key points:
- poly mailers are strong, lightweight plastic bags that are designed to ship lightweight, less fragile items
- poly mailers help e-commerce sellers reduce shipping costs packaging and shipping because they are affordable and take up less space in carrier vehicles during transit
- poly mailers can cost less than $0.25 per unit when purchased in bulk
E-commerce is all about cutting costs, and the type of packaging you use will determine how much you’ll pay to get items to the customer’s doorstep. To get a positive return on their customer acquisition cost, retailers need to reduce shipping costs.
One way to do this is to choose proper shipping packaging that will protect items from damage in transit at a reasonable cost. While cardboard boxes are great for shipping delicate items, they can be unnecessary and expensive when shipping less fragile items like clothes and shoes.
That’s why poly mailers have become so popular in the e-commerce shipping industry as an affordable alternative to standard packaging. they enable e-commerce merchants to strike the delicate balance between keeping buyers’ items safe and lowering shipping costs.
In this article, we define what poly mailers are, the common reason retailers use them, the type of product they can ship, and where to get them. We’ll also look at some of the shipping solutions easyship offers to e-commerce retailers to help them reduce shipping costs even further.
what are poly banners?
Poly mailers are strong, lightweight plastic bags that are designed to ship lightweight, less fragile items. They are a great alternative to standard packaging. They help e-commerce sellers reduce packaging and shipping costs because they are affordable and take up less space in carriers’ vehicles during transit.
They have a self-sealing fold-over lip and require no tape. A shipping label can also be affixed directly to the bag. This makes them easier to pack and ship, hence making for an excellent alternative for shipping non-fragile items that don’t have to be shipped in big bulky boxes.
the different types of polyethylene envelopes
Whether you want to add more protection to your buyer’s items, reduce shipping costs, go green, or showcase your brand, you’re sure to get the exact type of poly mailer to accomplish your goals.
Basically, there are four types of poly mailers available. they are:
- Regular white poly mailers are the standard and most cost effective poly mailers without bubble padding. they are your best option if you want to save money on shipping costs. they are best suited for non-fragile items such as clothing or fragile items that are already in sturdy packaging and do not require additional protection.
- bubble padding: bubble mailers The polyester bags earn their name from the fact that they come padded with bubble wrap on the inside to provide extra protection for the items being shipped. they are a bit more expensive and are ideal for high-quality items that require extra padding to prevent damage or scratches.
- Expansion Poly Envelopes: These are high-density poly mailers. strength that feature a padded bottom to allow for shipping of thicker items. They are made of strong polyethylene and are ideal for protecting items from moisture damage during shipping. they’re also puncture and tear resistant.
- Eco Options: These are types of custom poly mailers that are made for eco-conscious brands and include biodegradable and recycled options. this makes them ideal for green brands that focus on minimizing waste and maximizing the use of renewable energy because they are safe for both consumers and the environment.
related: packaging & shipping of fragile items
Common reasons why online retailers use poly mailers
As we’ve already seen, poly mailers offer an affordable alternative to standard packaging. These are the most common reasons online sellers use poly banners.
- Are Affordable: Affordability is one of the main reasons many sellers consider using poly mailers to ship products to buyers. poly mailers can cost as little as $0.25 per unit when purchased in bulk, but you can end up paying as much as $1.25 for similar sized cardboard boxes, even when purchased in bulk.
- they are smaller and lighter: polyethylene envelopes save space. that means they take up less space on shipping trucks. Due to their light weight and small size, they help e-commerce merchants reduce shipping costs compared to cardboard boxes that come with the dimensional weight item. on the other hand, poly mailers help reduce dimensional weight, therefore reducing shipping costs for lightweight items that would otherwise take up more space when shipped in a box.
- They’re easy to brand and personalize: Like boxes, you can give your poly envelopes a stylish look with custom branding options and delight your shoppers with a great unboxing experience. it’s even easier and cheaper to include your logo, images, colors, and other branding materials in polythene envelopes than in boxes.
- include eco-friendly options: if your brand is built on On an environmentally conscious basis, you may dismiss standard poly bags as a terrible option for the environment. The good news is that there are many eco-friendly packaging options for poly bags offered by different packaging companies. you can even approach a packaging company to make your own custom poly mailers that are recyclable and biodegradable.
- offer an extra layer of protection: some retailers prefer poly mailers bubbled because it helps cushion items from the unfortunate reality of shipping damage without the need for additional dunnage. When shipping fragile items that can be damaged when packed in standard poly bags, you may opt for some extra padding with bubble-lined bags to maximize security and prevent damage.
what items can I send?
So, which e-commerce products are ideal for mailing with poly mailers? well, poly mailers are perfect for shipping non-fragile items that can’t be crushed or items that are already in sturdy packaging. clothing and shoes are good examples in these categories.
If a product will not be damaged by being dropped or heavy boxes dropped on it, then it can be shipped in a poly bag.
However, you should avoid using polythene envelopes on breakable items made of glass or any other items, such as food, that can break and crumble. it is safe to keep the boxes when shipping such items. If you wish to ship such products in a poly bag, first make sure they are in strong packaging before wrapping them in a poly bag.
The main categories of items you can send with poly mailers include:
- Any item in strong packaging: If a product is already in strong packaging, it will be something of an overkill to pack it in a cardboard box. instead, polythene envelopes are great for shipping such products and any other soft, flat items that won’t be easily crushed, like phone cases, decks of cards, and smaller board games.
