Poly Mailer Size Guide: A Friendly Packaging Size Selection Guide for Small and Medium eCommerce Businesses
If you are an eCommerce seller, choosing the right packaging can be a challenge after selecting or producing the products for your store. While some items, such as fragile goods or oddly shaped products, may not be suitable for bag packaging, poly mailers remain a top choice for most sellers due to their unmatched advantages. However, you may wonder how to choose the correct sizes for your products to ensure secure, cost-effective shipping. Today, let’s take a detailed look at poly mailer sizes and how to pick the perfect one for your needs.
What is a Poly mailer?
A poly mailer is a lightweight, flexible, and durable shipping envelope made from polyethylene (a type of plastic) can be used directly to package goods without an inner packaging. These mailers are widely used in eCommerce and retail industries for packaging and shipping non-fragile items. Designed to protect products during transit, poly mailers are water-resistant, tear-resistant, and often feature a self-sealing adhesive strip for easy closure.
Ecommerce sellers like to use poly mailers for the following reasons:
Cost-Effectiveness
Poly mailers are a cost-effective choice. Their lightweight and compact design helps lower shipping costs and takes up less storage space than boxes.
Lightweight and Durable
Poly mailers are light yet strong. They’re tear-resistant and waterproof, providing reliable protection for your products while keeping shipping fees down.
Flexibility
Unlike boxes, poly mailers easily conform to the shape of your products, saving space and reducing waste. They’re also compact to store, perfect for sellers working with limited space.
Ecommerce sellers usually use poly mailers to ship:
1. Clothing and Apparel
· T-shirts, dresses, pants, jackets, and other folded clothing.
· Accessories like scarves, hats, socks, and gloves.
2. Soft Goods
· Bedding, pillowcases, or small blankets.
· Towels and other textile products.
3. Small and Durable Items
· Jewelry, phone cases, and small tech accessories.
· Beauty products like cosmetics, skincare samples, or face masks.
4. Documents and Printed Materials
· Books, catalogs, and notebooks.
· Important documents that don’t need rigid protection.
Common Poly Mailer Sizes and Their Uses
Poly mailers are typically categorized into small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes, each suited for specific products:
Small (6" x 9"- 9" x 12")
· Ideal for compact items like jewelry, accessories, phone cases, or cosmetics.
· Also suitable for lightweight items like T-shirts, scarves, or small books.
Medium (10" x 13"- 12" x 15.5")
· Perfect for single clothing items such as pants, dresses, or folded sweaters.
· Works well for shipping multiple smaller items in one package.
Large (14" x 19" - 19" x 24" )
· Great for bulkier clothing, lightweight jackets, or small blankets.
· Useful for shipping larger retail packages or soft goods.
Extra Large (19" x 24" and above)
· Designed for oversized items like coats, bedding, or large product bundles.
· Ideal for eCommerce businesses shipping bigger but lightweight products.
Common uses for different poly mailer sizes
Poly Mailer Size
Common Uses
6" x 9"
Small items like jewelry, accessories, phone cases, or compact beauty products.
9" x 12"
Lightweight items like T-shirts, small books, or scarves.
10" x 13"
Medium clothing items such as leggings, folded shirts, or kids' outfits.
12" x 15.5"
Larger clothing items like jackets, sweaters, or multiple small items.
14.5" x 19"
Bulkier items like blankets, large apparel, or lightweight retail boxes.
19" x 24"
Oversized items like coats, bedding, or large product bundles.
How to Choose the Right Size Poly Mailer?
Selecting the right size poly mailer ensures your product fits securely, looks professional, and avoids unnecessary material waste. Follow these three steps:
1. Understand the Structure and Usable Space of a Poly Mailer
Before purchasing poly mailers, you should pay attention to the usable space of the product. Usable Space is the actual space inside a poly mailer where your product can fit. Since products have some thickness, and poly mailers are measured flat, the space you can actually use is smaller than the size written on the package. Also, the seal flap (the part you fold to close the bag) takes up some of the length, making the usable space smaller. Usually, the seal flap isn’t included in the size written on the bag. Some thoughtful sellers will indicate the exact length and width in the product details for a better user experience.
