Supplies for Boxes

Quickly find and purchase all the supplies you need for boxes
By Thomas Langford Boxes are one of the basics of business. Just about every business uses boxes to receive inventory, pack up equipment, ship products and store paperwork. But whether your business uses shipping cartons, mailer boxes or corrugated boxes, you'll also need additional supplies.
 

A moving box, a shipping carton and a storage box all need help properly seal and protect the items inside. But in this time-crunched world, finding and ordering all those materials can be an annoying task. With that in mind, this guide will help you quickly find and purchase:

1. Packing materials to cushion and protect contents;

2. Packing tape to seal boxes shut;

3. And labels to identify contents.

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

• 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.