Boxes for Shipping: Ideal Size

When your business sells various commodities, it can be hard to ensure that you have a sufficient range of boxes for shipping in all the right sizes. This is because every product will have its own dimensions and most boxes come in set standard sizes. It can also be complicated when a customer orders several items and you have to figure out how to pack the items in the same box.
Generally, it is better if you find yourself with a larger shipping box than a smaller one. It is difficult to contain products in a small box as the contents may strain the walls, corners, and flaps, causing them to burst free. Once the structure of the box is compromised, you cannot guarantee the safety of the contents and there is a good chance they will become damaged in transit. Receiving a damaged box with the contents exposed will not inspire confidence from your customer.
It is better to have a larger box that you can resize to better fit the contents. This is important as leaving too much empty space in the box when shipping will leave more room for the contents to shift about while in transit and become damaged. Here is how you can alter a larger box for a better fit.

Shipping Box Length

When you have a box that is longer than you need it to be, you first need to establish the length required. First place the product(s) within the box after you have assembled it and measure the excess length. Take out the contents and lay the box flat. Use a razor or scissors to cut it along one corner edge. This will allow you to open up the box completely flat.
Cut off the excess length you previously measured from one side of the box. Score the joining edges about half an inch from the edge and overlap them and attach using staples or double-sided tape. You can further reinforce this with packaging tape on the inside. Reassemble to create a smaller-sized box with a better fit for the intended contents.

Shipping Box Height

Again, place the contents in the shipping box and mark the desired height. Take out the contents and slice through all the corner edges to the marked height. Trim the flaps and fold them down at the new height for a better fit.
Where you find a little extra space remains, simply use stuffing like packing peanuts, newspaper, or bubble wrap to fill the gaps and provide some extra cushioning.