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A padded mailer is a self-seal shipping bag with cushioning built into the wall, so it protects a product the way a box does without the box. Bubble mailers, the most common type, line the inside with bubble wrap; kraft padded mailers use crumpled or layered paper padding instead of plastic bubble film. Both close with a peel-and-stick strip like a poly mailer, but a plain poly mailer has no cushioning at all, so the choice between the two comes down to whether what is shipping can survive a poly mailer alone or needs the extra protection.
Padded mailers are the right call for anything with a bit of shape or fragility that still does not need a full box: small electronics, cosmetics, books, jewelry, and anything glass or breakable in a retail-size shipment.
Padding types, compared
| Type | Exterior | Recyclable | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poly bubble mailer | Plastic film | Store drop-off only | General retail shipping, lowest cost |
| Kraft bubble mailer | Paper | Curbside, bubble liner removed | Brands that want a paper look with bubble protection |
| All-kraft padded mailer | Paper | Fully curbside recyclable | Sustainability-focused brands, lighter items |
Sizes
| Size | Inside dimensions | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| #000 | 4 x 8 in | Jewelry, small accessories, single small items |
| #0 | 6 x 10 in | Cosmetics, small electronics, phone cases |
| #2 | 8.5 x 12 in | Books, apparel, mid-size retail goods |
| #4 | 9.5 x 14.5 in | Larger apparel, multi-item orders |
| #6 | 12.5 x 19 in | Bulky or multi-piece shipments |
Print and finish
The kraft exterior of a padded mailer prints full color, the same as a poly mailer, so a brand mark, a return address, and any messaging print in one pass. A tear strip along the top and a self-seal closure strip come standard, and a separate resealable strip can be added for returns.
In short
What to send us: the product dimensions and weight, whether it is fragile, and whether recyclability matters to your brand. What you get back: a size and padding type recommendation, a free sample, and a production quote with no minimum order.
Padded mailer questions
What is a padded mailer?
A self-seal shipping bag with cushioning built into the wall, most often a bubble wrap lining, so a product is protected without a box. It closes the same way as a poly mailer, with a peel-and-stick strip.
Bubble mailer or padded mailer, what is the difference?
A bubble mailer is one type of padded mailer, the one lined with bubble wrap. Kraft padded mailers use crumpled paper padding instead of plastic bubble film, and both close and print the same way.
What size padded mailer should I order?
Match the inside dimensions to the product with a small margin so it does not shift during transit. #000 and #0 fit small accessories and electronics, #2 and #4 fit books and apparel, and #6 fits bulkier or multi-item orders.
Are padded mailers recyclable?
An all-kraft padded mailer is fully curbside recyclable. A kraft bubble mailer recycles as paper once the bubble liner is removed, and a poly bubble mailer requires store drop-off plastic film recycling rather than curbside.
What is the minimum order for custom padded mailers?
There is no fixed minimum order. Pricing improves with volume, and a first run at a small quantity is available while you confirm sizing and fit.
A padded mailer is the cushioned option; for goods that do not need padding, a plain poly mailer costs less. For anything that needs more protection than a mailer offers, move up to a corrugated shipping box. Seal any shipment with custom packing tape and label it with custom roll labels.
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