Last Updated on November 24, 2023 by Packoi Team
Shipping boxes are one of the staples of any business. It’s an important shipping boxes material that helps companies deliver products or receive supplies.
The question is, do you need to create your own boxes for shipping?
The truth is that some shipping companies, like UPS and FedEx, provide free shipping boxes. These are already included in the shipping costs.
But there are times when it’s more prudent to create your own. This is especially true if you do a lot of shipping.
If you think you need to have your own boxes for shipping, read on.
In this article, you’ll learn the basics of shipping box materials and how you can choose the right ones for your business.
It is beneficial to have your own shipping box. You can design your shipping boxes to your heart’s content and put your brand on them so they can double as free advertising.
You can also choose the right materials that won’t leave you with cheap shipping boxes. You get to pick high-quality materials that can protect your product throughout the delivery process.
But before we go deep into the materials that you can use, let’s understand the 4 common types of shipping boxes that businesses use nowadays.
Most of the shipping boxes that you’ll see are single-wall corrugated boxes. Corrugated paper material is composed of 3 sheets (medium) and 2 liner boards. A medium is a paperboard that’s shaped in waves, and it’s glued in the middle of the liner boards.
Single-wall corrugated boxes have 2 liners and 1 medium. This is the standard for shipping boxes. It’s not too heavy but it’s still quite durable. The corrugated material gives it enough strength and sturdiness to withstand the rigors of shipments and deliveries. It’s strong enough to carry 40 lbs of items.
This is the thicker version of the standard corrugated boxes. Think of it as having 2 mediums and 3 liner boards. This makes the corrugated cardboard box stronger and able to carry heavier items without breaking.
Admittedly, double wall boxes will cost you more than the standard shipping boxes. But if it can guarantee that your items will reach their destination in one piece, then it should be worth it.
There’s even a thicker version – the triple-walled box. It has 3 mediums and 4 liner boards. This is considered to be just as strong as wooden boxes – but lighter.
This is a type of corrugated box that can be adjusted in height. It starts tall but there are grooves that allow you to lower the box so it fits the contents better.
This will ensure that your cardboard boxes won’t take up a lot of space during shipping. The less space is occupied, the lower shipping costs will be incurred.
Choose this style if you always ship items in different quantities. The multi-depth allows you to order boxes in bulk.
This is considered the biggest option for shipping boxes. These are ideal for sending wholesale orders – whether they involve multiple smaller boxes or extra-large contents.
These cardboard boxes use double-walled corrugated material. This is due to the quantity that this type of box carries. They need stronger material so the box won’t break under the weight of the contents.
With heavier loads, there may be times when a triple-walled corrugated material is needed.
The most crucial part of shipping boxes is the material of the outer packaging. Don’t settle for cheap shipping boxes that might compromise the items that you’re shipping out. Invest in good quality materials to ensure that it’s robust enough to withstand the rigors of a typical delivery journey.
Before you choose shipping supplies like the tape and fillers for the inner packaging, you have to choose the right outer packaging first. This will determine the durability and sturdiness of your box.
Here are the options that you can consider.
This is the most common material used for shipping boxes. Corrugated cardboard has the fluted material for the medium. This gives the box thickness and durability.
If you want to use a corrugated box for your shipments, you need to choose the flute profile of the box. The greater the flute is, the higher the overall strength and stacking ability.
There are 5 types of flute profiles.
This type of material measures the layers of mediums and liner boards used to complete the corrugated cardboard boxes.
To recap, the medium is the fluted cardboard material. The liner boards are flat boards that are glued to either side of the medium.
There are 4 types.
There are corrugated shipping boxes that are coated with wax. This allows the cardboard boxes to be stored in refrigerated containers without damaging the paper-based material.
The wax effectively protects the material from the moisture that comes from melting ice.
This type of cardboard material is ideal for food and other perishable items like raw meat, seafood, or chicken.
This type of outer packaging helps manage the effects of static electricity that the box might go through. Products like electronic devices may be damaged if they’re not protected from this.
To avoid this, corrugated cardboard boxes are treated with an anti-static coating. There are two ways to do this.
