Mailing Tube Size Chart
Direct answer: choose a mailing tube by measuring the finished roll diameter and usable length, then selecting the next tube size that leaves practical clearance for caps, labels, and handling. Do not force the caps onto a roll that fills the full tube length.
Two checks before you buy: protect the finished roll first and size the tube around the protected roll, and for cap-style tubes leave room for the cap to seat cleanly. The chart below lists diameters and lengths for posters, prints, and blueprints.
Mailing Tube Size Chart
| Item type | Common tube direction | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Small rolled documents or photos | Short 1.5 in diameter tubes | Roll diameter, cap clearance, and whether the item can tolerate a tighter roll. |
| Posters, drawings, plans, and prints | 1.5 in or 2 in diameter tubes by finished roll length | Finished length after rolling plus clearance at both ends. |
| Long banners, plans, or rolled sheets | Longer 1.5 in or 2 in tubes | Whether length or diameter is the limiting constraint. |
| Items that need easier stacking or labeling | Square mailing tubes | Anti-roll handling, label placement, and whether the square profile protects the item better. |
How To Choose The Tube Size
- Roll or bundle the item the way it will actually ship.
- Measure the finished roll diameter without compressing the product.
- Measure the finished length and add clearance for caps and handling.
- Choose the next larger tube diameter and length when the item is near the limit.
- Use square tubes when stacking, label readability, or anti-roll handling matters.
Fast Fit Rules
- For posters and prints, protect the finished roll first; then size the tube around the protected roll.
- For cap-style tubes, leave room for the cap to seat cleanly without pushing against the item.
- For long or fragile items, compare a square tube or corrugated box if bending, crushing, or rolling movement is a concern.
- For recurring shipments, keep the item dimensions, finished roll diameter, selected tube, order frequency, and destination mix together in the buying note.
Packrift Mailing Tube Paths
Use these as inspection paths, not as price or availability claims. Open the destination page to confirm current product details before ordering.
| Path | Use it when... |
|---|---|
| 1.5 x 12 in kraft mailing tubes | Short posters, small rolled documents, and lightweight narrow items. |
| 1.5 x 24 in kraft mailing tubes | Common poster, blueprint, drawing, and print shipments that need a narrow round tube. |
| 1.5 x 36 in kraft mailing tubes | Longer rolled documents, banners, and plans where the roll diameter stays narrow. |
| 2 x 12 in kraft mailing tubes | Shorter rolls that need more diameter room than a 1.5 in tube. |
| 2 x 18 in kraft mailing tubes | Medium rolled goods, prints, and parts that need a wider round tube. |
| 2 x 20 in kraft mailing tubes | Medium-long rolled items where 18 in is tight and 24 in leaves too much unused length. |
| 2 x 22 in kraft mailing tubes | Rolled goods that need a 2 in diameter and just over 20 in of usable length. |
| 2 x 2 x 25 in square mailing tubes | Use a square tube when stacking, labeling, or anti-roll handling matters more than a round profile. |
Related Buying Paths
- Mailers and envelopes
- Corrugated boxes
- How to measure a box for shipping
- Box size calculator
- Reorder packaging by SKU
- Bulk quote
FAQ
How do I choose a mailing tube size?
Measure the rolled item diameter and finished length, then choose a tube with enough diameter and length clearance for caps, labels, and handling.
How much extra length should a mailing tube have?
Leave practical end clearance for caps and handling. If the item fills the full length, move to the next longer tube rather than forcing the caps.
When should I use a square mailing tube?
Use a square mailing tube when the package needs easier stacking, label placement, or anti-roll handling; use a round tube for compact rolled documents and posters.