Calling book sellers.... advice wanted on book wrap boxes/mailers
In addition to my usual stock in trade (audiobooks, music CDs), I’m soon intending to list and sell printed books on Amazon (up to a few thousand in total). I’d welcome advice from other book sellers on here about what kind of cardboard packaging (wrap boxes, mailers) you use, with particular regard to the following:
- Quality, strength of packaging (i.e. it must do a reasonable job of protecting the book)
- Flexibility and range of sizes (i.e. product(s) can be used for a range of book sizes)
- Competitive pricing and value for money
Any suggestions for products/suppliers (including ones to avoid) very welcome! Thanks.
14 replies
Seller_BS5lg2keRs2QO
I’ve used Kite for most of my packaging. For “regular / cheap” books large letter size i’ve found their capacity book mailers to be quite sturdy, but the adhesive tape is quite poor so i always seal over the top.
Their book wrap mailers are great though.
Seller_HMxMRdomHkjHi
I buy mine from Globe packaging, next day delivery and free postage if you spend £75, I buy A4 board back envelopes off them too.
Seller_tj5bg90i9gyCk
Any other suggestions for book wrap mailers and/or ‘capacity mailers’ (cardboard envelopes)?
I’m already considering Kite, Lil Packaging and AKAR in various sizes.
The Kite standard capacity mailers are 350gsm and are competitively priced: https://www.kitepackaging.co.uk/scp/postal-boxes/capacity-book-mailers/
Lil Packaging don’t specify the thickness (gsm) of their mailers, but I’ve received items from other sellers using these mailers and they seem fine. This is their A5 size mailer: https://shop.lilpackaging.com/collections/envelope/products/a1-envelope
The AKAR mailer works out at just £0.22 per item (A5 size, 400gsm) if you buy 200:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AKAR-Cardboard-Envelope-Envelopes-Capacity/dp/B084KQXF8M
Do any of you other booksellers use alternative suppliers/manufacturers you can recommend?
Price is not the only factor, quality is important too…!
Seller_taDBgt7LctucW
I’ve used Packaging Now for book wraps for the past few years. Unfortunately, their prices have crept up quite a bit recently.
The cardboard they use is stiffer than that used by many other companies. Personally, I really like the quality and in the three years or so that I have used them I can’t recall any complaints about damage in the post (well, aside from water damage a couple of times).
Seller_P9WE9DmQhKbaT
https://www.idealsuk.co.uk/product-category/rigid-and-capacity-book-mailers/
I buy these -they are rigid and very good, and will protect small hardbacks and large format paperbacks.
However for reasons of cost I don’t use them for everything and most standard size paperbacks still go in bubble bags (obviously not the most environmentally friendly option) . Paperbacks that are about 2. 5cm in depth get wrapped in stiff paper Chinese foot binder style and then in a lightweight grey mailing bag, which is super cheap although takes a bit more time
Seller_2Su3bcJXQR0sO
I used to buy from Walshall Boxes. But they’re pricey and boxes are really thin and flimsy. I enquired placing wholesale orders, but prices really didn’t differ that much for bulk.
I’m making my own packaging now. Super strong mailer and PIP C5 and C4 cardboard fold boxes. Pm me if you are interested in buying . If you want to customise your size, I’d be happy to share supplier’s details, and if we coordinate our orders, we could share a container.
Seller_mxez2L8QjE6WW
We get our bookwrap for the larger books from Menai Foam and Board over in Ludlow; they do two sizes that can be adjusted to fit most books, even those awkward shaped ones. For smaller hardbacks & paperbacks Kite are best.
If you want you can come over to the warehouse and have a look at the bookwrap (I think you’re in our town)
