Postal Maling Bags Buying Guide

Packaging products used to ship items via mail or courier have exploded in recent years, spurred on by the increase in online shopping and the effects of the global pandemic. Buyers are getting almost everything short of a haircut delivered to their doorstep. Of course, different items require different types of packaging solutions. 

Larger, heavier products will fit into cardboard boxes of different sizes and materials. On the other hand, smaller items sent on a daily basis, like documents, photos, clothing, accessories, and anything light in weight and with a small footprint can be sent safely to any address home or abroad. These are ideally packaged in small yet safe postal mailing bags, with their own sealing and designs that prevent any potential product damage during all stages of delivery. Online businesses are readily using postal mail bags in expanding their reach to customers.  

What Are Postal Mailing Bags? 

Postal mailing bags are paper or plastic bags available in a number of sizes and styles used in shipping various products. They are lightweight yet sturdy, sometimes consisting of added padding to ensure products inside are well protected when delivered. Plastic mailing bags have some form of self-sealing, so no additional adhesives or tape is needed. Their small form factor and lightweight enables easy and cost-effective delivery.  

Types of Postal Mailing Bags 

You’ll find several types of mailing bags, differing in the design, the materials used, and the protection they provide. 

Standard White/Transparent Bags 

These are the cheapest postal mailing bags around. The lack of padding keeps prices down. They’re made of puncture-resistant plastics, and are either white or transparent. Items are secured by a self-adhesive flap, and outer surfaces are easy to write on.  

Padded Bags 

These postal bags have an internal layer of bubble wrap to ensure that anything you place inside comes out unscathed. Sealing is easy with a self-seal closure, and the opening is done with simple but effective tear tape. They are good for fragile products, and anything shipped at a distance. 

Heavy-Duty Bags 

If you need the best protection of your products, then look to a heavy-duty postal mailing bag. These are made of recycled paperboard exteriors to withstand rough handling. In addition, most have reinforced wall linings for increased durability. They’re somewhat heavier than other bags, and come in at the dearer end.  

Moisture Resistant Bags 

When mailing items prone to spoil when in contact with liquids, then a moisture-resistant bag made of a double wallpaper outer covered in lamination is what to look for. They too have strengthened sidewalls, and easy sealing and opening options. 

What to Look for in Postal Mailing Bags 

1. Size – Mailing bags come in different sizes. Sizes range from a smallish 150mm by 225 mm in the smallest standard white bags, to 360mm by 480mm in the largest heavy-duty postal bags. It goes without saying, but consider the size of the package before buying. 
2. Materials – Also, consider the type of contents you’ll be sending and whether this needs additional protection during shipping. Longer distances and shipping times need a bag of appropriate materials, with additional padding or strengthened walls.  
3. Safety – Materials will ensure that products reach their destination safely. Also, consider the sealing and opening options, and whether these will go the distance. 
4. Weight – Postal bags are chosen over boxes for the form factor and lower weight. Bags without padding are lighter, so the shipping costs of each product is less. If this is a one-off delivery, then any bag will do, but if you’re shipping thousands of products at a time, then costs add up. Businesses need to think of the type of products they sell, and the appropriate postal mailing bags they’ll use to get them to customers.  

Items Shipped in Postal Mailing Bags 

Businesses choose to use postal mailing bags because the products they sell aren’t affected by mailing. Clothing items and fabrics are often shipped this way. Also, books, magazines, toys, documents, plastic items like phones cases, watches, and anything sturdy is safe. Liquid products can be shipped in moisture-resistant bags if they come with enclosed packaging of their own.  

Benefits over Cardboard Boxes 

Contrary to belief, traditional cardboard boxes won’t offer additional protection over postal bags. They’re the choice of packaging to use when items are particularly large, and won’t fit in a postal bag. Both types come in recyclable paper products, so if you’re pushing an eco-friendly vibe that your business relies on, the size of the product comes first. Naturally, here less is more. In terms of weight savings, postal bags run rings around cardboxes in that you’ll save heaps during every delivery. And an unwritten rule is that such packaging takes up less space, so is often given priority, meaning faster delivery times. 

Where to get Postal Mail Bags?  

The obvious answer is your local post office for one or few deliveries. For businesses, packaging and shipping retailers sell bags in the relevant sizes often bundled in dozens or hundreds of units. Buying bulk always pays off.