Hover to zoomCustom Postal Boxes Cut Close to Your Product
From $0.30 a box Exact price in your emailed quote
These corrugated postal boxes are made to the inside size of your item, so each package ships small and needs less filler. Pick kraft or printed board, and we send a free design proof before anything is printed.
Quick answer
What are postal boxes?
Postal boxes are one-piece corrugated mailing boxes sized tightly to what you ship. They arrive flat, fold up by hand and close with a tuck flap, a crash lock base or a peel and seal strip. Most are made from kraft E flute or B flute board.
Key facts
- Cut close to trim package size
- Peel and seal strip optional
- Tear strip for clean opening
- Ships flat, folds without glue
- From $0.30 a box
- Free design proof
Postal Boxes specifications
18 rows| Style | One-piece postal box with tuck lid or crash lock base |
|---|---|
| Closure | Tuck flap, packing tape or a peel and seal adhesive strip |
| Opening | Optional tear strip, so no knife or scissors are needed |
| Typical board | Kraft E flute or B flute; C flute for jars and bottles |
| Plain, one color, two color or full color CMYK, inside and out | |
| Inserts | Corrugated or paperboard inserts to hold items still |
| Returns option | A second adhesive strip lets the customer reseal the box |
| Supplied | Flat, ready to fold with no glue or staples |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Common sizes
| Inside size (L × W × H) | Good for |
|---|---|
| 9 × 6 × 1 in | Art prints, phone cases and flat accessories |
| 9 × 6 × 2 in | Folded tees, scarves and small gifts |
| 10 × 7 × 4 in | Candles, jars, bottles and gift sets |
| 12 × 9 × 4 in | Shoes, kitchenware and bundled orders |
| 15 × 12 × 5 in | Bulky apparel and multi-item orders |
What are postal boxes?
A postal box is a one-piece corrugated box built to mail a single order. It is lighter and smaller than a standard shipping carton.
The usual styles are a kraft box with a tuck lid, a crash lock base box and a slim box with a peel and seal strip. Some add an insert to hold small items apart.
All of them arrive flat. That helps sellers who pack from a garage, a spare room or a small stockroom.
Why does a snug fit lower shipping costs?
Carriers price packages by weight and by package dimensions. A box with extra height can push a light package into a pricier bracket.
A snug box also trims the paper, air pillows and void fill you buy. Our guide to the cheapest way to ship boxes shows where the savings tend to come from.
Check your carrier's size limits before you settle on a height. A quarter inch can change the rate.
Which closure should I choose?
The closure sets how fast you pack and how the customer opens the box. The table lays out each option.
Peel and seal is a favorite on busy packing tables. If that style appeals, look at our self seal mailer box range.
| Closure | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Tuck flap | The lid tucks into a slot at the front | Light items and tidy presentation |
| Crash lock base | The base snaps into shape when you open it | Quick folding in volume |
| Taped flaps | Packing tape closes the lid | Heavier contents |
| Peel and seal | An adhesive strip sits under a liner | Fast packing without a tape gun |
| Tear strip | A pull tab opens the box cleanly | Easy opening for customers |
| Second strip | A spare adhesive strip for reclosing | Stores with frequent returns |
Who buys postal boxes?
Any business that ships a steady flow of single orders. They fit teams where packing speed matters as much as the look of the box.
Apparel brands and subscription sellers often add the returns strip. Customers send items back more often in those categories.
Sample mailings are a quieter use. A small printed box with an insert shows off a sample better than a padded bag does.
- Etsy and Shopify sellers
- Clothing and shoe brands
- Subscription box companies
- Cosmetics and wellness shops
- Phone case and accessory sellers
- Craft makers and print shops
- Offices sending samples to buyers
How do I measure for a postal box?
Start with the item packed the way the customer will get it, including any bag, sleeve or retail carton. Then think about how much protection it needs.
Soft goods can be folded to fit. Rigid goods set the size, so measure them with care. Our guide on how to measure a box covers the details.
- Pack the item as it will ship.
- Measure the longest, widest and tallest points.
- Add about 1/8 in per side for soft or wrapped goods.
- Add more room for wrap or an insert on fragile goods.
