Foam Rolls & Protective Bubble Rolls: Differences

Foam, commonly known as foam, and protective bubble rolls are two excellent options for safeguarding your goods during transportation and storage. However, their properties differ somewhat, making it crucial to understand these differences when choosing the right option. Today, we explore the advantages of foam rolls and protective bubble rolls.

Foam Rolls, or Foam: What Are They?

Available in various thicknesses and consistencies, foam rolls have gained popularity among businesses needing to transport bulky or fragile items via sea, air, or land. Let’s explore the reasons behind this popularity.

Advantages of Foam Rolls

Lightweight and flexible, foam is easy to use for wrapping goods of any shape and size. Its properties vary based on composition—some foams are more resistant to moisture, others more flexible, and some are valued for their aesthetics. It’s even possible to have them custom-cut to the dimensions of the items you want to protect without incurring significant additional costs.

It’s an effective way to guard against breakage and transportation-related damages while saving costs. Foam is affordable and reusable. Since it preserves the integrity of goods, it also helps avoid return expenses. One positive effect leads to another—it’s also a good way to meet delivery deadlines and ensure customer satisfaction.

Contexts Where Foam Is a Good Option

During transport and handling, your merchandise might face impacts. Foam is renowned for its shock-absorbing ability. Placing it inside a cardboard box stabilizes and secures the object. For transporting artwork, decoration, or luxury items, you can choose a foam with aesthetics that enhance the merchandise’s prestige.

Additionally, there’s a version of foam that reduces static electricity related to friction. This is particularly recommended for protecting electronic devices.

Resistant to mold and moisture, foam rolls are ideal for safeguarding pharmaceutical products and other medical items. It’s also worth noting that foam has thermal properties, making it an excellent choice for goods requiring specific transportation conditions.

Protective Bubble Rolls

A protective bubble roll consists of a plastic layer with small air pockets that absorb impacts and secure fragile objects. It’s also used as cushioning inside packages to stabilize the contents and fill the surrounding void.

Advantages of Protective Bubble Rolls

Whether for moving fragile items, handling, or storage, protective bubble rolls offer excellent protection. Lighter than foam and less dense, they are commonly used for shipping items of various sizes. They are frequently found in online orders or gift packaging.

Protective bubble rolls come in various thicknesses and compositions. They can be found with small bubbles suitable for general use. Larger bubbles are ideal for protecting larger items such as large paintings. Some bubble rolls are reinforced with a foam base, providing enhanced protection. If you need to ship materials as sensitive to vibrations and impacts as glass or mirrors, this is an option to consider.

Additionally, there are varieties of antistatic protective bubble paper designed to protect electronic devices.

Contexts Where Protective Bubble Rolls Are a Good Choice

As understood, protective bubble rolls are particularly suited for small and highly fragile items, effectively cushioning and protecting against scratches, impacts, and breakage. In the art industry, large bubble paper is commonly used to secure artworks. For relocations, it’s essential for fragile items, furniture, and electronic equipment. When sending packages, you can insert protective bubble paper to secure the contents and fill the void.

It’s also an excellent material for long-term storage, as protective bubble rolls withstand temperature variations and humidity. For items requiring protection from light, there’s even kraft protective bubble paper.

Foam or Protective Bubble Rolls: What to Choose?

Among these two highly versatile packaging security accessories, which one should you choose? To assist you, here’s a comparison.

Foam rolls can be characterized as:

• Thick and highly shock-resistant
• Malleable yet rigid. They can be cut into desired shapes, such as protecting corners
• Thermal insulators
• Reusable and durable.

Protective bubble rolls, on the other hand:

• Offer varying degrees of protection against impacts based on bubble size
• Are very lightweight and flexible. Their weight generally does not significantly affect the total package weight
• Are more suitable for fragile or small objects.

Depending on your industry and the items you need to protect, you can now make an informed choice.

Our Solutions for Securing Your Packages

Industries FM is a family-owned company with over thirty-five years of experience. Our longevity is attributed to our attentive listening to our clients’ needs. That’s why we offer the most appropriate solutions to pack and protect your goods and merchandise. Whether it’s maintaining and stabilizing your packages, reinforcing them, or securely sealing them for their entire journey, we have what you need. Contact our team for more information.