Hover to zoomCustom Small Mailing Boxes for Compact Parcels
From £0.25 per unit Price confirmed on your written quote
Small mailing boxes are fold-up postal cartons sized for jewellery, cosmetics, samples and other light items. Tell us the inside size and print you want, and a free digital proof comes back before anything is made.
Quick answer
What are small mailing boxes?
Small mailing boxes are compact corrugated cartons that fold from one flat piece and close with a tuck-in front lid. They are made to the inside size of a small product, so it sits snugly without lots of filler. Most are cut from thin E flute board, which keeps parcels light and neat.
Key facts
- Fold from one flat sheet
- Tuck-in lid with dust flaps
- Thin E flute keeps weight down
- Plain kraft or printed
- From £0.25 per unit
- Free digital proof
Small Mailing Boxes specifications
18 rows| Style | Tuck-front postal carton, rolled ends, two dust flaps |
|---|---|
| Closure | Tuck-in front lid, with tape or a sticker if you want it sealed |
| Board choice | Mostly E flute at around 1.5 mm, or B flute for heavier pieces |
| Typical inside sizes | From about 80 × 60 × 30 mm up to 250 × 180 × 100 mm |
| Inside print | Lid underside and inner walls can be printed |
| Inserts | Card or corrugated inserts can be added on request |
| Delivery format | Shipped flat and stacked, folded by hand when packing |
| Assembly | No glue or staples; walls roll over and lock into the base |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 100 × 100 × 50 mm | Rings, earrings and small candles |
| 150 × 100 × 50 mm | Lip balm sets, soap bars and sample kits |
| 180 × 130 × 60 mm | Phone accessories and skincare pairs |
| 200 × 150 × 50 mm | Socks, scarves and folded small textiles |
| 220 × 160 × 80 mm | Small gift sets and craft supplies |
What are small mailing boxes?
A small mailing box is a self-locking postal carton for items that fit in your hand. It starts life as a single flat blank of corrugated board.
When you fold it, the side walls roll over into the base and the lid tucks into the front. Two dust flaps on the lid keep gaps closed at the corners.
Because the walls are doubled over, a small mailer feels firmer than its thin board suggests. That is why it holds its shape in a busy postbag.
They sit inside our full mailer and postal box line-up, scaled down for light, compact products.
Who orders small mailing boxes?
Most orders come from small online shops that post lots of light parcels each week. A tidy little box costs less to post than an oversized carton, and it looks better on arrival.
Larger firms order them too, usually for one product line that outgrew a padded bag. A box protects corners and edges that a bag cannot, and it gives the customer something sturdier to open. Some shops keep two or three small sizes on the shelf and pick by order.
- Jewellery makers sending rings, bracelets and earrings
- Skincare and cosmetics brands posting minis and samples
- Candle and soap sellers shipping single bars or tins
- Subscription services that send a few small items each month
- Brands sending press samples or replacement parts to customers
- Makers selling at craft fairs who also take online orders
How do I measure for a small mailing box?
Take the widest points of the item, including any pouch or wrap it travels in. Allow a little slack all round so it slides in without forcing.
With small items, a few millimetres matter. A ring box that is 5 mm too loose will rattle, and one that is 2 mm too tight may bulge the lid.
We work from inside length, width and height, so the board thickness never eats into your space. Our guide to measuring a box shows which side is which.
| What you are posting | Allowance to add | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A rigid item, like a tin | 3–5 mm each side | Leaves room to slide it in |
| An item in tissue or a pouch | 5–8 mm each side | Wrapping adds bulk |
| A set of loose small items | Measure the arranged group | Stops pieces shifting about |
| Anything with an insert | Measure the insert | The insert sets the inside size |
Which board suits a small mailing box?
E flute, about 1.5 mm thick, is the usual choice. It folds crisply at small sizes and keeps parcel weight low.
For something denser, like a glass jar or a metal part, B flute at about 3 mm gives the walls more cushion. Our flute guide in millimetres compares the options side by side.
C flute, at about 4 mm, starts to feel bulky on very small boxes. We suggest it only when the item is heavy for its size.
Double wall board is rarely needed at this size. It makes small boxes stiff to fold and adds weight you pay for in postage.
Can small mailing boxes be printed?
Yes. Leave them as plain kraft, add a logo in one or two inks, or cover the outer and inner faces in four-colour CMYK.
