How to Make Shipping Containers
You need to ship an item immediately, but you only have old, beat-up boxes that are the wrong size or even worse -- no boxes at all. Although visiting the store to buy a new shipping container is an option, it will cost you money and time. Instead, consider making your own container to ship your object. Because it's light and durable, corrugated cardboard is the best material to use for shipping. If you don't have this material on hand, however, other boxes or remnants will work, especially for non-fragile items.
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Things You'll Need
- Cardboard scraps and old boxes
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Paper
- Black permanent marker
- Scissors or utility knife
- Clear or brown packing tape
Instructions
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1
Gather all the corrugated cardboard you can find. Shoe boxes, old shipping boxes or larger box scraps will work. Disassemble the boxes until they all lie flat. If you don't have enough corrugated cardboard, using other cardboard, such as cereal, cracker or other food boxes is an option. However, only go this route if the item you're sending isn't fragile or breakable, such as clothing or plastic.
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2
Measure the item you wish to send with the measuring tape. Write the length, width and height measurements down on paper for reference.
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3
Find a piece of cardboard that looks like it will fit your item. Lay it so that the cleanest side is down; this will be the outside of your box. Outline the measurements from step two on the top, or inside of the box. Place the item on the outline and wrap the cardboard around the item, folding it as you go to make the bottom, sides and top. If you'll be using protective wrap, leave a little extra room. Remove the item, once you're sure it will fit in the container.
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4
Strip any old postage labels from the outside of the container. If this isn't possible, color over them with black permanent marker. The post office won't ship packages that have old postage labels. Trim any excess cardboard away with your scissors or utility knife to finalize your shipping container.
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5
Put the item back in the cardboard, folding it as you did in step three and taping it together with clear or brown packing tape. Make sure each edge is secured with the tape.
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Tips & Warnings
If you find a box that approximately fits the item you're sending, there's no need to trim it down; just disassemble it, turn it inside out (so any graphics and print are on the inside) and tape it back up.
Wrap the object you're sending in plastic or newspaper before you box it so it's not damaged during shipping.
If the outside of the container seems messy or has excessive marks or writing, consider wrapping the container in kraft paper or a brown paper bag; this will give your package a new, clean look.
References
Resources
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