Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase packing materials for your boxes

If you are preparing cardboard boxes for mailing or delivery, you will probably want to include packing materials to cushion and protect the product that is inside the box.

I recommend: For a great selection of bubble wrap, peanuts and foam, check out Uline Shipping Supplies. The company also sells tissue paper and other paper-cushioning products. If you have a specialized need, The Container Store sells foam sheets, squares and corner protectors. These products are expensive, but they provide excellent protection for fragile items such as pictures, dishes and collectibles.

Purchase packing tape for your boxes

Just about every cardboard box and mailing box will need to be sealed shut at some point, and the best way to do this is with packing tape. Boxes sealed with packing tape will hold together well, and the tape can seal off the edges of the box to protect the contents from the elements.

I recommend: PackagingSupplies.com has a good stock of packing tape available at wholesale prices. The company's inventory includes tan and clear tape in a variety of widths and strengths. Fast-Pack.com sells packing tape by the case and packing tape dispensers. The company also sells acrylic colored carton sealing tape in a variety of widths.

Purchase labels for your boxes

Once your boxes are packed up and sealed, you will need to label them. Common labels include a storage label, a 'fragile' label and a blank label for mailing. Labels are usually sold in rolls or sheets in quantities ranging from a couple hundred to a couple thousand.

I recommend: Eco Box has a great selection of labels, including mailing labels, "this end up" labels and "handle with care" labels. The company offers volume discounts on its products. Wholesale Packaging sells dozens of labels, including "rush delivery" labels, pictorial labels and "packing slip enclosed" labels.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When ordering supplies for boxes, be sure to ask about the company's return policy.
• •  If you are making a large purchase, call the supplier directly to see if you can get a reduced rate on shipping or a bulk discount.

Guide to Boxes for Packaging, Shipping and Storage

Finding and selecting the best boxes for your business needs

By Frances Sharpe, freelance writer/editor

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Go to the specialists for shipping boxes, packaging boxes and storage boxes

For the widest variety of shipping boxes and storage boxes, go to shipping supply providers and packaging suppliers. These retailers offer cardboard boxes and corrugated boxes for bulk cargo, hazardous shipping, mailers, storage and more.

I recommend: For hundreds of types of shipping boxes and sizes of packaging boxes, including economy options and heavy-duty varieties, see Uline Shipping Supplies, PackagingPrice.com and Paper Mart. Find more suppliers of mailing boxes at Business.com.

Look for cardboard boxes in special sizes

Just because cardboard boxes in basic sizes are the cheapest doesn't mean they'll be the most economical for your business. If you send items that are tall or flat, choose cardboard shipping boxes that are designed specifically for those types of items - they'll protect your products and will eliminate additional and costly packing materials needed to fill boxes that are too big for your goods.

I recommend: Rand Materials Handling offers specialty boxes, such as tall boxes, long corrugated boxes, side-loaded boxes, flat shipping boxes, corrugated boxes for literature mailing, and more.

Choose custom cardboard boxes

If the cardboard box sizes you need aren't readily available, look for a custom box supplier that offers custom shipping boxes, custom packaging boxes and custom storage boxes.

I recommend: PackNBoxNow.com lets you choose the box style, box dimensions and box strength you need with no minimum quantities required.

Get free shipping boxes from FedEx or UPS

Cut costs by ordering free shipping boxes from the major delivery services. Of course, you'll need to ship your products using that shipping service to take advantage of the free boxes.

I recommend: Sign up for a business account with FedEx or UPS to get free shipping boxes in a variety of sizes.

Find cheap cardboard boxes

Opting for gently used boxes can save you lots of money if you do high-volume shipping.

I recommend: Used Cardboard Boxes offers a variety of used boxes, misprinted boxes and overrun cardboard boxes at reduced rates.

Select retail gift boxes

Many upscale retailers use retail gift boxes to wrap and protect purchases. Retail gift boxes can lend an air of distinction to your products. They can also boost your marketing efforts if the retail gift box is re-used for gift-giving.

I recommend: Find dozens of retail gift box styles at The Box Depot.

Source product packaging boxes

Make a great first impression with shoppers; get product packaging boxes that will move your product off the shelves.

