The parcel is weighed by the carrier, and the mailer is a component of it. If a packed order is a few ounces short of a pound, the next pound is charged for in full, and the overweight board may be what made all the difference. So the choice of cardboard mailer boxes for a business shipping begins with the weight of the board and its strength. Here’s information on how to locate your weight lines, what makes a mailer heavier, and how to choose the lightest board that will pass. Empress Packaging produces cardboard mailer boxes wholesale for companies throughout the USA.

What is the weight that your carrier charges?

UPS will round up package weight to the next pound. According to FedEx’s ground rate schedule, any fraction of a pound will be rounded up to the next whole pound. USPS tiers them at 4, 8, 12, and 15.999 ounces and then charges by the pound. Actual weight versus dimensional weight is what each carrier compares, and bills by the higher weight, and USPS uses the dimensional test for parcels greater than one cubic foot. For light, bulky letters, billing is by size, and the ounces of the mailer are not important. For them, every pound is precious when it comes to orders, which are dense. Check printed cardboard mailers your own rate card for the tiers it uses.

What is the reason that a mailer is heavier?

Most of the weight is determined by board grade, number of walls, and size, and the rest is determined by inserts or coatings. There may be a difference in the weight of the board between two quotes for the same size, so request the custom cardboard mailer manufacturer weight in ounces on the quote, next to the edge crush rating. Next, use a postal scale to weigh ten samples and take the average of the weights.

One ounce = one pound, how can that be?

Suppose that a candle has a weight of 10.4 oz and a mailer with a weight of 5.4. The parcel weighs 15.8 ounces and is advertised as 1 pound. When a mailer is combined with a 6.0-ounce mailer, the combined weight is 16.4 ounces, which is billed by UPS and FedEx as 2 pounds. A year of 12,000 parcels of this candle is $13,200 more if the extra pound is an additional $1.10 on the rate card. Use the rate and the volume as “your” rate and volume. For a pound, the identical test is made at every tier line at the USPS.

How many of your orders are close to a line? Pull the last 1000 shipments’ weights, and count those less than a pound line. This number is an indication of how many pounds a lighter board would save.

Begin with the lowest grade that your product can withstand. When packing samples, put the heaviest product at full weight and drop samples on the corner, then flat. It is recommended to progress to a higher grade only when the previous (lower) grade fails. If the test fails, it is a reshipment, and it is a loss of a postage saving very quickly, as the scale is to break ties.

Write the weight of the business shipping packaging in ounces and the amount of tolerance in ounces, and state if the number includes the insert. Place the board grade next to the flute. If a change in board occurs, make sure to contact the custom cardboard mailer manufacturer so you are aware before it happens.

FAQs

Q: What is the lowest quantity needed for a wholesale cardboard mailer box?

A: Minimum bulk cardboard shipping boxes depend on size, board, and print method. Request 3 quantity discounts: print and no print.

Q: Are there any differences in weight between printed cardboard mailers and plain cardboard mailers?

A: Weight added by coatings and laminates is not included in the weight of a plain sample; therefore, weigh a printed sample before approving the run.

Q: Can I view a sample in person before mass production?

A: There is physical evidence prior to bulk production. Weigh it with a postal scale, and pack it with your heaviest product.

Get a free quote on cardboard mailer boxes.

When you request a quote from Empress Packaging, please include your product weight, box dimensions, and number of custom packaging boxes shipped each month so you can verify the weight per box with your carrier prior to ordering. Call (888) 900-7629 or email query@empresspackaging.com for a complimentary quote, or visit empresspackaging.com.