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A Guide to Shipping Tubes

Shipping tubes were actually developed by the inventor of the Dictaphone and Edison collaborator Charles Sumner Tainter, who used his version as a gramophone cylinder.  It was light and strong, and would be picked up by manufacturers as a useful shipping tool.  FedEx, for example, habitually ships large documents by cylinder.  It’s the kind of thing you may not have around the house, but that comes in very handy when you need it.

Why You Could Use Them

Large documents – everything from posters to diplomas – usually shouldn’t be folded.  In transit, with other methods, that or worse is bound to happen.  Since those kinds of documents are usually the most valuable, protecting them during shipping is vital both to their usefulness and their value.

If you’re trying to decide whether or not you really need them, consider the fact that a folded document is often much less impressive than a crisp, clean one.  It doesn’t have to be very large; but if it’s official paperwork, and it needs a signature, shipping tubes assure that it doesn’t arrive at the recipient in a state of disrepair.

Where You Can Get Them

There are a number of online retailers that will sell you what you’re looking for.  Try Staples, Uline, or Office Depot – they offer a range of plastic mailers that may better suit your needs.  Browse their catalogues for the best options and prices.  Don’t forget the plugs!

Finding a single mailer might be easier at the shipping retailer you choose.  FedEx and UPS will certainly have what you need on hand – at a slight premium – but you’ll only have to make the one stop.

If you’d prefer to go with a larger order of specialty products, try a wholesale retailer like Esupplystore.com or Packagingsupplies.com.  They’ll have a variety of sizes and colors they can offer you at a discount bulk rate.

What to Watch Out For

Twisting or tearing damage from machine processing is always a danger with shipping tubes, since they’re a bit awkwardly shaped.  Make sure to pick the mailer that’s just big enough for the job, because a longer one could increase the chance of an accident in the shipping process.  You don’t want a poster to have an end ripped off!

Conclusion

Shipping tubes are an elegant solution for any number of mailing needs, and they pack extremely well, allowing many documents to be safely stored in less space. Consider using them with your delivery, or employing them with your online business.