cardboard boxes for shipping

cardboard boxes for shipping are corrugated cartons that protect products through courier and postal networks, from the packing bench to the customer door. Choosing cardboard boxes for shipping well means matching board strength, internal size and closure to the weight and fragility of what you send. Custom Postal Boxes manufactures custom printed shipping boxes in house in Wolverhampton, with low minimum order quantities, free design support and free UK delivery.

Choosing cardboard boxes for shipping by strength

Corrugated cardboard gains its strength from the fluted layer between flat liner boards. A single wall box has one fluted layer and suits light goods, clothing, books and compact products that travel short distances. A double wall box has two fluted layers and resists crushing and stacking pressure far better, which matters for heavier orders, fragile items and parcels that may sit at the bottom of a pile in a van or sorting hub. Board choice is a balance, because a stronger box than you need adds weight and cost to every order you send.

Matching the box to the journey

Think about every stage the parcel will face. Local courier delivery involves a few handling points, while national postal networks add sorting machinery, chutes and stacking. Export orders face longer journeys and more transfers. Fragile goods such as glass and ceramics need both a stronger wall and cushioning inside, while dense goods such as hardware need a box that will not bow under their weight. Our cardboard shipping boxes and double wall shipping boxes cover the main strength grades, with heavy duty shipping boxes for the most demanding loads.

When single wall board is enough

Single wall board performs well for goods up to a moderate weight that are not easily crushed, especially where the product has its own retail packaging inside. Our single wall corrugated boxes keep weight down, which helps where postage is charged by weight and where storage space for flat packed boxes is limited. If cartons arrive dented or products move inside, step up a grade or improve the internal fit rather than adding more loose fill.

Sizing boxes around Royal Mail formats

Postage in the UK is set by format and weight, a system Royal Mail calls pricing in proportion. A large letter can measure up to 353 by 250 by 25 millimetres and weigh up to 750 grams. A small parcel can measure up to 450 by 350 by 160 millimetres and weigh up to 2 kilograms, and a medium parcel up to 610 by 460 by 460 millimetres and up to 20 kilograms. Check the current figures on the Royal Mail size and service guidance before you commit to a box size, and measure the outside of the finished packed box, including tape and any bulge.

Packing practice that reduces damage and returns

Place the product centrally with cushioning on every side, fill remaining space so the contents cannot slide and close the box without forcing the flaps. Tape along the centre seam and the edge seams for heavier loads, and put the address label on the largest flat face away from seams. A box that is slightly too big is a common cause of damage, because the product gains momentum inside it. Accurate internal sizing, given when you request a quote, solves that problem at source.

Print, sustainability and ordering

Plain shipping boxes do a functional job, but printed boxes add your logo, website and handling guidance where customers and handlers will see them. Many UK brands print the outside for recognition and keep the inside plain, while subscription and gift brands print both sides. Cardboard is widely recycled in the UK, and businesses placing packaging on the market should review the GOV.UK extended producer responsibility guidance for packaging to understand reporting duties and the value of using only the packaging a product needs.

Pricing depends on size, material and quantity because ordering is quote based, and no standard price applies across custom sizes. Share your product dimensions, typical order weight and quantity through the contact page to request a shipping box quote and you will receive a specification matched to your goods, with free design support and free UK delivery.

FAQs about cardboard boxes for shipping

How do I choose between single wall and double wall cardboard boxes for shipping?

Choose single wall board for light and compact goods on short journeys and double wall board for heavier, fragile or stacked goods. The weight of the contents, the distance travelled and whether parcels will be stacked in transit are the three factors that decide the board grade.

What size box should I use for shipping?

Measure your product, add room for cushioning on all sides and choose internal box dimensions close to that total. A close fit reduces movement, limits the void fill you need and helps keep the packed parcel inside a lower Royal Mail format.

What are the Royal Mail size limits for parcels?

Royal Mail small parcels can measure up to 450 by 350 by 160 millimetres and weigh up to 2 kilograms. Medium parcels can measure up to 610 by 460 by 460 millimetres and weigh up to 20 kilograms. Always measure the finished packed box before choosing a service.

Can cardboard boxes for shipping be printed with my branding?

Yes. Shipping boxes can be printed with your logo, handling messages and brand colours on the outside, and some designs add print inside the lid as well. Printed boxes turn a delivery into a recognisable brand touchpoint while still protecting the goods.