Void Fill Guide: Kraft Paper vs Bubble Wrap vs Air Pillows

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Short Answer

Choose void fill by the job: kraft paper blocks movement, bubble wrap cushions fragile surfaces, and air pillows fill large empty space around low-risk items. The best option is the one that stops movement without overpacking.

A sealed box should not sound like the product is looking for an exit. If you can hear movement, the package is not done, even if the box looks full.

Pick The Fill By The Job

Void fill is not decoration. It either blocks, cushions, or takes up space. Decide which job the package needs.

If This Is Happening	Do This	Then Decide
Item moves inside a small box	Kraft paper or crumpled paper	Use enough to block movement, not to stuff every corner blindly.
Fragile surface or glass-like item	Bubble wrap around the item plus box fill	Do not rely on loose fill alone.
Large empty space around a low-risk item	Air pillows or paper fill	Avoid air pillows for heavy or sharp items that can pop them.
Heavy item	Right-size the box first	Void fill should not carry the weight of the package.
Giftable product	Cleaner fill with controlled presentation	Avoid messy overfill that makes unboxing frustrating.

Do The Shake Test

1. Protect the item itself first if it is fragile.
2. Place it in the smallest practical box.
3. Add fill around empty space.
4. Close the box and shake gently.
5. If the item moves, change the box size or add targeted fill before buying the label.

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Why It Hurts	Better Move
Using void fill to fix a box that is too large	You spend more on fill and still may create a bulky package.	Choose a smaller box before adding more fill.
Wrapping fragile items only with loose fill	The item can still hit the box wall.	Cushion the item, then block movement.
Buying bulky fill without storage space	The station clogs up before orders go out.	Choose fill that fits your volume and storage.

What To Buy After The Check

Affiliate note: this section uses existing void-fill shortcodes and a managed Amazon category link. Compare options after you know whether the package needs blocking, cushioning, or empty-space fill.

Kraft paper fill

Use it to block movement and fill small voids around low-to-medium risk products. Skip it as the only protection for fragile surfaces. Check roll or dispenser space, paper width, and how fast you can use it at the station.

Bubble wrap rolls

Use bubble wrap when the product itself needs cushioning before it goes into the box. Skip it for simple empty-space fill if paper would do the job with less storage pressure.

Final Checklist

• Right-size the box first.
• Cushion fragile surfaces before filling empty space.
• Use paper to block movement.
• Use bubble wrap to cushion the item.
• Stop when the item no longer moves; do not overfill for looks.

Related Guides

• Packing Supplies: Use this for the full packaging workflow.
• How to Choose Box Sizes: Use this if the box may be too large.
• Poly Mailer vs Bubble Mailer vs Box: Use this when the package type is still in question.