Shipping Tubes
Manufactured from wood pulp fibers and spiral-wound with adhesives to give
added strength, shipping tubes are cylindrical cardboard paper containers which
are used, among many other applications, for shipping and mailing. Almost any
type of item able to fit in a cylinder 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. Shipping 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.
Shipping tubes are manufactured to wide ranges of diameter, length and thickness
according to the item being mailed. Some shipping 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 shipped, 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.