Last Updated on March 13, 2024 by Taylor
I’ve done a lot of research on small business shipping supplies over the years, and I wanted to share what I found with you!
Shipping supplies are a necessity for online businesses. You’ve got to have something to ship your lovely products in, right?
And not just something, but the right thing (be it a box or an envelope).
It doesn’t stop there, though. There are a few more essentials when it comes to shipping your products safely and efficiently.
Why should I care about shipping supplies?
Aside from the fact that you need supplies to ship your products, they’re also the only thing standing between your product and the dangers of the outside world.
I’m talking jostling, rain, disgruntled postal workers – the crap you can’t control.
For example: I owned an online bookshop for years, so I used to ship a lot of books. When I first started my business, I made the huge mistake of buying poor quality shipping tape (though I didn’t realize it at the time).
One day, I get a message from a customer telling me the post office delivered her an empty box from me. She even sent a picture with a letter from the post office.
Can you imagine how terrible I felt?
Sure, it’s possible it was mishandled by the post office and my tape wasn’t at fault. But after that day, I wanted to be sure I was doing everything I could to protect my products and ensure a good customer experience.
(And of course, I fully refunded the order. Whether it was the post office’s fault or mine, good customer service is a priority.)
In short, quality shipping supplies are an absolute necessity. You can’t guarantee that a package won’t get lost or destroyed in the mail. But you can do your best to avoid it!
So here’s a list of the best small business shipping supplies (and where to find them) to help your products land safely on your customers’ doorsteps.
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Essential Shipping Supplies
I researched the best quality products with the best prices I could find. Because you’re trying to run a business – you don’t want to pay more than you have to!
Keep in mind that prices do change, so feel free to do a quick check to make sure there’s not a better price elsewhere.
At the end of the post, you’ll also find some important tips on buying and storing shipping supplies.
1. Corrugated Shipping Boxes
If any of your products are too large to fit into a bubble mailer envelope, you’ll need cardboard boxes.
You may need to buy multiple dimensions, if your products come in different shapes and sizes.
It took me a lot of research to find the best, most affordable place to purchase boxes. In the end, I landed on Office Depot. Just type ‘Boxes’ into the search bar, and select ‘Shipping Boxes’ under categories.
Their prices are the best I’ve found, especially since they often have coupons & deals. Just make sure you’re buying enough to get free shipping.
Paying to ship your shipping supplies (say that five times fast) is like tossing your money straight into the trash. Avoid it if you can!
2. Bubble/Poly Mailer Envelopes
For smaller items that aren’t fragile, bubble mailers are the way to go. They’re cheaper than boxes, require less tape, and are easier to handle.
Just make sure you get high quality ones that won’t easily tear.
You might have to experiment with a couple different sizes to find the right fit for your products.
For something a little more exciting, you can buy metallic, patterned, or colorful mailers instead of the plain orange or white ones. It’s a great way to make your brand more memorable.
