Holiday Shipping – Should You Use a Box or a Mailer?

The holiday season is here and for many individuals, shipping gifts long-distance is the solution to getting them there on time. Shipping your presents is a versatile and affordable way to say that you care, and everyone loves receiving gifts in the mail! But knowing the right way to ship something can be tricky – especially knowing whether to mail those gifts in a box or a mailer.

That’s why Packaging HERO® is here to help fill you in on the best way to get those presents in the mail.

A Box or a Mailer – Which is Best?

Whether you use a box or a mailer for gifts this holiday season can be a tricky question, but the answer depends on what it is you’re shipping. Boxes are an obvious choice for larger items that won’t fit in a mailer, as corrugated boxes can come in many sizes and shapes. But for smaller items, the answer depends on your budget, how fragile the item you’re shipping is and how many items you plan on shipping out over the holiday season. You might have questions, like is it cheaper to mail a box or a bag? Of course, boxes and mailers have many different benefits, so let’s take a look at some of them.

The Benefits of Boxes

Boxes are a strong and versatile solution to shipping, and due to their rigid shape; they make a fantastic choice for shipping items that are fragile or bulky. With a wide range of available box shapes and sizes, you can easily find a box that fits your shipment, so you won’t have to worry about it sliding around while in transit. Boxes also make a great choice for shipments that contain multiple items, so whether you’re shipping out multiple gifts or many different items, you can find a box that works for your needs. If your item doesn’t fit your box precisely, you can always add box fill for extra cushioning.

However, it is more expensive to both purchase and ship with boxes, so if you have many items that you plan to ship out, this cost can add up quite quickly. In short, boxes are a great choice for fragile items or items that won’t fit in mailers, as well as smaller shipments or when cost is no issue.

The Benefits of Mailers

Mailers come in many types, making them uniquely capable for shipping many different types of items. With options like bubble mailers, poly mailers and corrugated mailers, you can customize your shipping method to fit an object’s needs. Bubble mailers are perfect for semi-fragile items where adding a little protection can go a long way, poly mailers are perfect for shipping clothing and other non-fragile items, and corrugated mailers are great for shipping books and slim items that need a slight bit of protection as well as a specifically shaped package. Mailers are also a bit cheaper to purchase and send making them great for bulk shipments. Mailers do have one downfall, however – their size means that you won’t be able to ship large or bulky items in them.

Ship your items, gifts or presents out effectively, affordably and safely with the right shipping system. At Packaging HERO, you can find a variety of shipment options, so make sure to take a look and be a Purchasing HERO™ today.