The present invention includes pleated paper and planar paper coated with a fire suppressive ink, wherein the pleated paper is Kraft paper with a weight of 25 to 50 pounds, with pleat angles of about 88 to 92°, and pleat heights between approximately 3/32 of an inch and ⅛ of an inch, and the planar paper is Kraft paper with a weight of 40 to 60 pounds. The fire suppressive ink is preferably applied with a flexographic printing process and preferably comprises at least one inorganic fusible salt and an organic resin. The inventive pleated paper is an environmentally friendly packaging material with improved protective qualities, which can also shield items from fire, contain fires, and suppress fires to avoid thermal runaway. The inventive paper is particularly useful for packaging and shipping flammable items, such as lithium-ion batteries.