Cardboard inserts or separators are some of the most prevalent packing materials. Packing peanuts made from foam sheets. Paper towels, napkins, and toilet tissue all make good packing materials. Cotton swabs and q-tips are often used as packing materials for delicate items. The word "packing" comes from the Latin word pacare, meaning "to fill up." Thus, packing materials are anything used to fill up space inside containers or bags. In shipping, it is important to make sure that you use adequate packing material when filling your container. If you don't pack it enough, then the item being shipped will be exposed to air which can cause it to get damaged. However, if you overpack your container, then you will end up with extra space that will cost you money to ship. Therefore, you need to find a happy medium where you give yourself enough room to transport your item safely but not so much that you end up paying more than necessary. The type of packing material you use should be based on how you intend to ship the item. For example, if you just want to send the item by plane then using paper products such as paper towels and napkins will do the job.