Shipping
How to ship clothes: packing, boxes and mailers
To ship clothes, fold each item flat, wrap it in tissue or a poly bag, put soft items in a poly mailer and structured items in a corrugated box, seal and label it, and ship with tracking. Soft tees and leggings go in a mailer. Jackets, shoes and gifts go in a box.
The mistake is the box size. Carriers bill the outside, so a bigger box than the garment needs costs more every time.
By Talha LoneUpdated
How to pack clothes for shipping
- Fold flat. Smooth the garment and fold it to the smallest rectangle that doesn't crease the fabric.
- Wrap it. A poly bag keeps moisture out. Tissue paper between folds protects delicate fabric.
- Choose the container. See the table below.
- Seal and label. Put the shipping label on the top surface, and a copy inside in case the outside one tears.
- Ship with tracking. Ask the carrier for a receipt scan.
| Garment | Container | Why |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts, leggings, hoodies | Poly mailer | Soft, light, and cheap to send |
| Jackets, coats, denim | Corrugated box or mailer box | Bulky and keep their shape |
| Dresses, silk, linen | Box with tissue | Folds are the risk |
| Gifts and premium pieces | [Apparel box](/custom-apparel-boxes/) inside a mailer | The unboxing is part of the product |
Don't pay for empty space
Dimensional weight means you can pay to ship air. UPS works it out as length x width x height divided by 139 on daily rates, rounds up to the next pound, and bills the greater of that and the actual weight, per its shipping dimensions and weight guide.
A worked example: a folded sweater that weighs 1 lb in a 14 x 10 x 6 inch box has a dimensional weight of 840 divided by 139, which rounds up to 7 lb. The same sweater in a 12 x 10 x 4 inch box comes to 480 divided by 139, which rounds up to 4 lb. Other carriers use their own divisors, so check theirs. Shipping box sizes works through more.
We draw the box around the product, so the air stays out. Measuring order is in how to measure a box.
Tissue, tape and presentation
Tissue is the cheapest way to make a plain box feel like a gift. The details are in tissue paper packaging. Use paper tape or a branded sticker to close it, and keep plastic out of the parcel if your customers care about recycling.
Say when it will ship
State a ship time you can meet. Under the FTC's Mail, Internet or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule, you need a reasonable basis for any stated time, and if you state none you must expect to ship within 30 days of a properly completed order. If you'll miss it, send a delay notice.
When not to order custom boxes for clothes
If a stock box or poly mailer already fits and you don't need it printed, buy stock. It's cheaper and faster.
- You ship fewer than 50 parcels. A stock mailer with a sticker costs less.
- Your garments are soft and cheap. A poly mailer protects them well enough.
- You need boxes in days. Production takes 10–12 days from proof approval, plus shipping.
For 50 or more, send the folded size of your garment. We draw the box for free. See custom mailer boxes.
Frequently asked questions
How do you ship clothes without wrinkling them?
Fold flat to the smallest shape that doesn't crease the fabric, wrap in tissue or a poly bag, and use a box that fits so nothing shifts. A tight box beats a roomy one.
What is the cheapest way to ship clothes?
A poly mailer for soft items, sized to the garment. Cost depends on weight and dimensions, so a smaller package is cheaper.
Should I use a box or a mailer for clothes?
A poly mailer for soft items such as tees, and a corrugated box or mailer box for jackets, gifts or anything that must hold its shape.
How do I avoid paying for dimensional weight?
Use the smallest package that holds the garment. UPS divides length x width x height by 139 on daily rates and bills the greater of that and actual weight.
How long should I take to ship an order?
State a time you can meet. The FTC says that without a stated time you must expect to ship within 30 days of a properly completed order.