Paperboard mailers, which are typically available in either white or brown paperboard, are sometimes made from recycled fibers and have slightly stiffened walls that are a little more durable than standard paper envelopes and other economy mailers.
However, paperboard envelopes and other stay-flat mailers tend to offer a good balance at the intersection of cost and protection. Let’s talk about a few things that these sorts of mailers are good for mailing, a few shortcomings, and what alternatives you have.
What Paperboard Mailers Are Good For
Since paperboard mailers tend to have slighter thicker paper walls than other standard paper mailers, they’re great for shipping materials that are somewhat fragile that you don’t want bent in transit. Preferably, these materials would be able to lay flat and withstand having things laid on top of them.
Some examples of materials for which paperboard mailers tend to be suitable are:
● CDs, DVDs, and other optical disks
● Books
● Magazines and catalogs
● Reports, filings, or other documents or briefs
● Photos, art prints, and small posters and albums
Also, due to their low cost, it’s sometimes acceptable to ship other small materials or media through paperboard mailers. Just don’t ship anything too fragile as the mailer will provide only a medium level of protection against being bent or twisted, but not against impact or being crushed.
What Paperboard Mailers Are Not So Good For
While these sorts of mailing envelopes are suitable for shipping the materials listed above, such as photos and documents, they’re really not the best for others such as:
● Figurines
● Fragile jewelry
● Or other materials, goods, or items that are somewhat bulky, despite being small
Basically, if an object is fragile and has a lot of protruding edges or corners, it’s not a good idea to ship it in a paperboard mailer.
Granted, there is a quick fix for this: you can simply wrap the material in bubble wrap before inserting it into the mailer. However, there are better options, notably poly mailers and boxes.
What You Should Use Instead
If you have something small, thin, and light that doesn’t warrant a box but which requires more protection than a paperboard mailer, consider a padded poly bubble mailer instead.
These mailers, which are made out of polyethylene and have bubble wrap built into their walls, offer much better protection against impacts and other stresses, at a similar price to paperboard mailers.
And, don’t worry – polyethylene, like paper, is fully recyclable and not particularly harmful to the environment.
Where You Can Find Both
Regardless of whether you choose to use a paperboard or a poly mailer, visit Mailers Direct online at MailersDirect.com for quality at surprisingly low prices.
Their paperboard mailers are made from 100% recycled paper, are available in a wide range of sizes, are tamper evident, feature a perforated tear strip for easy opening, and are highly durable, with a bottom fold for extra strength.
Best of all, Mailers Direct offers some of the most attractive prices in the industry. Check out their online catalog (which includes both paperboard and poly mailers) online at the link above and get in touch with them at 800-561-1370 if you have any questions.
