouches inflated with air, designed to fill large void spaces quickly and efficiently. They're one of the most popular choices for e-commerce businesses because they're fast to use, take up minimal storage space before inflation, and keep shipping weight low. 

Most air pillow systems require an air pillow machine to inflate the film on demand, which makes them ideal for high-volume packing operations.

Best Use Cases

Air pillows work best when you need to fill large empty spaces without adding significant weight to the package. They're particularly effective as a blocking and bracing material rather than as a primary cushioning material for fragile items.

They can be used to fill large void spaces in e-commerce shipments, block and brace products to prevent lateral movement, and support high-volume packing lines needing fast, consistent void fill.

2. Kraft Paper

Unlike standard writing paper, kraft paper is specifically manufactured to withstand the stresses of transit,
making it a reliable everyday void fill solution.

Kraft paper is one of the most versatile and widely used void fill materials on the market. It's a dense, strong paper that can be crumpled, folded, or layered to fill space and provide cushioning inside a box. 

Kraft paper is fully recyclable, biodegradable, and often made from recycled content. Many businesses switching away from plastic void fill materials choose kraft paper as their primary alternative because it's cost-effective, easy to source in bulk, and leaves a positive impression with eco-conscious customers.

Best Use Cases

Crumpled kraft paper creates an excellent cushioning layer for moderately fragile items like ceramics, bottled goods, and packaged electronics. It also works well as a wrapping material for individual items before they're placed in the outer box, giving you dual-purpose protection from a single material.

3. Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is great for wrapping fragile items like glassware, electronics,
and ceramics, or combining with other void fill for multi-layer protection.

Bubble wrap is one of the most recognisable packaging materials in the world. The air-filled bubbles act as individual shock absorbers, cushioning products against impacts and vibrations during transit. 

Standard bubble wrap comes in small bubble (10mm) or large bubble (20mm) variants, with small bubbles offering more surface protection and large bubbles providing deeper cushioning for heavier items.

Best Use Cases

Bubble wrap is the go-to choice when product fragility is the primary concern. It excels at wrapping individual items like glassware, electronics, ceramics, and antiques before they're placed in a shipping box. 

It can also be used in combination with other void fill materials, for example, wrapping a fragile item in bubble wrap and surrounding it with kraft paper or air pillows to fill remaining void space.

4. Foam Peanuts

Foam peanuts are highly effective for products with unusual shapes or
those requiring complete 360-degree cushioning inside a box.

Foam peanuts, also known as packing peanuts or loose fill, have been a staple of the packaging industry for decades. Their irregular shape allows them to flow into tight gaps and around odd-shaped products, filling voids that other materials simply can't reach. 

Traditional foam peanuts are made from expanded polystyrene (EPS), but biodegradable starch-based alternatives are now widely available and dissolve in water, making disposal far more environmentally friendly.

Best Use Cases

Foam peanuts are ideal when you're dealing with irregularly shaped products or small items that need complete surrounding support. They're particularly effective for products that can't easily be wrapped, such as assembled components, irregular-shaped gifts, or grouped items where individual wrapping isn't practical. 

5. Crinkle Paper

Crinkle paper is shredded or crimped paper that combines practical void fill with an attractive retail presentation. Unlike kraft paper or foam peanuts, crinkle paper is as much about aesthetics as it is about protection. 

Its textured, decorative appearance makes it a popular choice for gift packaging, retail hampers, and premium product shipments where the unboxing experience matters as much as the protection itself.

Best Use Cases

Crinkle paper works best in retail and gifting contexts where presentation matters. It can be used as a base layer in gift boxes, hampers, or subscription boxes to cradle products and create a visually appealing unboxing moment.

Where to Buy Void Fill Packaging

Void fill is stocked by a wide range of suppliers, from large online marketplaces to specialist packaging distributors. Marketplaces can be convenient, but they often come with inconsistent stock, variable quality, and delivery times that don't suit businesses working to tight fulfilment schedules. 

For anything beyond a one-off purchase, a dedicated packaging supplier tends to offer better value, more reliable availability, and the option to buy in the volumes your operation actually needs.

For UK businesses, Globe Packaging is a strong option. We carry a full void fill range, including air pillows, loose fill, packing paper, and corrugated paper rolls, alongside eco-friendly alternatives like recycled and biodegradable options for businesses prioritising sustainability. 

Types of Void Fill Packaging: Summary Table

Stock Up on Void Fill Packaging With Globe Packaging

Most packing operations need more than one type of void fill to cover the range of products they ship. Once you know which materials suit your shipments, the next step is finding a supplier that keeps them in stock at volumes that match your workflow. At Globe Packaging, we carry the full void fill range alongside recycled and biodegradable options.

Everything ships from our 60,000 sq ft UK depot, with same-day dispatch on orders placed by 4 pm and free next-working-day delivery on UK mainland orders over £50 (exc VAT). Shop Globe Packaging now. 

*Note: Product listings, prices, and delivery times shown are approximate and subject to change. Contact Globe Packaging for the latest information.