As a budget conscious new small business owner, I’ve purchased almost all of my initial shipping supplies from Amazon. I’ve scoured Amazon for the most practical and budget-friendly options that have helped me make my shipping process as seamless as possible. From boxes and packing materials to labels and tape, I’ve got you covered. Below you will find the essential shipping supplies that have helped me ship thousands of packages to every state in the country!
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Scale & Measurement Tools
One thing that all small business owners who sell physical products will need is a scale. I’ve purchased a simple kitchen scale and have used it for 2+ years. I also recommend having either a traditional ruler or tape measure on hand to measure the lengths, widths, and heights of your packages, which will also be used when calculating shipping prices.
What to consider for when purchasing a scale: Make sure you purchase a scale that is large enough for your packages. If you’re packing large boxes and buy a tiny scale, you’re not going to be able to read the measurements. Be sure that the scale measures in oz / lbs as these are the most common measurements used when processing shipments.
My Top Choice Scale: Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale, Digital Grams and Ounces, LCD Display, Medium, 304 Stainless Steel
Bubble & Poly Mailers
I use bubble poly mailers to ship most of my products as they are perfect for light weight, small-medium, products and offer some protection via the bubble lining.
What to consider for when purchasing mailers: Be sure to consider the size of your products and also multiple-product orders. Always “size up” and purchase a mailer that is larger than what you think you need, as you lose a few inches on the side when you seal your mailer or if you use additional wrapping inside. I love choosing brightly colored mailers because they stand out and call attention compared to typical brown or white envelopes.
My Top Choice for Bubble Mailers & Poly Mailers: METRONIC Packaging
Boxes
If you’re shipping fragile or heavy items, you will need to purchase boxes. Amazon has a ton of different sizes, weights, and quality of boxes available on their platform.
What to consider when purchasing boxes: When deciding what size box to purchase, be sure to allow for extra room for stuffing the box with either paper, packaging peanuts, bubblewrap, etc, especially if you’re shipping fragile items. It is also important to consider which way the box will open or you’ll have items “falling” out of the box when a customer is opening them. Boxes are typically available in heavy, standard, or lightweights, which can help cut shipping costs by decreasing weight (lightweight) or may be necessary for heavier packages (heavy weight). Be sure to read product descriptions closely as even though boxes may look similar, there can be small differences that make a difference in your shipping efficiency and costs.
Corrugated vs Cardboard Boxes
- Corrugated Boxes: Corrugated boxes are made of multiple layers of paper with a fluted or wavy inner layer sandwiched between two flat liner boards. They are exceptionally sturdy and provide excellent protection for fragile or heavy items during shipping. Corrugated boxes are ideal for durable and secure packaging, especially for long-distance shipping.
My Top Choice for Corrugated Boxes: RLAVBL Corrugated Boxes
- Cardboard/Paper Boxes: “Cardboard” is often used as a general term, but it typically refers to single-layer paperboard boxes. Cardboard boxes are less durable than corrugated boxes and are suitable for lighter or non-fragile items. They are commonly used for packaging products that don’t require heavy protection during shipping, such as retail packaging or lightweight goods. *I recommend using these lightweight boxes INSIDE a bubble mailer, or to hold individual products within a large order and would not ship in just one of these to ensure the order does not get broken while being shipped*
My Top Choice for Cardboard/Paper Boxes: ValBox Gift Boxes
Cellophane Bags and Plastic Boxes
In order to keep the small pieces I ship secured inside the mailers I send, I wrap my actual products inside clear cellophane bags and boxes. Plus, have you ever opened a package where the contents just fall right out..? Personally, I find the unwrapping process of this to be a lot nicer than that and it keeps the product safer.
My Top Choice Self-Sealing Cellophane Bags: MorePack Cellophane Bags & Sheets
My Top Choice for Plastic Boxes: VGDall Clear Favor Boxes
Shipping Labels
When mailing packages you’re going to need a place to print (or write) out the receivers address. The most common sized label is 4″x6″ and can be purchased as sheets, rolls, fanfolds, or pre-cut.
What to consider for when purchasing labels: The most important aspect to consider when purchasing labels is whether you are using a laser printer or inkjet printer. Some labels have a sheen/shiny face which will not work well with inkjet printers, as the ink will wipe right off of it. When choosing between a roll, fanfold, or pre-cut labels, you’ll need to understand how each of these types would feed into the printer you are using. For example, my inkjet printer cannot use a roll of, so I opt for pre-cut 4×6 labels that I just feed right into the back of it. These labels also save me some time as I do not need to do any special formatting or perforation prior to printing my labels.
My Top Choice Pre-Cut Shipping Labels: JETZAP Pre-Cut 4×6 Shipping Labels for Inkjet and Laser Printers
Protective Packaging Materials
If you’re shipping fragile items, you’re going to need a few extra items to ensure your products arrive safely. You can either wrap your items in bubble wrap, foam wrapping, or include some type of filling such as packaging peanuts or shredded paper.
What to consider for when purchasing protective packaging materials: These supplies are a great opportunity for you to buy in bulk to save money and also an easy way to add some “pizzaz” to your shipments as there are a lot of options when it comes to colors (especially with shredded paper).
My Top Choice for Shredded Crinkle Paper: Magic Water Supply Crinkle Cut Paper Shred
My Top Choice for a one-stop-shop for Protective Packaging Materials: UBoxes Packaging Supply
Congratulations! You’ve now been introduced to the essential Amazon shipping supplies that can kickstart your small business’s shipping operation. Whether you’re just beginning your entrepreneurial journey or looking to enhance your shipping process, having the right supplies at your disposal is a crucial step toward success.
I hope this guide has provided you with valuable insights and recommendations for sourcing your basic shipping supplies.
