CMC Packing Material & Technique Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which packing material is best suited for wrapping sharp-edged items like picture frames to prevent damage to other goods?
- Bubble wrap
- Packing paper
- Foam corner protectors (Correct answer)
- Stretch wrap
Correct answer: Foam corner protectors
Foam corner protectors are specifically designed to shield sharp corners and edges of frames from causing punctures or scratches to other items.
Question 2: When packing a wardrobe box for long-distance moves, hanging garments should NOT exceed what maximum number per box?
- 10–15 garments
- 20–25 garments (Correct answer)
- 30–35 garments
- 40–50 garments
Correct answer: 20–25 garments
Limiting hanging garments to 20–25 per wardrobe box prevents the bar from bowing and keeps the load manageable for handlers.
Question 3: A customer insists on using crumpled newspaper as void fill for electronics. What is the primary professional concern?
- Newspaper is too expensive
- Ink transfer can damage surfaces and provide inadequate cushioning (Correct answer)
- Newspaper absorbs moisture well
- Newspaper is too heavy
Correct answer: Ink transfer can damage surfaces and provide inadequate cushioning
Newspaper ink can transfer onto sensitive electronic surfaces, and its cushioning properties are inferior to foam peanuts or air pillows.
Question 4: Which technique is recommended when packing flat-screen TVs without the original box?
- Stand upright, pad with moving blankets, use a TV box with foam inserts (Correct answer)
- Lay flat with blankets on top
- Wrap tightly in stretch wrap only
- Pack screen-down in a standard dish barrel
Correct answer: Stand upright, pad with moving blankets, use a TV box with foam inserts
Flat-screen TVs must remain upright during transit; a specialized TV box with foam inserts and moving blankets provides optimal protection.
Question 5: What is the correct method for sealing the bottom of a heavy book box?
- Single strip of tape across the center seam
- H-tape method using three strips (Correct answer)
- Stapling the flaps shut
- No tape needed if flaps are interlocked
Correct answer: H-tape method using three strips
The H-tape method (one strip on the center seam plus one strip on each side seam) distributes weight and prevents blowout on heavy boxes.
Question 6: When packing dishes vertically (on edge) versus horizontally (flat), the vertical method is preferred because:
- It uses less packing paper
- Plates are structurally strongest along their edges and resist breakage better (Correct answer)
- It allows more dishes per box
- Vertical packing eliminates the need for cushioning
Correct answer: Plates are structurally strongest along their edges and resist breakage better
Plates have greater compressive strength along their rims, so packing them on edge distributes shock load more effectively than stacking flat.
Question 7: Which of the following is the appropriate packing material for filling void space in a box containing fragile glassware?
- Scrunched plastic grocery bags
- Acid-free tissue paper
- Clean packing paper or foam peanuts (Correct answer)
- Old clothing scraps
Correct answer: Clean packing paper or foam peanuts
Clean packing paper or foam peanuts are industry-standard void fill that provide consistent cushioning without introducing contaminants or off-gassing.
CMC Packing Material & Technique Standards 2
Which packing material is best suited for wrapping sharp-edged items like picture frames to prevent damage to other goods?