Shipping Posters & Prints: Cardboard Tubes vs. Flat Mailers

Every print-on-demand seller hits this question eventually: do I roll it into a tube, or ship it flat in a rigid mailer? We've compared the two on cost, damage rate and unboxing experience.

Damage rate

Tubes win, comfortably. Heavy-duty cardboard tubes with end caps have damage rates around 1%, versus 4–6% for flat rigid mailers (mostly corner crush and crease damage).

Postage cost

This is where flat mailers fight back. A flat A2 print fits in Royal Mail's "large letter" band; the same print rolled into a tube usually drops you into "small parcel" — roughly 2x the cost.

The crossover point is roughly £40 product value: below that, the postage saving from flat shipping wins. Above that, the lower damage rate of tubes pays for itself.

Unboxing experience

Tubes feel premium. Customers consistently rate tube-shipped prints higher in post-purchase surveys. If you sell at the higher end of the market, this matters.

Which tube grade?

For up to A3 prints, our standard heavy-duty tubes are sufficient. For A2 and larger, or for textiles and fabric prints, step up to extra-heavy-duty.

The verdict

Below £25 product value: flat. £25–£40: your call. Above £40: tube every time, with end caps.

Browse the full range of postal tubes and pick the wall-thickness that matches your products.