{"id":560,"date":"2026-10-15T12:40:13","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T04:40:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.alinaalbarran.com\/blog\/?p=560"},"modified":"2026-10-15T12:40:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T04:40:13","slug":"how-do-i-transport-dunnage-paper-4a26-de3e1e","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.alinaalbarran.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/15\/how-do-i-transport-dunnage-paper-4a26-de3e1e\/","title":{"rendered":"How do I transport Dunnage Paper?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever picked up a roll of dunnage paper\u2014whether it\u2019s 30-inch wide heavy-duty stuff for securing pallets at a warehouse or 12-inch lightweight rolls for small parcel shipments\u2014you know it\u2019s not just a plain roll of paper. It\u2019s a critical part of preventing product damage during transit, and getting it to your facility or job site without crumpling, tearing, or becoming a tangled mess is half the battle. As a dunnage paper supplier who\u2019s been in this game for 12 years, I\u2019ve seen just about every mistake people make when transporting our product, from shoving rolls into a beat-up pickup truck bed to stacking too many layers on a pallet and crushing the core. Today, I want to walk you through exactly how to transport dunnage paper the right way, with tips I\u2019ve picked up from hundreds of customers and our own logistics team. Dunnage Paper<\/a><\/p>\n

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First, let\u2019s start with the basics: what dunnage paper is, and why its transport needs are unique. Unlike regular printer paper, which is thin and stable, dunnage paper is made for two main jobs: filling gaps in palletized freight (so boxes don\u2019t shift) and cushioning fragile items like glassware or electronics. That means it\u2019s often thicker, heavier, and more flexible than standard paper. It also comes on cardboard cores, which are surprisingly fragile. Snap a core during transport, and the entire roll becomes unwieldy, impossible to feed into your dunnage gun, and useless for your team. So every transport step is designed to protect two things: the paper itself, and those inner cores.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s break this down by scenario, because transporting a single roll to a small business is way different than moving a full truckload of 500 rolls to a distribution center. I\u2019ll start with the most common scenario: individual rolls or small batches (under 10 rolls) for pickup or local delivery. This is where most people slip up. If you\u2019re loading a couple of rolls into the back of your SUV or pickup truck, the first rule is never lay them flat. Wait, let me clarify: never lay them flat on a hard, unprotected surface. I\u2019ve had a customer bring back a half-used roll once because he stacked three rolls flat in the bed of his truck, and by the time he got to his job site, the bottom roll had compressed so much it turned into a crumpled brick. Why does that happen? The core supports the paper\u2019s weight when it\u2019s standing upright. When you lay it flat, all the pressure of the roll above sits directly on the paper layers, squeezing out air and leaving them compressed, so you lose 10-15% of the usable length per roll. That\u2019s a huge waste\u2014especially if you\u2019re paying for heavy-duty, high-quality dunnage.<\/p>\n

So for small batches, always stand rolls upright. But that doesn\u2019t just mean lean them against the wall of your truck. Secure them. I recommend using a heavy-duty moving blanket or a foam pad to line the side of your truck bed, then tucking rolls between the wheel wells or against the bulkhead. If you have more than two rolls, use two bungee cords to create a \u201ccage\u201d around the top of the rolls, so they don\u2019t slide if you have to brake hard. One of my regular customers, a small appliance repair shop, swears by using a section of PVC pipe cut to fit the width of his truck bed\u2014he stands all his rolls inside the pipe, so they never tip or get scratched by other tools in his truck. That\u2019s a trick I still recommend to anyone moving small amounts. Also, never stack anything on top of the rolls. I\u2019ve seen a customer load a roll of dunnage and a cooler full of lunch, and the cooler dented the roll\u2019s core so bad he couldn\u2019t get the paper to feed through. That\u2019s avoidable\u2014leave the top of the rolls empty, every time.<\/p>\n

