Postal box options

Bill Chapman
Product Adviser
packaging@gwp.co.uk
01793 754 444

Jay Daggar
Sales Manager
jay.daggar@gwp.co.uk
01793 754 444

Ian Heskins
New Business Director
ian.heskins@gwp.co.uk
01793 754 444
If your business sends out eCommerce orders, mail order goods or even supplies retail outlets, sourcing cost-effective postal boxes offers you significant benefits.
Postal boxes protect goods throughout the various touchpoints of the postal and courier services. Using corrugated cardboard material, they are available in standard or bespoke sizes. Cardboard postal boxes are typically lightweight, low-cost, and easy to recycle.
Custom-size postal boxes can help you reduce postage costs through minimised weight and volumetric size. Your postal boxes can adhere to Royal Mail pricing in proportion (PIP) guidelines and feature printed branding and instructions. Working with GWP also allows you to source the rest of your postal packaging, including void fill, tape, poly mailers, tubes and other sundries.
Cardboard postal boxes
Royal Mail PIP boxes
Postal box inserts and void-fill
Tape, polybags and sundries

Packing tapes
Standard sizes
Various options

Poly mailer bags
Standard sizes
Various options

Postal tubes
Standard sizes
Various options

Document wallets
Standard sizes
Various options
What are postal boxes?
Postal boxes are a form of single-trip packaging used for shipping products, goods or orders from your business to your customers. Usually manufactured from corrugated cardboard, postal boxes are available in various styles and sizes and offer several custom options.
What is the difference between postal, mailing, and shipping boxes?
Essentially nothing. Postage boxes, mailing boxes, shipping boxes and even postal packaging are all interchangeable terms used for the same product type. However, due to the number of options (sizes, styles, materials), it is possible to create many variations within this broad categorisation.
Can mailing boxes be printed?
Printing your postal boxes is surprisingly cost-effective. Printing can add simple company logos and branding, handling instructions and health and safety information. You can even wow your customers with full-colour graphics only revealed upon opening the package (creating a unique unboxing experience).
What grade of cardboard is used to manufacture postal boxes?
The grade of cardboard used to manufacture postal boxes can (and should) vary depending on the type and weight of the products you are shipping. One advantage of specifying bespoke postage boxes is that it is possible to match the material to the intended application. For example, lightweight products like clothing may only require a single wall material, whereas heavier items may need double wall boxes.
What are BDC and BDCM boxes?
BDC stands for “Bulk Distribution Carton”, whilst BDCM means “Bulk Distribution Carton Metric”. These are effectively a range of standard-sized boxes used for shipping items. Traditionally used in mail order, catalogue, fashion and retail applications, they usually include a printed area allowing the contents to be marked using a pen or label.
What are PIP Boxes?
PIP stands for “pricing in proportion”. This terminology relates to the pricing structure Royal Mail introduced in 2013. Postal boxes of certain sizes qualify for specific pricing bands. As a result, it is possible to specify PIP mailing boxes that meet the large letter, small parcel, medium parcel or large parcel requirements.
Are stock or bespoke-sized postal boxes better?
Whether you should use stock or bespoke postal boxes depends on various factors. Your application, the volume of parcels you send, and the types of products you ship are just a few factors. As a rough rule of thumb, stock boxes are usually best if you only use low volumes or must adhere to specific industry guidelines or sizes. Custom packaging usually provides better performance, is frequently cheaper in the long run, and can offer numerous other benefits.
Can postal boxes be customised?
Any postal boxes sourced from GWP can be customised and enhanced in several ways. Options include print and a range of inserts, dividers fittings and even foam cushioning. These can allow for more efficient packing, better protection for your items in transit, and improved presentation.
Is it possible to buy one-off or low volumes of postal boxes?
Being focused on supplying business packaging means that GWP cannot offer one-off or low volumes of packaging / postal boxes. For such requirements, we recommend buying stock products from an online shop. However, if you are in any doubt, please ask. A GWP expert can advise of the best option for your specific application.
Buy cardboard postal boxes, packaging and supplies
Selecting the right postal boxes can reduce your shipping costs and help to minimise product returns caused by transit damage. With most postage boxes available in single or double-wall material, it ensures suitable performance and protection for your goods.
As well as bespoke sizes and materials, however, there are several other options available that you can use to enhance your packaging.
Options include exterior branding, logos, and handling instructions. A range of inserts, dividers, and void fill is also available. These inserts allow for improved protection as they eliminate movement within the outer container. They can also improve your efficiency in packing speed and inventory management.
Experts in postal packaging
GWP understands that requirements for shipping orders, products or goods can vary significantly from business to business. As a result, you can source – and customise – a wide range of postal packaging boxes, cardboard mailers and postal supplies to suit your application.
GWP tailor virtually every product you source to your specific requirements. Whether this is the size, style, inserts, print or other customisation options, your packaging offers the optimum level of protection for your products. This approach also ensures you receive genuinely cost-effective pricing as you don’t pay for materials or features you don’t need.
This methodology, coupled with over 30 years of experience, means you can be confident that working alongside GWP provides tangible benefits for your business. Reducing transit damage, minimising costs, and improving presentation are all possible.
Whatever your requirement, a team of experienced designers and engineers can advise on the best option for your business and application. And you can request free, no-obligation quotes on any postal boxes or other packaging requirements.

01793 754 444
Mon – Fri 08.00 – 17.00

packaging@gwp.co.uk
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