Slotted box, flat shipping box or lidded box? How to choose the right box type
,
by Verpakkingdeals.nl
6 min reading time
Size and type are two different choices. The box type you need depends on your product, your packing speed, and your storage space.
You've calculated the box size, checked the interior dimensions, and yet something goes wrong: the product fits, but the box doesn't close properly. Or it does close, but you need three strips of tape, and the customer can barely open it. This is almost never due to the size. It's due to the type of box.
Size and type are two different choices. Size determines if your product fits; type determines how you close the box, how much tape you need, what it looks like when opened, and how much space it takes up in your cupboard. Below are the types you'll encounter in practice, with when to use each type and when not to.
The Regular Slotted Container (RSC): the standard for anything with volume
The RSC is what most people mean when they say "a cardboard box": four flaps on top, four flaps on the bottom, which you fold against each other and tape shut. You know it from every move and every package larger than a shoebox.
What makes it strong is that the bottom and top are double-layered cardboard where most of the force is applied. What makes it tricky: you always need tape, on two sides, and that takes time per package. When packing, account for one strip over the seam and two short strips over the sides — that's the classic H-seal.
For flat products. An RSC box 15 cm high containing a T-shirt is wasted air — and air costs money as soon as your carrier considers volume.
The flat shipping box: for everything flat
With a flat shipping box, you fold the cardboard around your product and close it with a single flap. No separate lid, often little to no tape, and you save seconds instead of a minute per package. For books, clothing, prints, games, and loose parts, this is the type you're looking for.
The second advantage is storage: flat boxes stack like a pile of paper. Five hundred units fit in a fraction of the space you'd need for five hundred RSC boxes.
That low height is the whole point. If, with filler and all, you exceed the maximum height your carrier allows, your shipment will still be treated as a parcel — with a different rate. The exact limits vary per carrier and per time; check them on the website of your chosen carrier before buying a hundred units.
Practical consequence: when choosing a letterbox box, consider your filler carefully. A sheet from a roll of Bubble Wrap 500 mm x 500 m (€12.95) is fine, but measure the total thickness once.
Box with lid: when the packaging enhances the gift
With this type, the lid is a separate or hinged component. You lift it rather than tearing it open, which makes it reusable. That's precisely why you use it for jewelry, cosmetics, small gifts, and anything where the unboxing is part of the experience.
Note one thing: a box with a lid is a presentation package, not a shipping package. If you're sending it, place it in an RSC or flat shipping box, with filler in between.
How to choose in thirty seconds
Situation
Type
Why
Voluminous or heavy product
RSC box
Double cardboard on bottom and top
Flat product, many per day
Flat shipping box
Quick to close, little storage space
Must fit through letterbox
Letterbox box
Fixed low height, rate stays low
Gift or presentation
Box with lid
Reusable, opens neatly
Small and light, not fragile
Bubble envelope
Cheapest option per shipment
The last one is the forgotten alternative: a Metallic Bubble Envelope 22x17 cm costs €0.90 and completely replaces a box for many small items. And for food portions or small sets, there's another outlier: the Mini Pizza Boxes 85x85x20mm, 100 pieces (€10.00), a small flap box that you close in one motion.
From five types to two or three
The reality for a small webshop: you rarely need more than three types. Usually, that's one flat shipping box or letterbox box for your standard product, one RSC box for outliers, and possibly a presentation box for gift orders. Each additional type costs storage space, purchasing rules, and indecision at the packing table.
Test it before you buy in bulk: order a small quantity of two candidates, pack ten real orders with them, and clock how long you spend per package. The difference between thirty seconds and a minute and a half per package adds up quickly with fifty orders per week. If you seal your packages with a visible seal, the Security Seal Stickers VOID - 60 pieces (€9.95) only truly do their job if there's a complaint.
Get started
View the full range in Packaging & Shipping for shipping boxes, tape, and filler, Letterbox Packaging for everything that needs to fit through the slot, Boxes for individual sizes, and Gift Packaging & Gift Boxes for presentation boxes. Are you unsure which type suits your product, or do you want to know the cost of a bundle for larger quantities? Email your product dimensions and an estimate of your weekly package volume to info@verpakkingdeals.nl — and we'll help you find the combination that saves the most time and space.
Choosing a USB hub for working from home: 2.0 or 3.0, how many ports, and with switches
· 3 min reading time
Choosing a USB hub for working from home: 2.0 or 3.0, how many ports and with switchesYour desk needs three USB devices, but your laptop only has two ports. Or...
Power outages in autumn: emergency supplies you'll actually use
· 2 min reading time
Autumn Power Outages: Emergency Supplies You'll Actually Use October to December. Heating isn't in full swing yet, but the nights are getting long and cold. If a power outage strikes...
Choosing a power bank: capacity, charging speed, and weight compared
· 2 min reading time
Choosing a Power Bank: Capacity, Charging Speed, and Weight Compared Your phone dies when you're out and about. The classic emergency solution is a power bank. But what capacity do...