Now, moving to larger batches: full pallet loads, which is what most distributors, manufacturers, and big retailers order. This is where the real science of dunnage paper transport comes in, and where we see the most damage claims if done wrong. First, how do we wrap the pallets correctly? At our warehouse, we wrap rolls on pallets in two layers of stretch film, but we always stand the rolls upright, aligned with the pallet\u2019s stringers. Why aligned with the stringers? The stringers are the wooden beams that run the length of the pallet, so standing rolls along them means the weight of the pallet is distributed evenly. If you cross-align rolls\u2014standing them the other way\u2014you create weak spots where the pallet can bow, and the rolls in the middle get crushed. Another mistake I see all the time: overstacking pallets. The maximum height for a standard pallet of dunnage paper is 72 inches. That\u2019s about 6 rolls deep, depending on the roll size. Go higher than that, and the weight of the top rolls puts too much pressure on the bottom ones, especially if the ground isn\u2019t perfectly level. Last year, a customer ordered a pallet of 10-inch wide lightweight dunnage, and he stacked it 8 rolls high. By the time it arrived at his warehouse, the bottom two rolls had cores that were bent, and the paper layers at the edge were torn. He sent us photos, and it was a classic case of overstacking.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the issue of what you put under the pallet, and how you secure it for long-distance transport. If you\u2019re shipping dunnage paper via semi-truck, make sure the pallets are stacked in the trailer in a way that leaves a gap of at least 6 inches from the side walls, and at least 12 inches from the front and back doors. Why? Trailers swing when they turn, and rolls that are too close to the walls or doors can get scraped or crushed. Also, never place pallets of dunnage paper next to pallets of heavy items like metal parts or concrete blocks. The heavy pallets can shift during transit, and if they crash into your dunnage pallets, the damage is usually irreversible. We always mark our pallets with \u201clight weight\u201d stickers and tell our freight partners to stack heavy pallets on top of lighter ones? Wait, no\u2014wait, dunnage paper is relatively light, so actually, if you have a mixed load, you stack heavier pallets on top of lighter ones, but only if the lighter pallet can support the weight. For dunnage, which is mostly paper, a standard 48×40 pallet of dunnage weighs about 1,200 pounds, so you don\u2019t want anything heavier than that on top of it. Another pro tip we share with our freight customers: use pallet supports (the small plastic or metal pieces that go between pallets to create a gap) if you\u2019re stacking two pallets high. That gap lets air circulate, which prevents moisture buildup\u2014more on that in a minute.<\/p>\n

Speaking of moisture, that\u2019s one of the biggest hidden enemies of dunnage paper transport. Paper absorbs moisture like a sponge, and if your dunnage gets wet, it loses its tensile strength\u2014meaning it can\u2019t secure products during transit, which defeats the whole purpose. I\u2019ve had a customer send back an entire truckload of dunnage last year because the driver left the trailer doors open during a rainstorm, and the rolls on the front of the pallet were soaked. The paper was too soft to use, and he had to throw the whole load away. How do you prevent that? First, make sure all pallets are wrapped in waterproof stretch film\u2014we offer that as an optional add-on for all bulk orders, and I can\u2019t recommend it enough, even if you\u2019re just driving a short distance. Second, never store or transport dunnage paper in an unconditioned space for more than 24 hours. If you\u2019re waiting to load a truck, keep the pallets under cover, away from direct rain, snow, or even high humidity. Last year, a food processing plant had a problem with their dunnage rolls getting moldy during a humid summer. The rolls were sitting on a concrete floor in their warehouse for three days before use, and the moisture from the concrete seeped up through the pallet and into the paper. We started advising them to use pallet skids (the plastic ones that lift the pallet 4 inches off the ground) and wrap the rolls, and that fixed the mold issue almost immediately.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s talk about what to avoid at all costs when transporting dunnage paper. First, don\u2019t use a regular hand truck to move individual rolls without a strap. A lot of warehouse workers will hoist a roll onto a hand truck by the core, and that bends the core out of shape, making the roll hard to feed into equipment. We recommend using a roll clamp or a lifting strap that goes around the middle of the roll, not the core. Second, don\u2019t expose dunnage paper to extreme temperatures. If you\u2019re transporting a load in a trailer that\u2019s not temperature-controlled during the summer, the heat can make the cardboard cores brittle, and they\u2019ll snap when you try to unload the rolls. Same with freezing temperatures in the winter\u2014cold makes the paper stiff, so it tears easier when you pull it off the roll. For long-distance hauls of more than 2 days, we always advise using a temperature-controlled trailer if possible, even for light rolls.<\/p>\n

