.Choosing the right packaging material isn't a matter of luck. It's the difference between a product arriving intact and one arriving broken. And between a repeat customer and one who leaves you a negative review.
In this guide, we explain all the existing packaging materials, what each one is for, and when to use it. No beating around the bush, just concrete facts. If you already know what you need, at the end of each section, you'll find a direct link to our catalog.
Cardboard boxes: the foundation of everything
All packaging starts with the box. But not just any box will do for any purpose. Here are the important differences:
By carton flute
| Type | Thickness | Resistance | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single wall | ~3 mm | Up to 15-20 kg | Lightweight shipments, standard moves, storage |
| Double wall | ~6 mm | Up to 30 kg | Heavy, fragile items, pallet stacking |
By use
| Box type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Self-assembling | E-commerce — assembles without tape, professional finish |
| Postal | Shipping with courier — standard sizes for SEUR, MRW, GLS, Correos |
| Moving | Households — various sizes, reinforced, stackable |
| Archive | Documents and office — with lid, standard folio size |
| Custom-made | Special products — customized manufacturing |
At TeleCajas, we have over 200 box sizes in permanent stock. Shipping boxes from €0.15/unit and complete moving packs from €19.99.
Bubble wrap: protection against impacts
Bubble wrap is the most well-known protective material — and for good reason. Each bubble acts as an individual shock absorber that absorbs impacts without adding much weight. Essential for fragile items such as crockery, glass, electronics, and ceramics.
Types of bubble wrap
| Type | Bubble size | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Small bubble (10 mm) | Fine cushioning | Small parts, delicate surfaces, wrapping crockery |
| Large bubble (25-30 mm) | Strong cushioning | Screens, paintings, furniture, appliances |
A trick: the bubbles always go inwards, touching the object. This way, each bubble works as a shock absorber. The other way around, you lose half the protection.
Rolls available in our bubble wrap collection. From 10 m² for small shipments to factory rolls by the pallet.
Filling and protective material
The box protects on the outside. But what goes inside the box is what prevents the product from moving, hitting the sides, or being damaged by vibration. These are the most commonly used filling materials:
Polyethylene foam
Sheets or rolls of light and flexible foam. Ideal for separating parts inside a box, protecting delicate surfaces (wood, glass, stainless steel), and filling gaps. 2 mm foam is sufficient for surface protection; 5 mm or more for real cushioning.
Crinkled kraft paper
The most sustainable filling. It's crumpled and placed in gaps to prevent the product from shifting inside the box. Biodegradable, recyclable, and inexpensive. Perfect for e-commerce that wants to convey an ecological commitment.
Shredded paper and packing peanuts
Quickly fill large spaces. Shredded paper is the eco-friendly option; polystyrene peanuts (the classic white balls) provide more cushioning but are not easily recyclable.
All filling and protective material available in our filling and protection section.
Packaging tape and adhesive tape
Packaging tape is what keeps the box closed — and what tells you if someone has opened it before. It's not a minor detail in professional shipping.
Main types
| Type | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Transparent polypropylene | General use, most economical |
| Brown polypropylene | Kraft boxes, discreet closure |
| Printed "FRAGILE" | Shipments with fragile contents |
| PVC | Cold warehouses, difficult surfaces |
| Low noise | Offices, shared spaces |
| Customized | Branding + anti-tamper security |
The standard width is 48 mm, compatible with all dispensers. 66-meter rolls. All in our packaging tape and adhesive tape collection.
Stretch film for palletizing
If you move goods on pallets, stretch film is essential. It keeps boxes together, protects against dust and moisture, and prevents movement during transport. Cost per pallet: cents.
Available formats
| Format | Use |
|---|---|
| Transparent manual (50 cm) | Manual palletizing, warehouse without a stretch wrapper |
| Black manual (50 cm) | Loads requiring opacity or UV protection |
| Minifilm (10-12 cm) | Bundling packages, securing lids, order preparation |
Automatic quantity discounts, up to 25%. Check out our stretch film collection.
Corner protectors and edge protection
Corners are the most vulnerable point of any package. A blow to the corner of a painting, a mirror, or a screen is often fatal. Cardboard corner protectors reinforce these critical points at a minimal cost.
They are especially used for: screens and monitors, paintings and mirrors, disassembled furniture, pallets (so that the film doesn't cut the edges of the boxes), and large appliances.
Search for corner protectors in our catalog: cardboard corner protectors.
Quick guide: which material for each situation
| Situation | Materials you need |
|---|---|
| Small e-commerce shipment | Self-assembling box + kraft paper for filling |
| Fragile item shipment | Double wall box + bubble wrap + foam + filling |
| Complete move | Pack of various sized boxes + tape + bubble wrap + marker |
| Warehouse palletizing | Stretch film + corner protectors + tape |
| Screen/painting shipment | Flat box + corner protectors + large bubble wrap + foam |
| Crockery and glassware | Small boxes + small bubble wrap + foam dividers |
| Long-term storage | Archive boxes with lid + desiccant (if humid) |
Frequently asked questions about packaging materials
What are the most commonly used packaging materials?
The most common packaging materials in Spain are: cardboard boxes (single and double wall), bubble wrap, polyethylene foam, kraft paper for filling, adhesive tape, and stretch film. For professional shipments, these are complemented with cardboard corner protectors and specific filling material. At TeleCajas, all these materials are available with 24-hour shipping to all of Spain and Portugal.
Which packaging material is best for fragile items?
For fragile items, the most effective combination is: bubble wrap around each piece (small 10 mm bubble for delicate items, large 25 mm bubble for large objects), foam sheets between pieces to prevent them from colliding, and crumpled kraft paper or shredded paper to fill the remaining gaps inside the box. For screens, paintings, and mirrors, cardboard corner protectors are essential.
How much do packaging materials cost?
Prices at TeleCajas (VAT included) start from: cardboard boxes from €0.15/unit, bubble wrap from €0.39/m², tape from €1.20/66-meter roll, foam from €0.25/m², and stretch film with discounts of up to 25% for quantity. There is no minimum order, and shipping is free for orders over €50.
What packaging do I need for my online store's shipments?
For e-commerce, the basic materials are: self-assembling boxes in 2-3 sizes that cover 90% of your products, kraft paper or shredded paper as filling, and tape to close. If you ship fragile products, add bubble wrap. The box should leave a 2-3 cm margin around the product for protective filling. At TeleCajas, you will find e-commerce shipping boxes and all complementary materials.
Where to buy packaging materials in Spain?
TeleCajas is an online store specializing in packaging materials based in Seville. They ship to all of peninsular Spain and Portugal within 24-48 hours. They work with over 200 box sizes in permanent stock, bubble wrap, foam, tape, stretch film, and corner protectors. Prices include VAT, no minimum order, and free shipping for orders over €50. More than 80% of their customers are businesses — they offer customized B2B prices for recurring orders.
What is the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging?
Primary packaging is what directly touches the product (for example, the wrapper of a bar of soap). Secondary packaging groups several primary products (the box containing several bars of soap). And tertiary packaging is for transport and logistics (the pallet wrapped in film that arrives at the warehouse). In e-commerce, secondary packaging (the shipping box) and internal protective materials are the most relevant.
Are TeleCajas packaging materials recyclable?
Yes. Cardboard boxes, kraft paper, and corner protectors are 100% recyclable in the blue bin. Bubble wrap and stretch film are polyethylene (LDPE, code 4), recyclable in the yellow bin. Polyethylene foam is also recyclable. If you are looking for more ecological options for filling, crumpled kraft paper and shredded paper are biodegradable.
