What is a bubble envelope?

Bubble mailer is a shipping envelope with an inner layer of bubble wrap. From the outside, it looks similar to a classic envelope, but inside it has additional protection that absorbs pressure and light impacts. Thanks to this, the product is better protected during transport than in a regular paper envelope.

Bubble envelopes are particularly practical when the item being sent is small, light and does not require cardboard, but should be protected against scratching, dirt or crushing. This is a popular solution in e-commerce, mail order, offices, bookstores, accessories stores and companies sending product samples.

You will find the category in the AWIH store bubble mailers., which offers different envelope sizes and colors for shipping.

Why do online stores choose bubble envelopes?

In an online store, what counts is the speed of packaging, repeatability of the process and security of the shipment. Bubble envelopes make everyday shipping easier because they do not require folding like cardboard, do not take up much space in the warehouse and can be quickly closed with an adhesive strip.

A well-chosen bubble envelope helps reduce the number of complaints related to transport damage. The product should not be pressed forcefully, but it should not move freely inside. Therefore, when ordering a larger number, it is worth having several envelope formats, not just one universal size.

Bubble envelope formats available at AWIH

AWIH's offer includes various formats of bubble envelopes – from small A11 and B12 envelopes to large I19 and K20 envelopes. This allows you to match the packaging to the type of product rather than packing everything in one size.

The most commonly used formats are:

• A11 – 120×175 mm – very small products, samples, small accessories, jewelry.
• B12 – 140×225 mm – small products, cosmetics, small electronics, accessories.
• C13 – 170×225 mm – documents, small books, cases, notebooks, sets of small products.
• D14 – 200×275 mm – universal format for many e-commerce products.
• E15 – 240×275 mm – medium products, books, catalogues, small clothing.
• F16 / A4 – 240×350 mm – A4 documents, larger books, brochures, thin catalogues.
• G17 – 260×350 mm – larger materials, some small products, larger accessories.
• H18 – 290×370 mm – larger flat shipments, catalogues, clothing, sets.
• I19 – 320×450 mm – large flat products, bigger sets, textiles.
• K20 – 380×480 mm – the largest parcels in bubble envelopes, large sets, and flat products.

If you mainly sell small products, check the category small bubble mailers. For larger products or sets, a better starting point will be large bubble mailers.

How to choose the size of a bubble envelope?

When choosing a bubble envelope, you should not base your decision solely on the product's dimensions. You also need to consider its thickness, susceptibility to crushing, and whether it will be additionally packed in paper, a bag, protective foil, or a product box.

It's best to adopt a simple rule: the envelope should be larger than the product, but only enough to allow it to be closed freely without stretching the seals or bulging the sides. If the envelope bulges significantly, it means the chosen size is too small. In such a case, it’s better to move to a larger size or use cardboard.

In practice, online stores most often use a few formats. Small envelopes are good for single small items, medium for most orders, and large for bigger products or several items in one order.

Size and Application Chart

White or brown envelope?

Bubble envelopes are available in white and brown. The choice of color depends on the effect you want to achieve and the character of your brand. White envelopes look more neutral, aesthetic and work well for corporate shipments, premium products, documents and shipments that require a label or print.

Brown envelopes are often chosen as a practical, economical and visually more natural solution. They fit well in stores that communicate simplicity, ecology, handicraft or the natural nature of the products. They are a good choice for bookstores, accessories, crafts, stationery and small electronics stores.

Can bubble envelopes be personalised?

For an online store, packaging is part of the customer experience. This is the first thing the customer sees after receiving the shipment. Therefore, it is worth considering personalizing bubble envelopes, especially if the store wants to build brand recognition.

White envelopes can be printed with, for example, a logo, store name, advertising slogan, graphics or short information for the customer. This solution makes the shipment look more professional and helps it stand out from standard, anonymous packaging.

An example of a universal product for many applications are bubble envelopes D14 white 200×275 mm, which work well for many typical online store orders.

The most common mistakes when choosing bubble envelopes

The first mistake is to choose one size for all products. In practice, this leads to a situation in which some products are pressed forcefully and some move in an envelope that is too large. Both cases increase the risk of damage.

The second mistake is packing too thick products in a bubble envelope. If the product stuffs the envelope and makes it difficult to close, it is better to choose a larger format or cardboard. The bubble envelope provides good protection against light impacts, but is not a substitute for rigid cardboard packaging.

The third mistake is sending products with sharp edges without additional protection. Sharp objects can damage the inner foil or paper of the envelope. In this case, it is worth wrapping the product in paper, protective foil or choosing a box.

The fourth mistake is to ignore the aesthetics of the packaging. In online sales, the customer also evaluates the way the order is packed. A clean, well-matched envelope with a clear label builds greater trust than random, poorly fitted packaging.

What bubble envelopes are worth having in an online store?

If an online store is just starting to sell by mail order, it does not have to buy all sizes at once. It's best to start with a few formats tailored to the most frequently sold products.

For a jewelry, cosmetics and small accessories store, A11, B12, C13 and D14 will be a good starter set. For a bookstore, stationery store or catalog shop, it is worth adding F16, G17 and H18. For clothing, textiles and product sets, larger formats such as H18, I19 and K20 will be practical.

It is also worth remembering that not every order has to be sent in a bubble envelope. Soft and pressure-resistant products can be packed in courier poly mailers, and fragile, heavier, or more valuable products should go into a box with padding.

FAQ – the most frequently asked questions about bubble mailers