Buying guides
All Packrift packaging guides, calculators, and size charts
Every guide here is built to answer one packaging decision: which box, which mil thickness, which tape, which mailer. Each one routes to the right product family or collection at the end so you do not stop at the answer.
For interactive sizing only, jump to the Tools index.
Buying guides by category
Start here if you are new to a packaging type and want the basics plus a route to product.
Calculators & selectors
Interactive tools for sizing, weight, and material selection.
Reference & comparisons
Side-by-side guides on common trade-offs: which spec, which material, which format.
- Mailer vs box: which to ship in
- 32 ECT vs 200 lb test
- Bubble mailer size guide
- Carton vs kraft tape
- Kraft vs masking tape
- Hand vs machine stretch film
- Bubble vs poly mailers
- Anti-static vs regular bags
- Gusseted vs flat bags
- 2 vs 4 mil poly bags
- 4 vs 6 mil poly bags
- Clear vs colored poly mailers
- Pink vs metalized static bags
- Fanfold vs roll labels
- Packaging Price Index (Q3 2026)
- Best Uline alternatives
- Packrift vs Uline
- Uline alternatives by box size
- Uline alternatives by label size
- UCanPack alternative
- USPolyPack alternative
- RSC vs HSC boxes
- Single-wall vs double-wall boxes
- Slip sheets vs pallets
- Mailer box vs corrugated mailer
- 6 mil vs 4 mil plastic sheeting
- Uline alternatives for construction
- Uline alternatives for janitorial and cleaning
- Uline alternatives for safety supplies
Size charts
Reference dimensions across common packaging formats.
Procurement indexes
Use these when you already know the product family and need to compare SKUs by dimensions, material, strength, adhesive, roll length, gauge, or pack quantity.
Shop by use case
Packaging recommendations grouped by product type and seller channel.
- What size box do I need? (visual guide)
- Apparel
- Cosmetics
- Candles
- Books
- Electronics
- Subscription boxes
- 3PLs
- Shopify brands
- Cannabis & CBD
- Food & beverage
- Etsy sellers
- Amazon FBM
- Jewelry
- Pet products
- Healthcare
- Automotive parts
- Trade shows
- Supplements
- Art prints
- Home goods
- What size box for blankets
- What size box for dishes
- What size box for hats
- What size box for wine glasses
- What size box for books
- What size box for shoes
- What size box for apparel
- What size box for clothing bundles
- What size box for mugs
- What size box for candles
- What size box for cosmetics
- What size box for jewelry
- What size box for picture frames
- What size box for prints
- What size box for vinyl records
- What size box for wine bottles
- What size box for coffee beans
- What size box for supplements
- What size box for subscription boxes
- What size box for small electronics
- What size box for small tools
- What size box for skincare sets
- What size box for tea boxes
- How to ship a laptop
- How to ship a mirror
- How to ship posters
- How to ship trading cards
- Amazon FBA prep supplies
- Packaging supplies for eBay resellers
- Packaging supplies for Etsy sellers
- Holiday shipping supplies & deadlines
Tools index
The complete index of interactive packaging tools is on the Tools page.