- Compare the result with your carrier's size brackets.
- Send us the inside size in inches and your quantity.
Single wall or double wall for mailing?
Most postal boxes use single wall board. E flute (about 1/16 in) keeps light packages slim, and B flute (about 1/8 in) suits sturdier needs. C flute (about 5/32 in) adds cushion for jars and bottles.
Double wall BC flute (about 1/4 in) is rarely needed for mailed orders. It can make sense for dense or high-value goods, and our page on single wall versus double wall explains when to step up.
Heavier packages also need a stronger seal. Run tape along the center seam and both edges, even on a box with an adhesive strip.
Can I print on postal boxes?
Yes. Plain kraft is common, but print can go on the outside, the inside or both. Choose one color, two colors or full color CMYK.
A simple logo on the lid with a thank-you note inside keeps costs sensible. The package still looks like yours when it lands on a porch. Try a layout in Design Your Box.
Our designers help with layout at no charge, and you approve a free proof first.
- Uncoated kraft for a plain, practical look
- Matte or gloss lamination on printed boxes
- Spot UV on a logo
- Foil stamping or embossing for gift orders
How should I pack a postal box?
Set heavy items on the bottom and lighter ones on top. Fill gaps so nothing slides, but do not overstuff. A bulging lid will not close flat.
Bottles and jars travel better with an insert or their own wrap. A simple corrugated frame keeps them from touching.
Close the box fully, then put the label on the largest flat face. Keep it off fold lines and tear strips.
How many box sizes do I need?
One size for everything sounds simple, but it rarely pays off. Small orders end up shipping in a lot of empty space.
Two or three sizes will cover the needs of most sellers. Sort a month of orders by item size and choose one box for each group.
Keep the print the same across sizes so every package looks consistent. Each size gets its own proof.
What mistakes should I avoid with postal boxes?
A few small errors cause most of the extra shipping cost and damage claims.
They are easy to fix once you spot them. Review a week of returns and damage photos to see which one applies to you.
- Using a tall box for a flat item
- Overfilling until the lid bulges and splits
- Placing the shipping label across a tear strip
- Choosing E flute for heavy glass
- Skipping the returns strip on apparel orders
How do I order postal boxes?
Postal boxes start from $0.30 a box. The exact figure is sent in your quote by email within one business day.
Once you approve the proof, we make your order in 4–6 business days. Free tracked shipping to any US address then takes 2–3 business days. You can begin with a quote request for postal boxes.
- Send item sizes, closure choice and quantity.
- Pick board, print and any inserts.
- Approve the free design proof.
- Receive the boxes flat and ready to fold.
Postal Boxes: questions
12 answersHow is a postal box different from a shipping box?
A postal box is smaller and lighter and made for single orders. Shipping boxes are usually bigger cartons for heavy or bulk loads.
Can you add a peel and seal strip?
Yes. An adhesive strip under a peel-off liner closes the box without tape.
Can the box open with a tear strip?
Yes. A tear strip lets customers open the box cleanly without a knife or scissors.
Can customers use the box for returns?
Yes, if you add a second adhesive strip. The customer reseals the same box and sends it back.
Which board works for most mailed orders?
Kraft E flute or B flute covers most orders. Move up to C flute for jars and bottles.
Will a smaller box reduce my shipping rate?
Often it will. A box cut close to the product can keep a package in a lower dimensional bracket.
Can I get a postal box for flat items?
Yes. A slim box made to the item's thickness suits prints, phone cases and similar goods.
Can my logo be printed on the box?
Yes. One color on kraft is popular, and full color CMYK is available inside and outside.
Do I need an insert for my product?
Soft goods usually do not. Bottles, jars and loose small items ride better with one.
How soon will my custom postal boxes ship?
Once you approve the proof, postal boxes take 4–6 business days to produce. Free tracked US shipping then adds 2–3 business days.
What if my postal boxes have a print error or arrive crushed?
Report it within 10 days and include photos. We reprint or refund the affected postal boxes.
How can I reach you about a quote?
Email info@ordercardboardboxes.com, message us on WhatsApp or call (503) 461-4788, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm Eastern.
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: Postal 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.