Mailer

Tube Mailers & Poster Tubes — Sizes, Strength, and Packing Guide

Posters, art prints, blueprints, and rolled documents need cylindrical tubes to ship without folding — but the wrong tube (undersized, thin-walled, no end caps) leads to crushed ends or bent contents. Choosing the right tube is straightforward once you know the key variables.

Types of Tube Mailers & Poster Tubes

Standard kraft tube mailers

Single-wall cardboard tubes with plastic end caps — the most common option.

Best for: Posters, art prints, documents up to 24 inches — lightweight and low cost

Heavy-duty triple-wall tubes

Three-layer corrugated tubes with reinforced end caps — significantly more crush-resistant.

Best for: Valuable art prints, architectural drawings, prints over 36 inches

Plastic mailing tubes

Rigid plastic tubes with snap-on caps — waterproof and highly reusable.

Best for: Items that may be stored or shipped repeatedly; outdoor applications

Telescoping tubes

Two-piece tubes where one section slides inside the other for length adjustment.

Best for: Variable-length items; reduces need to stock multiple tube lengths

Sizing Reference

Standard diameters: 2, 3, 4, 6 inches. Length is the primary variable — match tube length to your most common print dimensions. For a standard 24×36 poster, a 3-inch diameter × 37-inch tube works well. Roll with a paper core in the center to prevent tube from collapsing around the contents.

Practical Tips

  • •Always use end caps — a tube without end caps is crushed at the terminal by carrier handling
  • •Roll prints around an inner cardboard core (toilet paper roll diameter) to prevent the outer tube from crushing the print's center
  • •For valuable prints, wrap in acid-free glassine paper before rolling into the tube
  • •Leave 1–2 inches of empty space at each end of the tube — contents should not touch end caps
  • •Heavy-duty tubes cost $0.50–1.00 more than standard but prevent the damage claims that cost far more

Frequently asked questions

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