One is to treat shipping boxes with anti-static chemicals and the other is through anti-static sheets. These are organic compounds so spraying them on untreated cardboard materials is safe.
These shipping boxes are made of polyethylene film. Compared to cardboard materials, these are more durable and reusable. These can also be customizable and cheap.
What’s great about poly boxes is they have a built-in resistance to water. They also have extra padding to keep the contents protected from damage.
Insulated boxes are most suitable as food shipping boxes.
These are boxes that combine the features of cardboard and styrofoam materials. Insulated shipping boxes are specially designed containers used for transporting temperature-sensitive products. These boxes typically incorporate materials that provide thermal insulation, ensuring that the contents maintain a stable temperature during transit.
Insulated Shipping Boxes are designed to protect perishable items such as food, pharmaceuticals, and certain chemicals from temperature fluctuations that can occur during transit.Insulated shipping boxes are indispensable in the cold chain logistics industry, the insulation in these boxes can vary in type, ranging from foam inserts to reflective materials or specialized coolants like gel packs or dry ice.
Their ability to keep products at a consistent temperature, coupled with their robust structure and customizable options, makes them an essential choice for businesses and individuals looking to ensure the safe and effective delivery of temperature-sensitive goods.
After finalizing the outer packaging of the shipping boxes, you can focus on the other packing materials that protect the items or products being delivered.
There are several shipping supplies that you can use to ensure that the items you’ll ship will reach their destination in one piece.
Here are some of your options for the inner packaging and cushioning material.
Paper is a cushioning material that adds aesthetic appeal to the inside of the box. Among your options include crumpled paper, tissue paper, or confetti.
Admittedly, it’s not the best at providing maximum cushion so it’s not advisable for fragile items.
But if you choose the right colors and paper material, it can create a positive unboxing experience for the recipient of the box.
This is a great material to cushion items inside shipping boxes. These shipping materials are recycled corrugated cardboard boxes.
If you have old shipping boxes that are damaged or torn, get them through a shredder or cut them manually. It may be time-consuming but this is an option that’s both environment-friendly and cost-efficient.
This is a plastic sheet filled with bubbles – or pockets filled with air. The air inside each bubble makes it an ideal cushioning material for shipping boxes.
Bubble wrap is lightweight and quite effective in shipping fragile items and keeping safe. Even if boxes are jostled and bumped into each other, the items inside are protected.
What’s great about bubble wrap is it can protect items with irregular shapes. It can easily wrap around items so every part won’t have scruffs and scratches.
If you’re concerned about being environmentally friendly, there are bubble wrap alternatives made of bio-plastic. These are more sustainable options that you can use.
This is just like bubble wrap in the sense that they both use plastic and air to cushion items in shipping boxes. But the difference is air pillows look like small pillows. The pillows can be attached to each other or as individual pillows.
These are flexible enough to be put around the items to keep them from the sides of the box. It can also be positioned on top of the item so it won’t be damaged even if boxes are stacked on top of it.
Like bubble wrap, there are bio-based alternatives that are more eco-friendly than plastic air pillows.
If you want every space in the shipping boxes to be filled with cushions, your best option is packing peanuts. These are usually made of styrofoam which is deemed a hazard to the environment.
Fortunately, there are eco-friendly alternatives that are made of starch. These packing peanuts can dissolve in water – so they can easily be disposed of without increasing packaging waste.
Shipping boxes can also use foam sheets or rolls to protect contents from breaking. These are lightweight and effective enough for fragile items.
Most of these sheets and rolls are made of styrofoam. While there’s no specific news about eco-friendly alternatives to these two, there is a biodegradable foam introduced in the market. It can be an option if you want to be sustainable with your shipping supplies.
Now that you have an idea when it comes to the packaging supplies and materials for your shipping boxes, it’s time for you to make your choice.
But don’t be too quick to choose cheap packing materials. You’ll end up with low-quality and cheap shipping boxes that could leave you with damaged goods.
If you want to choose the right materials, here are tips that you can use.
Your packing materials for shipping should primarily keep your products safe. So if you’re deciding on the thickness, size, and cushioning materials, make sure it’s what your items need.
If you have a fragile item, don’t settle for tissue paper or shredded corrugated cardboard. You might need something that can protect it more – like bubble wrap or foam sheets. They’re more expensive but they can provide what your product needs.
