Product Guide

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering Single Wall Boxes

Avoid these common single wall box ordering mistakes that cost money and cause damage.

3 min readUpdated April 2025

Common mistakes

Ordering too few sizes: oversized boxes waste money on void fill and shipping
Under-specifying board grade: too-thin board collapses under weight
Ignoring stacking needs: boxes that crush when stacked damage products
Not testing before bulk ordering: problems discovered at scale are expensive

Quick answer

The biggest mistakes are too few sizes (oversized boxes), wrong board grade (too weak), and not testing before bulk orders. Stock 6-8 sizes for most product ranges. Specify board grade based on the heaviest item each box will hold. Test with real products and a stacking trial before committing to volume orders. Get samples from any new supplier and verify dimensions, board thickness, and print quality.

Sizing errors

3 sizes typically means 70% of items are in the wrong box.

6-8 is the optimal range for most businesses.

It costs far more in void fill, shipping, and customer perception.

Specification errors

Avoid these0 / 4 checked

Do not under-specify board grade for heavy items
Do not ignore stacking requirements
Always test samples before bulk ordering
Verify internal dimensions, not just external
From ProcuraPack

Correctly specified boxes

Expert guidance from ProcuraPack.

Browse single wall boxes

Frequently asked questions

Too few sizes, leading to oversized boxes and wasted void fill.

6-8 for most product ranges.

Always. Test with real products and stacking trials.

Boxes collapse under weight, damaging products and creating returns.

Yes, internal dimensions determine what fits. External dimensions determine shipping cost.

Part of our guide

Product Guide: Single Wall Cardboard Boxes

Expert guides on single wall cardboard boxes for shipping, storage, and e-commerce packaging.

Browse all guides →