When running an e-commerce business, you have to consider the shipping procedure and requirements. For instance, what type of packaging material to use? What are your product dimensions? What will be the shipping costs? Will you offer same-day or one-day delivery? Should you use a mailer or a shipping box? These questions will help you find the perfect packaging material for your business and ensure you don’t waste money and resources on freight charges.
This article will discuss the pros and cons of mailers and help businesses decide if they are the right fit. Let’s get started!
Mailer
A mailer is a flat box or a large envelope used by retail and e-commerce businesses for shipping items. Mailers offer an economical and sustainable choice for businesses as they are small, compact, require minimum adhesive or packaging, and are cost-effective. Mailers are available in different types, each used for a specific purpose, such as:
- Bubble mailers– this type of mailer has a bubble-wrap layer on the inside and is used for fragile items like jewelry, CDs, and books. They resist moisture, tearing, and splitting and come with a self-adhesive strip; thus, no packing tape is required.
- Flat mailers– this type of mailer is used for items with width and height but no depth. They are durable and used for documents, papers, magazines, photographs, etc.
- Padded mailers– these mailers have kraft material on the exterior and are lined with padded material interiorly. They are used for valuable and fragile items like computer parts and electronics.
- Corrugated mailers– this type of mailer is similar to a shipping box, only in a compact and flat shape. They offer maximum protection and can be used for multiple products.
- Poly mailers– this type of mailer is made from polyethylene plastic and is moisture and tear-resistant. It can be easily bent but ensures your product is protected from its surroundings.
Pros
- It is lightweight and easy to carry and transport.
- The compact and flat size significantly reduces shipping and freight charges.
- It is more cost-effective than shipping boxes.
- It doesn’t require packaging tape.
- It comes lined with padded material and ensures the safe handling of your products.
Cons
- A mailer has limited functionality.
- It is not useful for high-value heavy-duty items.
When to Use a Mailer
The pros of a mailer far outweigh its cons, thus, making them an ideal choice for businesses dealing with multiple products. Now, the question arises, when should a business use a mailer? The following pointers will give a guideline for when and how you should use a mailer:
- A mailer is ideal if you are shipping smaller items. Not only can these items be securely packed in a mailer, but they also save up on shipping costs and freight charges.
- If you need minimum protection for your products, then use a mailer. Mailers require less packing tape and adhesive and are lined with padded material, ensuring your items are safely delivered.
- You can only use mailers for one-time shipment, so you must consider how much the package will move from location to location.
Conclusion
Mailers are cost-effective options for businesses that are running on a budget and want to offer their customers manageable shipping charges. You can benefit from multiple sizes and styles, customization, reduced storage space, and shipping costs by using mailers. We hope this article helped!