There are standard labels that are required by shipping companies and regulating authorities. You want to ensure that your corrugated cardboard boxes comply with these labels.
This will guide you in terms of the strength and thickness of the materials that you’ll choose for your shipping boxes.
If you need proper guidance, it’s always best to go straight to the shipping companies for information. Visit their websites and see their standards when it comes to shipping services and their boxes.
You should also look at their free shipping boxes. These companies even offer free shipping supplies. This is ideal for companies that don’t ship items often.
Of course, these free shipping boxes carry the brand of the shipping companies. If you want your own brand on the box, you might have to create custom boxes.
When choosing the right packaging materials, it’s also important to look at the journey that the shipping box will go through. If it will go through several logistics hubs, then you need to take that into account. Make sure the box is sturdy enough to survive the trip.
This will also give you an idea about the shipping costs that you have to shoulder. You can balance that with the cost of the materials that you’ll use to create your shipping box.
In most cases, corrugated cardboard boxes are ordered in bulk. What will you do with the boxes that you’re not using?
Think about how your storage can protect every shipping box that’s waiting to be used. Make sure the materials can be stored flat so as not to take up a lot of space.
To create eco-friendly shipping boxes, you have to ensure that all your packing materials are eco-friendly. From the cardboard to the lamination, coating, cushioning materials, tapes, labels, and ink – all these have to be environmentally friendly.
Just one element that’s toxic will waste your efforts to be sustainable.
Order your boxes from the right sources. Don’t just get cheap shipping boxes from any company. Make sure they’re reputable packaging companies that source their raw materials responsibly.
Look for certifications and see the feedback that past customers have about them. This will give you hints if the company is worth partnering with.
Shipping boxes are a vital part of any business. It may seem like a trivial thing to worry about. But it does deserve your attention if you want to protect the items and products that you’re shipping.
To ensure that your shipping boxes are made of high-quality materials, partner with the right packaging supplier.
Packoi Printing has years of experience in producing and delivering sustainable shipping boxes. We have samples and options for you to choose from.
Give us a call with your packaging requirements and we’ll get back to you with a fair quotation in no time.
Do you need help delivering packages more efficiently? Optimize routes, keep your customers updated on their orders, and more with Circuit for Teams.
As a small business owner, you know that every penny counts.
That’s why you must be extra careful when choosing packaging supplies for your products. The right shipping supplies can make a big difference in terms of cost and convenience, so it’s worth taking the time to do your research.
In this article, I’ll share some tips on choosing the best packaging for your products. Then cover the different types of packaging available and offer some guidance on which one might be best suited for your needs.
Sure, it may seem like it’s just a pouch or sticker or cardboard box, but picking the right packaging supplies is important.
It’s the first thing your customers see when they get your products, so you want to make sure your first impression packs a punch.
Packaging isn’t just for aesthetics.
Your packaging needs to protect your products, and the type of packaging you choose can affect everything from your shipping costs to how safe your products are during transit.
Check out these 14 packaging fails for some examples. No one wants to receive broken plates in the mail. And, if you run the business shipping the plates, you don’t want lost products and disappointed customers.
We’ll cover popular packaging types and typical ways you’d use them to help you understand which might be best for your small business.
This is the typical box you’re used to seeing. Corrugated boxes are the most popular type of packaging.
They’re made from layers of paper (called fluting) that are glued between two layers of linerboard. The fluting gives the box strength and a little bit of cushioning.
Corrugated boxes come in a variety of sizes and shapes. You can even order custom boxes to fit your products. They make great heavy-duty moving boxes, storage boxes, and shipping boxes for an endless array of products.
There are more options when it comes to corrugated boxes than you may think. We look at the many styles of corrugated boxes available as well as their applications in this section.
The regular slotted container (RSC) is the most basic style of corrugated box. It’s made up of a single piece of corrugated board that’s been cut and scored to create a box. The lid and bottom flaps are glued or taped shut.
Stock boxes are the industry standard. This means you can use them for a wide variety of products and applications, such as shipping boxes for e-commerce or moving supplies.
