Ship Art Flat-Out Impossible? Roll It.
Custom poster tubes carry rolled prints, posters, maps, blueprints, and textile art through the parcel network without the corner dings and creases that kill flat mailers. The spiral-wound wall shrugs off compression, and the round profile means there is no corner to crush in the first place. Printed in your branding, the tube turns a protective shipper into the first touchpoint of the unboxing.
Sized to Your Prints
Standard poster formats roll to predictable diameters, and we wind the tube to match: snug enough that the roll cannot slide and telescope, long enough that the ends stay clear of the caps. Tell us your largest print size and we will spec the diameter, length, and wall build around it. Mixed catalogs can standardize on one or two tube sizes to simplify packing.
Closures and Protection
Choose snap-in plastic end caps for speed, paper plugs for an all-paper build, or crimped metal ends for a vintage look. Interior tissue and printed base discs finish the presentation for limited editions and signed prints.
Brand the Journey
Full-color print runs the length of the body: artwork, handling marks, a bold logotype, or a design that makes the parcel unmistakable on a doorstep photo. Matte and gloss finishes are available, and interior tint printing creates a color reveal when the cap comes off.
Why Custom Packaging Lane
Minimums start at 100 tubes with bulk pricing from $0.49 per unit at volume, free design support, and free US shipping. Production typically runs 10 to 14 business days after proof approval. Check the board quality first with the $19.99 sample kit, or look at custom mailing tubes for general-purpose shipping formats.
Choosing the Right Tube Length
Poster tubes fail in one of two ways: too narrow and the print curls tighter than the paper wants to go, too wide and the roll slides and telescopes in transit. Roll a sample of your actual stock before you order. Measure the natural roll diameter, then add clearance so the roll drops in without forcing. For length, leave room at both ends so the print edge never touches the cap. Heavier art papers and canvas need more clearance than thin poster stock, so tell us the paper weight when you request a quote and we will size the tube against it rather than against a nominal print size. If you ship several print sizes, standardizing on one or two tube specs usually beats a perfect fit for every size, because it simplifies packing and lowers your per-unit cost through volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
What diameter do I need for posters?
It depends on the print size and paper weight. Tell us your largest print and we will spec a diameter that rolls it comfortably without telescoping in transit.
What is the minimum order quantity?
Minimums start at 100 tubes, with bulk pricing from $0.49 per unit at volume and exact pricing quoted to your size and finish.
Do the ends stay on during shipping?
Yes. Snap-in caps grip the wall firmly, and paper plugs and crimped metal ends are available where you want extra security or an all-paper build.
Can you print inside the tube?
We can print an interior tint for a color reveal when the cap comes off, alongside full-color exterior print, matte or gloss finishes, and foil accents.
How fast can I get an order?
Production typically runs 10 to 14 business days after proof approval, plus delivery. Include your deadline in the quote request and we will confirm the timeline.
