Efficiently shipping flat products using packaging like envelopes, bubble mailers, and small parcel boxes is a crucial aspect of any business that deals with small physical goods.
Getting these items to your customers intact and on time not only ensures customer satisfaction but also reflects positively on your brand's reputation.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through essential tips and best practices to help you master the art of shipping flat products.
Selecting the appropriate packaging is the foundation of successful shipping. When dealing with flat products, opt for packaging that offers protection while keeping shipping costs under control.
For documents and lightweight items, choose padded envelopes. Often made of thick, waterproof material they provide a cushioned layer of protection against bends and moisture.
Envelopes are also typically the most cost-effective packaging for flat product shipping.
When shipping soft goods such as clothing or other textiles, poly bags are often the best option. They come in a variety of sizes, are low cost, and due to the soft, pliable nature of the goods they are often used to ship, require no additional padding or dunnage.
Ideal for small, fragile items, bubble mailers have a built-in bubble wrap liner that safeguards products from minor impacts and shocks.
When shipping slightly larger or delicate items, small parcel boxes offer better protection and can accommodate additional cushioning materials.
It is also important to note that when choosing a parcel box for your goods, a new, undamaged box will provide the highest level of security and stability during the shipping journey.
Source: Baddeley Brothers
Protecting your items from damage during transit is paramount. Regardless of the packaging you choose, consider these practices to add additional security to your goods:
Insert appropriate padding materials like bubble wrap, foam, or tissue paper to fill any gaps and prevent movement within the packaging.
Use strong, packing-grade adhesive tape to secure all openings, ensuring that your items don't accidentally slip out during handling and transportation.
When shipping multiple items in a single box or mailer, separate them with protective layers of paper or foam to prevent scratching or friction between items.
As with shipping larger boxes or pallets, accurate labeling and proper documentation are essential for smooth shipping and delivery. When preparing your goods, make sure to:
Ensure that the ship-to and return addresses are clear, complete, and accurate. This minimizes the risk of delivery errors. Using a high-quality thermal label printer will further help to minimize these risks.
If your products are delicate, use "Fragile" labels to alert handlers to exercise extra care during transportation. Be sure that these labels are clearly visible on both the top and bottom of the packaging you choose.
For international shipments, provide accurate customs declarations and other necessary documents to avoid delays at customs and potential surprise backcharges.
Correctly measuring and weighing your packages is crucial to avoid unexpected shipping costs and delays.
Invest in a reliable shipping scale to accurately measure the weight of your packages. Overestimating or underestimating weight can lead to costly reweigh charges.
Remember that when inputting your shipment’s weight and dimensions during booking, it is best practice to round both measurements up to the nearest whole number.
Different carriers have different strengths, and selecting the right shipping carrier can significantly impact your shipping process. Consider factors such as speed, cost, and reliability:
National carriers, for example, may offer a wider range of services for cross-country, cross-border, and even international shipments, while smaller regional carriers may offer services or rates that better suit your business’ needs when shipping within a select area, such as a state, province, or greater metropolitan area.
For valuable or high-ticket items, consider purchasing shipping insurance, or offering it as an option for your customers to purchase.
This protects you and your customers in case of lost, damaged, or stolen shipments, and can provide additional peace of mind while bolstering your business’ reputation.
For most customers, tracking is an all-but-mandatory part of the modern shipping journey, and as such is an integral part of providing a strong customer experience and boosting customer retention.
If possible, set up automated email notifications to update customers about order confirmation, shipping, and delivery.
This will keep your customers’ minds at ease while their shipments are in transit and can help to mitigate potential headaches in the event that there are issues with the shipment.
While the process of shipping flat products has its own unique set of challenges, as with any form of shipping the end goal is to get the best service possible for the best available rate.
Freightcom is designed to help with that.
Contact one of our shipping experts today and see how Freightcom can supercharge your shipping on flat packs, pallets, and everything in-between.
The best way to ship flat items depends on the product’s fragility and value. Documents are usually sent in envelopes or rigid mailers, while books and flat merchandise may need bubble mailers or small parcel boxes for added protection. Always choose packaging that offers the right balance between cost, safety, and size.
Bubble mailers are ideal for flat items that need light padding, such as books, phone cases, or small electronics. Poly mailers are more suitable for soft, flexible items like t-shirts or scarves. Use bubble mailers when you want extra cushioning without upgrading to a box.
Always round up to the nearest inch or pound when measuring dimensions and weight. Even for thin packages, accurate input is key to avoiding extra charges or delays. Weigh after sealing and measure the full outer dimensions of your envelope, mailer, or box.
For fragile or semi-fragile flat items, use bubble wrap, foam inserts, or layered tissue paper. For heavier items like framed prints or books, consider using corner protectors and rigid mailers or flat boxes. Fill all empty space to prevent movement during transit.
Use envelopes or padded mailers for low-value, thin, or non-breakable items to save on shipping. Choose small parcel boxes when shipping heavier, fragile, or valuable flat items that need more structure and protection. Selecting the right package reduces risk and cost.
Ensure the label is flat, readable, and placed on the top-facing side of your mailer or box. Use thermal or laser-printed labels to prevent smudging, and avoid placing labels over seams. Add "Do Not Bend" or "Fragile" stickers if the item is delicate.
When shipping flat products internationally, always complete customs declarations accurately and attach them securely to the package. Clearly describe the contents (e.g., “silver necklace in pouch”), include the correct HS code, and verify the item’s eligibility in the destination country.
Yes. Using a box when a mailer would suffice can increase dimensional weight, leading to higher shipping costs. On the flip side, under-packaging can result in damage, returns, and additional fees. Always match the package type to the product’s weight, value, and fragility.
Use cost-effective mailers for small or lightweight items, buy shipping materials in bulk, and compare rates across multiple carriers. Tools like Freightcom’s ClickShip platform give you access to discounted rates, real-time pricing, and streamlined label creation for flat shipments.
Freightcom simplifies flat product shipping with multi-carrier options, pre-negotiated discounted rates, and automation tools like ClickShip. Whether you're sending documents, books, or thin merchandise, Freightcom helps you save money, improve efficiency, and scale your eCommerce business faster.