Protective cases are incredibly important when it comes to shipping items, whether they’re travelling internationally or staying in the country. One of the worst shipping mistakes a person can make is to use the wrong material for their protective case.
This is where custom case design can be a brilliant option for companies, because it allows you to choose what type of case you want and how protective you really need it to be.
At Tuplin, we design and manufacture protective cases from many different materials, but it’s up to you to choose the right material for your needs.
Here are some things you should consider:
The cost of materials can differ
While this might not be the most important consideration, it’s often the most restrictive. If money, time and weight didn’t matter, you could have the most protective case ever and make it out of silk-lined titanium.
But we live in a world where money does determine what materials we can use, so you need to consult your budget and weigh it against the benefits of different materials. A wide range of materials can be used in case design, each offering different advantages when it comes to weight, durability, and overall cost.
Ideally, you shouldn’t only go for the cheapest material available, either. You need a bespoke case that will protect your product and keep it safe in different situations, and different materials meet different needs.
Plywood is one of the most cost-effective options for protective cases, and it can be fairly light depending on requirements, which can help reduce shipping costs. Timber crates are more expensive than plywood, but wood is generally a better choice if you need extra strength or longevity.
When comparing materials such as plywood, timber and other alternatives like plastic, OSB, MDF, tri-wall and Correx, think about what each offers and what trade-offs you’re making. OSB is an improved version of chipboard, offering better strength and rigidity, while chipboard itself can have a smoother finish.
MDF is made from bonded wood fibres, providing a consistent surface but with less structural strength. Tri-wall (heavy-duty cardboard) and Correx (a fluted plastic similar in look and use to cardboard) can be ideal for lighter goods, storage or short-term transport.
The key is to think about what the cost represents and how each material will protect your product. There’s little benefit in choosing the cheapest option if it won’t survive transit or provide the protection your items need.
This is an art transit frame made out of timber and Correx, used for storage or short dedicated road transport. If going by sea or air, this would be packed into a more protective plywood crate.
Another thing to consider is how reusable the material is, because this directly affects how cost-effective the protective case is over time.
Timber is especially good for this because it’s sturdy enough to survive multiple trips and, if opened and sealed carefully, won’t significantly weaken over time and can likely be reused.
Strength is the most important factor
The most important thing to consider is the strength and rigidity of the material you use in your bespoke case. If something is likely to break at the first bump in the road, it’s not going to keep your products safe and secure.
Plywood is surprisingly strong and rigid, in part due to how it’s designed. Because of the cross-graining inside the plywood itself, you can nail the edges together without worrying about splitting the wood.
It also can’t bend because of the long strips of wood that are glued together. However, plywood isn’t as durable as solid wood and is especially vulnerable to moisture.
Wooden crates produced by Tuplin are all ISPM15 certified, which means that the wood has been debarked and treated to get rid of any bugs, mould, or other things that can live in or eat wood.
This makes it more reliable to use in protective cases. Wood is also very durable. However, wooden crates are still somewhat susceptible to moisture and, in some cases, they can split or splinter if they’re mishandled.
Other materials, like plastic or metal, can be robust as well. Plastic can be more durable and weatherproof than wood, but it can still deform and become brittle in certain temperatures. If a plastic crate breaks, it can’t be repaired.
The weight can dictate the material used
The weight of your protective case can impact how easy it is to transport, as well as how much it costs. Wood can be fairly heavy when compared to other materials like plywood or plastic, so think about how this will impact the ease of transportation.
However, because wood is quite durable, you can sometimes design protective cases that use less material or are made from lighter softwood, which makes them easier to transport.
The best bespoke case material
At Tuplin, we offer custom case manufacturing services that suit your needs and your concerns. So we can help you look at different options and balance the cost of the packaging material with the needs of your product.
A protective case should strike the right balance between cost, weight and the level of protection your items need. Work with a trusted provider like Tuplin to ensure every case is designed to give your products the protection they need without adding unnecessary weight or cost.
