Before you decide which form fits your specific need you must take into account what you are shipping in the first place. If you find that your operation is shipping more textiles, then the option toward mailers is a smart and logical one. If, on the other hand, your operation is shipping breakable merchandise, then the option for box packaging with the proper internal void fill is critical to the customer experience and the likelihood that you may win the next purchase from that customer.
PADDED MAILERS
The advantages of padded mailers:
✔ Lightweight. This means that generally they cost less to ship.
✔ Inexpensive. Padded mailers tend to be competitively priced.
✔ Produced with built-in item protection. Because they are padded, these mailers may not need any additional structural support.
✔ Speed of packaging – In a business that counts on every second to get as many packages mailed, padded mailers pack out very quickly.
✔ Small. Padded mailers take up less space when they are shipped to you by the manufacturer, which can result in cost savings. Plus, they take up less space in your warehouse or packing station.
Like all types of packaging materials, padded mailers have disadvantages as well:
✔ Susceptible to crushing. While the padding provides a certain level of protection, padded mailers and their contents can be crushed if they wind up under a heavy box or pressed between boxes.
✔ Easily torn or punctured. Padding does not prevent padded mailers from being torn or punctured and having their contents damaged. They also provide little protection from liquids.
✔ Not recyclable. For companies focused on sustainability, that fact that padded mailers can’t be recycled can be an issue.
✔ Unable to accommodate large items. While you can buy fairly large padded envelopes, there are still many types of items that are too large to fit into even the biggest size.
✔ Not designed to handle heavy items. Padded mailers that contain heavy items are prone to tearing.
✔ Best at holding one item at a time. Shipping more than one item in a padded mailer increases the risk that one or both will be damaged.
BOXES
The advantages of boxes:
✔ Strong. Corrugated boxes in particular are very sturdy.
✔ Reusable and recyclable. Cardboard boxes can be used multiple times and then ultimately recycled.
✔ Available in many sizes. From very small to very large, there is a box to meet most shipping needs.
✔ Ideal for shipments that include multiple items. With the right padding, many items can be shipped in one box.
The disadvantages of boxes:
✔ Typically cost more than padded mailers. Boxes tend to be more expensive.
✔ Typically cost more to ship than padded mailers. This is especially true when dimensional weight pricing is used.
✔ Require padding. To ensure merchandise is protected when you ship it in boxes you must wrap items and fill voids.
✔ Take up more space. Boxes are rigid, bulkier, and harder to store.
Don't guess, let an experienced 3PL help you determine the proper and most cost effective way to packaging and ship your goods. Many times spending extra on packaging allows you to reduce your damage returns saving more than the packaging cost.