- apparel: Products such as shirts, shoes and jeans that cannot be crushed in transit are excellent candidates for poly mailers. You can also ship fabric and fabric-based products like bedding, face masks, swatches, and yarn. When shipping garments containing fragile beads and embellishments, it is recommended that you use bubble-lined polythene envelopes or boxes to prevent damage.
- Books and Print Media: bubble-lined polythene envelopes Bubble wrap is great for shipping books and print media because it provides the extra padding needed to prevent tears and dents in such mailings.
- Some Health and Beauty Products: Poly mailers provide an excellent option for shipping some health, beauty and wellness products. Popular products in this category include vitamins and supplements, cosmetics, and nutrition products. As long as they are already wrapped in strong materials, these products can be shipped safely with polythene envelopes.
where to buy polyethylene envelopes
So far, you know what poly mailers are and the type of products you can ship with poly mailer bags. but where can they be bought? You can find poly mailers to buy at any major carrier retail store or online, and at any other store that sells shipping supplies.
common places include:
- target
- walmart
- ups
- fedex
- usps
- amazon.com
- uline.com
common sizes of polythene envelopes
It is important that you find the right poly mailer to perfectly fit the item you are shipping. For example, an extra small t-shirt will need a different size of polyester than an XXL t-shirt. The table below gives you a sampling of common poly bag sizes and the products that best fit them.
polyethylene envelopes vs. standard packaging
While standard packaging, such as cardboard boxes, is ideal for shipping certain products, it can sometimes be unnecessary. for example, it will not make sense to put a product that is already packed in a strong box inside another cardboard box.
Remember that carriers use both actual weight and dimensional weight, whichever is greater, to calculate the shipping rate for your package.
Take a pair of shoes as an example, which is already packaged in a sturdy cardboard box. putting it inside another carton adds both the actual weight and the dimensional weight of the package. this increases the shipping rate.
If you ship your pair of shoes inside a polythene bag, you not only reduce the actual weight of the package, but also the dimensional weight. that means you’ll save significantly on shipping costs.
Therefore, it is recommended that you use polythene envelopes to ship products that are already in strong packaging and any other items that cannot be easily crushed or broken, and only use boxes to ship fragile items that are susceptible to damage. if they are sent without box.
important things to consider for your shipping process
Poly mailers are a great option when it comes to saving on shipping costs because they’re lightweight and take up less space on delivery trucks. To ensure that your buyers receive their packages in perfect condition, there are a few things to keep in mind for your shipping process with poly mailers.
here’s a quick summary:
- do not use poly envelopes to ship fragile items unless they are in sturdy packaging
- inexpensive poly envelopes can easily tear and expose your items to damage. use only high-quality, reputable poly mailers.
- bubble-lined poly envelopes come with an extra layer of protection, and are best used when shipping items that require a little protection extra.
- If using standard poly mailers, make sure the product completely fills the bag. otherwise, fill in any empty spaces with additional padding materials such as bubble wrap or packing peanuts. this facilitates processing at the post office and avoids any risk of delays in package delivery.
usps rules for poly mail
poly mailers are commonly shipped with usps. To that end, there are a few USPS rules and guidelines to keep in mind when mailing poly mailers.
include:
- ” when the package is flat.
- first class mail can only be used for any poly mailing that weighs less than 16 ounces
- priority mail can be used for any mail poly mailers weighing less than 70 pounds
- usps media mail can be used for any poly mailers weighing less than 70 pounds with a content type of books, blu-ray, videotapes, DVDs, vinyl records, sound recordings and printed music.
how easyship can help
Poly mailers are an excellent choice when shipping products that are already in stable packaging or non-fragile items that cannot be easily crushed or torn. provide an affordable option to standard packaging, helping eCommerce sellers save on packaging and shipping costs.
easyship can help retailers improve their shipping with poly mailers in the following ways:
- Shipping Rate Calculator: Use our shipping rate calculator to compare shipping rates for shipping poly mailers with different carriers.
- Custom Branding: If you’d like to brand and personalize your poly envelopes, easyship helps you do just that with branded customs receipts and shipping labels that carry your custom images, logo, colors and other branding materials.
- Great Shipping Rates: We help you access shipping discounts of up to 70% from different courier companies, something you can’t get when you go it alone!
- a network of 3pl providers and couriers: To help you further reduce shipping costs, we partner with fulfillment providers in different locations and have a network of over 250 to help you reduce shipping time and cost.
- most Reduce rates at checkout: don’t surprise your customers. By using the rates feature at checkout on our platform, you can display shipping rates and times to your buyers so they know in advance how much they will pay for shipping.
Sign up for a free easyship account today to get started!
frequently asked questions about polyethylene mailings
Can I put a stamp on a polythene envelope?
yes, you can put a stamp on a polythene envelope.
What can I use instead of poly mailing?
You can use paper envelopes or shipping boxes as an alternative to a poly envelope.
Is a polyethylene envelope ecological?
yes and no. Plastic polyethylene envelopes contain polyethylene materials, which can be harmful to the environment.
If you found this article useful, you might enjoy the following:
- Value Engineering Packaging: What It Is and How It Can Save You Money
- Custom Packaging for Omni-Channel Retail
- Sustainable Packaging: 5 Ideas Businesses Should Adopt