Hover to zoomCustom Postal Boxes Sized to Keep Parcels Small
From £0.25 per unit Price confirmed on your written quote
Corrugated postal boxes made to the size of what you send, so you post less air and use less fill. Choose kraft or printed board, then check a free digital proof before production starts.
Quick answer
What are postal boxes?
Postal boxes are corrugated boxes built for sending goods through the post. They are sized closely to the contents, fold flat for storage and close with tuck flaps, a crash-lock base or a peel-and-seal strip. Most are made in kraft E or B flute board.
Key facts
- Cut close to keep parcels small
- Peel-and-seal strip on request
- Tear strip for easy opening
- Ships flat, folds in seconds
- From £0.25 per unit
- Free digital proof
Postal Boxes specifications
18 rows| Style | One-piece postal box with tuck lid, or crash-lock base |
|---|---|
| Closure | Tuck flap, tape, or a peel-and-seal adhesive strip |
| Opening | Optional tear strip so the customer opens without a knife |
| Typical board | E or B flute kraft; C flute for heavier contents |
| Typical sizes | Slim boxes for flat items through to shoebox sizes |
| Inserts | Card or corrugated inserts to fix items in place |
| Returns | Second adhesive strip can be added for customer returns |
| Delivery state | Supplied flat; folds up without glue |
| Board options | Single wall B, C or E flute; double wall BC flute; kraft or white folding board |
| Printing | Plain, one or two colour, or full colour CMYK; inside and outside print available |
|---|---|
| Finishes | Uncoated kraft, matte or gloss lamination, spot UV, foil stamping, embossing |
| Sizes | Made to your inside length, width and height in mm, cm or inches |
| Artwork files | PDF, AI, EPS or SVG preferred; high-resolution PNG or JPG accepted |
| Design help | Free layout help from our design team |
| Proof | Free digital proof before anything is printed |
| Production | 4–6 business days after proof approval |
| Delivery | Tracked, 2–3 business days; free across the UK |
| Misprints | Reported within 10 days with photos: reprinted or refunded |
Common sizes
| Inside size (L × W × H) | Good for |
|---|---|
| 220 × 160 × 20 mm | Flat items such as prints and mobile cases |
| 220 × 160 × 60 mm | Small clothing and accessories |
| 250 × 175 × 100 mm | Bottles, jars and small gift sets |
| 300 × 215 × 110 mm | Shoes, homeware and larger bundles |
| 380 × 300 × 140 mm | Bulky soft goods and multi-item orders |
What are postal boxes?
Postal boxes are corrugated boxes designed for one job: getting goods through the post intact and at the lowest sensible size. They are lighter and smaller than general shipping cartons.
Our photos show the main shapes. One is a flat-folded kraft box with a tuck lid. Another is a set of boxes with a red peel strip ready to seal, beside a slim closed box for flat items. A fourth has a dark outer and a card insert holding small items in place.
Every one of them arrives flat. That matters for small businesses packing from a spare room or a small unit, where storage space is tight.
Why does a close fit save money?
Parcels are priced by size bands as well as weight. A box with spare height can push a parcel into a dearer band, even when the contents are light.
A box cut to your product keeps the parcel as small as it can be. It also cuts the amount of paper or air pillows you buy. Our guide on lowering the cost of UK parcels covers size bands in more depth.
Before choosing a size, check the limits your carrier sets for each band. A few millimetres off the height can be the difference between two prices.
Which closure should I choose?
Closures change how fast you pack and how the customer opens the box. The table below compares the options.
Peel-and-seal is the most popular for busy packing benches. For a closer look at that style, see our self seal mailer boxes.
| Closure | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Tuck flap | Lid tucks into the front | Neat, reusable boxes |
| Tape sealed | Flaps closed with packing tape | Heavier contents |
| Peel-and-seal | Adhesive strip under a backing | Fast packing, no tape gun |
| Tear strip | Pull tab opens the box cleanly | Easy opening for customers |
| Double adhesive | Second strip for sending back | Shops with frequent returns |
Who uses postal boxes?
Anyone sending a steady stream of orders through the post. They suit businesses where speed at the packing bench matters as much as the look of the box.
Fashion sellers and pharmacies often add the returns strip, as customers send items back more often.
Trade sample senders are a quieter group. A small printed postal box with a card insert presents a sample far better than a padded envelope does.
- Online shops on marketplaces and their own sites
- Clothing and footwear sellers
- Health and beauty retailers
- Mobile accessory and electronics sellers
- Craft makers posting to customers
- Businesses sending samples to trade buyers
How do I measure for a postal box?
Start with the product exactly as it will be packed, including any bag, sleeve or retail box. Measure at the widest points, then think about how much protection it needs.
Soft items such as clothing can be folded to suit the box. Rigid items set the size, so measure those carefully.
- Pack the item as it will go to the customer.
- Take the three largest measurements of the packed item.
