Shipping Supplies - Other

Top Shipping Supplies for Offices: A Practical Guide to Buying, Saving, and Shipping Smarter

Why the right shipping supplies matter for your office

Think of shipping supplies as the unsung heroes of your office workflow. They protect your products, speed up packing, and cut down on damaged returns — which, let’s be honest, no one enjoys dealing with. Whether you send a few packages a week or dozens daily, the right boxes, tape, cushioning, and tools can shave minutes off each order and reduce headaches. When shipping becomes predictable and reliable, your team spends less time firefighting and more time growing the business.

Where U.S. offices buy shipping supplies

If you’re shopping for supplies, a mix of specialty distributors and big-box retailers will serve you best. Stores like Uline, Staples, Office Depot, Amazon, The UPS Store, FedEx Office, Paper Mart, Packlane, Grainger, and Home Depot fill different needs — from bulk corrugated boxes to custom-branded mailers. Some excel at price-per-unit when you buy by the pallet, while others are ideal for fast small-quantity purchases. I’ll walk you through what each type of store does best so you can pick the right partner for your office.

Uline — the go-to for bulk industrial supplies

Uline is a favorite with warehouses and busy offices that need consistency and huge variety. They stock thousands of box sizes, heavy-duty corrugated options, tapes, dispensers, and shipping tools. If you want to buy by the case or pallet and get predictable pricing per unit, Uline is hard to beat. Expect selection geared toward speed and durability — not flashy packaging.

Staples and Office Depot — office-friendly options

For offices that ship intermittently, Staples and Office Depot combine convenience with competitive prices. You’ll find standard box sizes, mailers, packing tape, bubble wrap, and shipping labels, plus in-store pickup if you need supplies immediately. These retailers make sense if you prefer to stick with a familiar office-supply vendor and want easy returns or local pickup options.

Amazon — fast delivery and endless variety

Amazon’s advantage is speed and breadth. You can get same-day or two-day shipping on many items, compare customer reviews, and buy single units or bulk bundles. Amazon is great when you need a last-minute replacement — a new tape gun or a roll of bubble wrap can arrive within 48 hours. Watch for variable quality and check product reviews carefully.

The UPS Store and FedEx Office — ship and stock in one place

If you want the convenience of packing and shipping in one stop, The UPS Store and FedEx Office sell packing supplies in their retail locations. They’re ideal for offices that occasionally need premium packing services or professional packing for fragile items. The trade-off is higher per-unit prices compared with bulk suppliers, but you get the comfort of professional assistance and a single transaction for packing plus postage.

Paper Mart and Packlane — specialty and custom packaging

Paper Mart focuses on packaging basics with a wide array of mailers, tissue, ribbons, and standard boxes. Packlane specializes in custom-printed boxes and branded mailers — perfect for small businesses that want an unboxing experience without ordering thousands of units. If presentation matters for customer experience, these stores help you stand out.

Grainger and Home Depot — heavy-duty and hardware-friendly items

Grainger serves industrial buyers with heavy-duty strapping, pallets, and high-strength tape, while Home Depot and Lowe’s offer packaging supplies alongside hardware, making them convenient for offices that also maintain physical facilities. These retailers are useful when you need robust packing materials or tools like pallet stretch wrap or banding tools.

Essential shipping supplies every office needs

No two offices are the same, but certain items are staples in nearly every shipping setup. Here’s a practical list you can start from, whether you’re packing a single prototype or running a small e-commerce operation.

Corrugated boxes and mailers

Corrugated boxes are the backbone of shipping. Choose single-wall boxes for light items and double-wall for heavier or more fragile goods. Mailers — poly or padded — are perfect for apparel and flat items. Keep a selection of sizes on hand so you’re not wasting filler or paying for oversized boxes in shipping fees.

Packing tape and dispensers

High-quality tape seals packages and keeps them closed during transit. Look for 2-inch wide, 2.0–3.0 mil tensile strength tape for general use, and consider reinforced filament tape for heavy boxes. A handheld dispenser or a bench tape gun saves time and reduces waste.

Cushioning: bubble wrap, air pillows, and kraft paper

Protect items against shock and vibration with the right cushioning. Bubble wrap works well for fragile items; air pillows fill voids quickly; kraft paper is economical and recyclable for light protection. Use the minimum cushioning required to prevent movement within the box — moving parts are what get damaged most often.

Labels and thermal printers

Clear, scannable labels speed up processing and reduce errors. Thermal label printers from brands like Zebra or DYMO make one-click label printing fast and reliable. For lower-volume offices, preprinted label sheets or even laser-printed labels will do, but productivity improves as you automate labeling.

Shipping scales and dimensional measurement tools

Accurate weight and size measurements save money. A digital postal scale that reads in ounces and pounds prevents surprise UPS or FedEx charges. For larger packages, a dimensional (DIM) measuring tool ensures you account for volume-based billing correctly.

