Custom Shipping Boxes Cut to Your Exact Inside Size

What counts as a shipping box?

A shipping box is any corrugated carton strong enough to travel without an outer wrap. The fluted middle layer gives it stiffness, so corners hold their shape when parcels are stacked in a van.

The two shapes we make most are the slotted carton, with four flaps top and bottom, and the folding mailer with a hinged lid. Both start life as one flat sheet that you fold at your bench.

Because the fold lines are pressed into the board at the factory, every box folds square. That keeps the walls upright and helps the carton keep its strength once it is full.

If you want to see the wider family of outer cartons, browse our corrugated and shipping box range before you settle on a style.

Single wall or double wall: which board should I pick?

Single wall board has one fluted layer between two liners. C flute, at about 4 mm, suits the bulk of everyday parcels. B flute, at about 3 mm, folds tighter and prints a little cleaner.

Double wall BC board stacks two flutes for a wall of about 7 mm. Choose it for heavy goods, glass, or boxes that will sit at the bottom of a stack.

Not sure which suits your load? Our guide comparing single wall and double wall boxes walks through real examples.

Can shipping boxes be printed?

Yes. Plain kraft is the cheapest route, and many sellers simply add a printed label. When you want the box to carry your name, we print one colour, two colour or full colour CMYK.

Mailer styles can also be printed on the inside, which customers see as soon as the lid opens. Finishes run from uncoated kraft to matte or gloss lamination, spot UV, foil stamping and embossing.

Our designers help with layout at no charge, and you approve a free digital proof before anything goes to press.

A simple one colour logo on kraft often gives the best value. It reads clearly, keeps print costs down, and suits brands that like a natural, unbleached look.

Which shipping box style suits my goods?

A slotted carton is the workhorse. It packs fast, takes deep items and seals with a strip of tape along each seam.

A folding mailer suits flatter goods and gift orders. It locks shut with tabs and looks tidy on arrival, which matters when the box is the first thing a buyer sees.

For heavy cases of jars or tins, a slotted carton in double wall is usually the safer choice.

Some sellers use both. They keep a slotted carton for bulk and trade orders, and a printed mailer for single retail orders where presentation counts. Each style can share the same artwork, so the two still look like one brand.

If you are torn between the two, send us a photo of the goods and the way you pack them now. We will suggest the style that wastes the least space.

What mistakes do people make when ordering shipping boxes?

The most common slip is sending outside measurements. Board thickness then eats into the space, and the product no longer fits.

Another is choosing a box far bigger than needed. Couriers charge by size as well as weight, so empty space costs money on every parcel. Our tips on cutting postage costs on UK parcels explain how size bands work.

Finally, people sometimes pick single wall for goods that will be stacked high in storage. If boxes will carry weight from above, ask us about double wall.

How long do shipping boxes take to arrive?

Production starts once you approve the proof and runs for 4 to 6 business days. After that, a tracked courier brings the bundles to you within 2 to 3 business days.

Delivery is free to every UK address. Boxes arrive flat, banded in bundles, so they take up far less shelf space than assembled cartons.

If you have a launch date or a busy week ahead, tell us when you first ask for a quote. We can then plan the proof stage around your timeline rather than leaving it to chance.