Honeycomb Paper vs Embossed Paper Bubble Wrap

Two different ways to make paper cushion

Honeycomb paper is die cut, so a pattern of cuts lets the sheet expand into open cells when it is pulled. Embossed paper bubble is pressed between vertical concave-convex rollers with electric heating, so the bubble is formed into the paper rather than cut out of it.

What honeycomb protects best

Honeycomb paper is easy to stretch, soft and flexible, and it conforms around irregular and fragile items without scratching them. It is the choice for ceramics, glassware, fruit and flowers.

What paper bubble protects best

Embossed kraft paper bubble has excellent padding characteristics and extremely high absorbency. It is used for covering individual shipping items, as deflection material for cartons or lattice boxes, as an intermediate layer, and for covering goods, and it protects against transportation damage, corrosion and damp.

Output speed and width

Honeycomb machines run 515 mm wide at up to 200 m/min. Paper bubble machines run 600 mm at 45 m/min or 800 mm at 60 m/min, because embossing has to be heated and set rather than simply cut.

Roll or sheet

Both honeycomb and bubble are supplied in roll form. Only the paper bubble sheet machine cuts to sheet, and it does the cutting inline while embossing so the bubble is not crushed by a later cutting operation.

Choosing between them

If the item is fragile and irregular, honeycomb. If the item is boxed or flat and needs padding and absorbency, paper bubble. If the carton still has empty space after either, a crumpled cushion pad or a fanfold void fill pack finishes the job.