Hover to zoomCustom Literature Mailers for Catalogs, Brochures and Reports
From $0.30 a box Exact price in your emailed quote
A literature mailer is a shallow box with a tuck-in lid, built to carry paper flat. Tell us the sheet size and the stack height, and we make the box to match.
Quick answer
What are literature mailers?
Literature mailers are low corrugated boxes with a lid that folds over from the back and tucks behind the front panel. They are cut around a paper size such as letter or half-letter. A small notch in the front panel lets you lift the lid with one finger.
Key facts
- Shallow, flat profile
- Thumb notch opens the lid
- Letter, half-letter, tabloid
- Kraft or white board
- From $0.30 a box
- Free design proof
Literature Mailers specifications
18 rows| Style | One-piece mailer with a tuck-in front lid |
|---|---|
| Front panel | Half-moon thumb notch cut into the edge |
| Usual board | E flute for thin packs; B flute for thick stacks |
| Outer color | White or natural kraft |
| Typical depth | 1 to 4 in, set by the height of the stack |
| Outside, inside or both; plain to full color CMYK | |
| Finishes | Matte or gloss lamination, spot UV, foil, embossing |
| Supplied | Flat, folds by hand with no glue |
| Board options | E, B or C flute single wall; BC flute double wall; kraft or white paperboard |
| Printing | Unprinted, one color, two color or full color CMYK, outside and inside |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 8.75 × 5.75 × 1.5 in | Half-letter booklets, flyers and menus |
| 11.25 × 8.75 × 2 in | Letter-size catalogs and brochures |
| 11.25 × 8.75 × 4 in | Thick report sets and binders |
| 17.25 × 11.25 × 2 in | Tabloid plans, charts and laid-flat prints |
What are literature mailers?
They are shallow boxes made for printed paper. One flat blank folds into a tray, and the lid hinges along the back edge.
The lid slides behind the front panel to stay shut. Inside, your stack lies flat and no one squeezes the corners.
Compared with a standard mailer box, the shape is longer and lower, so it suits sheets rather than objects.
Who orders literature mailers?
Anyone who ships paper that has to arrive crisp. Many buyers send the same pack again and again, so a fixed box saves time at the packing table. Small shops can start with a short run through our page for small business box orders.
- Manufacturers mailing catalogs to dealers and distributors
- Colleges sending admission packets and welcome folders
- Law, tax and real estate offices sending signed documents
- Print shops returning proofs and sample sets to clients
- Authors and publishers sending advance copies to reviewers
- Subscription brands shipping printed guides or art cards
What size literature mailer do I need?
Begin with the sheet size and add a small margin. A letter page is 8.5 × 11 in, so an inside size near 11.25 × 8.75 in works well.
Then set the depth. Stack everything you plan to send, press it gently, and measure the height. Add about 1/4 in for a cover note.
Not sure how to read box measurements? Our guide on how to measure a box covers length, width and height.
| Paper format | Sheet size | Suggested inside length × width |
|---|---|---|
| Half-letter | 8.5 × 5.5 in | About 8.75 × 5.75 in |
| Letter | 11 × 8.5 in | About 11.25 × 8.75 in |
| Legal | 14 × 8.5 in | About 14.25 × 8.75 in |
| Tabloid | 17 × 11 in | About 17.25 × 11.25 in |
Which board is best for literature mailers?
E flute, about 1/16 in thick, handles brochures and slim catalogs. It is light, folds cleanly and keeps packages small.
B flute, about 1/8 in, is stiffer. Pick it for hardbound books, thick manuals or packs that might sit under other cartons.
White board gives a neat, office-ready look. Kraft is plain and hides scuffs. The flute guide for corrugated board shows each thickness side by side.
Can I print on literature mailers?
Yes. Most buyers begin with a one-color logo on the lid. It reads well and keeps the price down.
Two-color and full color CMYK can cover the lid and sides. The underside of the lid is a good spot for a thank-you note or your phone number.
