Grab a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, and get comfy, because it's time to talk packaging - specifically, postal boxes. Whether you’re shipping handcrafted jewellery, candles, or mugs, you don't need me to tell you that choosing the right postal box is a big deal. The right choice keeps your products safe and wows your customers - and there’s a lot to think about. So, where do you start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered - here's all you need to know...
How to choose the perfect postage box
1. First up, what are the different types of postal box?
One or two-piece? Flat-pack or rigid? There's plenty of postal boxes to choose from…
Flat-pack box: A cardboard shipping box that arrives flat as a pancake and needs to be assembled by folding (and sometimes needs sealing with tape). These boxes are great if you need to order in bulk but don't have a lot of space to store them, making them a classic postal box choice for businesses.
Pizza-style box: A one-piece flat-pack box with a hinged lid, that closes in a similar style to, wait for it, a pizza box! They usually have tuck-in flaps that secure the contents without the need for stickers or some tape (but you can always add some if you like!), and can be used for shipping items from clothing and accessories to documents, and much, much more.
Book wrap mailer: A flexible, wraparound-style cardboard mailer designed to snugly fit books, DVDs (do people still buy those?), or other flat items. They often have built-in adhesive strips for secure closure without tape (see below ↓), with their design helping to protect items from damage, while staying compact.
Rigid two-piece box: A durable, high-quality box consisting of a separate lid and base, often made of thick boxboard/paperboard. These are commonly used for luxury packaging, gift boxes, or premium product shipments, as they offer excellent protection and a high-end presentation.
It's worth a special mention for postal bags here too - with options like kraft padded postal bags, recycled envelopes, and compostable mailing bags available in various sizes that can be used to ship all sorts of different goods!
Read more here on the different types of gift box types, from rigid lid and base to pillow types.
2. Size matters (but bigger isn’t always better!)
When it comes to postal boxes, choosing the right size matters. Too big, and your product rattles around like a loose marble (not ideal). Too small, and you risk squashing your beautifully crafted item (also not ideal). So, how do you find the perfect fit?
Measure your product: Length, width, and height. Jot those numbers down.
Consider additional protection: If you’re adding tissue paper or shredded filler, leave a little wiggle room.
Think about postage costs: A bulkier box can push shipping costs up, so choosing a snug fit is budget-friendly, too.
Read more here on picking the right size box for your gifts and products!
3. Strength and durability - because nobody likes a squashed parcel
No one wants their packages to arrive a bit squished, do they? I know I wouldn't - that’s why choosing the right box strength is key.
Okay, so what’s corrugated cardboard? I’m mentioning this as you’ll probably see this term around when you’re looking at postal boxes - basically, it’s cardboard that’s made up of three layers of board (two sheets on the outside and one in the middle which has a rippled shape). This is what gives your cardboard box its protective qualities, with corrugated cardboard generally having a higher GSM (grams per square metre) and micron (one-thousandth of a millimetre) value than paperboard, making it super strong and sturdy.
Corrugated boxes can also be double-walled/layered for extra protection - the GSM remains the same (as the weight of the material used hasn’t changed), but the thickness in microns has doubled.
So, what does this mean for your postal packaging choices? Well, single-walled boxes are great for lightweight items like stationery or clothing, while double-walled boxes are ideal for heavier or more delicate goods, like ceramics or glassware.
4. Make it pretty and personal
A postal box that's strong, looks amazing, and carries your brand identity? Now that’s next-level customer experience. But how can you achieve all this? There are a few ways, whether you'd like to incorporate your brand colours or stick your logo on...
Printed stickers: A really simple way to add personality without breaking the bank - you could go for a seasonal design (like reindeer for Christmas, bunnies for Easter, or, my personal favourite, black cats for Halloween... you get the idea). Or, add your logo for a bit of branding.
Custom-printed boxes: If you want to go for fully branded packaging, consider printing your lovely logo or designs straight onto the box itself! Digital printing allows you to add a logo, text, design, or even a photo, which would really make your package stand out in the post.
How cute is this flower box?
Colourful tissue or shredded paper: This adds a pop of colour (go for shades that match your branding) and an element of surprise when customers open their parcel. It also provides some cushioning to make sure your products are well-protected in the post!
Think of your packaging as an extension of your brand. When your customer receives their order, the unboxing experience should feel just as special as the product itself - so incorporating your brand colours and message is well worth considering where you can.
Picking the perfect postal box
Still not sure which box is right for you? We’re here to help! Check out our full range of postal boxes or drop us a message - we’d love to chat about your packaging needs.
Happy packing!