For anyone shipping products, choosing the right mailer box size is a life-saving decision. An effective mailer packaging not just provides a box that fits rather it offers optimal customer experience, safe product delivery, and affordable production.
Did you know that product damage caused by improper packaging costs businesses an average of $2 billion annually in the USA alone? So, choosing the right packaging size is important to maintain customer satisfaction and beat the expected sales number.
However, various size options and shipping carrier requirements often make the choice overwhelming. Generally, the box should be big enough to adjust the mailing item without any risk of damage during shipping.
Even so, what about the exact dimensions of mailer boxes? Well, this blog post is a complete guide for those who manufacture, carry, package or deliver mail items to the customer end. Read ahead to know the standard and custom box sizes with the right measurement techniques for different thanksgiving ideas.
Understanding Why Mailer Box Size Matters?
E-commerce shipping counts as incomplete without mailer boxes. Their sturdy composition and durable material keep products safe during transit. However, they are not only limited to retail shipping or transportation rather these are available in a variety of sizes from small to medium, large, or others with custom dimensions perfect for everyday products.
Importantly, one thing that makes a difference is their precise size which counts both exterior and interior dimensions.
The exterior dimensions of a box decide the shipping cost of a mailer package, whereas interior dimensions provide room to mailing items along with any protective material like bubble wrap or custom inserts. Inaccurate box dimensions lead to an increasing risk of damage or shipping costs.
In fact, it's not all about product safety, the right mailer box size also contributes to product presentation. For businesses, it's important to measure these boxes first to avoid the hassle of returns or damaged goods.
Standard Mailer Box Sizes
Small Boxes
A small mailer box is a practical option for many businesses including retailers to ship compact items. These come in different dimensions to fit a range of smaller products while lowering their shipping cost. The common sizes are:
- 6" × 6" × 2"
- 7" × 5" × 2"
- 8" × 6" × 2"
- 9" × 6" × 3"
- 10" × 7" × 4"
Each of these options is great for packaging small, delicate, and slightly bulky items as per your product details like:
- Jewelry and cosmetics
- Keychains and phone accessories
- Tech gadgets and stationery items
- T-shirts or premium gifts
- Handheld gadgets or toys
Small mailer packaging is a go-to option for e-commerce startups and even brands with large volumes of orders. They reduce shipping cost and ensure that you are not paying unnecessarily for extra dimensions. Above all, these use minimum material which saves manufacturing cost as well.
Medium Boxes
Medium-sized mailer box often serves as secondary retail packaging and holds several units of primary packaging at a time. This is because the primary packaging is unable to withstand rough handling during transportation.
The common size range is as follows:
- 9" × 6" × 2"
- 12" × 9"× 3"
- 14"× 10" × 4"
- 16" × 12" × 4"
Medium mailer boxes are ideal for packaging products including:
- Clothing and cosmetics
- Books and apparel
- Electronics and accessories
- Bulk items or product sets
These boxes are perfect for retailers who want to balance available space and shipping efficiency. The right size of the box is largely based on your particular type of products that can save on manufacturing or shipping cost in the same place.
Large Boxes
Large mailer boxes carry oversized items or usually multiple items to retail outlets. These are more like tertiary retail packaging with multiple secondary shipping units in one place. Their sturdy composition and thoughtfully huge structure resist damage or collapse during transit. Their standard size also varies as follows:
- 20" × 15" × 6"
- 24" × 18" × 10"
- 30" × 24" × 12"
- 36" × 24" × 12"
All these standard sizes are ideal to package:
- Bulky clothing accessories
- Large electronic devices or appliances
- Bedding sets and pillows
- Sports equipment
Though these mailer boxes use heavy materials and cost more than smaller ones, they are good for delivering multiple items in a single shipment without damaging any product.
Custom Mailer Packaging Size
Customized boxes provide flexibility when standard sizes don't fit the product perfectly. It's a great option when your product is too small, too large, or has an unusual shape.
In this case, custom mailer boxes come into play to accommodate your unique products.