Tape guns, box cutters, and safety gear

Quality tools cut packing time. A sharp box cutter, a sturdy tape gun, and gloves for repetitive tasks reduce fatigue and injuries. Invest in ergonomic dispensers and cutters if your team handles hundreds of packages weekly.

Strapping, stretch wrap, and pallet supplies

For palletized shipments, use pallet stretch wrap, edge guards, and strapping to stabilize loads. This prevents shifting in transit and protects inventory. Pallet banding prevents large boxes from sliding and is essential for B2B shipments.

Custom boxes and branded packaging

If your customers open boxes, packaging becomes part of your brand. Custom boxes or printed tape elevate the unboxing moment but cost more per unit. Use custom solutions for direct-to-consumer products where presentation drives repeat business.

How to choose the right box size and strength

Choosing the right box is more art than guesswork. Measure your product length, width, and height in inches, add 2 to 3 inches of cushioning on all sides, and pick a box that fits snugly. For strength, check the box’s burst and edge crush test (ECT) ratings — higher ECT numbers handle heavier loads. If you ship over 30 pounds, consider double-wall corrugated boxes to avoid crushing.

Eco-friendly options that still protect packages

Want greener shipping without sacrificing protection? Look for recycled-content kraft mailers, biodegradable packing peanuts, and paper-based void fill. Many suppliers like Uline, Paper Mart, and specialty providers offer recycled or recyclable alternatives. Using right-sized boxes also reduces wasted materials and lowers fuel consumption in transit — good for your wallet and your brand’s carbon footprint.

Buying strategies to lower costs

Bulk buying lowers per-unit costs dramatically. If you ship regularly, order common boxes and tape by the case or pallet. Consolidate orders across departments to reach volume discounts. Also, compare per-unit price including shipping — sometimes a local pickup from a big-box store plus mileage is cheaper than two-day freight on a small online order.

Packaging workflow tips to boost efficiency

Set up a simple, repeatable packing station. Place boxes, tape, and cushioning in a logical order so employees can pack in a predictable sequence: item, protection, close, label, weigh. Use checklists to reduce errors for fragile or restricted items. For high-volume days, batch tasks — fold boxes for several orders at once, then move to filling, sealing, and labeling.

When custom packaging makes sense (and when it doesn’t)

Custom packaging boosts perceived value but comes with lead times and minimum quantities. Use custom boxes if your order volume is consistent and the increased customer lifetime value offsets the cost. If you ship sporadically or have a wide range of product sizes, invest in a few pieces of minimal-branding packaging and save customization for your top sellers.

Common mistakes to avoid when buying shipping supplies

Avoid buying only large boxes “just in case” — oversized boxes increase shipping fees and require more filler. Don’t skimp on tape quality; cheap tape can fail and double your costs through damaged returns. Also, don’t rely solely on retail walk-ins for bulk needs; long-term contracts with a distributor often give better pricing and reliable inventory.

How to test packing before sending at scale

Before you roll out a new packing process or material, run a simple drop test at the office. Seal a sample package and drop it from a height of 3 to 5 feet to simulate handling. If the contents survive with no damage, you’re probably safe. For fragile goods, run multiple drops and include vibration testing when possible. Small tests prevent large headaches later.

Final checklist before you seal the box

Before you close the lid, follow this quick checklist: confirm the correct item and quantity, add necessary documentation, ensure adequate cushioning, reinforce seams with tape, put the label on a flat surface, and weigh the package. One extra second reviewing these steps can prevent costly returns and unhappy customers.

Choosing between fast convenience and bulk savings

Short timelines call for Staples, Amazon, or FedEx Office; high volume favors Uline, Paper Mart, or direct manufacturers. Weigh the cost of last-minute shipping against the savings of bulk ordering. Often the best approach is a hybrid: keep a safety stock for rush orders and place larger, inexpensive replenishment orders on a predictable schedule.

Final thoughts

Shipping supplies are a small line item that has outsized influence on customer satisfaction and operational cost. Choose suppliers that match your volume and priorities: convenience and speed, cost-per-unit, eco-friendliness, or branded presentation. With the right mix of boxes, tape, cushioning, and tools, you’ll protect your products, accelerate packing, and build a smoother, more professional shipping operation.

Conclusion

Shipping smarter isn’t just about buying the cheapest tape or the flashiest box — it’s about matching supplies to the job, standardizing processes, and picking the right partners. Whether you buy from a bulk specialist like Uline, an office supplier like Staples, online marketplaces like Amazon, or a specialty firm like Packlane, the key is planning: measure your needs in inches and pounds, test before you scale, and balance speed with cost. Do that, and shipping will stop being a chore and start being a competitive advantage.