Is packing foam or bubble wrap better? Packaging foam rolls and bubble wrap are both very good for protecting shipments in a wide variety of cases. In fact, most of the time, you won’t see any significant benefits from using one over the other. If you can find a special to save money with either, that’s the best bet. There is an exception to this. Some items have finishes (like polish) that can be marred by bubble wrap. When dealing with any such items, packing foam is the safer and superior option. How do you use packing foam? When using packaging foam to protect a shipment, there are two ideas to keep in mind. First, you want to cover any delicate surfaces with the packing foam in order to prevent scratches or other damage to those surfaces. Anything with a high-gloss finish would fit this description. To cover such surfaces, simply wrap the item completely with the packing foam and then secure the foam in place with tape. The second idea prevents items from shifting w...