Shipping Tubes Manufacturers List

Most shipping 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 or postal tubes are usually denser, thicker and stronger than cardboard walls and in the cases where a strengthening adhesive or bonding material is used, 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. Valuable or sensitive items such as paintings or artwork, medical supplies or confidential information may also be shipped in specially designed secure tubing.

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.

These tubes are manufactured to wide ranges of diameter, length and thickness according to the item being mailed. Measurements used are taken from the interior of the tube in order to provide the closest possible fit between article and tube and to prevent potential damage in transit due to shifting. Some shipping tubes have multiple layers for added strength and protection. These heavy-duty tubes may be used more than once and when damaged or no longer being used are able to be recycled in the same way as other cardboard products.

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. 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.