Custom Literature Mailers for Catalogues, Brochures and Papers

What is a literature mailer?

A literature mailer is a low, flat box made for printed paper. It folds from one blank into a tray with a lid that hinges at the back.

The lid tucks into the front wall, and a half-moon notch cut into that wall lets the reader lift it with a thumb. Inside, the stack lies flat with nothing pressing on its corners.

It is a simple shape, but it solves a real problem. Envelopes bend, and brochures that arrive creased look careless.

The low profile also helps in the post room. Literature mailers stack neatly on a trolley, slot into sacks without catching, and sit flat on a doormat or in a pigeonhole.

What size literature mailer do I need?

Start with the paper format, then add a little room. A sheet of A4 measures 297 × 210 mm. An inside size of about 305 × 220 mm leaves space to lift the stack out.

Depth depends on how much paper goes in. Stack the material, press it down lightly, and measure the height. Add a few millimetres for a cover letter or a ribbon.

If you post several formats, one A4 box can also carry A5 with a card spacer. Inside sizes are explained in our plain guide to measuring boxes.

Which board should a literature mailer use?

E flute, around 1.5 mm, is ideal for brochures and thin catalogues. It is light, folds neatly and keeps postage down.

B flute, at roughly 3 mm, gives a stiffer base for heavy stacks or bound reports. It also resists bending if the parcel ends up under other post.

White board looks clean and formal, which suits professional firms. Kraft looks plainer and hides marks from handling. For more on flute thickness, see our corrugated board flute guide.

Can literature mailers be printed?

Yes. Most firms start with their logo printed in a single ink across the lid. It looks tidy and keeps the cost low.

Two colour or full colour CMYK print can cover the whole lid. The inside of the lid can carry a welcome message or contact details.

Finishes include a matte or gloss laminate, spot UV and foil stamping. Embossing a crest or logo works well on white board for schools and firms.

What goes wrong when ordering literature mailers?

Measuring the paper but not the binding is a common slip. Ring binders, comb bindings and clips all add width and height.

Some people order a box exactly the size of the sheet. With no spare room, the stack is hard to lift out and the lid may not close flat.

Others choose a box far too deep. Paper then slides about and the corners get damaged, which defeats the point of the box.

A last one is forgetting what else goes in. Pens, USB sticks, sample cards and compliment slips all need space. List every extra before you measure, then add them to the stack height.

Is a literature mailer cheaper to post than a box?

Often it is. A shallow mailer can fit a lower parcel size band than a deeper carton, and E flute weighs very little.

Keep the depth as low as the contents allow. Our notes on how box size changes postage explain the bands.

Literature mailer, flat box or envelope?

A board-backed envelope is fine for a few sheets. Once you post a catalogue, a bound report or anything you want to look smart, a literature mailer is the safer choice.

Compared with a flat cardboard box with a separate lid, the literature mailer is one piece. That makes packing quicker and keeps storage simple.

If you post framed work or very large sheets, a different flat box style may suit better. Tell us what you send and we will point you to it.

How do schools and firms use printed literature mailers?

A prospectus in a printed box tells a family the school took care. A welcome pack in a branded mailer does the same for a new client or member of staff.

Professional firms often keep it plain outside and put the detail inside. A white box with a small logo on the lid looks calm on a reception desk. The inside lid can list contact names or next steps.

Sales teams use literature mailers for trade catalogues and sample swatches. The flat tray holds a catalogue on the bottom and a swatch card on top, so both arrive square and readable.

If you need dividers to keep several pieces apart, look at our thin chipboard dividers and partitions. A single card divider is often enough in a shallow mailer.

How do I order literature mailers?

Our quote form asks for five things here: paper size, stack depth, board, print and how many you need. Prefer to see it first? Sketch the shape in Design Your Box.

Unit prices start at £0.25, and you will get the exact figure in writing before anything is made. A free digital proof follows, with free layout help if you need it.

From sign-off, the mailers take 4–6 business days to make. A tracked parcel service brings them to your door 2–3 business days later, with no delivery charge to any UK address.

Should any mailers arrive misprinted, damaged or faulty, photograph them and let us know inside 10 days. We will replace them or refund you.