Kraft postal boxes, one open and one closed
Postal Boxes
From £0.20 a box, exact price on your quote
Slim, light boxes for posting books, clothing, prints and small products. Made to your inside size so parcels stay small, and closed with a tuck lid or a crash lock base.
- Design proof
- Free, sent before anything is printed
- Quote
- By email within one working day
- Production
- 4 to 6 working days after proof approval
- Delivery
- Free tracked UK mainland, 2 to 3 working days
- Reprint promise
- Misprints or damage reported within 10 days reprinted or refunded
What Is a Postal Box For?
A postal box is built to be small. It wraps closely around a book, a folded garment, a print or a small product, so the parcel stays light and slim. The closer the fit, the less filling you need and the more likely the parcel slips into a lower delivery band or straight through a letterbox.
Which Postal Box Style Suits Your Product?
We make three main postal styles. Each suits a different kind of item.
| Style | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Tuck lid postal box | Folds up, lid tucks in at the front | Small products, gifts, clothing |
| Crash lock postal box | Base locks as the box opens out | Fast packing at volume |
| Book wrap | Wraps around a flat item and folds shut | Books, diaries, prints, records |
Why Slim Sizes Matter
Parcel prices in the UK are set largely by size bands. Parcel charges jump between size bands, so a slightly too-deep box can cost more every time you post it. Getting the height right is often worth more than any other saving on the box itself.
- Measure the thickest point of the item
- Allow only a few millimetres for clearance
- Use E flute to keep the walls thin
- Check the outside size against your carrier's bands
Can Postal Boxes Be Printed?
Yes. Postal boxes print well, especially in E flute. A logo on the lid and a web address on one side are common; some shops print the inside of the lid with a message. Full colour is available if the box doubles as retail packaging.
How Do You Measure for a Postal Box?
For flat items, measure the length, width and thickness, then add a small clearance so the item slides in without catching. For several items, stack them as they will be packed and measure the stack.
- Find the broadest point of the item, or of the pile if several go in together.
- Allow an extra 3 to 5 mm on the two longer sides.
- Add 2 to 3 mm to the height for a snug fit.
- Then pass us the internal size, the closing style and how many you want.
Our step-by-step measuring guide has worked examples.
Postal Boxes for Books
Books are heavy for their size and easily dented at the corners. A book wrap holds the book flat and protects the corners with folded board. For hardbacks or several books, a tuck lid box in B flute gives more protection than a slim wrap.
What Do Postal Boxes Cost?
Small plain postal boxes are among the lowest cost boxes we make, from £0.20 a box. Print, board and size change the price, and larger quantities bring the cost per box down.
Sizing Your Postal Boxes
Postal boxes are quoted on the inside size, length × width × height in millimetres. For letterbox-friendly parcels, the height is usually the critical figure, so measure the thickest point carefully.
If you post a range of items, two or three postal sizes often cover everything. Send us your product list and we will suggest a set.
Board for Postal Boxes
Most postal boxes are E flute, which keeps them thin and light. B flute suits heavier items such as hardback books.
| Board | Thickness (mm) | Strength | Best for | Print finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single wall E flute | about 1.5 | Light | Small mailers, postal boxes, retail packs | Very good, sharp print |
| Single wall B flute | about 3 | Medium | Shipping boxes, mailers for everyday parcels | Good |
Delivery and Reprints
Postal boxes are light and compact when flat, so they arrive in outer cartons that fit easily on a packing shelf.
| Proof | Free, by email, before anything is printed |
|---|---|
| Production | 4 to 6 working days after you approve the proof |
| Delivery | Free and tracked to UK mainland addresses, 2 to 3 working days |
| Packed as | Flat, banded in bundles, in outer cartons |
| Problems | Misprints or damage reported within 10 days reprinted or refunded |
Postal Box Sizes
Common postal box inside sizes in millimetres. Any size is made to order.
| Ref | Inside L × W × H (mm) | Recommended board | Typical use | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO-01 | 160 × 110 × 20 | Single wall E flute | Cards, prints, slim items | Quote This Size |
| PO-02 | 220 × 160 × 25 | Single wall E flute | Slim letterbox parcels | Quote This Size |
| PO-03 | 240 × 170 × 50 | Single wall E flute | Books, clothing | Quote This Size |
| PO-04 | 300 × 220 × 50 | Single wall E flute | Larger slim items | Quote This Size |
| PO-05 | 330 × 240 × 80 | Single wall B flute | Boxed goods | Quote This Size |
| PO-06 | 350 × 250 × 100 | Single wall B flute | Small parcels | Quote This Size |
Design Your Box
Put your logo on a real photo of our postal boxes, move it and size it, then send it with your sizes. A designer sets it on the dieline and sends a free proof.
Related Boxes
Postal Box FAQs
Sizes and Board
Are postal boxes strong enough for hardback books?
Yes, especially in B flute. Size the box closely so the book cannot move.
Can postal boxes be made in white?
Yes. White E flute is available for a brighter look and full colour print.
What is the smallest postal box you make?
Postal boxes for cards and slim items can be very small. Send the size and we will confirm.
Styles and Features
What is a crash lock base?
A base that folds into place as you open the box out, so it is ready to pack in a second without tape.
What is a book wrap?
A flat piece of board that folds around a book and closes, protecting the corners and edges.
Can postal boxes have a tear strip?
Yes. A tear strip makes opening easy and shows if a parcel has been opened. Ask on your quote.
Which postal box is best for clothing?
A tuck lid postal box sized to the folded garment keeps clothing flat and tidy.
Will a logo print well on such a slim box?
Yes. Logos, web addresses and inside messages can all be printed.
Delivery and Returns
Can a postal box fit through a letterbox?
Slim postal boxes are designed for it. Check the outside size against the carrier's letterbox limits.
Do postal boxes need tape?
Tuck lid and crash lock styles close without tape, though many shops add a strip or a seal.
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Still need help? Call +44 7578 382054, message us on WhatsApp or email info@buycardboardboxes.co.uk. Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5.30 pm UK time.
Request a Full Quote
Tell us as much as you know. If you are unsure about board or print, leave it on “Not sure yet” and we will suggest the right option with your price.