so I'm going to be shipping out two 6-packs of beast mode by Sixpoint soon. I've never shipped just cans of beer before. Do you guys suggest taking each can out and wrapping it individually like I do when shipping bottles, or can I just leave them in the sealed 6-packs and put stuff around them to keep them from moving and sloshing and jostling inside of the shipping box?
I wouldn't bother wrapping them individually. When I ship heady I wrap the 4 pack tight together with stretch wrap so they don't clang, and then maybe a layer of bubble wrap, and into the box with some light padding on all sides. I've shipped a ton of cans this way and never has a problem with damage. I personally love shipping cans instead of bottles as they are much more resistant to damage.
Just make sure, as you always should, you have some waterproofing around the cans. I've had cans leak before but noticed that good packing will contain leaks.
If you have the hard plastic holders (like those found on Heady Topper, CCB beers and I am sure many others) I cut them so they will fit over each individual can. It is important that you first remove the cans from the holders, they are surprisingly easy to puncture with scissors. Once I have them into six individual caps I just put them back on the can. If using styro shippers you can stack two cans into each slot. I usually bad the slot with some extra paper or other packing materials to prevent them making too much noise. Works really well for me.
I always individually wrap cans, although every time I do I ask myself if I'm wasting time and energy. I've received cans several times with very minimal packaging, but I guess I prefer to err on the side of caution.
I always use styro shippers so by cutting the holder I can individually place each can (or stack two cans) in a slot. I have never sent just cans but usually a mix of cans/bottles/growlers. If not using a shipper of some kind it would be pointless to cut them I think.
Take 6 pack. Place in Jumbo Ziploc bag (2.5 gallons). Wrap tightly in bubble wrap. Done Just shipped a bunch of 6 packs this way, and they arrived perfectly. Individually wrapping REALLY seems like overkill. As long as they're wrapped together tightly, with a thick wrapping of bubble wrap around them, they won't move and will basically be indestructible.
It's winter and cold most places right now, so yes wrap the hell out of them and Baggie them if you can because they can freeze and burst too. You can't insulate any can or bottle too much this time of year.
Added protection. Call it overkill, but these cans are not indestructible and the mouth of the can is a weak spot. If I put a few minutes of effort into it I can cover that spot easily. I have had cans puncture just by dumping ice on them in a cooler.
