Anytime you are shipping something through the mail, or with a shipping company, making sure the container that you are sending the items in will hold up to the trip is critical. If you ship something and the shipping box, tube, or other container is not strong enough to survive in transit, the item inside may not make the trip safely either. 

Shipping Tubes

Often shipping tubes are made from cardboard, but the thickness and rigidity of the material are what make it a good option. Large photos, prints, posters, or other items that you can roll up can be rolled up in a shipping tube and sent through the mail safely. 

The shipping tube that you are using may be more substantial than the item you are shipping, but if the tube is too lightweight, it can be flattened out or crushed in route, and whatever is inside can incur damage. You want a tub that is strong enough that you can not easily bend it and that has solid caps on the ends. 

The ends of the tube need to fit tight enough that you have to press them in place and pull pretty hard to get them off. If the tube is thick and heavy but the caps are flimsy material, then damage could occur to the cap which means the item inside the tube may not be safe anymore.

Buying Shipping Tubes

If you only need one shipping tube for a one-time shipment, you can often find the tubes at any local shipper. Some shippers have retail locations that offer boxes, packing material, tape, and anything else you may need. 

If you are using the mail to ship your item, the local post office will also have shipping tubes and packing materials for you to purchase. While different shippers offer these products, you don't have to use their branded items for your shipping. You can often find shipping tubes and materials at your local office store, and the cost may be cheaper, or you may have more size options.

Bulk Shipping Supplies

Some businesses may ship a lot of items in tubes, and buying the tubs one at a time may not make sense for them. Finding a supplier or manufacturer that you can purchase the tubes from directly is often a better option. Working with the manufacturer allows you to specify the dimensions of the shipping tubes and the thickness of the material. 

If you are buying enough shipping tubes, you may even be able to get the tubes branded for your business, so the recipient knows right away that the product inside is the one they ordered from your company or business.