Hover to zoomCustom Ear Lock Mailer Boxes Sized to Your Product
From $0.30 a box Exact price in your emailed quote
An ear lock mailer closes with two small tabs that snap into the side walls. No tape or glue is needed, and the lid still opens cleanly. Tell us your inside size and we send a free design proof before anything is printed.
Quick answer
What are ear lock mailer boxes?
Ear lock mailer boxes are one-piece corrugated boxes with a hinged lid. Two ears on the lid push into slots in the side walls and hold it closed. The side walls fold double, so the edges feel thick and tidy.
Key facts
- Side ears lock the lid shut
- Double-layer side walls
- Reopens again and again
- Ships flat, folds by hand
- From $0.30 a box
- Free design proof
Ear Lock Mailer Boxes specifications
18 rows| Style | One-piece mailer with a hinged lid and front tuck |
|---|---|
| Closure | Lid ears lock into the side walls; front flap tucks in |
| Side walls | Folded twice for a thick, square edge |
| Board options | E flute (about 1/16 in), B flute (about 1/8 in), kraft or white |
| Plain, one color, two color or full color CMYK | |
| Inside print | Lid, walls and base can all carry artwork |
| Inserts | Card or corrugated inserts can be added to the quote |
| Supplied | Flat, ready to fold by hand |
| Printing | Unprinted, one color, two color or full color CMYK, outside and inside |
| Finishes | Natural kraft left uncoated, matte or gloss laminate, spot UV, foil stamping or embossing |
|---|---|
| Sizes | Built to your inside length × width × height in inches (mm also fine) |
| Artwork files | Vector PDF, AI, EPS or SVG work best; sharp PNG or JPG also accepted |
| Design help | Our designers set up the layout for free |
| Proof | Free design proof to approve before printing starts |
| Production | 4–6 business days once you approve the proof |
| Shipping | Free and tracked to any US address, 2–3 business days in transit |
| Misprints | Send photos within 10 days for a reprint or a refund |
| Price | From $0.30 a box; exact price in your emailed quote |
Common sizes
| Inside size (L × W × H) | Good for |
|---|---|
| 7 × 5 × 2 in | Lip balm sets, soap bars, small skincare duos |
| 9 × 6 × 3 in | Candle gift sets, tea and coffee samplers |
| 11 × 8 × 4 in | T-shirts, folded apparel and subscription kits |
| 13 × 10 × 4 in | Holiday gift boxes and welcome packs |
What is an ear lock mailer box?
Picture a shipping box that closes like a gift box. That is the idea here. It is cut and scored from a single sheet of corrugated board.
When you shut the lid, two ears on its sides slide into slots and lock. The front flap tucks under to finish the job. You can browse the wider set of mailer and postal box styles to compare it with other closures.
Who buys ear lock mailers?
Most buyers want a box that looks good on the doorstep and stays shut in transit. The lock gives them both without a roll of tape.
Small shops often start here when they outgrow plain brown cartons. Our page on packaging for growing small businesses covers the next steps.
- Etsy and Shopify sellers shipping candles, soap or jewelry
- Subscription brands packing a monthly kit
- Coffee roasters and tea shops sending sampler sets
- Gift companies selling boxes for Valentine's Day, Easter or birthdays
- Offices mailing welcome kits to new hires
Does it make a good unboxing?
Yes. The lid lifts in one motion and stays upright, so the inside print is the first thing a customer sees.
Because the walls are folded and not cut, nobody meets a rough edge. Add a sheet of tissue, a small card and a snug insert. That is often all a gift box needs.
A lid message in one color over a printed pattern inside looks sharp on camera. That helps if you send boxes to creators who film the opening.
How strong are the double side walls?
Each side wall folds back over itself before the lid closes. You end up with two layers of board down both sides.
That makes the box stiffer along its length and hides the raw board edge. For heavier items, compare the fold style with double wall boxes for heavier loads. We do not publish load ratings. Tell us what you are shipping and we will suggest a board.
Which board should I choose for an ear lock mailer?
Board thickness changes how the folds feel, how the print looks and how much the box can carry. Our flute guide for corrugated board explains each option in more depth.
| Board | Thickness | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| E flute, white | About 1/16 in (1.5 mm) | Smooth surface for bright full color print |
| E flute, kraft | About 1/16 in (1.5 mm) | Natural brown look, good with one or two colors |
| B flute, kraft or white | About 1/8 in (3 mm) | Thicker walls for jars, bottles and heavier sets |
| C flute, kraft | About 5/32 in (4 mm) | Extra cushion for fragile or awkward items |
What size ear lock mailer do I need?
Start with the product. Measure its length, width and height, then add any insert, tissue or card that goes in with it.
