How to Ship Samples to Light Labs

Last updated: July 15, 2026

Getting your samples to us is simple, and a few small habits make the whole thing even smoother — faster testing, fewer surprises, and no back-and-forth. Here’s everything you need for a great first shipment (and every one after).

Before you ship

A couple of quick things set you up for a smooth intake:

  1. Create your order in the platform first. This one matters — we’re a testing lab rather than a storage facility, so your samples need an order waiting for them when they arrive. Setting it up first means we can get straight to testing.

  2. Place the order form in the box. It’s how we match your samples to your order the moment they land. A missing form is the most common reason intake slows down, and it’s an easy one to avoid.

Packaging basics

Good news: a standard cardboard box handles most samples with no trouble. Two things are worth a little extra care:

  • Glass containers — wrap them in bubble wrap. Glass can occasionally break in transit, and a little padding makes that a rare event.

  • Liquid samples — parafilm is a must. Bubble wrap protects the container, but it won’t stop a leak if the lid loosens along the way. Wrapping the seal in parafilm (or Saran wrap) keeps everything where it belongs. We walk through exactly how in "Shipping liquid samples: why parafilm is required."

How much sample to send

Before you ship, take a quick peek at the sample volume your test needs. Whenever you can, send a little extra — it gives us room to retest if we ever need to, and saves you a follow-up request down the line.

If your order is splitting between our in-house lab and partner labs, we’ll need enough for every stop. For example, an 80 g sample spread across our lab plus three partners can come up short. When splits are in play, add up what each lab needs and add a little buffer on top. We break down the math in "How much sample to send."

Shipping in multiple boxes or sending a follow-up?

No problem at all — a quick heads-up is all we need. If your order is arriving in more than one shipment, or you’re sending a forgotten or retest sample separately, letting us know saves us from wondering where the rest is.

A line in your order or a reply to your order confirmation — something like "Shipment 1 of 2" or "Follow-up sample for Order #XXXX on the way" — is all it takes to keep everything moving.

Your quick pre-ship checklist

Give this a once-over before you seal the box:

☐  Order created in the platform

☐  Order form tucked in the box

☐  Enough sample for your tests (plus a buffer)

☐  Liquids sealed with parafilm (or Saran wrap)

☐  Glass wrapped in bubble wrap

☐  Gave us a heads-up if it’s multiple boxes or a follow-up

Nail these and your samples sail through intake and straight into testing.

Still have questions?

We’re always happy to help. Reach out to support@lightlabs.com any time and we’ll get you sorted before you ship.

Related

  • Shipping liquid samples: why parafilm is required

  • How much sample to send