Packaging & Shipping

500+ products

Expected delivery: Tue, Nov 17

Packaging and shipping supplies cover what a shipping department, warehouse or small parts room uses every day: boxes, mailers and envelopes to hold the product, packing tape, stretch film and strapping to close and secure it, and bags, labels and tags to protect, sort and identify it. Buyers range from e-commerce packers and distributors to manufacturers shipping finished goods and maintenance teams kitting parts.

How to choose packaging supplies

  • Size the box to the product. Measure inside dimensions (length x width x depth) and leave room for cushioning. Oversized cartons waste fill and can cost more to ship by dimensional weight.
  • Match carton strength to the load. Corrugated boxes are rated by edge crush test (ECT) or burst strength, and single-wall versus double-wall makes a big difference for heavy or stacked loads. See boxes, mailers and envelopes.
  • Pick the tape for the conditions. Acrylic carton tape handles a wide temperature range, while hot melt grips quickly on recycled corrugated. Thicker tape (measured in mils) holds heavier cartons.
  • Use stretch film and strapping for pallets. Hand film versus machine film depends on how you wrap, and polypropylene or polyester strapping suits different load weights. Browse tape, film and strapping.
  • Label for the job. Direct thermal labels work for short-term shipping labels, while thermal transfer labels last longer in storage. Reclosable poly bags and tags keep small parts organized, see bags, labels and tags.

Packaging is usually bought by the case on a regular schedule. A business account lets you order on terms, and for larger volumes or custom sizes you can request a quote. Our line cards show the wider range, including the Wrap-Tite line of film, tape, strapping, bags and boxes.

Common questions

What ECT rating do I need for a shipping box?

It depends on the weight and how the boxes are stacked. A 32 ECT single-wall carton is common for everyday parcel shipping, and heavier or stacked loads often call for a higher rating or double-wall board. Check the box maker's chart for the weight range of each rating.

What is the difference between hand stretch film and machine film?

Hand film is made to be applied with a hand dispenser and is usually on a smaller, lighter roll. Machine film is wound on larger cores for stretch wrapping machines and is made to stretch further under powered tension.

Should I use polypropylene or polyester strapping?

Polypropylene strapping is economical and works for light to medium bundles and cartons. Polyester strapping is stiffer, holds tension better and is often used as an alternative to steel strapping on heavier pallet loads.

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Popular packaging & shipping