Poly Mailers
When you need to send important documents or items, using the right envelope can be the difference between it arriving safely or in pieces.Using heavier-duty mailers to get items from point A to point B is more and more common. One type of durable envelope is a poly mailer. These have a lot of benefits and uses, so keep reading to learn about them all.
What Is a Poly Mailer?
Polyethylene mailers are lightweight, sturdy plastic bags used for shipping. They are lighter than cardboard boxes and take up less space. Lower weights translate to reduced shipping prices, making them a more cost-effective and versatile option. Most poly mailers have a self-sealing lip, meaning you don’t have to worry about using shipping or packing tape. An additional perk of the self-sealing lip is that it cuts down on costs and saves you time while packing your mailers.
Poly mailers, sometimes called mailing bags, tend to be durable and don’t rip easily. Mailers made of plastic are typically waterproof as well, to protect your items from water damage in transit. Some come with bubble wrap interiors to add an extra level of protection to the items you are shipping. They can even fit in mailboxes, which can help decrease the likelihood of package theft.
What Can I Send in Poly Mailers?
Poly mailers are a fantastic option for anything that may not need the size or protection of a cardboard box in shipping. They also save time for businesses by providing a swift process of packing. They work well for:
- Apparel, such as t-shirts, sweatshirts and more.
- Jewelry items, which can be protected by selecting a bubble-wrap interior.
- Documents or other papers that don’t need an entire box.
- Shoes, if you choose a large enough option.
- Smaller electronics or accessories like cell phones, earbuds or chargers.
- Handcrafted home goods.
You should avoid using them for fragile items made of glass, or any other things, such as foods, that can be smashed and crumbled. If you want to use one regardless, try protecting the contents with bubble wrap or a smaller box (like a jewelry box) inside the poly mailer.
Which Polyethylene Mailers Do I Need?
There are many options of poly mailer bags available at Staples. Here are some considerations to take into account before purchasing:
Width and Length
You want to make sure your items will actually fit in the poly mailers you buy. To send documents, you’ll need a mailer large enough to fit standard paper - so your mailers should be 10” - 14” wide at least to comfortably fit your documents without wrinkling them. To fit bulkier apparel like a sweater or other clothes, you may want to opt for 15” - 19” wide mailers. For small items like cell phone cases or earbuds, you can likely fit your items in a 5” - 9” wide mailer.
Color
If you’re running a business or have a theme, you could select colored poly mailers as an eye-popping branding addition. Staples carries a variety of colors such as blue, manila, red, yellow, grey and white. For formal communications, white or manila may convey an air of professionalism.
Poly Mailer Pack Size
Poly mailers are sold in packs ranging up to 1,000, allowing you to buy in bulk. If you have a multitude of items to ship at once, there are packs of all sizes to accommodate your needs.
Can I Buy Environmentally-Friendly Poly Mailer Bags?
Yes! Staples offers eco-friendly polyethylene mailers. There are EPA CPG certified, Eco-ID qualified and recycled mailers available. The total recycled content can vary from up to 25% to 50% recycled, and you can also choose to recycle or reuse the mailer after usage as well to continue the process.