What supplies does a brand actually need to ship an order?
Beyond the box itself, a working fulfillment setup usually needs a handful of supporting supplies: an outer shipping container, something to protect the product inside it, a way to seal the package, and a way to label it correctly. Skip one of these and you end up improvising with whatever's on hand, which is how orders go out in mismatched boxes with hand-written labels. Here's what most brands end up needing, and a reasonable order to buy it in.
Boxes, mailers, bags, and tubes: which structure fits your product?
Start with the primary shipping structure. A folding carton or custom mailer boxes work for most boxed products. A poly mailer or bag makes sense for soft goods like apparel that don't need rigid protection. Tubes fit anything long and narrow, like posters or certain cosmetics. If your product needs real structural protection, custom rigid boxes hold their shape under stacking pressure better than a standard folding carton. Think about how the product gets handled after it leaves your facility too, since a bag that survives one short hop might not hold up over a longer parcel network route with more transfers along the way.
Inserts, tissue, and void fill: what keeps the product in place?
Once you know your outer structure, figure out what goes inside it. Inserts hold a product in a fixed position and control how it's presented when the box opens. Tissue paper adds a finished look for anything customer-facing and can double as light cushioning. Void fill, whether paper or another material, closes any remaining gaps so nothing shifts in transit. You don't need all three for every product: a t-shirt in a poly mailer needs none of them, while a boxed skincare set usually needs an insert and tissue at minimum.
Tape and labels: what's easy to overlook?
Tape and labels are the supplies brands run out of first, because they get used on every single order regardless of what's inside. Branded tape reinforces the unboxing moment for almost no added cost per unit. Labels need to account for both a shipping label and, if you're selling retail, a barcode or product label placed on a flat, unobstructed panel. Order more of both than you think you'll need in your first run, since they run out faster than boxes do. It also pays to standardize label size and placement across your product line early, since a printer running mismatched label dimensions slows down more than one production run at a time.
In what order should you buy supplies when you're starting from scratch?
Start with your primary structure, box, mailer, bag, or tube, since that decision constrains the size of everything else. Next, order your inserts and void fill so they fit that structure. Then handle tissue and any presentation materials. Tape and labels come last since they're not product-specific and can be ordered in bulk once your other specs are locked. A $19.99 sample kit is a low-cost way to check materials across a few of these categories at once before you commit to a full supply order.
What if you're supplying a food or specialty product?
Food products carry extra handling considerations around temperature and container integrity that a standard mailer setup doesn't address. Our food packaging line covers structures built for that use case specifically, rather than adapting a general-purpose box. If you're not sure which supplies apply to your product, our contact page is the fastest way to get a straight answer instead of guessing from a general supply list. Orders start at a 100-unit minimum per item, with free design support included regardless of which supplies you're ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What packaging supplies do I need to start shipping orders?
At minimum, you need an outer shipping structure like a box, mailer, bag, or tube, something to protect the product inside such as an insert or void fill, tape to seal it, and labels for shipping and any barcode. Tissue paper is optional but common for customer-facing unboxing.
What order should I buy supplies in when setting up fulfillment?
Start with your primary structure, since its size determines everything else. Then order inserts and void fill sized to fit it, followed by tissue or presentation materials. Tape and labels come last since they're not product-specific and can be bought in bulk once your other specs are set.
Is there a minimum order for packaging supplies?
Yes, the minimum is 100 units per item. That applies whether you're ordering boxes, mailers, or inserts, so you can stock a starter set of supplies without committing to a large volume across every category at once. Bulk pricing starts from $0.49 per unit at volume.
Do you carry supplies for food or specialty products?
Yes, our food packaging line covers structures built for that use case, separate from general-purpose mailers and boxes. If you're not sure which supplies fit your specific product, reach out through our contact page and we'll help you figure out what you actually need.
Can I test supplies before ordering a full batch?
Yes. A $19.99 sample kit lets you check material and fit across a few supply categories before committing to a full order. It's a practical way to compare board weight, tissue quality, or insert fit without paying full production cost on something that might not work.
