Depending on the type of products you sell at your ecommerce store, you have the option to choose between envelopes, courier bags, or cardboard corrugated boxes for your packaging. Which is better?

In this article, we’ll guide you through when you should use each type of ecommerce packaging based on the size of your product and the materials it’s made out of.

When To Use Envelopes

The best time to use an envelope is when you’re selling a product that’s lightweight and flat. Some items that could easily fit inside an ecommerce envelope include:

  • Photos
  • Greeting cards
  • Art prints
  • Jewellery that can lay flat, such as a chain necklace or bracelet
  • Fabric swatches
  • Headbands, scrunchies, and other flat hair accessories

 

When To Use Courier Bags

Courier bags are much more versatile than envelopes, as they can hold bigger and bulkier items. They are not the best choice, however, if the product you’re mailing is extremely fragile. Bags can be thrown around during transit and delivery. Even if you pack it with a lot of bubble wrap, the product could still break.

Products that will travel well in courier bags include:

  • Clothing
  • Bags, purses, and small backpacks
  • Makeup products and accessories
  • Phone cases
  • Small electronic devices such as smartphones and smartwatches
  • Plastic bottles of supplements

 

When To Use Cardboard Boxes

Cardboard boxes are your go-to for mailing products that are bulky, fragile, or heavy. Depending on the box size, they usually have enough room inside for your products and packing material such as bubble wrap. The packing material ensures that your products don’t move around and get damaged during transit.

Cardboard corrugated boxes, like the ones we sell at U-Pack, come with high edge crush test (ECT) ratings. This means they won’t easily collapse or buckle as they’re being transported and delivered.

There is a huge variety of items you can ship in cardboard boxes. Here are some popular ones:

  • Clothing
  • Shoes
  • Toys
  • Furniture
  • Home decor
  • Books

Conclusion

There is a time and place for every type of packaging in ecommerce. You may find that all three packages we discussed in this article - envelopes, courier bags, and cardboard boxes - are essential for mailing out your customers’ orders.

That’s why it’s smart to keep your business well-stocked with packing materials. For that, you need a great, reliable supplier with excellent customer service, custom design options, and free shipping.

At U-Pack, we tick all those boxes (no pun intended) and more! Visit our online store now to see what we have in store for you.