There’s a Box for That! Types of Boxes You Never Knew Existed

Packing up your kitchen items, bookshelf items, and clothing items is pretty straightforward, but what do you do if you have to move an exceptionally heavy item, like a barbell and weights? You invest in a heavy-duty shipping box, of course! Heavy-duty shipping boxes come with either a single-wall, double-wall, or triple-wall feature that ensures extra-heavy items stay in the box, and off your movers’ toes. You can also order double-walled boxes with hand holes in the sides, a nifty feature that makes moving heavy stuff just a little bit easier.

One question we often receive is, “What the heck is a Gaylord box?” Okay, we don’t actually receive this question, but we imagine that it occurs to a lot of our clients. A Gaylord box is a generic term for a large cargo box that’s the size of an entire shipping pallet. Gaylords can be rectangular, or octagonal; you’ve probably seen the latter in your local grocery store during watermelon and/or pumpkin season. As for the unique name, it refers to the Gaylord Container Company, the first company to patent this type of container system.

Like our heavy-duty boxes, you can purchase Gaylords with either a single-wall, double-wall, or triple-walled thickness. You can also opt for a telescoping Gaylord, which have a fully overlapping “lid” that lend the box extra durability.

These super-convenient, one-size-fits-all boxes are pre-scored around the sides at various intervals, so that all you have to do to get a perfect fit is cut around the closest line. Multi-depth boxes are a particularly useful option for businesses that can’t easily predict exactly what their shipping needs will be in the future. Instead of buying multiple sets of small, medium, and large boxes, you would be able to simply buy one large unit of multi-depth boxes, and cut each box to fit its contents when the time comes.

One typically thinks of a moving box as a simple cardboard cube, and we do indeed have quite a few of those. But many people are unaware that there are shipping boxes designed specifically to accommodate one type of item. For example, at SSI, we have moving boxes for:

• Guitars
• Lamps
• Keyboards
• Skis
• Snowboards
• Surfboards
• Bikes
• Golf bags
• Rifles

…Just to name a few. We also have moving boxes made specially for transporting dishes, wardrobes, and electronics. So, no matter what you need to pack, as it says in our title…there’s a box for that@

Mailer boxes are wonderful packaging options, because they are so easy (and in our opinion, fun) to assemble. Thanks to their interlocking flaps and wings, mailer boxes usually don’t even require any adhesive to stay closed (though it’s still probably a good idea to use some for safety’s sake). Box mailers also tend to be lightweight, yet sturdy, and relatively inexpensive compared to other shipping options. All in all, they’re the perfect choice for mailing consumer items like books, CDs, DVDs, posters, clothing, cosmetics, and more.

While the US Postal Service prohibits shipping perishable items via its standard mailing process, certain items are permitted as long as they meet certain requirements. So, if you’re interested in sending some backyard-laid eggs or fresh-killed venison to a friend or relative, you’ll be able to do that with the right paperwork and an insulated shipping box.

An insulated shipping box consists of an outer cardboard box, and an inner, tightly-fitted Styrofoam carton. The carton, which is several inches thick and fitted with a tight lid, helps simultaneously insulate the items and protect them from being crushed or otherwise damaged. To keep the package contents cool, you can also add a cold pack.

On the outside, insulated shipping boxes are printed with Rush, Perishable, and This Side Up instructions to further help ensure that the items arrive safely and on time. The Postal Service doesn’t want your products to rot any more than you do!

If you are still with us at this point, it’s safe to say that you are now aware of our main takeaway: We Have Boxes. But you may not know that we also have essential packaging items like tape, Bubble Wrap, foam packing peanuts, labels, and mailing envelopes! If you live in Richmond, Virginia or nearby areas, feel free to order anything you need from our vast product inventory, or stop by and see us on 1514 Brook Road. And, if you have any questions—box-related or otherwise—that haven’t been answered in this article, just ask one of our friendly salespeople. No matter what you’re planning to box up and send, we’ll make sure that you get everything you need to make the process as easy as possible.