To make sure your product fits well, you should choose the size based on the space inside, not just the size written on the mailer. It’s also a good idea to leave a little extra room so the bag isn’t too tight or hard to close.
2. Measure Your Product Dimensions
Use a tape measure to determine the product's:
· Width (W): The widest side of the item.
· Length (L): The longest side of the item.
· Depth (D): The thickness or height of the item.
3. Choose the Appropriate Size
Add extra space to ensure easy packing and secure sealing. You can roughly calculate the size of the poly mailer you need by adding 1–2 inches to each side.
In addition, you can also use the following formulas:
· Width Needed = Width (W) + Depth (D) + 1 inch.
· Length Needed = Length (L) + Depth (D) + 2 inches.
For example, if your product measures 8" x 10" x 2":
· Width: 8" + 2" + 1" = 11 inches.
· Length: 10" + 2" + 2" = 14 inches.
Choose a poly mailer that is at least 11" x 14" to fit your product comfortably.
Is it possible to customize poly mailer sizes?
Yes, if you can’t find the poly mailer size you need on the current market, consider contacting customer service to check if they offer customization options. For example, Imailer offers 7 poly mailer sizes for now that you can order directly for now. But if you need customization, you can reach us via email at cs@imailerglobal.com or connect with our presale staff on other platforms. Additionally, you can request a sample before placing a bulk order to ensure it meets your requirements.
Why Is It Important To Use Right Sized Poly Mailers?
Choosing the right-sized poly mailer might seem minor, but it greatly impacts your shipping process and customer experience. A well-fitted mailer ensures your product arrives safely, looks professional, and avoids issues like damage, wasted materials, or extra shipping costs. The right size also streamlines packing, enhances unboxing, and reduces waste, supporting eco-friendly practices. Here's why it matters for eCommerce sellers:
1. Protection of Products
A properly sized poly mailer ensures that the product fits securely inside without excessive movement, reducing the risk of damage during transit. An oversized mailer might allow the product to shift, while a mailer that is too small could cause tearing or improper sealing.
2. Professional Presentation
The right size gives a neat and professional appearance, which enhances the customer's unboxing experience. A poorly fitted mailer can look unprofessional and may leave a negative impression on customers.
3. Cost Efficiency
Choosing the right size minimizes material waste and reduces shipping costs. Oversized mailers take up more space and may result in higher dimensional weight charges, while undersized mailers risk damaging the product or requiring repackaging.
4. Sustainability
Using appropriately sized mailers reduces unnecessary packaging material and aligns with eco-friendly practices, which is increasingly important to consumers.
Conclusion
Choosing the right poly mailer size is crucial for protecting your products, reducing shipping costs, and enhancing your customer’s experience. By understanding your product dimensions and using the right calculations, you can ensure a perfect fit. And if you need a custom size, don’t hesitate to explore customization options or request samples to find the best solution for your needs.
FAQs
How does choosing the right size Poly Mailer reduce shipping costs?
Choosing the correct size reduces shipping costs by avoiding excess dimensional weight charges, minimizing packaging material waste, and optimizing storage and transit space. This ensures you only pay for the space your product requires.
How do Poly Mailer sizes compare to boxes in terms of cost and storage?
Poly mailers are more cost-effective and space-efficient than boxes. Their lightweight design reduces shipping costs, especially for weight-based pricing. Unlike bulky boxes, poly mailers are slim and flexible, taking up far less storage space, making them ideal for eCommerce businesses with limited inventory areas.
Can I mail shoes in a poly mailer?
Yes, you can mail shoes in a poly mailer, but it will be better if the pair of shoes have been already packed in a sturdy box to ensure proper protection during transit.
Are there any USPS rules for poly mailers sizes?
Poly mailers must be at least 2 mils thick for shipments up to 5 pounds and 4 mils thick for shipments up to 10 pounds.