This type of slotted box can hold a variety of items but isn’t recommended for products that are heavy or need extra protection. A single wall box can hold between 20 to 120 lbs.
Suitable for: 30 cuddly toys
Not suitable for: A solid bronze garden statue
A folding mechanism in an auto-locking bottom box allows the cardboard flaps to interlock with each other by pushing down on them as you open. The bottom locks into place, making them sturdy and secure.
If fast packaging time is a top priority for you, auto-locking bottom boxes are a great option. They can be quickly assembled and allow you to save on packing tape.
However, these boxes cost more than your typical RSC. For example, these Duck self-locking mailing boxes are $49.56 for only 25 boxes. You can also get a quote to print custom auto-locking boxes.
Auto-locking boxes aren’t the most budget-friendly option, especially if you’re shipping low-cost items and want to keep shipping expenses low.
Weight limits vary. For instance, these auto-lock storage file boxes can hold up to 650 lbs. If you’re ordering custom auto-locking boxes, your quote should include information on the weight capacity, as it will depend on the size and quality of the materials.
Suitable for: Heavy files or dishes (with appropriate wrapping for fragile items)
Not suitable for: Light paper products like paper towels, which could have cost-efficient packaging
Unlike the traditional RSC, a full overlap box has two parallel flaps covering the opening of the box. Having these two parallel flaps means the opening is well-secured and covered, but it still needs to be secured with packing tape.
The double-reinforced sides make this type of box more robust and less prone to damage while being transported.
However, it’s still a good idea to consider bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or an eco-conscious packaging supply for protection if the item needs it.
You can get a quote for custom printed full-overlap boxes or opt for plain boxes. For example, these full-overlap, side-loading boxes are great for art prints, vinyl records, and canvases. But because of their large size, they’re priced at $97.29 for a 5-count box order.
They usually handle the same weight as a regular slotted box, around 60 lbs.
Suitable for: Art prints
Not suitable for: Small toys
Corrugated boxes are the workhorses of the packaging world. They’re tough, stackable, and come in all shapes and sizes.
But there’s one type of corrugated box that stands out from the rest: the roll-end box.
Roll end boxes get their name from their unique construction: Instead of being square or rectangular, they have two rolling panels that meet at the top and bottom. This design gives them a sleek, modern look that’s great for packaging everything from books to electronics.
And because they’re made with high-quality corrugated cardboard, they’re also extremely durable.
If you’re looking for eco-friendly shipping packaging, you’ll love that roll-end boxes use materials more efficiently because they require less cardboard than traditional boxes due to their design.
A roll-end lock-front box (RELF) has small flaps that slide into the front of the box and act as a locking mechanism.
The locking front gives these boxes a clean, finished look that’s perfect for high-end products like luxury skin care products, clothing, and more. Plus, it offers the most secure closure for a box without using packaging tape or stickers because the front panel rolls over and locks into place through the tabs.
Of course, you’ll likely want to seal your boxes with one of those for security during transit.
Digital printing to create stylish, custom boxes makes roll-end lock-front boxes one of the most popular choices for new products and small businesses.
They’re ideal for mail deliveries, subscription boxes, small parts, eco-friendly packaging, and cost-conscious small businesses.
You can order custom boxes or search online for plain boxes that fit your requirements. For instance, these 8 oz. Mason jar shipping boxes ($2.25 per box) are designed with a specific function in mind.
This bundle of 50 Kraft Deluxe Literature Mailers (10” x 10” x 4”) are $111.99 for a bundle of 50 but can be suited for a wider range of uses.
Suitable for: Your favorite subscription boxes
Not suitable for: Large items like basketballs or pots and pans
Roll-end tuck-top boxes (RETT) are similar to roll-end lock-front boxes, but instead of a locking mechanism, they have a small flap that tucks into the top of the box. The flaps on the sides are called “dust flaps.”
These are the kinds of boxes you see when you order a pizza.
This type of box is easy to assemble and eco-friendly. Just fold down the flaps, tuck in the top, and you’re done. However, it’s not as secure as the roll-end lock-front model.
They need to be fastened with stickers or packing tape when used for shipping.
Roll-end tuck-top boxes are a good choice for delivering pizza, pastries, and other baked goods. You can use this type of box for non-shipping deliveries or storage on shelving.
