Custom Ear Lock Mailer Boxes with Locking Side Ears

What is an ear lock mailer box?

It is a folding corrugated mailer cut from one flat sheet. When the lid comes down, two small ears on its sides push into slots in the side walls and lock in place.

The front flap then tucks in to finish the closure. The result is a box that feels firm when shut, with no tape showing. It sits within our wider range of mailer and postal boxes as the style most often chosen for gifts.

Does an ear lock box make a good unboxing?

It is one of the better styles for it. The lid lifts in one movement and stays upright on its hinge, so the inside print is on show straight away.

Because the walls are folded rather than cut, there are no rough edges facing the person opening it. A sheet of tissue, a printed card on top and a snug insert are usually all you need. Several of our photos show a lid message in a single colour against a printed inner pattern. That kind of contrast reads well in a phone video, which matters if you send boxes to creators.

How strong are the double side walls?

On an ear lock mailer, each side wall is folded over on itself before the lid closes. That means two layers of board along both sides, with a rounded fold on top.

This makes the sides noticeably stiffer than a single panel. It also hides the raw edge of the board, which gives a neat finish when the box is open. We do not quote load ratings, so if your product is heavy, tell us the weight and we will suggest a board.

Which board should I pick?

The board sets the wall thickness, the print surface and how the box feels when handled. Read our guide to corrugated flute sizes if you want more detail.

What size ear lock mailer do I need?

Start with the inside size. Measure the product, or the product plus any insert, and give us length, width and height in mm, cm or inches.

Leave room for tissue or shred if you use it, but not so much that items move. The double side walls take up a little space at the top edge, so allow a few millimetres of extra height for tall items. If you are unsure, send us the product size and we will work out the box for you.

Printing and finishes for gift mailers

We print plain, one colour, two colour or full colour CMYK, outside, inside or both. A repeat pattern on the inside walls with a message on the lid is a common layout in our photos.

On the finishing side you can choose uncoated kraft, a matte or gloss laminate, spot UV, foil or embossing. Foil on the lid of a black box is a favourite for gift work. Try layouts in Design Your Box before you order, and our designers will help set up the files for free.

Print on an ear lock box wraps around folds more than on a flat carton. The side walls roll over the top edge, so a band of colour there shows both inside and out. Our proof marks every fold line. You can see where a pattern will break or a logo sits too close to an edge.

Can ear lock boxes be reused or returned?

They can. With no glue holding the lid, the box opens cleanly and folds shut again many times without losing its shape.

Customers often keep them for jewellery, cables, cards or craft supplies. For returns, the buyer can repack the item in the same box and add a strip of tape or a label. If returns are common for you, print short instructions inside the lid so the customer knows the box is meant to go back. Kraft board ages well with handling, while a laminated finish wipes clean if the box will be stored on a shelf.

Ordering ear lock mailer boxes

Ear lock mailers are priced from £0.25 per unit, confirmed in writing once we know your size and print. Ask for a price through our quick trade quote form or by WhatsApp.

Your free digital proof comes first. Production then takes 4 to 6 business days from approval, and tracked delivery takes 2 to 3 business days. Shipping is free to all UK addresses.