Mailers and Padded Mailers for Soft and Slim Orders

When a mailer beats a box

A mailer box earns its place when the item needs walls around it. A pair of socks, a silk scarf or a set of earrings on a card does not, and a box only adds bulk, packing time and a higher postal band.

Mailers fill that gap. They pack in seconds, take very little shelf space before use and keep slim parcels slim. Both mailers in this range are measured by length and width only, because they wrap around the item rather than holding a fixed depth.

If you post a mix of goods, many shops keep boxes for gifts and fragile orders and use mailers for everything soft. You can see every format together on the full list of mailer boxes page.

How do paper padded mailers and Compostable Mailers compare?

They solve different problems. One is a stiff, cushioned envelope; the other is a soft bag that folds around what is inside.

Sizes are typical starting points, written length x width. Both are made to the size you ask for.

What fits in a paper padded mailer?

A paper padded mailer is a kraft envelope lined with a layer of textured paper cushioning. It is built for small items up to about 20 mm thick that need a soft lining but no rigid walls.

Typical contents include:

• Rings, necklaces and earrings in a small pouch or on a card
• Lip balms, sample sachets and travel-size cosmetics
• Phone cases, keyrings and enamel pins
• Greetings cards, stickers and small prints backed with card

Anything thicker than about 20 mm starts to strain the seam and the seal. At that point a folding small mailing box is the better choice.

What are Compostable Mailers used for?

Compostable Mailers are soft mailer bags for clothing and textiles, and the Compostable Mailers product page shows the printed sample. A folded shirt, a hoodie or a set of leggings slides in, the flap folds over and the self-seal strip holds it shut.

Because the bag follows the shape of the garment, it takes up far less space in a sack than a box of the same footprint. The surface is smooth and pale, so a printed logo or a full-width band of brand colour stands out clearly.

Use them for goods that will not crush. Anything with a hard edge, a glass part or a shape that must be kept belongs in a box.

How do you size a mailer for your item?

Mailers are sized differently from boxes. There is no depth to choose, so the thickness of the item eats into the length and width as the mailer wraps around it.

1. Lay the item flat, folded the way you will pack it.
2. Measure its length and width in millimetres.
3. Measure its thickness at the deepest point.
4. Add that thickness, plus about 20 mm, to both the length and the width.
5. For a padded mailer, add another 10 mm to the length so the flap closes without strain.
6. Check the result against the postal band you are aiming for.

A thin padded mailer can often travel as a Royal Mail Large Letter, up to 353 x 250 x 25 mm. Bulkier soft mailers usually go as a Small Parcel. The guide to sizes and Royal Mail bands explains the limits. Check the current band limits before you order.

Can padded and soft mailers be printed?

Yes. Paper padded mailers take a one or two colour logo on the kraft face, which reads clearly in black or a deep brand colour. Compostable Mailers are printed to order, from a single logo to a band of colour across the front.

Keep artwork clear of the seal strip and the seams, where the surface folds or is covered. Every printed job gets a free design proof first, and nothing is printed until you approve it. Try your logo on the Design Your Mailer Box page before you send files.

How to order mailers and padded mailers

Send the mailer type, the length and width, a rough idea of what goes inside and your logo if you want print. Prices start from £0.25 a mailer, minimums are low and quoted per job, and the written quote arrives within one working day.

After proof approval, production takes 4 to 6 working days, then free tracked UK mainland delivery takes 2 to 3 working days. Mailers arrive packed flat in bundles, ready to fill.

Any misprint or damaged delivery reported with photos within 10 days is reprinted or refunded. Ask for a price on the mailer and padded mailer quote form.