New to the world of packaging supplies, or looking for a refresher? Look no further, because we’ve got your back. All we need is 5 minutes of your time, and we’ll get you on the road to buying bubble mailers. They’re low-profile, compact, and can save you plenty on dimensional shipping charges. Let’s get started, shall we?

Kraft Bubble Mailers

These are the gold(en) standard when people talk about buying bubble mailers. The outside shipping envelopes are made from a layer of high-quality, golden-coloured kraft paper. This gives the mailers structure and an eye-catching look that helps them stand out from other shipped parcels. Inside, they’re lined with bubble cushion for product protection, and easily closed using a peel-and-seal adhesive strip. This well-established look, combined with an increase in their use by e-commerce businesses, has led to those same businesses trying other bubble mailers (like the ones listed below) to give their shipments a different look. 

White Bubble Mailers

Considered a cleaner, more attractive alternative to kraft bubble mailers, these guys provide the same high-quality construction and protection as their golden cousins. Their white exterior provides a blank canvas that’s perfect for branding with custom labels and other details. The one caveat about using white bubble mailers, however, is that they show dirt and smudge marks much easier than kraft paper bubble mailers. But truly, you can’t lose with either mailer style.

Poly Bubble Mailers

If you’re shipping items that are oddly-shaped or particularly moisture-sensitive, poly bubble mailers are a good choice for your packaging strategy. Rather than a paper-based exterior, they use opaque polyethylene plastic to form the shipping envelope. While the inner bubble cushion protects the product from damage, the outer layer is water-, tear- and tamper-resistant. As you’ve probably surmised, they’re popular for shipping valuables like watches, jewelry and small electronic accessories.

Glamour Bubble Mailers

As eye-catching as golden kraft paper or stark white paper can be, they really don’t compete with the shiny, bright and colourful exteriors of glamour bubble mailers. When buying bubble mailers with the express intent of standing out from the crowd (and giving your branding an extra jolt), these mailer envelopes are the ones for you. And like the mailers listed above, their construction, bubble cushion lining and peel-and-seal adhesive ensure they’re just as protective and useful.

Bubble Bags

Bubble bags, also called bubble pouches, are exactly as they sound: bubble cushion formed into little bags/pouches/envelopes. You simply slide in a product and it’s protected—some bags even have an adhesive strip for a secure closure. They aren’t useable as shipping envelopes, but they’re useful for extra product protection, or when you’re in a packaging supplies pinch.

Let’s say you’re shipping a set of earrings and a bracelet,but you’re out of poly bubble mailers. BUT you do have poly mailers (poly bubble mailers without the bubble lining, also known as courier bags) and you have a bunch of bubble bags. You wrap up the pieces in their own bubble bags,place them in a poly mailer and use the peel-and-seal adhesive strip to close it up tight. It’s a workable, protective alternative in the moment, and it’ll keep your packing efforts from getting too hung up.

The world of packaging is a big one. There’s a lot to learn when you’re creating a packaging strategy for your business. But hopefully, you’re now 5 more minutes in the know and ready for buying bubble mailers. For more words worth knowing, you should visit our Knowledge Center—and be sure to visit The Packaging Company for the high-quality packaging supplies your products need.