If you are considering starting an e-commerce business or already have an e-commerce business, then you should know the importance of safe shipping. In a business, it is essential that your product reach the footstep of your customer in the best condition. The damaged product or packaging will leave a wrong impression of your business and your products on the customers.
Standard cardboard boxes were previously used for shipping purposes. These cardboard boxes are the traditional and excellent way to ship your products safely and protected. However, they are pretty bulky and not always suitable for small, delicate, or clothing items. That’s why most people now use mailers. In this article, we will discuss what mailers are and what are its different types.
What are mailers?
Mailers are preconstructed envelopes that usually have an adhesive or self-sealing strip. Mailers have considerably replaced cardboard boxes nowadays. That’s because switching to mailers can save a lot of money. Small, flat, and robust products can be shipped in mailers easily and securely. Mailers are also a lightweight and cheaper option for shipping products.
Mailers come in a variety of different styles, colors, and designs. Each type of mailer is designed for a specific purpose. Depending upon the needs of your product, there are various types of mailers. You can use them whenever you need protective padding, water resistance, or you want to step up your game.
Types of Mailers
Mailers can be classified based on their appearance, designs, function, or the material from which they are made. Here are the most commonly used and well-known mailers.
1. Corrugated Mailers
Corrugated mailers are the compact version of a traditional and reliable cardboard box. If you are using corrugated mailers for shipping, you must add materials such as void fill, padding, and tape to secure your products. These mailers are just the mini version of traditional cardboard boxes. Corrugated mailers just use less material and thus less dimensional shipping costs.
Corrugated mailer boxes are lightweight, thick, and sturdy. They are designed to guarantee ample protection of small and fragile items during the entire shipping process. Another advantage of these mailers is that they come in a variety of styles, sizes, shapes, and colors. You can also easily customize them and promote your business.
2. Bubble Mailers
Bubble mailers are one of the widely used mailers for shipping delicate and small items. They are excellent in absorbing any type of shock during shipment and thus guarantee your product’s safe and sound delivery.
Bubble mailers are padded, economical, durable, and lightweight options for shipping. They are mainly used for shipping promotional materials, books, stationery items, electronics, DVDs, small jewelry items, and other small items. Robust items that require protection are usually shipped via bubble mailers. In addition, bubble mailers come with strong self-sealing strips, so you don’t have to secure them with extra tape. Bubble mailers are available in either brown kraft or white color. Plus, they come in a variety of sizes, so you can select the size according to your product.
3. Different Types of Poly Mailers
Poly mailers derive their name from the material they are made from, which is polyethylene. They are also known as polyethylene mailers. Poly mailers are available in a variety of sizes, styles, and colors.
Poly mailer itself has various types depending on your needs. You can find the following:
- Poly bubble mailers
- Tear-proof mailers
- Long mailers
- Clear view mailers
- Expansion mailers
- Returnable mailers
- Unique colored poly mailers
Poly mailers are excellent for different shipping types of products because they are incredibly good at resisting weather. Moreover, poly mailers are also good at resisting tampering and tearing. All these features make them a reliable option for shipping your goods.
Poly mailers are ideal for shipping clothing, bedding, and other soft materials which are not susceptible to damage during the shipping process. However, the bubble version of these poly bubble mailers can be used for shipping books, documents, and various necessary paper materials because it has padding and provides weather-resistant properties. Poly mailers also come with self-sealing solid strips, eliminating the need for additional tapes to secure the product.
1. Flat Mailers & Chipboard Mailers
Flat mailers and chipboard mailers are strong, durable, and lightweight options for shipping essential documents, photos, magazines, certificates, legal documents, and other paper materials. These mailers are excellent in preventing your essential documents from being folded, bent, or damaged in any way because of their design and material. Flat mailers are available in various sizes. They are available in brown kraft, white, and black colors. In addition, flat mailers come in several different styles, including self-sealing and tab lock closure. They are available even as gusseted mailers for larger and bulkier shipments.
2. Rigid Mailers
Rigid mailers are similar to flat or chipboard mailers in terms of use. However, they are made from laminated kraft fiberboard. Rigid mailers are an excellent option for shipping essential documents, artwork, photos, and more. These mailers are the cost-effective option for shipping. They also prevent creases, bends, folds, or any other damage to your documents. Just like other mailers, rigid mailers also come in various sizes with self-sealing flaps and tear strips to provide an easy opening to your customers.
3. Glamour Mailers
Businesses mainly use glamour mailers to impress their customers and make their business stand out. They come in a range of colors, including gold, green, black, purple, silver, red, blue, etc. However, remember that glamour mailers are not limited to these colors only. You can have these mailers in various other colors also. Glamour mailers also come with protective bubble liners. So depending on the product you are trying to ship, you can buy them with or without protective bubble lining. Glamour mailers also come with a self-sealing flap, so you don’t need to tape your package, and your shipping process will become much easier and faster.
4. Padded Mailers
Padded mailers are lightweight, flexible, durable, and moisture-resistant. They are equipped with fiber padding. This fiber padding expands and absorbs shock during transit and protects your package from any sort of damage. Padded mailers are the best solution for shipping products that are delicate and need extra protection, like electronics, mobile phones, books, and other items. Just like other mailers, padded mailers are available in various sizes and two colors: brown kraft and white.
5. Eco-Friendly Mailers
Eco-friendly mailers are relatively new to the market. Because people nowadays are more conscious about environmental protection and tend to purchase environmentally friendly products. If you use eco-friendly mailers and market them properly, they can act as a proper marketing tool and promote your business. Customers are more likely to purchase your products if you use eco-friendly mailers. Eco-friendly mailers are solid and durable, protecting your products and the environment. Eco-friendly mailers come in various different styles, including standard, gusseted, and reinforced. They are also equipped with a self-sealing strip which eliminates the need for additional taping, thus saving time and money.
Conclusion
Mailers are an effective option for shipping almost every sort of product. Nowadays, poly mailers and poly bubble mailers are widely used by e-commerce companies for cost-effective packaging and shipping. However, nowadays, businesses are shifting towards eco-friendly mailers.