# Packing Paper for Moving: What to Buy, How Much, and Where to Find It *Reviewed by Joey Padgett · Last reviewed September 2026* Packing paper is the material that professional movers reach for on almost every item they pack. It's cheap, it's versatile, and it does most of what bubble wrap does at a fraction of the cost and bulk. --- ## What Is Packing Paper? Packing paper is unprinted newsprint: clean, white (or natural), smooth paper sold in bulk sheets or rolls. It's not newspaper (newspaper ink transfers and stains), not tissue paper, and not kraft paper. It's a purpose-built product for wrapping and cushioning items during a move. It works through technique, not thickness. Wrap an item in two to three sheets of packing paper and you create a cushioning layer through the folds. Same principle as bubble wrap, but lighter, cheaper, and less bulky. --- ## Packing Paper vs. Bubble Wrap Professional movers use roughly a 90/10 ratio: 90% packing paper, 10% bubble wrap. That ratio reflects what actually protects things versus what takes up space. ### Use packing paper for: - **Dishes and ceramics.** Wrap each piece individually, then nest them with crumpled paper between layers. - **Glasses and stemware.** Roll in paper, tuck the ends inside, and pack upright. Never on their sides. - **Pots and pans.** Paper prevents scratching between surfaces. - **Void filling.** Crumpled packing paper fills gaps inside boxes to stop items from shifting. A box where items move during transit is a box where things break. - **Any surface you don't want scratched.** Wood, lacquered finishes, anything with a coating. Advantages over bubble wrap: cheaper per square foot, biodegradable, takes up far less space in boxes, and leaves no imprint on soft surfaces like wood or leather. ### Use bubble wrap for: - Genuine crystal, antique glass, or anything fragile with significant value - Electronics and screens, where rigid protection matters more - Odd-shaped items that paper doesn't wrap cleanly around - Anything that needs water resistance One practical note on bubble wrap: it's mostly air. A box padded only with bubble wrap still has room for items to shift. Packing paper fills voids more effectively than bubble wrap does. *Source: [Airtasker](https://www.airtasker.com/us/comparisons/bubble-wrap-vs-packing-paper/), [Moving Help (a U-Haul service)](https://www.movinghelp.com/move/bubble-wrap-vs-packing-paper/), [SOS Moving LA](https://www.sosmovingla.net/blog/packing-paper-vs-bubble-wrap-professional-movers-advice)* --- ## How Much Packing Paper Do You Need? Packing paper is sold by the pound. Practical estimates by home size: | Home Size | Packing Paper | |---|---| | Studio / 1 Bedroom | 10 to 15 lbs | | 2 Bedroom | 15 to 25 lbs | | 3 Bedroom | 25 to 40 lbs | | 4 Bedroom | 40 to 60 lbs | A 25-lb package runs about $25 to $35 and contains roughly 200 to 250 sheets. One properly wrapped dinner plate uses about 2 sheets. A kitchen with 8 place settings, glasses, cookware, and servingware can easily use 100 to 150 sheets on its own. Buy more than you think you need. Packing paper runs out faster than any other supply. --- ## Where to Buy Packing Paper Near You **Home Depot and Lowe's** carry packing paper year-round near the moving supplies section. 25 lb boxes are usually in stock. Check inventory online before making the trip. **U-Haul stores** carry their own branded packing paper in multiple quantities, graded specifically for moving. **Walmart and Target** carry packing paper during peak moving season (spring and summer), though availability varies by location in fall and winter. Call ahead. **The UPS Store and FedEx Office** almost always have packing paper available. More expensive per pound than bulk purchases, but useful for last-minute restocking. **Amazon** carries packing paper in 25 to 200 lb orders with fast delivery. If you're planning ahead, this is the most economical option per pound. Search for "newsprint packing paper." **Office supply stores** (Staples, Office Depot) carry smaller quantities. Fine in a pinch. --- ## What Not to Use Instead **Newspaper:** The ink transfers. You'll spend your first week in the new place washing black newsprint off dishes, hands, and counters. Not worth the savings. **Paper towels:** Acceptable for very light items, but expensive and inefficient. One roll covers maybe 10 items. Not a real substitute. **Dish towels and T-shirts:** Good for adding cushion between fragile pieces or padding oddly-shaped items. Not a replacement for wrapping, but a useful supplement. Professional movers use clothes for padding all the time. Just pack whatever you used in a clearly labeled box so you can find it on the other end. **Tissue paper:** Fine for non-fragile decorative items, clothing accessories, or shoes. Too thin for anything breakable. --- ## How to Wrap Dishes Most breakage happens because of technique, not materials. Professional movers follow this sequence: 1. Lay 2 to 3 sheets of packing paper flat on a padded surface. 2. Place the plate in the center at a 45-degree angle. 3. Fold one corner of the paper over the plate, tucking it underneath. 4. Roll the plate across the remaining paper, tucking as you go. 5. Fold the remaining corners in and secure loosely with a small piece of tape. 6. Place in the box standing on edge, not flat, with crumpled paper between each piece. Dishes packed standing on edge survive transit far better than dishes packed flat. Standing distributes force along the stronger edge rather than across the face. For dish boxes with built-in dividers, see the [dish box section of the moving supplies guide](/advice/packing/moving-supplies#dish-boxes). --- ## Related Guides - [Back to Packing Overview](/advice/packing) - [Moving Boxes: Which to Use and How Many You Need](/advice/packing/moving-boxes) - [Moving Supplies: The Complete List](/advice/packing/moving-supplies) --- ## Sources - [Bubble Wrap vs. Packing Paper — Airtasker](https://www.airtasker.com/us/comparisons/bubble-wrap-vs-packing-paper/) - [Bubble Wrap vs. Packing Paper: The Ultimate Showdown — Moving Help (a U-Haul service)](https://www.movinghelp.com/move/bubble-wrap-vs-packing-paper/) - [Packing Paper vs. Bubble Wrap — SOS Moving LA](https://www.sosmovingla.net/blog/packing-paper-vs-bubble-wrap-professional-movers-advice) - [Bubble Wrap vs. Packing Paper — Moving.tips](https://moving.tips/packing-tips/bubble-wrap-vs-packing-paper/) - [Packing Paper vs. Bubble Wrap — Boxbee](https://boxbee.com/packing-paper-vs-bubble-wrap/) - [How to Pack Dishes — U-Haul Packing Tips](https://www.uhaul.com/Tips/Packing/)