Another common mistake: not planning for unloading. It sounds small, but if you\u2019re on a job site and you have to carry a roll of dunnage paper up stairs or across a dirt lot, it\u2019s easy to drop it or drag it on the ground. We always tell customers to have a hand truck with a roll attachment on site before the delivery arrives, so you can unload the rolls safely without dragging or dropping. I once watched a new warehouse employee drag a 50-pound roll of heavy-duty dunnage across a concrete floor, and it ripped a 2-foot long section right off the side. That\u2019s 2 feet of paper he can\u2019t use, all because he didn\u2019t plan ahead for unloading.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s wrap this up with a quick checklist, so you have something to reference next time you need to transport dunnage paper. For small batches (1-5 rolls): 1. Stand rolls upright, never flat. 2. Secure with bungee cords or PVC pipe to prevent sliding. 3. Keep all items off the top of rolls. 4. Use a moving blanket to line truck surfaces and prevent scratches. For bulk pallet loads: 1. Stand rolls upright aligned with pallet stringers. 2. Max pallet height 72 inches, never stack higher. 3. Wrap pallets in waterproof stretch film. 4. Leave 6 inches of gap between pallets and trailer walls\/doors. 5. Don\u2019t place heavy items near or on top of dunnage pallets. For all transport scenarios: 1. Avoid moisture, extreme temperatures, and rough handling of cores. 2. Have unloading tools on site before delivery.<\/p>\n

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At the end of the day, transporting dunnage paper isn\u2019t complicated\u2014it\u2019s just about protecting a product that\u2019s designed to protect yours. We\u2019ve spent 12 years perfecting how we package and ship our dunnage, but even the best packaging won\u2019t save it if you\u2019re loading it wrong or exposing it to the elements. If you\u2019re not sure how to transport your specific order\u2014whether it\u2019s lightweight parcel dunnage, heavy-duty industrial rolls, or something in between\u2014our team is here to help. We can send you custom packaging tips, advise on the best transport setup for your job site, and make sure your order arrives in perfect condition, ready to keep your products safe during every mile of transit. If you\u2019re looking to order dunnage paper for your next project, or have questions about transport best practices, reach out to our team today to discuss your needs and get a tailored solution.<\/p>\n

Dunnage Paper<\/a> References:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Logistics Management Association. Best Practices for Bulk Packaging and Transport of Paper Products. 2021.<\/li>\n
  2. International Warehouse Logistics Association. guidelines for Storing and Handling Paper-Based Packaging Materials. 2022.<\/li>\n
  3. American Society for Testing and Materials. Standard Test Methods for Tensile Strength of Paper for Packaging Use. 2020.<\/li>\n
  4. Dunnage Industry Association. Common Transport Pitfalls for Industrial Paper Packaging Products. 2019.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    Zhejiang Xinzhongxin Paper Industry Shares Co., Ltd.<\/a>
    With abundant experience, we are one of the most professional dunnage paper manufacturers and suppliers in China. Please rest assured to buy bulk premium dunnage paper for sale here from our factory. If you have any enquiry about cooperation, please feel free to email us.
    Address: NO.391-2, CHANGHE ROAD, CHANGAN, HAINING, ZHEJIANG
    E-mail: info@xzxpaper.com
    WebSite:     https:\/\/www.zhongxinluhuan.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    If you\u2019ve ever picked up a roll of dunnage paper\u2014whether it\u2019s 30-inch wide heavy-duty stuff for … How do I transport Dunnage Paper?<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":333,"featured_media":560,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[523],"class_list":["post-560","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","tag-dunnage-paper-436c-df01b9"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alinaalbarran.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/560","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alinaalbarran.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alinaalbarran.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alinaalbarran.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/333"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alinaalbarran.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=560"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.alinaalbarran.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/560\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alinaalbarran.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alinaalbarran.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=560"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alinaalbarran.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=560"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alinaalbarran.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=560"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}