A plain kraft box with a one-colour logo on the lid is a common, low-cost start. Brands that post gifts often add a printed message inside the lid.
White board shows bright colours more clearly than kraft. Pink, blue or black all-over print works well on white, while kraft suits earthy, single-ink designs.
You can add foil stamping, embossing, spot UV, or a matte or gloss laminate. On a small lid, one finish usually reads better than three.
How should I pack a small mailing box?
Small parcels get handled by machines and thrown into sacks, so the contents should not move when you shake the box.
- Fold the box and check the product fits before filling a batch.
- Wrap fragile pieces in tissue or place them in a card insert.
- Fill any corner gaps with a little paper so nothing slides.
- Tuck the lid in firmly and press the dust flaps flat.
- Seal the front with a sticker or a strip of tape if you want proof of opening.
- Fix the postage label to the lid, away from the fold line.
What mistakes do people make with small boxes?
The most common one is giving outside sizes instead of inside sizes. On a small box that can lose several millimetres of room.
Another is ordering one size for every product. A few well-chosen sizes usually save money on filler and postage.
People also forget the height of a lid or pump on cosmetics. Measure with the cap on, standing upright.
Finally, tiny text on a tiny lid is hard to read. Keep logos bold and leave clear space around the label area.
Will a small mailing box cut my postage costs?
Often, yes. Parcel prices depend on size and weight, so a box cut close to the product can drop you into a cheaper band.
Thin E flute adds very little weight. Size bands are set out in our note on trimming small parcel postage bills.
Flat packing helps too. A stack of unfolded small mailers takes up little shelf space until you need them.
It also pays to weigh a packed sample before you settle on board. If the box tips a parcel over a weight limit, a thinner flute or a slightly smaller size may bring it back under.
Is a small mailing box the right style for me?
A tuck-front mailer suits most small, light products. It opens like a little chest, which makes unboxing feel tidy and deliberate.
If you post lots of returns, a self seal mailer with a peel strip may save tape and time at the packing bench.
For flat items like greetings cards or prints, a shallow box at 20 to 30 mm tall usually works better than a deep one. Describe the contents in your enquiry, and a suitable shape will come back with the price.
How do I order small mailing boxes?
Use the quote form to share sizes, board, print and quantity, or sketch the box in Design Your Box. Small mailers begin at £0.25 per unit; the exact figure is set out on a written quote.
Our designers will check your layout for free and send a digital proof. After your approval, the boxes are made over 4–6 business days.
The boxes then go out on a tracked service and land within 2–3 business days. Shipping costs nothing to UK addresses.
What if something goes wrong with my order?
Spot a misprint, a crushed carton or a fault? Send photos inside 10 days, and those boxes get reprinted or refunded.
Stuck on a size or a piece of artwork? Drop a line to info@ordercardboardboxes.co.uk, or ask the same thing over WhatsApp.
Small Mailing Boxes: questions
12 answersHow small can a small mailing box be?
We make them to the inside size you give us. Boxes for single rings or lip balms can be well under 100 mm long.
Do small mailing boxes need tape?
No. The tuck-in lid holds them closed. Many sellers still add a sticker or a strip of tape so the parcel shows if it has been opened.
Which flute is best for a small mailer?
Thin E flute, close to 1.5 mm, suits most light products. Choose B flute at about 3 mm for heavier or more fragile items.
Can I print inside a small mailing box?
Yes. A hidden message under the flap, or a full CMYK pattern on every inner face, is possible.
Will my small mailing boxes arrive folded?
They arrive flat and stacked. You fold each one by hand when packing, and no glue is needed.
Can I order kraft and white versions together?
Yes. Tell us the split on your quote request and we will price each version.
Is a small mailing box strong enough for glass?
It can be, with the right board and an insert. A snug fit and B flute walls help, and we can add a card or corrugated insert.
What units can I use for small box sizes?
Millimetres, centimetres or inches are all fine. Just measure the product at its widest points first.
Is there a proof for small mailers?
Yes, a free digital one. We do not print a single box until you have approved it.
How long until my small boxes arrive?
Count 4–6 business days of making time after your sign-off. Then allow 2–3 business days for the tracked journey to your door.
Do you post small mailing boxes to any UK address?
Yes. Homes, shops and business units across the UK all get free tracked delivery.
What finishes can a small mailer have?
Leave the kraft uncoated, or pick from embossing, foil, spot UV and a gloss or matte laminate.
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: Small Mailing 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