Preparation

• Lay the object you wish to protect on a sheet of bubble wrap with the bubbles face up, so that when you wrap the object the bubbles will press against the object and the smooth side of the bubble wrap will be on the outside.
  
  Use a piece of bubble wrap that will go around the item at least once. Determine the number of times to cover the item based on its fragility. If other objects that will rest on top of the item in storage or in a package, it is good to wrap around it at least twice even if you do not consider it extremely brittle.
  
  

Binding the Bubble Wrap

• The usual way to bind bubble wrap around an object is with tape. Select a strong adhesive tape, such as packaging or mailing tape, to assure secure binding. Put strips of tape every few inches to ensure a tight seal. Close the ends by folding them up and taping them. Consider wrapping the tape around the entire object if you plan to keep it in storage for an extended period of time.
  
  An effective way to bind bubble wrap around a small or moderate size item with minimal fragility and an irregular shape is to use rubber bands. The bands contract the wrap so that it conforms to the contours of the item. There are two ways to close the ends--either fold them over and tape them closed or fold them and use another rubber band to bind them to the rest of the package.
  
  For larger objects, always use tape. If a large item is unevenly shaped, use small strips of bubble wrap to fill in hollows before covering the entire item. Filling the small sections with bubble wrap makes the hollow portion extend the size of the rest of the item. This technique makes wrapping the entire item easier because you have created a uniform surface.