Do you know
how many pieces of mail the U.S. postal service delivers each year? The
answer: over 200 billion! Mail delivery and shipping services are a big
part of our everyday lives. With the advent of online shopping, they've become
even more important.
If you ever
ship packages, you should know some basic facts about shipping mailers. Once
you understand the pros and cons of different boxes and envelopes, you can
choose the best mailer types and mailer sizes for your needs.
Keep reading
below to learn how to choose the right shipping mailer for you!
Picking a
Mailer Size
Picking the
appropriate size for your mailer is important. You should choose the mailer
size that is closest to the size of your item. Use a ruler or tape measure to
determine the length, width, and depth of your item.
When you
know the dimensions of your item you can look for a similarly sized mailer. For
example, if you are shipping a standard 8.5" x 11" document, you
should opt for a 9" x 12" flat envelope. Allow for the thickness of your item when
figuring out what size mailer you need.
If you have a thick item you may opt for a 10” x 14, instead of the 9” x
12”.
If your
mailer is much bigger than your item, your item will slide around as it
travels. This could cause it to break or wrinkle. On the other hand, a mailer
that is too small won't protect your item from the rough handling of postal
carriers.
Wasting
space with an oversized mailer isn't just bad for your item. It's bad for your
wallet, too. That's because larger mailers usually cost more and cost more to
ship.
If you can't
find a mailer that is an appropriate size for your needs, look for a padded
mailer in a size up. You need to size up when using bubble envelopes. Because
of their padding, the usable space inside the envelope is smaller than the
exterior dimensions of the envelope. If
you need to size up on a bubble mailer you can always cut it down some. Padded mailers are not as easy to size down,
as the filling can get messy.
Picking a
Mailer Type
Size isn't
the only factor to consider when choosing a mailer. You should also think about
the contents that you are shipping. What materials and mailer shapes are best
suited to your shipping needs?
Listed below
are some of the most common kinds of mailers and envelopes, along with the
items they fit best.
Corrugated
Mailers
Corrugated
mailers are designed to hold specific items. They come in sizes that
fit the average dimensions of things like documents, photos, and paintings.
These
mailers are strong and lightweight, which makes them great for shipping small
and fragile items. They are designed with folds and flaps that make them sturdy
and hard to crush.
Corrugated
mailers are usually purchased unassembled. It takes just a few folds to turn
them from a flat piece of cardboard into a compact shipping box. No tape or
staples required!
Because of
their compact rectangular shape, these mailers are also great for storing items
in.
Outside
Tuck Cardboard
Outside tuck
boxes are a variety of corrugated mailers. As the name would suggest, they
feature flaps that tuck into the outside of the box. This way, you can pack a
box without worrying that the flaps might damage its contents upon closure.
Outside tuck
boxes are sturdy and lightweight and are great for items that fit snugly into the
box.
Bookfolds
Bookfolds are another kind of corrugated mailer. They are a great choice if you are
shipping books or magazines. Bookfolds work best with items that have a depth
of 5" or less.
Unlike many
other corrugated mailers, you need to use tape when assembling bookfolds. To
use one of these mailers, you should first place your item in the middle of the
flat cardboard. Then fold it up around the item and secure it with tape.
Literature
Mailers
If you're
shipping a book, you can also use a literature mailer. These mailers come in a
variety of sizes that fit hardcovers, paperbacks, picture books, and everything
in between. They also work for magazines, framed photos, and folios.
Like
corrugated mailers, literature mailers are sturdy and easy to assemble. They do
not require any tape, staples, or glue. Their strong sides protect whatever
literature you've put inside of them.
Poly
Shipping Mailers
Poly mailers
are durable and lightweight shipping bags made of polyethylene. They are weatherproof and protect against dirt, dust, and
moisture. They are self-sealable and easy to store.
Poly mailers
are made of thin material and do not offer much padding. For this reason, they
are best for shipping soft items like clothing. However, there are some
varieties of poly mailers that have protective bubble lining.
Poly mailers
are also used for shipping magazines and catalogs. In these cases, a clear
mailer is usually fixed around the piece of media.
Reinforced
Nylon Mailers
These
mailers are made of heavy-duty tear-resistant material. They are good for
shipping items that need to be protected from the elements but don't require
the added protection of bubble lining.
Because
they're lightweight, reinforced mailers will cost you less than a heavier
envelope or a box.
These
mailers come with a self-seal feature. The seal is made of an easy-to-use
rubber adhesive that securely closes the mailer.
Tyvek
Envelopes
Like poly
and nylon mailers, Tyvek envelopes are weatherproof and tear-resistant. They
are also very sturdy. Because of the strength of Tyvek material,
these envelopes are great for shipping important documents.
Tyvek
envelopes come in a variety of sizes and shapes. These include commercial
envelopes, CD sleeves, and extra-large envelopes. You can also customize them
to fit your specific needs.
CD
Mailers
It's all in
the name! These mailers fit CDs. They protect CDs and other discs from damage
during shipping.
Some models
can fit several CDs in their cases, while other models are meant for one CD. CD
mailers can be box-shaped or can look like a sturdy, cardboard version of paper
CD sleeves.
Contact
Us Today!
Using the
information above, you should be able to pick the perfect shipping mailers for
you. No matter what your shipping needs are, we've got you covered! We carry
everything from poly mailers to outside tuck boxes.
For more
information about our products, contact us now.
We're happy to help.
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