Give us the inside size in inches, or in millimeters if you prefer. Folded walls use up a little room at the top edge, so tall items need some extra height. If you are not sure, send the product dimensions and our designers will suggest a size. The steps in how to measure a box help if you are doing it yourself.
What print and finishes can I add?
You can print plain, one color, two color or full color CMYK. Print goes outside, inside or both. A pattern on the inner walls with a short message on the lid is a popular layout.
For finishes, pick uncoated kraft, matte or gloss lamination, spot UV, foil stamping or embossing. Foil on a dark lid looks especially rich. Try placements in Design Your Box and our designers will help prepare the files at no charge.
Artwork wraps over the folds on this style. The top edge of each side wall rolls over, so a band of color shows inside and out. Your free proof marks every fold line, so you can spot a logo sitting too close to an edge before we print.
How do you fold an ear lock mailer?
Your first box may take a minute or two. After a few, a packer can fold one in seconds.
- Lay the flat blank on a table with the inside facing up.
- Fold the end panels up, then bring the side walls over and down.
- Press the small base tabs into their slots.
- Add your product, insert and tissue.
- Close the lid, guide the ears into the side slots and tuck the front flap.
Can customers reuse or return the box?
They can. With no glue on the lid, the box opens and shuts many times and keeps its shape.
Customers tend to keep them for cables, cards, jewelry or craft supplies. For returns, the buyer repacks the item and adds a strip of tape or a label. If returns are common, print a short note inside the lid. Our page on reusable boxes for repeat use has more ideas.
Kraft board handles wear well. A laminated finish wipes clean if the box sits on a shelf.
What mistakes should I avoid?
- Picking thick board for a very small box, which makes the folds stiff
- Placing artwork over the ear slots, where it gets cut
- Leaving no headroom beneath the lid for the tissue and card you plan to add
- Shipping a heavy item with no insert, so it slides toward the ears
- Skipping the proof check on where the lid message lands
How do I order ear lock mailer boxes?
Ear lock mailers start from $0.30 a box. The exact figure is sent in your quote by email within one business day, once we know the size, board and print. Request it on our quote request page or by WhatsApp.
The free proof comes first. Production takes 4–6 business days after you approve it. Free tracked shipping to any US address then takes 2–3 business days.
Ear Lock Mailer Boxes: questions
12 answersWhat do the ears on this mailer do?
Two small tabs sit on either side of the lid. Closing the lid slides them into slots in the folded side walls, which holds it down.
Can I open and close the box more than once?
Yes. The lid is never glued, so you can open and shut it again and again. Many customers keep the box for storage.
Do I still need tape to ship it?
The ears hold well, but a strip of tape or a seal sticker across the front is a smart extra. It also shows if the box was opened.
Is this style stronger than a plain tuck mailer?
The doubled side walls stiffen the sides and the ears keep the lid from lifting. We do not publish load ratings, so tell us your product weight and we will suggest a board.
Can you print on the inside?
Yes. The inside of the lid, the inner walls and the base can each carry their own artwork, in one color or full color.
Which board do most gift brands pick?
White E flute is the usual choice. It gives a smooth surface for full color print and folds neatly.
Can you add an insert to hold my product?
Yes. Card or corrugated inserts can be added to your quote, cut to hold each item in place.
Is foil available on the lid?
Yes. Foil stamping, spot UV and embossing all work well, especially on a laminated lid.
What sizes can you make?
Any inside length, width and height you give us in inches or millimeters. The sizes above are starting points, not stock items.
How long until my ear lock mailers are produced and delivered?
The clock starts when you approve the proof. Production takes 4–6 business days, and free tracked shipping to any US address then takes 2–3 business days.
What if my ear lock mailers arrive misprinted or damaged?
Email us photos within 10 days of arrival. If the print is wrong or the mailers are damaged or defective, we will reprint them or refund you.
How do I get a price?
Send your size, board, print and quantity through the quote page, by email or on WhatsApp. Prices start from $0.30 a box, and the exact figure arrives by email within one business day.
Still have a question? Phone (503) 461-4788, send our team a WhatsApp message or write to info@ordercardboardboxes.com.
Design Your Box
Pick a box photo, drop your logo onto it, choose the print and send it over. Our designers return a free proof ready for printing.
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2Place your logo

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Selected: Ear Lock Mailer Boxes
Tell us about your boxes
Share the inside size, the board you want and how it should be printed. Our team emails a quote and a free design proof within one business day.
- Free design proof before any box is printed
- Made in 4–6 business days after you approve the proof
- Free tracked shipping to any US address
Rather talk it through? Phone (503) 461-4788 or chat with us on WhatsApp.



