Snippets of shippo:
- Polyethylene envelopes are one of the most popular and cost-effective solutions for mailing e-commerce products today.
- They are durable, weather-resistant, and come in a wide variety of colors. materials. including 100% recycled and bubble-lined
- in some cases, poly envelopes may not be the best idea for shipping items that are fragile or don’t fit snugly in the envelope itself
- poly bags are easier to store than cardboard boxes and can be customized with eye-catching design components to boost your brand and make a statement with your shipment
the story:
For the uninitiated, poly mailers are a widely used e-commerce delivery option. Technically defined as “poly envelopes,” poly mailers are lightweight, weather-resistant, easy-to-ship envelopes that are often used as a shipping alternative to corrugated cardboard boxes. Poly mailers are also flexible, self-sealing, and ideal for mailing clothing and other non-fragile items. They offer strong protection against dirt, moisture, dust and tampering to ensure your items arrive intact and safe at your customer’s doorstep.
In this article, we’ll explore the nitty-gritty of what poly mailers really are, their many uses, and how they can help e-commerce businesses ship merchandise easily, efficiently, and affordably.
what are polyethylene envelopes made of?
poly mailers are made from polyethylene, a lightweight synthetic resin that makes up the most widely used plastic in the world. Polyethylene is used to produce everything from shopping bags to clear food wrappers, detergent bottles, and even automobile fuel tanks.
varieties of polyester
There is no one-size-fits-all shipping solution with poly mailers. in fact, there are many different types to choose from:
flat polyethylene envelopes
Flat poly bags are basically the industry standard. If you’ve ever ordered something from a popular e-commerce company, you’ve probably received it in a layflat poly envelope. it’s a flat plastic bag that can hold a wide range of items, it’s good for items that don’t need a lot of padding and can be easily affixed with stamps and sealed with a self-adhesive strip.
transparent polyethylene envelopes
Clear view poly mailers are a solid choice for mailing printed materials such as catalogs, brochures, and magazines. They are completely transparent (hence the clear view) on one side with an opaque back that is perfect for postage, labels, and other shipping information.
advertising supports in polyethylene with bubble lining
For fragile products that don’t necessarily need a fully packed box, bubble-lined poly mailers offer extra cushioning and added protection. they are an inexpensive way to ship small, delicate items to customers and are usually self-sealing.
expansion polyethylene envelopes
expansion poly mailers come with a durable, expandable seam along the side that makes it easier and more efficient to ship bulky items. These work well for shipping large items like jackets, sweatshirts, books, or folders.
returnable polyethylene envelopes
As we all know, product returns are one of the many inherent costs of doing business online. Returnable poly mailers are a popular way to ship products while planning ahead for potential returns (and are often included in initial shipments). They have twoself-adhesive adhesive closures, which offer customers the possibility of conveniently returning an order directly to their receiving address.
recycled polyethylene envelopes
If you’re trying to build a greener, more sustainable business, 100% recycled poly mailing bags are made from a mix of post-industrial and post-consumer materials and have a significantly lower carbon footprint than their virgin counterparts.
a cost effective shipping option
One of the biggest advantages of poly mailers is their affordability, both for purchase and for shipping. For example, poly mailers can be shipped via USPS First Class Mail, for light packages (less than 13 oz), starting at just $0.49. (Try our USPS postage calculator to get an idea of actual discounted rates when using Shippo.) $1.25 each.
made for easy storage
Spatial relationships don’t have to be your strong point to see why shipping boxes, even when collapsed, take up more space than polythene bags. Cardboard can create a lot of clutter in the packaging process, turning your fulfillment area into something of a…danger zone. Poly mailers, on the other hand, are easy to design and pack products in and don’t require the abundance of assembly that comes with corrugated boxes.
designed to last
Weather, water, and dust resistant and don’t break easily, poly mailers can withstand a wide range of conditions without compromising the contents inside.
optimal uses for polyethylene envelopes
Poly envelopes are nothing short of versatile and work well for fabric-based products like clothing and textiles. Certain types of hats and shoes also ship easily in polythene envelopes. And boxed goods that need an extra layer of protection, like jewelry boxes, shoe boxes, and small toys, also travel well in polythene bags.
The important thing to consider when shipping with poly envelopes is whether the items are fragile (in which case, a bubble-lined poly envelope or a padded or void-padded corrugated box might be better) and if they fit in a small, medium or large envelope.
For reference, here’s a little breakdown of sample products combined with poly bags of each size:
small polyethylene envelope (7.5×10.5”)
could send soft goods like:
- 2-3 rolled up shirts
- 1-2 winter hats/ 1 baseball cap
- 3-4 pairs of socks
- one scarf or towel
I could send small products in boxes like:
- accessories such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, or pins
- small non-fragile ornaments or decorations
- collectible coins or trinkets
medium polyethylene envelope (10×13”)
could send soft goods like:
- a pair of pants or shorts
- several shirts
- several winter hats or 2-3 baseball caps (stacked)
- several handkerchiefs
could ship products in medium boxes like:
- books
- small to medium sized artwork
- boxed non-perishable foods like candy
large poly envelope (14.5 × 19″)
could send soft goods like:
- 1-2 sweatshirts or jackets
- 5-8 shirts
- 2-3 pairs of pants or shorts
I could ship large items in boxes like:
- a pair of shoes
- well-packaged works of art
- bulky garments like big fluffy sweaters
ways not to use poly banners
As versatile as they are, there are certain scenarios where a poly mailer just isn’t enough for shipping:
the content is fragile
Products that are fragile or easily damaged (fragile or delicate materials, glass, etc.) should not be shipped in a standard poly envelope, but a padded or bubble-lined poly envelope may work.
more than one article is being submitted
Unless you’re dealing with soft clothing, poly mailers aren’t necessarily the best packaging solution when shipping multiple items at once. an air-filled box is often a better option, especially if the items are fragile.
the product does not fit correctly in the polyethylene envelope
While it may seem easy enough to slip an item into any poly envelope you happen to have on hand, poorly filled poly envelopes can cause confusion during the sorting process for both major carriers and the USPS. flat spots or gaps can be misread by scanning mechanisms which can lead to shipping errors, damage, delays, or even the dreaded return to sender.
Opting for a more rigid packaging solution, such as padded envelopes, rigid envelopes, or corrugated boxes, might be your best option for products that don’t fit well in a poly envelope.
Can the polyethylene envelopes be personalized?
Customized packaging has been a growing trend in the e-commerce industry for the last few years and it doesn’t look like it’s going away any time soon. And according to the Paper and Packaging Board, a staggering 72% of consumers agree that packaging design can influence their purchase decision.
This gives growing merchants a great opportunity to flex their customization muscles and show customers why buying from you is one of the best decisions out there.
poly envelopes are easy to personalize and can help reinforce brand loyalty and keep customers coming back for more. here are some ways to do just that:
- choose a size (based on the examples above) that will fit your submission appropriately
- change the background color to maintain your brand’s unique attributes
- add artwork such as a logo or catchy design
- feature compelling or witty copy that draws them in
shippo can help
Please refer to shippo for a convenient and cost-effective shipping solution.