Run theback roomon better numbers.
Guides for label printers, shipping scales, custom boxes, labels, print runs and POS hardware, compared on what businesses actually pay: cost per label, cost per box, minimum order and turnaround.
Find supplies by job
Shipping, packaging, printing and checkout each have their own math. Start where your costs are.
Shipping & fulfillment
Label printers, scales and mailers
Packaging
Custom boxes, mailers and inserts
Labels & printing
Labels, stickers, cards and print
POS & office
Scanners, receipt printers, consumables
Promotional merchandise
Branded apparel, drinkware and giveaways
Print production gear
Cutters, laminators and binding
Procurement & reordering
Bulk buying, vendors and reorders
Do the math first
- 01
32 ECT vs 44 ECT Shipping Boxes
32 ECT is a common single-wall shipping-box grade; 44 ECT provides a higher edge-crush rating for loads or handling conditions that need more stacking strength.
- 02
Barcode Scanners for Small Retail: 1D vs 2D, Wired vs Wireless
Most small retailers should buy a 2D imager scanner.
- 03
Branded Box vs Stock Box with a Printed Insert
A custom printed box puts the brand on the parcel but can involve print setup, a larger minimum order and more storage.
- 04
Custom Stickers and Product Labels: Materials, Cuts and Files
Choose vinyl for durable, water-resistant stickers and product labels, and paper for low-cost indoor labels.
- 05
Dimensional Weight: Choosing Box Sizes That Cost Less to Ship
Carriers bill the greater of a package's actual weight and its dimensional weight: length × width × height in inches divided by the service's divisor.
- 06
How to Calculate Packaging Cost per Shipment
Packaging cost per shipment is the sum of every item that goes into one order (box or mailer, void fill, tape, shipping label, insert) plus the labor to pack it.
- 07
How to Size a Poly Mailer for Apparel and Soft Goods
Measure the item in its packed shape, not flat, then add room for the side seams and adhesive closure.
- 08
Poly Mailer vs Box: Which Is Better for Shipping Your Products?
Poly mailers are the cheapest and lightest option for soft, unbreakable items such as clothing, and they rarely trigger dimensional weight charges.
Business Supplies questions, answered
Is 44 ECT always better than 32 ECT?
No. It can add strength and cost, but the right carton depends on product weight, stacking, transit and the box maker's rating.
Read: 32 ECT vs 44 ECT Shipping Boxes →Do I need a 2D barcode scanner?
If you will scan QR codes, digital coupons or tickets on phones, yes. A 2D imager also reads standard 1D barcodes.
Read: Barcode Scanners for Small Retail →Are custom printed boxes worth it for a small business?
They can be when the presentation matters and volume supports the minimum order. Compare setup, freight, storage and the cost of any obsolete boxes.
Read: Branded Box vs Stock Box with a Printed Insert →What is the difference between die-cut and kiss-cut?
Die-cut stickers are cut through both the sticker and backing to the shape. Kiss-cut stickers are cut only through the sticker, leaving a larger backing.
Read: Custom Stickers and Product Labels →How do I calculate dimensional weight?
Multiply length, width and height in inches, rounded per the carrier's rules, then divide by the carrier's divisor. Compare it to the actual weight and pay the higher.
Read: Dimensional Weight →What should packaging cost per order?
There is no useful universal target: package size, protection, branding and packing time change the total. Add the actual materials and labor for your orders rather than relying on a market average.
Read: How to Calculate Packaging Cost per Shipment →Built for repeat buyers
We compare supplies on cost per label, per box or per print, including minimums and shipping.
Each guide says who the supply suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
The business supplies index
- 01Shipping & fulfillmentThermal label printers, shipping scales, poly and padded mailers, tape and packing stations.4 pages
- 02PackagingCustom printed boxes, mailer boxes, tissue, inserts and branded tape.4 pages
- 03Labels & printingProduct labels, custom stickers, business cards, flyers, direct mail and signage.2 pages
- 04POS & officeBarcode scanners, receipt printers, cash drawers, office paper and bulk consumables.2 pages
- 05Promotional merchandisePrinted apparel, branded drinkware, giveaways, employee kits and trade-show merchandise.0 pages
- 06Print production gearCutting machines, laminators, binding tools and in-house print production equipment.0 pages
- 07Procurement & reorderingBulk purchasing, vendor comparisons, price breaks and reorder management for physical supplies.0 pages