Get quotes on plain and custom-printed mailer boxes from Lumi.
If you’re shipping a heavy product, roll-end tuck-top boxes may not be the best fit for your needs. They often carry smaller items with light to medium weights.
You can find a pack of 50 corrugated RETT boxes on Quill for $22.99 ($0.46 each) for a 6” x 3” x 2” mailer.
Suitable for: Pizza boxes and baked goods
Not suitable for: Large and heavy items like ceiling fans
These days, more and more companies are using poly bags for shipping packaging.
Sometimes, a box just isn’t the right fit.
Poly bags come in a variety of closure types and can range from single-layer to gusseted poly bags.
They all have one thing in common: They’re light, flexible, and cost-effective. Tear-proof poly mailers are around $0.10 per unit, depending on the size, while self-sealing, single-layer poly mailers are around $0.12 per unit.
While these bags may seem made of plastic, they’re actually made of a type of polyethylene that’s recyclable and doesn’t contribute to the growing problem of plastic pollution.
If you’re considering shipping package options for your small business and eco-friendly packaging is important to you, poly bags are a great option.
They can also be customized with your small business’s logo, design, or colors.
Let’s explore the different types of poly bags on the market.
Single-layer poly bags are the simplest type of bag and are made from a single layer of polyethylene.
They’re a lightweight pouch, making them ideal for loose products like beads, hardware, or small food items.
These are also great for packaging products that don’t need a lot of protection, like postcards or small stickers.
You can buy wholesale self-seal poly bags, which have a strip that you can peel off and press together to seal the bag so that you don’t need any packing tape.
Find them on Amazon in a pack of 100 for $11.98. You can also find clear poly mailers, ideal for print marketing, magazines, and catalogs.
There are many styles available, like tear-off poly mailers or returnable poly mailers, which are made with two strips of adhesive — one for the original shipment and a second for any returns.
Prices vary by size and manufacturer. For example, the 10” x 13” x 2.5 mil poly mailers with tear strips are currently listed at $104.95 for 1,000, while a pack of 500 12” x 15.5” returnable poly mailer envelopes are currently $79.95.
Suitable for: Small pieces like jewelry
Not suitable for: Knives, cups, and chemicals
Instead of wrapping your items with bubble wrap, you can simply place them in a bubble mailer and seal them up, saving you time and packaging material.
Bubble mailers are made of a type of polyethylene that contains bubbles. The bubble wrap is sandwiched between two layers of polyethylene.
This type of packaging gives the mailer a bit of cushioning, making it ideal for delicate items like jewelry or electronics.
Plus, bubble mailers are lightweight, which helps keep shipping costs down.
If your business ships fragile items, however, bubble mailers may not be the best option because they’re flexible and can be damaged during transit.
Bubble mailers are available in a wide variety of colors and sizes. These factors will affect the cost.
For instance, paper (outer material) bubble mailers can start as low as $0.14 each, while matte finish bubble mailers start at $0.40 each.
Custom bubble mailers with your logo and design printed on them can be more pricey. Sticker Mule sells their custom bubble mailers at $91 for 50, but you can save more by ordering in bulk.
Suitable for: Small electronics, a book, or CD
Not suitable for: Collectable toys in boxes
Now that you know the different types of packaging available, how do you choose the best one for your small business? Here are a few factors to consider.
The best packaging for your small business will depend on your specific needs. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. But we hope this guide has given you some things to consider as you choose the best packaging for your products.
If you want to save money in your small business, one way is by picking the right packaging and streamline the packing process to peak efficiency.
Before you choose, take the time to look at the different packaging options and select the best ones for your needs.
Still, if your delivery process isn’t working, you’ll be running around in circles.
That’s why you need Circuit for Teams to optimize your delivery operations — so you get packages to your people on time.
Circuit for Teams routing software can help you plan the most efficient routes for your delivery vehicles, saving you time and money on your last-mile deliveries.
Circuit for Teams can also help you monitor your delivery vehicles in real-time, so you can quickly respond to any delays or issues that may arise.
In other words, our software is a must-have for any small business that relies on deliveries.
So, what are you waiting for?