Unpacking Bubble Mailers: Everything You Need To Know

1. What are bubble mailers?

They are a type of padded envelope made of paper or plastic with a protective layer of bubble wrap inside.

They are cheaper since they are smaller and more compact than a shipping box.

However, it should be noted that not all padded envelopes are bubble mailers, although bubble mailers are a form of padded envelope.

Although the terms 'padded envelope' and 'bubble mailer' are often used interchangeably, a padded envelope may be lined with foam or paper, whereas a bubble mailer is only lined with bubble wrap.

Take the e-commerce giant Amazon, for example.

Have you ever placed an order with them?

If so, you will be familiar with their brown shipping boxes, which feature an upward-curving arrow logo that looks like a smile.

However, Amazon delivers goods in another way, too.

You may also have seen their smaller white padded envelopes with the blue Amazon Prime logo on the outside and bubble wrap on the inside.

These are bubble mailers!

2. Shipping boxes vs. shipping mailers

When choosing how to ship your valuable items, there are a few essential factors to consider.

Shipping boxes are flexible in that they can be stacked easily, recycled, and are strong.

However, they are costly and tend to be filled to ensure that the items inside do not move during transportation.

Boxes are the best choice for heavy, large or fragile items, but there is a better option for smaller items.

Bubble mailers are an ideal, cheaper method of shipping flat items such as books and CDs, as well as smaller items such as jewellery and clothing.

While you can fit some of these items in a regular envelope, research has found that packages undergo up to 27 drops or tosses during a one-way shipment.

That's a lot of banging about for items you want to arrive at their destination in one piece!

Bubble mailers offer a compromise between shipping boxes and unprotected envelopes, providing added protection at a reduced cost.

3. Where to find the ideal mailer

Bubble mailers can be found in office supply stores and your local post office. You can even order them online.

Most mailers are available in bulk for less than ten dollars, and come in different sizes and colours.

Some carriers even make their own bubble mailers.

Amazon's bubble mailers, for example, are covered with a custom blue Prime logo on the packaging.

However, bear in mind that the outside dimensions are larger than the inside dimensions when calculating the size of the mailer you want to buy.

Make sure your products can fit inside!

4. Packing Made Easier

Bubble mailers have a built-in layer of bubble wrap, unlike shipping boxes, which require you to fill empty spaces with packing paper, foam peanuts, or inflatables to prevent items from moving around.

Simply place your item inside and you're done!

For extra protection, you can wrap your item in paper or bubble wrap if you are worried about its safety.

Bear in mind, however, that additional packing will increase the weight and therefore the cost of shipping.

5. Shipping bubble mailers

Follow these three simple steps to learn how to use bubble mailers successfully.

After buying your mailer and putting your item inside, you are ready to send your parcel: seal it, add a label and ship it.

Once your item is well packed inside the mailer, close it with the adhesive provided on the flap.

Make sure you close the mailer tightly, but do not press too hard on the envelope as this can cause the bubble wrap inside to pop.

Once closed, check again to make sure there are no holes or tears, otherwise your items may fall out.

Then write on the mailer and place it in the middle of the package.

In most cases, the carrier will print a label for you, which you can either print in advance or have printed when you visit their office.

All you have to do is give the carrier the delivery details by filling in a form on their website or visiting them. Without knowing where to send your package, the couriers cannot deliver it!

If you write the label by hand, make sure all the required elements are included and readable, with the delivery address in the middle and the return address in the top left corner, and the postage in the top right corner.

Finally, it is time to ship your package.

You can arrange a collection from a location of your choice, or carry the mailer to your chosen carrier.

Bear in mind that this will be cheaper than using a box, as each carrier charges different prices based on the weight and size of your mailer.

6. What are the exact costs?

In terms of shipping items, there is no clear answer as to how much a package will cost.

The price of shipping mailers is influenced by variables such as weight, destination, carrier and desired delivery speed, just as with boxes.

However, you will save money by using a bubble mailer rather than a box, as they are usually much cheaper.

Bubble mailers are an even more attractive option as a safer and cheaper alternative since they are considerably smaller and lighter than shipping boxes.

This is the only factor that can reduce the shipping price, as it reduces the weight and space your package occupies during transportation without compromising its protection.

Although boxes are still a good option for sending valuable items, bubble mailers should not be underestimated.

They are more secure than a regular envelope, cheaper to buy than a shipping box, and save on shipping fees due to their smaller size and weight.

Bubble mailers are the most appropriate option for your eCommerce business as they provide the best protection and cost-efficiency.