Lamination, spot UV, foil stamping and embossing are all available. For wider options, browse custom printed box styles.
How do I pack a literature mailer?
A careful minute at the packing table prevents bent corners and sliding paper.
- Open the flat blank and fold the side walls up and in.
- Tap the stack on a desk so every edge lines up.
- Lay the stack in the middle of the tray.
- Slip a sheet of card on top if the pages are loose.
- Close the lid and tuck the flap behind the front panel.
- Add a strip of tape for private papers, then place the label on the lid.
What mistakes should I avoid when ordering?
The usual slip is measuring pages and forgetting the binding. Spiral spines, clips and folders all add thickness.
Another is ordering a box that matches the sheet exactly. The stack then jams, and the lid will not sit flat.
Going too deep causes trouble as well. Paper shifts around and the edges fray in transit.
Finally, list every extra item first: pens, sample cards, a USB drive, a business card. If you need to separate pieces, see our corrugated inserts for boxes.
Do literature mailers save on shipping?
They can. A low, light box often lands in a smaller size tier than a deep carton holding the same pages.
Keep the height as small as your contents allow. Our page on cutting your box shipping costs explains why size matters.
Should I use a literature mailer, an envelope or a flat box?
A stiff envelope is fine for a few loose pages. For a catalog, a bound report or a client pack, the mailer protects far better.
A separate-lid box needs two parts to stock and match. The mailer is one piece, so packing is faster and storage is simpler.
Oversized or framed items may need something else, such as a flat cardboard box. Tell us what you ship and we will suggest a fit.
How do businesses brand literature mailers?
A college admissions packet in a printed mailer feels deliberate. A new client kit in a branded box says the same about your firm.
Many offices keep the outside quiet and use the inside lid for contact names and next steps. A white box with a small logo looks calm on a front desk.
Sales teams pair a catalog with a fabric swatch card. Both arrive flat and easy to read.
How do I order literature mailers?
The quote form asks for paper size, stack height, board, print and quantity. Want to see the layout first? Open Design Your Box and place your logo.
Pricing starts from $0.30 a box. We email the exact figure within one business day, then send a free design proof, with free layout help if you want it.
Once you approve the proof, your boxes spend 4–6 business days in production. Shipping is free and tracked to any US address, with 2–3 business days in transit.
If a box arrives misprinted, damaged or defective, send photos within 10 days. We reprint it or refund you.
Literature Mailers: questions
12 answersWhat is the notch on a literature mailer for?
It is a half-moon cut in the front panel. It gives your thumb a place to lift the lid.
What inside size fits letter paper?
About 11.25 × 8.75 in fits an 8.5 × 11 in page and leaves room to lift the stack out.
How deep should my mailer be?
Press your stack lightly, measure its height, and add about 1/4 in. Most run from 1 to 4 in.
Will it keep brochures from bending?
Yes. The flat base and walls hold paper straight, and B flute adds stiffness for heavy stacks.
Can you make a mailer for tabloid sheets?
Yes. An inside size near 17.25 × 11.25 in suits 11 × 17 in sheets laid flat.
Do you offer white literature mailers?
Yes. Choose white or kraft board, left plain or printed.
Can I print just the lid of my literature mailer and leave the rest plain?
Yes. One-color print on the lid of a literature mailer is the simplest and most affordable printed option.
Do I need tape to close it?
No, the tuck-in flap holds the lid. Add tape for private papers or long trips.
Will a three-ring binder fit?
Yes, if we size the box to it. Measure the closed binder, including the rings and spine.
How do the mailers arrive?
They ship flat and fold together by hand. No glue or staples are needed.
How soon can I get my order?
Production is 4–6 business days after proof approval. Add 2–3 business days for shipping.
Can one size handle two paper formats?
Yes. A letter-size box can carry half-letter pages if you add a card spacer so they stay put.
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.
1Choose a box
2Place your logo
Add your logo to preview it on this box
Selected: Literature Mailers
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.