Good packing material is what separates a professional mover from a truck-hire service. The right cartons prevent crushing, the right bubble wrap absorbs impact, the right stretch film holds furniture together during transit. Here is exactly what materials we use on Ranchi moves, what quality looks like, and where you can source them yourself if you are doing partial DIY packing. For technique, see our fragile packing guide.
Corrugated Cartons: 5-Ply is the Standard
Corrugated cartons come in 3-ply, 5-ply and 7-ply thickness. 3-ply is thin, single-wall, suitable only for light items. 5-ply is double-wall, the standard for household moving – strong enough for kitchen items, books, clothes, decor. 7-ply is triple-wall, used for very heavy items or long stacks.
Common sizes we use: small (18”×12”×12”) for books, heavy items and glassware. Medium (24”×18”×18”) for kitchen items, decor and clothes. Large (30”×24”×24”) for bulky-but-light items like bedding, cushions, soft toys. Wardrobe cartons (48” tall) for hanging clothes. Never mix heavy and fragile in the same carton, and never load a large carton with heavy items – it will collapse or be un-liftable.
Bubble Wrap: 10mm Bubbles Minimum
Bubble wrap comes in 6mm, 10mm and 25mm bubble sizes. 10mm is the standard for household fragile items – glassware, framed art, electronics, decor. 25mm is used for very fragile items requiring maximum cushioning – antiques, chandelier crystals, expensive art. Use bubble side against the item, smooth side outward. Secure with tape, not too tight (over-tightening reduces cushion effect).
Foam Sheets and Stretch Film
Foam sheets (5mm or 10mm thickness) protect flat surfaces like TV screens, mirrors, tabletops from scratches. Cut to size and tape over the surface. Stretch film (30-50 micron LDPE) wraps furniture to hold drawers closed, protect fabric from dust, and keep loose parts together. Stretch film is NOT waterproof – use with plastic outer wrap in monsoon.
Wooden Crates: When You Need Them
Wooden crating is needed for: TVs 32 inches and larger (any intercity move), marble tabletops of any size, mirrors above 4 feet, large paintings and sculptures, chandeliers, aquariums, motorcycles and bicycles for intercity transport. Crates are custom-built to fit the item with foam padding inside. For a typical household move requiring 2-3 crates (TV, mirror, marble table), material cost is ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 which is normally included in the quote.
Tape, Labels and Miscellaneous
Packing tape should be 48mm width, minimum 40 micron. Cheap tape peels off, especially in humidity. Use branded packing tape, never masking tape or sellotape. Labels should be pre-printed with room name (kitchen, bedroom 1, living room), contents (glassware, books, electronics) and fragility (FRAGILE UPRIGHT, THIS WAY UP). Marker pens should be permanent, not water-based. For carton handles, use tape reinforcement so cartons do not tear during lifting.
Where to Source Packing Materials in Ranchi
Lalpur and Main Road wholesale markets stock 5-ply cartons at ₹20-40 per carton depending on size. Bubble wrap by the roll (100 metres) costs ₹800-1,200. Packing tape (12 rolls of 65m) costs ₹500-800. Wooden crates need to be custom-built by a carpenter – lead time 24-48 hours. For a DIY 2BHK pack, expect to spend ₹3,000-6,000 on materials. If you book with a professional mover, all this is included in the quote. Related reading: our budget moving guide covers partial DIY strategies.