Mailer boxes are a great packaging option for packaging relatively larger products or even a dozen little products such as many subscription boxes choose to do. The primary purpose of mailer boxes is to deliver products to customers in a safe and secure manner, but can also be used as an effective marketing tool for the brand even before the customer sees the products inside.
What are mailer boxes?
Mailer boxes are the go-to choice for subscription box companies and eCommerce brands as they are primarily designed to store and send products. Its interlocking flaps and wings make the assembly process a lot easier and keeps the box secure, without always needing adhesive tape to seal the box. Another major reason why it is the go-to choice for a lot of subscription box companies is due to the fact that its double-sided walls make it more durable and resistant to transport compared to other types of paperboard packaging.
There are a few different types of mailer boxes out in the market:
- Standard mailer boxes with wings: one of the most common types of mailer box out there.
- Mailer boxes with an adhesive and tear strip: adding adhesives to mailer boxes for easy sealing and the tear strip allows for easy opening.
- Mailer boxes without wings: like the standard mailer box, but without the wings on the side.
Which version you choose is dependent on what look and feel you're going for, as well as functionality. Watch how a corrugated mailer box is folded into shape here.
Mailer Box Design
A well-designed mailer box can help enhance the customer’s purchase experience and even pivot your customers’ attention to your products inside. This is why the design of the box plays an important role. Thankfully there are plenty of options when it comes to the customization of your mailer boxes to fully express your brands’ personality! Below you will find a list of ideas you may want to take inspiration from when it comes to designing your mailer boxes.
Functional ideas
1 - Kraft mailer boxes
Kraft material is a popular add on due to the convenience they bring when it comes to packaging different kinds of products. They are also environmentally friendly because they are made of high-quality pine materials and are completely recyclable. In addition to being safe for the ecosystem, they are durable and strong enough to safely preserve and transport products that are inside them.
2 - Custom box inserts
Custom inserts come in handy when a product needs to be held in place and give the entire packaging an extra layer of protection. Some products, especially cosmetics, may be fragile so such packaging would be ideal. Custom inserts have to be customized according to the size and shape of the product as well as the dimensions of the box. We worked with Nail Deck (a Singaporean vegan nail polish brand) to provide them with packaging and inserts that were pleasing to the eyes yet secure enough to keep their small bottles of nail polishes in place.
3 - Custom Printed Stickers
A great way to add a personalized touch is through adding stickers - either in the form of a seal on the box or as an informational label on the surface of the box. These stickers could provide great aesthetic appeal in addition to educating customers about the brand, product, and usage if used as a label. Some brands may consider adding a few diecut stickers inside for customers to stick on their personal items in the form of a souvenir or memorable gift from the brand!
Aesthetic Ideas
1 - Blank Canvas
Mailer boxes are a blank canvas that allows brands to design them as they please. With 6 unique sides to the box, there's a lot of real estate to translate their creative ideas onto. This could range from writing down a personalized message for each of their customers, to printing their brands’ name and a slogan or even printing some graphics. Is your brand using sustainable packaging? Why not let your customers know!
2 - Minimal kraft and white
While some may opt for fancy designs and attractive designs that stand out, others may prefer a more minimalistic design such as plain kraft or white. A choice that is this simplistic would be perfect for those looking to communicate their brand values that correlate with minimalism and simplicity, or for those who want their customers’ main focus to be on the product inside.
3 - Printing on the inside of the box
Making use of the inside of the box to introduce other products offered by the brand as well as provide relevant information regarding the purchase or usage of the products is a great way to maximize the value that you deliver from your product and packaging.
With all this newfound knowledge, you will now be able to decide if a mailer box is suitable for your products and if so how you want to go about designing and customizing it to suit your brand! If you’re just starting out and are still unsure where to find affordable, high quality packaging, head over to our Shop to get an instant quote for mailer boxes.