Whether you have years of experience packaging retail shipping mailer envelopes or you’ve just started your own e-commerce business and need to purchase poly mailer envelopes for the first time, it can be hard to know what size shipping mailer to use for different items. This blog will help give you a general idea of what size poly mailer you need, as well as tips and tricks for making the most of your shipping experiences!

How many times have you wondered if something you’re trying to mail would fit into a shipping mailer only to try and find that your poly mailer is slightly too small? Poly mailer envelopes are great for shipping softer items such as clothing, fabric, stuffed animals, and bedding, as well as smaller electronics, shoes, and even jewelry. Poly mailer envelopes are designed to be flexible, lightweight, and durable enough to resist tears, punctures, and damage from debris, moisture, and dirt.

However, a shipping mailer that’s over or under-filled can make a big difference in whether or not the item arrives safely at its destination. An under-filled poly mailer, or one that is too large for the things it contains, means that parts of the poly mailer are unfilled, increasing the likelihood of it being snagged or caught during processing and sorting by USPS and other carriers. An over-filled poly mailer, or one that is too small for the items it contains, increases the likelihood that it will rip, tear, or bust open during transit. If your goal is for the items in your package to arrive safely and undamaged, it’s in your best interest to use the correct size poly mailer.

 White poly mailer with thank you printed in black.  Yellow bars surround the word thank you.

However, determining what type and size shipping mailer to use can feel like a guessing game. How do you know what is under-filled or over-filled? Here are a few tips and tricks to know whether or not you have the right size poly mailer for your needs.

Measure your product: Although this sounds like an obvious one, knowing the exact dimensions of the item you’re mailing can help determine whether you need to size up or down, or if you’ve found the best mailer. It is always easier to add additional packaging material, such as crumpled paper or packing peanuts to an under-filled poly mailer. It’s nearly impossible to make an item fit in something that isn’t large enough to hold it.

Account for packaging: If your item is delicate or you want to add additional padding to be on the safe side, make sure to consider that when purchasing poly mailer envelopes.

Know your shipping mailer dimensions: Poly mailer suppliers can choose to list interior or exterior measurements of their bags. It’s essential to know which measurements you’re reading so you can measure your item correctly.

Still a bit nervous? Thankfully, there are a few rough estimates to refer to when shipping items of clothing.

6 x 9 inches: Great for socks and tiny jewelry boxes.

7.5 x 10.5 inches: Can fit a tea towel, socks, and slightly larger jewelry boxes, and small electronics.

9 x 12 inches: Can accommodate fabric patterns or one to two t-shirts.

10 x 13 inches: Fits four to five large t-shirts, a set of napkins, a dress shirt, or one yard of fabric.

12 x 15.5 inches: Can fit one sweater, dress, pair of jeans, two yards of fabric, yarn, or four to five large t-shirts.

14.5 x 19 inches: Can fit 12 to 14 medium t-shirts, 10 to 12 large t-shirts, two to three sweaters or dresses, two pairs of jeans, a set of sheets, or three yards of fabric.

19 x 24 inches: Can fit a set of sheets, 12 to 14 large t-shirts, two to three sweaters or dresses, or two pairs of jeans.

Whether you’re mailing hundreds of t-shirts each day or 100 each month, having the right size poly mailer is essential. Want to send your products in something a little more festive?  Our design poly mailers are perfect for eliciting excitement when your customers open their mailbox.