I recommend: Find a packaging designer at Guru.com and a contract manufacturer of product packaging boxes at Contract Packaging Design Magazine or Business.com's packaging directory.

Consider plastic boxes

Plastic boxes are often ideal for business storage and shipping needs. Plastic protects materials during shipping and long-term storage.

I recommend: For a vast selection of plastic storage boxes and plastic shipping boxes, try U.S. Box Corp. or check the listings for plastic boxes at Business.com.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Buying shipping boxes and packaging boxes in bulk can reduce costs, but make sure you have adequate space to store them.
• •  If you need shipping boxes only infrequently, look for vendors that have low minimum quantity ordering requirements.
• •  Reorder cardboard shipping boxes and packaging boxes, including retail gift boxes, before you run out so you always have adequate supplies on hand.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a good price on cardboard boxes

Cardboard boxes, such as mailing boxes, moving boxes and packing boxes, come in hundreds of different strengths, sizes and colors. They can cost anywhere from pennies per box to more than two dollars per box, depending on the strength, size and color.

I recommend: Paper Mart is a family-owned business that offers a huge selection of cardboard boxes at great prices. The company has 792 sizes of RSC corrugated boxes in stock and ready to be shipped to you next day. Uline Shipping Supplies also has a great selection of corrugated boxes and mailers. The company's website shows you pictures of the boxes so you can get a good idea of what exactly will fit inside.

Get a good deal on shipping cartons

The durability of a box is really put to the test when it is shipped. That's why shipping cartons need to be especially strong. You'll pay a bit more for this quality, but this is certainly one instance where a few extra pennies are well spent.

I recommend: Cameron Packaging has a good selection of shipping boxes available on its website for mailing everything from golf clubs to books. Argrov Box sells dozens of shipping cartons and even has a heavyweight mailing box for items such as microwaves and printers.

Purchase specialty boxes

The most expensive type of box you can buy is a specialty box. For example, a single wardrobe box or picture box often costs more than 10 dollars. But these types of boxes are large or oddly shaped, and they serve a specific need that other boxes just can't fill.

I recommend: Check out notJustboxes.com for a good selection of mirror boxes, lamp boxes, dish boxes and wardrobe boxes. The company's prices include shipping and are guaranteed to be the lowest prices on the Internet. Brimar Packaging sells a wide variety of boxes, including candy, jewelry and stationery boxes. The family-owned business specializes in manufacturing and selling custom and specialty boxes.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To get the absolute best price on boxes, you need to buy in bulk. So order as many as you can at once. If you do not need a large number of boxes, try teaming up with neighboring businesses and combining your order.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Paper

Paper boxes can be used for packing and shipping; however, their most common use is as gift boxes. They are ideal for products that do not come with individual boxes. Paper boxes come in a variety of sizes, and they are usually easy to assemble.

I recommend: To understand paper box basics, visit Evans Paper Box.

Folding

Many businesses use folding boxes. They are ideal because they store easily, and they take up a small amount of space when folded down. Folding boxes can be made of different materials and come in a variety of sizes. Some of the most-used folding boxes are found in businesses that offer food delivery services.

I recommend: Read all about a basic rectangular sleeve folding box and look at illustrations at New York Label & Boxworks. You can also check out equally informative descriptions of several other types of folding boxes.

Plastic

A plastic box is the perfect vessel for storing and moving items. It protects items from the elements and various indoor hazards. As a business owner, there are countless ways you can utilize a plastic box.

I recommend: Gain knowledge about plastic boxes and containers at VisiPak.

Paperboard

Paperboard is similar to cardboard, and is used to package certain types of items. Paperboard can be colored and printed on, so the design possibilities for the packaging are endless. The most common items that are packaged in paperboard are food items, such as pizza.

I recommend: Learn more about Paperboard at the American Forest and Paper Association.

Packaging boxes

Packaging boxes are made from a variety of materials. They are used to transport an item or group of items from one place to another. Packaging boxes can also be called cases.

I recommend: Visit Uni-Pac for the latest information about packaging boxes and other materials.

Gift boxes

Gift boxes are used to package an item for a special occasion. These boxes can be plain or decorated and come in a variety of colors and styles. Gift boxes are popular with retail businesses around the holiday season.

I recommend: Learn more about the different types of gift boxes at Earth911.com.