Mailing Tubes
Manufactured from wood pulp fibers and spiral-wound with adhesives to give
added strength, mailing tubes are cylindrical cardboard containers which are
used, among many other applications, for shipping and mailing. Almost any type
of item that will fit can be shipped in mailing tubes. Most tubes offer superior
protection from the denting, bumping and dropping that often occurs during
shipping, since shipping tubes are more difficult to dent than cardboard boxes.
Mailing tubes are usually denser, thicker and stronger than cardboard walls,
and the cylindrical shape offers more strength than a square box. Items which
are commonly shipped in mailing tubes are posters, blueprints, signs, banners,
paintings, artwork, pencils and small fragile items.
Mailing tubes are manufactured to wide ranges of diameter, length and thickness
according to the item being mailed. Some mailing tubes have multiple layers
for added strength and protection, and many manufacturers offer decorative
coating, papering and printing options for the tube's outer layer. Typical
tubes are cardboard brown, but their exteriors can be Kraft papered in almost
any color, pattern, or print. Bright colors and prints on tubes are popular
for mailing birthday, anniversary, wedding or Christmas presents. Cardboard
tubes intended to ship industry-specific items, such as medical specimens,
hazardous chemicals or other sensitive materials, are often coated with aluminum
interiors both for the protection of the contents and in order to comply with
US Postal regulations.
Depending on the item being mailed, mailing tubes may be closed at both ends
with glued or removable metal plugs, plastic caps, wooden plugs or by simply
crimping the ends of the paper tube. Industries often use paper mailing tubes
for sending and receiving parts to and from manufacturers as well as for packaging
and distribution.