Honeycomb is a very strong packaging material. You can use honeycomb packaging to ship the smallest products or to prevent damage of large products during transit.

There are a number of technical words that professionals in the packaging industry use while referring to honeycomb packaging products. Understanding honeycomb packaging key terms will help you make smarter business choices. This guide covers some of the common terms in the packaging industry, including honeycomb, corrugated and void fillers.

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Honeycomb

Honeycomb is a strong and rugged packaging material that consists of individual bands of kraft paper joined together in a series of continuous hexagonal cells. Honeycombs are useful for packaging pallets, inner sides of furniture items and signage displays.

I recommend: You can read through basic information on honeycomb at Nefab Group, a packaging solution provider company.

Kraft paper

'Kraft' is a German word that means 'strong.' As the name suggests, kraft paper is a strong and sturdy paper. This paper is an ideal honeycomb packaging material, as honeycomb packaging is usually subject to high pressures.

I recommend: You can read through information on kraft paper at wiseGEEK.

Panel

A panel is the flat surface of a honeycomb packaging. Honeycomb packaging material consists of two panels and a web of hexagonal cells that lies between them.

I recommend: You can view panels at Multi-Wall Packaging Corp., a reputable supplier of packaging and shipping protection products.

Pallet

A pallet is a flat structure that serves as a supporting platform for the goods. You can buy wooden pallets or custom-fabricated honeycomb pallets.

I recommend: DDN Industries is a supplier of new and reconditioned honeycomb pallets.

Corrugated

Corrugated material consists of two panels, liners and an arched layer of paper fluting between them. Honeycomb packaging is a sort of corrugated packaging.

I recommend: You can read through basic information on corrugated material at Corrugated Packaging Alliance (CPA).

Void fillers

You will come across this term frequently when you read about the applications of honeycomb packaging. While transporting goods, you will need to keep the goods stable. Void fillers are simply pieces of honeycomb packaging material that fill the gaps among the goods to form a balanced and stable load. Void fillers play an important role in the shipment of larger products.

I recommend: Dufaylite Developments, a reputable supplier of packaging material, also provides void fillers.

If shipping merchandise to customers is a mainstay of your business, then you may want to buy honeycomb packaging to keep those goods safe while in transit. Because honeycomb packing material comes in so many different configurations, you are sure to find the best product to fulfill your needs.

No matter what method you use for packaging, honeycomb can protect your shipments. You can use honeycomb to ship the smallest products or to prevent large shipments from falling or shifting during transit.

1. Heavy duty honeycomb packaging is available as a void fill. Place void fill between large packages or irregularly shaped packages.

2. Have a complete line of packaging products on hand, from corrugated honeycomb to honeycomb panels and corner protectors, so that you'll always be ready to ship.

3. Choose paper honeycomb packaging over plastic to be environmentally friendly. This product is not only reusable, but recyclable and biodegradable too.

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Use heavy duty honeycomb packaging void fill to protect large packages during shipment

Void fill is only one of the many honeycomb packing supplies that you can use to protect your merchandise during shipment. It comes in many different forms and sizes designed to keep large shipments from shifting during transit.

I recommend: ULINE Shipping Supplies sells various sizes of honeycomb void fill sheets. Order large customized void filler for use in delivery trucks from Marvatex Inc. They can custom order your honeycomb packaging to the width and drop length that you need.

Look for a honeycomb packaging distributor who sells a complete line of honeycomb products

From cushioning small merchandise to the largest appliances, you are sure to find the honeycomb shipping material to keep your products safe during shipment to their final destinations.

I recommend: DDN Industries, Inc. began meeting clients' packaging needs in 1987, and are dedicated to quality and customer service. They sell many different honeycomb packing materials in addition to a multitude of other products to fill your packaging needs. Multi-Wall Packaging Corp. offers many types of honeycomb packaging, including honeycomb panels with pressure sensitive adhesive to keep it in place.

Remember that paper honeycomb packaging is biodegradable, in addition to recyclable and reusable

Look for a honeycomb packaging distributor who uses a water based adhesive during the manufacturing process so that the end product is biodegradable. Know that if a company's products are biodegradable, they usually use this as a selling point and make sure the customer knows about this benefit of the product.

I recommend: Greif offers a line of industrial honeycomb packaging material that is reusable, recyclable and environmentally correct. Likewise, you can purchase honeycomb products made from Kraft linerboard and water based adhesive from Sannah Packaging Supplies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't forget to buy honeycomb paper pallets as an alternative to expensive and heavy plastic or wood pallets. The paper pallets work just as well, can hold up to 2,500 pounds and allow forklift access.

Honeycomb manufacturers offer various types of honeycomb packaging, such as reverse slit score packaging, honeycomb cookie-cut packaging and die-cut packaging. If you want to buy honeycomb packaging, you will need to have some basic information on the different types of honeycomb packaging products and their applications.

If you want to establish yourself as a honeycomb packaging distributor or manufacturer, you will need to understand the fundamentals of honeycomb material and the honeycomb packaging process. If you are a honeycomb packing material supplier, you will need to keep your knowledge up-to-date in order to stay ahead of the competition. In addition, constant communication with other professionals in the industry will help you to expand your business.

To educate yourself and/or your workforce about honeycomb paper packaging, you can:

1. Browse through various resources that provide basic information on honeycomb packaging material
2. Read magazines and periodicals
3. Interact with experts in the packaging industry
4. Join associations for professionals in the packaging industry

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Understand the basics of honeycomb packaging and the relevant terminology

If you have very little exposure to honeycomb packing, you can learn the basics by browsing through different resources, such as websites of manufacturers of paper honeycomb packaging and online knowledge resources.

I recommend: You can read through basic information on honeycomb packaging at Multi-Wall Packaging Corp., a leading provider of custom corrugated interior packaging. Nefab USA, a reputable provider of packaging solutions, offers basic information on honeycomb packing material. In addition, you can learn the basics of honeycomb packaging and its various types at Riverside Paper Co., a packaging supplier company.

Keep up-to-date on information about developments in the honeycomb packaging industry

If you are a honeycomb packing manufacturer or distributor, you will need to keep your knowledge up-to-date. Magazines dedicated to the packaging industry provide important updates that can be useful for your business.

I recommend: You can subscribe to Packaging Digest, a magazine for the packaging industry. Packaging World is another magazine dedicated to the packaging industry. In addition, you can subscribe to Package Design Magazine, a magazine for designers and technical professionals in the packaging industry.

Join associations to communicate with professionals in the honeycomb packaging industry

Associations for professionals in the packaging industry provide a platform for communication. You can join these associations to interact with other professionals, to keep up with the pace of the industry.

I recommend: You can join TAPPI (Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry), a leading association for the worldwide pulp, paper, packaging and converting industries. Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) is another association for suppliers of flexible packaging. In addition, you can join the North American Packaging Association (NAPA), an international trade association representing paperboard packaging converters and industry suppliers.