An ear lock mailer box is a corrugated mailer with a lid that locks into the side walls through two die-cut ears, so it closes tight with no tape. TBPB prints them to your size and artwork with no minimum order, and if you bring a written quote for the same specs, we beat it under our price-beat guarantee.
How the ears hold the lid shut
The lid folds over the front panel, and two small tabs on its sides slide into slots cut in the walls. Once they are seated, the lid cannot lift unless someone presses the ears back out. Compare that with a plain tuck front, where a single flap friction-fits into the front wall. A tuck front is fine for light goods that travel gently. A box that gets dropped on its face, or that rides at the bottom of a parcel stack, is where the ears earn their keep.
What it holds well, and where it stops
Ear lock mailers are a good match for candles, bottles in a fitted insert, skincare sets, apparel folds, books and subscription kits. They are not a substitute for a shipper when the contents are very heavy or fragile on every side. Corrugated carries the load, but the inside still needs a divider or insert so items cannot slide into each other. If your product is mostly weight, say so when you request the quote and the board can be stepped up.
Sizing and board choice
Mailers are specified as inside length by width by depth. Measure the packed product, including any tissue or insert, then add roughly one quarter inch of clearance on each dimension so the lid closes without bowing. E flute is thin and prints cleanly, which suits retail-style unboxing. B flute is thicker and stiffer, and it is the usual choice when the box will be handled more than once. Kraft or white liner is selected before print, and it changes the look noticeably.
Print and finish
You can print the outside, the inside of the lid, or both. Common choices are CMYK for full-color artwork, Pantone matching for a brand color that has to be right, and a matte or gloss coating over the print. A one-color logo on kraft keeps the artwork simple and looks deliberate, while full-coverage print with a coating reads as a finished retail package. If you want a softer, more gift-like feel, the luxury mailer box adds finishing layers on the same basic structure.
- Closure: two-ear tuck lock, no tape or glue needed at the lid
- Board: E flute or B flute corrugated, kraft or white
- Print: CMYK, Pantone match, inside and outside
- Extras: custom inserts, dividers and tissue wrap to fit your product
- Size: any custom inside dimension
Not sure the ears are what you need? The tuck top mailer box is the lighter-duty alternative, and the kraft mailer box is the plain, natural-board option. You can compare all of them in our mailer boxes collection.
Tell us how the box will travel, because that decides more than any finish. A mailer that goes into a courier bag is treated differently from one that ships inside a larger carton, and a box that doubles as the retail package can justify heavier print coverage. Mention whether the lid will be reopened often, whether you need a tissue layer, and whether an insert has to hold bottles or jars upright.
To get a quote, send us your product dimensions and the quantity, even if it is a single box. We draw the dieline, mark where the ears go, and price it.
Frequently asked questions
Do ear lock mailer boxes need tape?
No. The two ears lock into slots in the side walls, and that holds the lid closed. Some shippers add a small label across the seam for tamper evidence, but the box does not depend on it. The lock is part of the die-cut structure, not an add-on.
What is the difference between an ear lock and a tuck front mailer?
A tuck front closes with one flap that friction-fits into the front wall. An ear lock adds two side tabs that seat into the walls, which keeps the lid shut under more handling. Choose the ear lock for heavier contents or rougher shipping, and the tuck front for lighter goods.
Is there a minimum order for custom ear lock mailers?
There is no minimum order. You can order one box to test a size or thousands for a launch. Each order is quoted for its own size, board and print, and if you have a written quote for the same specs from another supplier, we beat it.
How do I choose between E flute and B flute?
E flute is thinner, prints cleanly and suits lighter retail goods. B flute is thicker and stiffer, so it handles weight and repeated handling better. If your box will be dropped, stacked or reopened often, B flute is the safer pick. Tell us the packed weight and we will recommend one.
Can the inside of the box be printed?
Yes. You can print the outside only, the inside of the lid, or the full interior. A printed lid interior is an easy place to add a message or pattern the customer sees first when they open it. Send artwork on the dieline we provide and we will check placement.
How do I size an ear lock mailer?
Measure your packed product with its insert or tissue, then add about one-quarter inch of clearance to each inside dimension. Mailers are quoted as inside length by width by depth. If you are unsure, send us the product dimensions and we will work out the box size and draw the dieline.
More Custom Mailer Boxes
See the full Custom Mailer Boxes range, or explore related options with no minimum order and our best-price guarantee:
