Since post covid, the preferences of both consumers and manufacturers have evolved. People love to add products to their carts sitting with comfort in their homes. Manufacturers have also shifted their focus towards e-commerce. The product’s shipping is a very tough task. Reliable and durable packaging for shipping can create a difference. There are many packaging options available in the market. However, selecting the right e-commerce packaging becomes challenging for brands. Are you running an online business and want to find out the best and most protective shipping packaging solutions for ensuring the secure shipment of your high-valued goods? Mailer and cardboard shipping boxes are widely used to transport goods safely. But, it becomes an arduous task to select between these two options. We have got your backs. This blog unlocks the important details about shipping and mailer boxes like their differences, benefits and drawbacks. After reading this blog, you will be able to select an ideal box for your online store that suits your products. Let’s start it without any further ado.
Why E-commerce Brands Need to Choose the Right Packaging for Shipping?
Before diving deep into the comparison of shipping boxes and mailer boxes, let’s first discover the significance of selecting the right packaging for shipping. Here are the key reasons:
- Ensure product safety especially fragile
- Reflect your brand identity
- Offer buyers an unforgettable unboxing experience
- Complying with the standards of government regulatory bodies
- Elevate the product’s perceived value
- Convenient to store, ship and use
- Differentiate brand products from the rest
- Help in fostering client’s trust
- 100% eco-friendly packaging option
- Affordable tool for brand’s marketing
Exploring Differences between Custom Mailer Boxes and Shipping Boxes:
However, both custom mailers and shipping boxes are used for shipping and delivery services. However, they serve different functions and have distinctive features. Here we are going to analyze the differences between mailers and shipping boxes. First of all, let’s explore the key features of mailer boxes:
Custom Mailer Boxes
Material:
Mailer boxes are usually manufactured using cardboard corrugated papers. However, they are less sturdy and heavier than shipping boxes.
Branding Opportunity:
Mailers are an affordable option for brand marketing. You can customize them with logo, brands and slogans to reinforce brand identity. Branded mailer boxes leave a lasting impact on the clients and boost brand’s image as well.
Storage Space:
Mailers elevate the effectiveness of logistics. As they take less space in your warehouse as well as delivery trucks.
Cost:
In contrast to shipping boxes, mailers are the most economical choice per unit. Small brands can use these boxes for branding purposes.
Design:
Mailers are designed with a self-locking feature containing tuck flaps. They do not need any tape or adhesives. So, they are convenient to assemble.
Purpose:
Mailers are an excellent choice for the packaging of fragile and delicate items. Usually, they are used for branding, gift packaging or subscription business boxes.
Premium Unboxing Experience:
Rigid mailer boxes look captivating and aesthetically pleasing. So, they look adorable and offer clients an unforgettable unboxing experience.
Postage rates:
Mailer boxes are USPS-approved. USPS, FedEx, and UPS often offer flat-rate postage. So, flat-pack mailer boxes make perfect postal regulations for packaging.
Sustainability:
Kraft mailing boxes are manufactured using less paper and less glue. That’s why; it is considered a more sustainable choice than shipping boxes. It helps in waste reduction and lowers carbon footprints in the atmosphere. Brands can choose mailers to practice sustainable packaging trends and allure eco-conscious consumers.
Popular Types of Mailer Boxes:
- Corrugated mailer boxes
- Lightweight mailing boxes
- Rigid mailer boxes
- Kraft mailer boxes
- Printed mailer boxes
- Black corrugated mailer boxes
Custom Shipping Boxes:
Here are the key selling points of shipping boxes:
Material:
Shipping boxes for e-commerce are made using thick cardboard corrugated and paper board. That’s why; they are highly sturdy and can absorb traveling shocks.
Design:
Cardboard shipping boxes come in regular slotted container style. They feature flaps of same lengths. These flaps fold and interlock to meet at the center of the box. But, they need tape and adhesives for secure sealing.
Purpose:
Usually, custom cardboard shipping boxes are used for the storage and shipping of bulk or heavy items. Thus, they are an ideal choice to transport heavy and large items without any damage.
Protection:
Shipping boxes are a safe and sound packaging choice to ship heavy weight and fragile items. Additionally, we can make addition of custom inserts to keep products compact and undamaged.
Affordable:
Shipping boxes are cheap to ship bulk orders without compromising on the company’s budget.
Mailer vs. Shipping Boxes: Pros and Cons
Both of these e-commerce packaging options have downsides and upsides. Next we are going to explain the advantages and disadvantages of both mailer as well as shipping boxes.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Custom Mailer Boxes
| Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Light weight |
Initial high costs |
| Easy to use |
Longer production time |
| Branding opportunity |
Limited capacity for bulky items |
| Versatile |
Less protection |
| Affordable mailer boxes for small businesses |
Risk of damage |
| Eco-friendly |
Irresistible to extreme weather conditions |
Benefits and Drawbacks of Custom Shipping Boxes
| Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Excellent branding opportunity |
Expensive |
| Resilient packaging |
Order Quantity |
| Offer premium presentation |
Complex in design |
| Enhance unboxing experience |
Time consuming |
| Affordable shipping boxes wholesale |
Take up extra storage space |
| Sustainable |
Less convenient |
Final Note
Mailer boxes vs. shipping boxes which box’s style is perfect for product delivery? It is a never-ending debate. Long story short, both mailers and shipping boxes have their unique attributes. They both are equally popular among the clients. You can choose mailer boxes to pack fragile and high-valued gift items elevating the buyer’s unboxing experience. On the other hand, shipping boxes are made of thick corrugated paper. They are considered a great choice for the packaging of heavy items. They can last for longer and reused or recycled. We can conclude that both types of boxes can make a great choice for e-commerce businesses. Both have drawbacks and advantages. A brand can choose the box’s style based on branding needs, the product’s nature and its intended use. If you wish to order custom mailers or shipping boxes online, you can reach out to Urgent Boxes. Our company is the ultimate packaging manufacturer to experience first-rate packaging solutions under one shop at market-competitive prices. You can contact us any time. Our customer care support is available 24 hours.
FAQs:
Q: What is the difference between shipping boxes and mailer boxes?
The main difference between shipping and mailer boxes lies in their design, cost, material and durability.
Q: Which is better for e-commerce: shipping boxes or mailer boxes?
Usually, mailer boxes make the best option for e-commerce because of their premium quality, light-weight nature and high-end unboxing experience. However, shipping boxes are best choice to ship fragile and heavy items.
Q: Are mailer boxes strong enough for shipping?
Yes, mailer boxes are perfect choice for shipping. Packaging made with sturdy cardboard corrugated provides utmost protection to products during shipping and minimizes the chances of product’s damage.
Q: Can I design mailer boxes for branding purpose?
Yes, you can. We can customize these boxes with exclusive branding elements like logo, tag lines and slogans. In contrast to shipping boxes, mailers are viable to endless customized options. You can tailor packaging with artworks, images and graphics of your choice.
Q: How do I choose the right packaging for my business?
You can select right packaging for your business by considering following factors:
- Evaluate your product’s nature and quantity
- Intended use of package
- Keep in view company’s budget
- Branding needs
- Consumer’s unboxing experience
Q: Are mailer boxes more eco-friendly than shipping boxes?
Both shipping and mailer boxes can be an eco-friendly choice if they are manufactured using FSC certified materials. Generally, mailer boxes are friendlier to the environment than shipping boxes as they demand less material and have tape free design.
Q: Are shipping boxes recyclable?
Yes, shipping boxes are made of sturdy cardboard corrugated paper. So, they can withstand handling pressures and wears and tears. They can last for longer period. They are recycled as well reused.
