Which Mailer Should You Use?
4 min read
Match the mailer to the product
- Poly mailers: Lightweight, water-resistant plastic envelopes for soft, non-fragile goods — apparel, textiles, and other unbreakables. They're inexpensive and keep shipping weight down.
- Bubble mailers: Padded envelopes with a bubble lining for small items that need light cushioning — jewelry, cosmetics, small electronics, and accessories.
- Rigid / stay-flat mailers: Stiff paperboard mailers for items that must not bend — photos, documents, prints, and artwork.
- Boxes: When an item is fragile, heavy, bulky, or oddly shaped, a box with cushioning beats any mailer.
Bubble mailer size chart
Bubble mailers use a standard numbering system. Larger numbers are larger envelopes. Common sizes:
- #000 — 4" × 8": Jewelry, USB drives, small parts
- #0 — 6" × 10": Cosmetics, small accessories
- #2 — 8.5" × 12": Books, small apparel
- #5 — 10.5" × 16": Larger books, bundled items
- #7 — 14.25" × 20": Larger soft goods and electronics
When in doubt, size up slightly
A mailer that's slightly too small forces the item against the seams and risks tearing. Pick a size that fits your item flat with a little room to seal cleanly.
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Frequently asked questions
Are poly mailers waterproof?+
Poly mailers are water-resistant — they protect against rain and splashes during transit, but they aren't a fully waterproof seal for submersion.
Can I ship a book in a poly mailer?+
You can for sturdy paperbacks, but for hardcovers or collectible books a rigid mailer or a small box prevents bent corners and crushed spines.
Do bubble mailers protect fragile items?+
They provide light cushioning for small, semi-durable items. For genuinely fragile pieces like glass or ceramics, use a box with proper cushioning instead.