Televisions, laptops, computers, valuable artwork, graphics, fragile acrylic display and delicate glassware … what do all of these have in common? They are extremely fragile and range drastically in design, weight, and form – and can, therefore, be something of a nightmare to ship. But getting expensive and delicate equipment from one place to another is often a necessity.

The goal with any shipment, fragile or not, is to ensure it arrives at its final destination in excellent condition. But when shipping delicate or valuable cargo, keeping the contents safe and secure can be complicated – yet of the utmost importance.

Here are the three main options and their advantages and disadvantages.

Cardboard Packaging

When shipping fragile items, you may choose to use the easiest and most widely available method: cardboard boxes and layers and layers of bubble wrap. While cardboard and bubble wrap is your most lightweight option, they’re also the riskiest.

Even when bubble wrap is squeezed into every last pocket of air, cardboard boxes offer minimal protection against the perils of shipping. They are easily crushed and provide almost no protection against impact after being dropped. Moisture, air, and dust can easily pass through cardboard, putting your cargo at risk of significant damage, particularly for electronic equipment.

You might think that cardboard is an excellent option because the vast majority of the shipments you receive arrive unscathed in cardboard boxes. While this is an understandable conclusion, it doesn’t account for the enormous amount of products that are damaged during shipment – most of which normal consumers don’t have visibility to.

Timber or Wooden Crates

Wooden crates are another option for shipping fragile material and are typically used in conjunction with some sort of durable cushioning material or the original packaging of your cargo.

Wood is obviously heavier and stronger than cardboard, but it provides much better protection against being crushed. However, it does not hold up well to being dropped and offers no protection against air, water or dust. The heaviness of wood also makes crates more expensive and cumbersome to ship.

Custom Made Packaging

Made from materials like plastic or aluminium, standard custom cases are designed to protect against impact and crushing during transport – and waterproof, dustproof, and airtight features typically come standard.

Fit with custom-made interiors like sturdy waterjet-cut foam, custom cases are engineered to the exact specifications of your cargo to ensure minimal movement during transport. Custom cases can also be outfitted with protective qualities based on the mode or modes of transport.

When it comes to shipping fragile items, the easy and fast solution – that might appear less expensive upfront – is rarely the best option for your business.