Packing & Mailing

Envelopes

Probably the most commonly used of the range of packing and mailing supplies, envelopes come in a variety of shapes sizes, including C4, C5, C6 and C7, as well as square, ensuring there's something for every situation.

Standard envelopes may have dry glue that needs to be moistened to be activated, while others have an adhesive strip. They are also provided in various shades like pure white, beige and brown, while coloured envelopes can be a good way to get attention.

Items with clear plastic windows are useful if you don't want to worry about putting address labels on the envelopes, as the address on the letter inside will show through.

For contents that need a bit of extra protection, you might want to get envelopes those that are padded – they may contain special fibres or bubble wrap. Meanwhile, board envelopes are nice and sturdy and will help to prevent contents like photographs or important documents from being folded or otherwise damaged in transit.

Specialised envelopes for sending items like CDs or DVDs are also available.

Postage and packing supplies

Of course, there are plenty of situations when you'll need more than an envelope. That's why it's a good idea to have various other postage and packing supplies around.

Cardboard boxes, for example, come in a number of sizes, giving you a wide range of options so there's always the right size for your needs.

Other options include parcel bags, and be sure to consider protective packing material like polystyrene pieces and bubble wrap.

After everything's placed in the boxes, you'll also want plenty of packing tape to hold the package shut during shipment. Stretchy plastic film can also be a good choice, as it holds everything together and protects the contents from getting wet.

Postroom equipment

For companies that do a lot of mailing – whether it's for direct marketing or another reason – there's an array of equipment that can help you get the task done quickly and efficiently.

Envelope feeders, for example, snap on to the paper tray of your printer, making it easy to feed envelopes through the device for simple, trouble-free labelling.

A letter folder is another useful device to have in a postroom. These devices can rapidly fold A4 pages into three sections, or other configurations, so they'll easily fit into the envelope.

Other items you might want to consider for your postroom include mail sorters, tape dispensers and holders for plastic wrap, as well as box knives and stamp moisteners.

Finally, be sure to consider a trolley or truck for your postroom. These are perfect for moving heavy boxes from one point to another without straining your back.