Kraft Mailers

A kraft mailer is a paper mailing envelope constructed from kraft paperboard. They are ideal for shipping small apparel and textiles and are recyclable in curbside recycling programs. However, they are not weather-resistant like poly mailers due to their paper construction.

EcoEnclose offers six paper mailers. All are 100% recycled, manufactured in the USA, and curbside recyclable, but each serves a unique purpose. Our paper mailer guide provides a detailed overview of each mailer and its ideal use case.

Kraft Mailers, EcoX Mailers, and Apparel Mailers are specifically designed for shipping apparel and other soft goods. All are great alternatives to poly mailers for brands looking for sustainable packaging and focused on going plastic-free. Our paper mailers for apparel guide dives deeper into these three mailers.

What is the difference between these three mailers? In short:

• Kraft Mailers are our economy option offered in a standard and lite version. They are made with the thinnest paper and have at least 90% post-consumer waste. These mailers work in most situations.
• EcoX Mailers are our mid-range value option. They are made with slightly thicker paper (11pt) and less post-consumer waste (70%), making them more durable and puncture resistant. These are great for brands that have tried Kraft Mailers but need a stronger, cost-effective mailer.
• Apparel Mailers are our premium option. Its thicker paper (15-18pt), unique stay-flat design, and high post-consumer waste content (97%) create a high-quality, luxury delivery experience.

The dimensions in the product description refer to the external dimensions of the mailer.

Gussets are part of a bag or packaging folded back in on itself. Typically these gussets expand to give the bag greater carrying volume. For example, a traditional paper shopping bag is gusseted on the bottom and the sides giving it a cube shape once fully expanded.

Two sizes of our Kraft Mailers are gusseted on the side, so while they are flat when you receive them, they expand when you put products in them. Gussets serve two primary purposes for our brands:

• Improved fulfillment speed because of how much easier it is to put products in a bag that can expand
• Increased bulkiness and depth of product that can be packaged

While gussets have a lot of benefits, beware of one crucial pitfall. Don’t assume that a mailer can be stuffed to capacity simply because it is gusseted. If there is too much weight and tension on the gussets, this feature can increase the mailer’s likelihood of failing.

In general, our recommendation is as follows. If a flat mailer works well for you, choose it because it uses less material and tends to have lower damage rates. However, if you require a gusseted mailer's speed, efficiency, or volume, avoid overfilling and run a dozen or so ship tests before transitioning to this solution.

Yes - we love printing these mailers in black Algae Ink! If you’d like your branded kraft mailer printed in algae, choose this option when building your custom order, or contact us to start your order.

It depends - recycled poly mailers have a lower carbon footprint than paper and are much more cost-effective. However, recycled paper mailers are curbside recyclable, making them more likely to be recycled at the end of their useful life. Additionally, paper is a naturally biodegradable material, meaning these mailers will not contribute to ocean plastic pollution.

Learn more: Paper vs. Plastic: Which Should I Use For My Packaging?