Though you can order a box with dimensions of your choice, here are some common ones:
- Die-cut Boxes (8.5" × 5.5" × 2") for particular product shapes
- Custom Folded Boxes (12" × 8" × 4") for unusual dimensions
- Oversized Boxes (24" × 18" × 6") for large products
- Miniature Boxes (4" × 3" × 1") for small products
- Irregular Shapes either triangular or hexagonal to match product design
- Telescoping Boxes or two-piece boxes with varying heights (12" × 8" × 6-12")
- Dimensional Boxes (10" × 5" × 8")
These custom options are ideal for unique products that not only provide protection but also improve the overall presentation.
So, understand your packaging requirements first and then decide whether you need to go with standard sizes or tailored ones to excel in the market.
Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring Mailer Box Size
Mailer packaging size matters for e-commerce sellers, retailers, and business owners who are looking for an effective shipping strategy. The right size of a box keeps products secure during transit, saves money on shipping, upgrades customer experience, and reduces environmental waste. Above all, it helps businesses create a standard inventory for large volumes of shipment. So, this guide is helpful for anyone who is into shipping or delivering goods online.
1. Start with Your Tools
The first step is super simple - just gather the right tools to measure the box accurately. Required tools are:
- Use a ruler or tape measure to get the exact size of your product
- A calculator to add up dimensions or calculate the total size
- The product itself as well as any packaging material like foam or bubble wrap to put into the box
Without these basic tools, you can just guess dimensions which means there are chances of ending up with too small l (hello, damaged product) or too big boxes (goodbye, affordable shipping). So, make sure you have everything on hand before getting into the exact measurement process.
2. Measure your Product Dimensions
Measuring your product is important to calculate the right size of a mailer box. This involves the exact measurement of the product's length, width, and height.
Here's how to measure:
Length
Find the longest side of your product, it's length. For example, if you are shipping a book, the distance between the spine and the opposite edge counts as the length of the book. Measure it in either inches or centimeters.
Width
Find the widest point of your product by going across it. Perpendicular to the length, it counts as a side-to-side measurement which is important to get right, especially for irregular shapes.
Height
Now, the remaining dimension is your product's height, it's from top to bottom. For example, in the case of the mug, the distance from its base to the lip counts as height.
This is the step that gives you an idea about the right mailer box size and helps you make the right choice.
3. Add Space for Packaging Material
Consider these initial measurements primary as your product wouldn't travel solo, it needs cushioning for safe arrival.
Think about it, you have to add some type of protective layer like bubble wrap or foam inserts while packaging the product either a fragile glass or apparel. Since it takes some space, add at least 1-2 inches to each dimension (length, width, and height) to end up with the right mailer size. These compensating measurements depend on the premium quality or fragility of a product.
Without adding these, your product might fit in the box, yet it can be damaged upon rough handling during transit.
4. Calculate your Ideal Mailer Box Size
Now, when you have the exact dimensions, it's time to calculate the perfect mailer packaging size. Consider the length of your product first and add 1-2 inches of space for cushioning material.
Do the same for the width and height of your product and add some extra space according to your product safety needs. Don't add too much space to any of the dimensions so that the box and additional packaging material can provide a snug fit together.
5. Measure the Box Interior, Not the Exterior
Keep in mind that you have the final dimensions for the interior of the mailer box. So, don't consider the external dimensions of the box since the material thickness often affects its size.
In fact, it's the inside space of a box that your product requires to stay safe during shipping.
6. Consider the Box Shape
Besides the size of mailer packaging, consider the shape of the product as well. This is because not all the products are created the same as some are perfectly square while others have unique geometry. So, make your mailer box accountable for any protruding part of a product.
For example, shipping a t-shirt is straightforward while packaging a coffee mug needs extra consideration for the handle.
7. Check Carrier Requirements
Different shipping carriers like USPS, FedEx, or UPS have size limits for shipping boxes. So, your mailer box size should remain within its maximum size limits.
To do this, calculate the total dimensions (length + girth) and double-check the rules and regulations of a particular shipping carrier to avoid any surprises or extra charges on shipping.
8. Do a Final Test
Now, test the box with your calculated dimensions by packing your product inside to see if it works properly.
If it fits perfectly, you are good to go. However, if it fails to exceed your product needs, look back on your calculations before ordering boxes in bulk.
In conclusion, don't sacrifice your product quality just because of general-sized shipping boxes. Rather, work on your packaging strategy and know the right size of a mailer box for each product line to enhance customer experience and unboxing moments subtly.