- Add 3 to 5 mm per side for a soft or wrapped item.
- Add more for fragile items that need wrap or an insert.
- Check the result against your carrier's size bands.
- Send us the inside size and quantity.
Single wall or double wall for posting?
Most postal boxes are single wall. E flute keeps light parcels slim, and B flute suits heavier or more delicate items. C flute adds cushioning for jars and bottles.
Double wall is rarely needed for posted orders but makes sense for dense or valuable goods. The comparison on single and double wall board sets out when to move up.
Heavier parcels also need a sturdier seal. Tape the centre seam and both edges on anything with weight, even if the box has an adhesive strip.
Can postal boxes be printed?
Yes. Plain kraft is common for postal boxes, but print can go on the outside, the inside or both. Options run from one or two colours through to full colour CMYK.
Many sellers print a simple logo on the lid and a thank-you line inside. That keeps cost sensible while making the parcel recognisable on a doorstep. Try a layout in Design Your Box.
Printed packing tape is another low-cost way to brand a plain box. It suits sellers who want their name on every parcel without printing the board itself.
- Uncoated kraft for a practical look
- Matte or gloss lamination on printed boxes
- Spot UV on a logo
- Foil stamping or embossing on gift orders
How do I pack a postal box well?
Put heavy items on the base and lighter ones on top. Fill gaps so nothing can slide, but do not overfill, as a bulging lid will not seal properly.
For bottles and jars, use an insert or wrap each one separately. The boxed insert in our photos shows how a simple card frame keeps small items apart.
Seal the box fully, then add the label to the largest flat face. Keep it clear of fold lines and tear strips.
Can one postal box size cover my whole range?
Sometimes, but it rarely saves as much as it seems. A single large box means smaller orders travel with lots of empty space, which costs more in postage and fill.
Most shops do well with two or three sizes. Look at your order history, group products by size, and pick a box for each group. That usually covers the large majority of orders.
Keep the same print across all sizes so every parcel looks like it came from the same place. Each size gets its own proof before anything is made.
What are common postal box mistakes?
These are the slips that cost sellers the most in postage and returns.
Most of them are easy to fix once spotted. A quick look at a week of returns and damage photos usually shows which one applies to your packing bench.
- Using a deep box for a flat item
- Overfilling so the lid bulges and splits
- Placing the address label over a tear strip
- Choosing E flute for heavy glass
- Forgetting a returns strip for fashion orders
How do I order postal boxes?
Postal boxes are available from £0.25 per unit, with the exact price agreed on a written quote. After proof approval, we produce them in 4–6 business days. Tracked delivery then takes 2–3 business days and is free to all UK addresses.
- Send your item sizes, closure choice and quantity.
- Choose board, print and any inserts.
- Approve the free digital proof from our designers.
- Receive the boxes flat and ready to pack.
Postal Boxes: questions
12 answersWhat is the difference between a postal box and a shipping box?
A postal box is usually smaller, lighter and sized for single orders sent by post. Shipping boxes tend to be larger cartons for heavier or bulk loads.
Can postal boxes have a peel-and-seal strip?
Yes. An adhesive strip under a peel-off backing seals the box without tape.
Can you add a tear strip?
Yes. A tear strip lets the customer open the box cleanly without a knife.
Can customers reuse the box for returns?
Yes, if you add a second adhesive strip. The customer uses it to reseal the box after the first strip is torn.
Which board suits most posted orders?
E or B flute kraft works for most posted orders. Step up to C flute when you send jars or bottles.
Will a smaller box lower my postage?
Often, yes. A box cut closely to your product can keep a parcel in a smaller size band.
Can postal boxes hold flat items?
Yes. A slim box made to the item's thickness suits prints, mobile cases and similar goods.
Can I print my logo on a postal box?
Yes. One colour on kraft is popular, and full colour CMYK is also available inside and out.
Do postal boxes need an insert?
Not usually for soft goods. Bottles, jars and small loose items travel better with one.
How long do postal boxes take to make?
We make them in 4–6 business days once the proof is approved. Tracked delivery takes a further 2–3 business days.
What if the postal boxes arrive misprinted?
Report any misprint, damage or defect within 10 days, sending photos. Affected boxes are reprinted or refunded.
How do I ask about a postal box quote?
Email info@ordercardboardboxes.co.uk or message us on WhatsApp with your item size and quantity.
Not covered here? Message the trade desk on WhatsApp or email info@ordercardboardboxes.co.uk.
Design Your Box
Choose a box from the photos, place your logo on it, pick the print and send it. We turn it into a free print-ready proof.
1Choose a box
2Place your logo
Upload a logo to see it on the box
Selected: Postal Boxes
Send us the full brief
Give us the size, the board and the print. A packaging specialist replies within one business day with a written price and a free digital proof.
- Free digital proof before anything is printed
- Production 4–6 business days after proof approval
- Free tracked delivery across the UK