Grab a cup of tea, get comfy, and let’s talk packaging - specifically, postal boxes. Whether you’re shipping handcrafted jewellery, candles, or mugs, choosing the right postal box is kind of a big deal. The right packaging keeps your products safe and wows your customers - and there’s probably more to think about than you realise when it comes to making a choice. So, where do you start? Don’t worry - we’ve got you covered.

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 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.

Pizza-style box: A type of flat-pack that's pretty much what it says on the tin - a self-locking, single-piece box with a hinged lid, similar to 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 to documents, and much, much more. 

Book wrap mailer: A flexible, wraparound-style cardboard mailer designed to snugly fit books, DVDs (does anyone still buy those?), or other flat items. It typically features creased folds to adjust to different thicknesses and often has built-in adhesive strips for secure closure without tape. This design helps protect items from damage while keeping packaging compact. 

Rigid two-piece box: A durable, high-quality box consisting of a separate lid and base, often made of thick boxboard. 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 to 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, size really does matter. Too big, and your product rattles around like a loose marble (not ideal). Too small, and you risk squashing that beautifully crafted item. 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

Ever had a package arrive looking like it went ten rounds with a delivery van? Yep, not fun. 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 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 (think ceramics or glassware).

4. Style it up with some branding

A postal box that looks amazing and carries your brand identity? Now that’s next-level customer experience. But how can you achieve this? There are a few ways, whether you'd like to incorporate your brand colours or stick your logo on...

Branded 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, black cats for Halloween... you get the idea) or your logo for a bit of branding.

Custom-printed boxes: Or if you want to go for fully branded packaging, consider printing your 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.

Colourful tissue or shredded paper: Adds a pop of colour (go for ones that match your branding) and an element of surprise when customers open their parcel while providing 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.

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!