Crinkle Paper 101
Crinkle paper is a paper-based packaging filler made from thin, crimped strips. It fills empty space in gift boxes and hampers, cushions products during transit, and adds colour and texture to the unboxing experience. This guide covers what it is, how it works, and when to use it.
Crinkle paper is a paper-based packaging filler made from thin, crimped strips. It fills empty space in gift boxes and hampers, cushions products during transit, and adds colour and texture to the unboxing experience. This guide covers what it is, how it works, and when to use it.
Crinkle paper is a paper-based packaging filler made from thin paper strips that have been crimped or embossed to create a wave-like texture. It is used to fill empty space inside gift boxes and hampers, provide light cushioning during transit, and add visual appeal when the box is opened.
In South Africa it is also referred to as crinkle shred, crinkle filler, shred paper, or gift box filler. These terms all describe the same product.
Crinkle paper is a lightweight, paper-based box filler available in a wide range of colours. It sits inside gift boxes and hampers to fill space, hold products in position, and create a polished presentation when the box is opened. It is not the same as straight shredded paper or tissue paper, and it provides more volume and visual appeal than either.
Crinkle paper is produced by passing paper through a crimping machine that creates the characteristic wave-like folds. The crimping process gives the strips volume and springiness — two properties that flat shredded paper does not have. The result is a material that holds its shape in a box, bounces back after compression, and creates a full, rich appearance without needing to be packed tightly.
Most crinkle paper is made from paper stock, and the strips are cut to a consistent width (Krinkle Paper Co uses a 3mm shred width). It is available in natural paper colour or dyed in a wide range of colours.
This is the most common use. Crinkle paper lines the base of a gift box, holds products in position, fills gaps between items, and provides the visual layer that recipients see when they first open the box. A well-packed gift box with good-quality crinkle paper creates a significantly better unboxing experience than an empty or tissue-lined box.
Businesses selling products online use crinkle paper as void fill to prevent products shifting during courier delivery. It is lightweight (important for volumetric courier pricing), fills space efficiently, and looks intentional rather than purely functional when the parcel is opened.
Retail businesses use crinkle paper in branded gift boxes sold in-store or as part of a product presentation. The colour of the crinkle paper often becomes part of the brand's visual identity.
Crinkle paper is available in colours suited to specific occasions — pastels for Easter and baby showers, reds and pinks for Valentine's Day, greens and reds for festive gifting. This makes it easy to match packaging to the occasion without changing your box or bag.
Straight shredded paper is cut into flat strips. It lies flat in a box, compresses easily under the weight of products, and has limited visual appeal. Crinkle paper is crimped, which gives it volume, structure, and a more polished appearance. For gift boxes and any packaging where the recipient sees the inside, crinkle paper produces a significantly better result.
See our full comparison: Crinkle Paper vs Straight Shredded Paper: What's the Difference?
Tissue paper is a thin, flat sheet used to wrap individual items. It adds a premium feel to unwrapping but provides no meaningful void fill or cushioning. Crinkle paper is a filler — it goes into the box rather than around the product. The two are often used together: tissue paper wraps the item, crinkle paper fills the box.
The amount depends on your box size and packing style. As a starting point:
For a full breakdown including courier packing quantities, see How Much Crinkle Paper Do I Need?
Krinkle Paper Co stocks crinkle paper in 24 colours across four collections:
For guidance on choosing a colour, see How to Choose Packaging Colours for Your Brand.
Crinkle paper is paper-based and can be recycled through standard paper recycling. It is also reusable — many recipients keep and reuse it for their own gifting. If sustainability matters to your brand, this is worth mentioning in your packaging inserts.
Easter grass is a similar product — crimped paper or plastic strips used to fill Easter baskets. Paper crinkle paper and Easter grass serve the same basic purpose, but crinkle paper is typically higher quality, available in more colours, and sold in larger quantities suitable for business use.
Yes. It is lightweight and fills void space effectively. For courier-safe packing, use a firm base layer and ensure the lid compresses the top layer slightly when closed. See our courier packing guide for full instructions.
Yes. It is paper-based and accepted in standard paper recycling streams. It is also reusable.
It produces very little dust and stays together reasonably well during handling. It is significantly less messy than foam peanuts or loose shredded paper.
Krinkle Paper Co supplies crinkle paper with nationwide courier delivery across South Africa. Browse all 24 colours here.
Crinkle paper is a lightweight, paper-based box filler used in gift boxes, hampers, and ecommerce packaging. It fills void space, provides light cushioning, and creates a polished unboxing experience. Available in 24 colours, it suits both individual gifting and business packaging. Choose your quantity based on box size, choose your colour based on occasion or brand, and order 10–15% more than you think you need.
Enter your box dimensions into our free calculator and get a practical estimate for your packaging.