08/31/2026
Saving on supplies matters, but underpacking creates expensive problems. Damaged-item claims, refunds, negative feedback, and lost inventory often cost more than the extra material that would have prevented them.
The better approach is right-sizing. Use a mailer when the item is flexible and low-risk. Use a box when the item can be crushed, bent, or damaged in transit. Avoid shipping air whenever possible, because larger dimensions can raise postage costs. At the same time, do not choose a box so tight that one bump transfers directly to the item.
Buying commonly used supplies in practical pack counts also helps control the cost per shipment. Keep enough inventory to avoid emergency purchases, but do not fill valuable work space with slow-moving sizes. Reorder when you reach a defined minimum level, such as one unopened bundle of a fast-moving mailer or one stack of your most-used cartons.