# Poly mailer vs paper mailing bags

> Grey plastic mailing bags against kerbside-recyclable paper ones, for posting folded clothes and soft goods.

## The short answer

Use grey poly bags for most clothing when price and weather count for more than looks. Pick paper mailing bags when your shop sells on character or your buyers ask about plastic.

## Side by side

| | Grey poly mailing bags | Paper mailing bags | Better |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Price per 100 | Typically £8–£13. | Typically £18–£28, about twice as much. | Grey poly mailing bags |
| Rain and wet doorsteps | Waterproof once sealed. | Survives light rain, but soaks through if left in a puddle. | Grey poly mailing bags |
| Tear resistance | Stretches before it splits. | Tears more easily on a sharp corner or buckle. | Grey poly mailing bags |
| Recycling for the buyer | Few kerbside collections take it. | Goes in the household paper recycling. | Paper mailing bags |
| Buyer impression | Plain and practical. | Feels considered, which suits vintage and handmade. | Paper mailing bags |
| Weight added | Almost nothing. | A little more, rarely enough to change the postage band. | Even |
| Writing on it | Needs a label or marker. | Takes a pen, stamp or sticker well. | Paper mailing bags |

## Choose Grey poly mailing bags if

- You ship lots of everyday clothing on Vinted or eBay.
- Your margin per item is small and packaging cost adds up.
- Parcels might wait on a doorstep in bad weather.
- You post knitwear or denim that you want kept dry.

## Choose Paper mailing bags if

- You sell vintage or handmade and your brand leans on presentation.
- Buyers mention plastic in messages or reviews.
- You like to stamp or hand-write on the outside.
- Your items are light, soft and have no sharp parts.

## Cost across a year

At £8–£13 per hundred, poly bags cost pennies each. Paper bags at £18–£28 per hundred cost about £10 to £15 more per hundred, so on 500 parcels a year paper adds about £50 to £75.

You can split the difference: poly for low-value bundles, paper for pieces that sell on story.

## Protecting the item

Poly bags keep water out and stretch around a chunky jumper. Paper is stiffer, so fold items flatter and use the right size to avoid strain on the seal.

Neither bag protects fragile items, so put a box or wrap around them.

## Matching the bag to the shop

Your buyer sees a 1970s dress in a paper bag as a piece you picked for them. In a grey poly bag, the same dress reads as a bulk order. If your listings talk about sustainability, paper backs that up.

On high-volume basics, your buyer wants the parcel dry and on time. Grey poly does that cheaply.

## Questions

### Are grey mailing bags recyclable?

Some are made with recycled content, but most UK kerbside schemes do not collect soft plastic bags. Check the pack and your local council’s rules.

### Do paper mailing bags fall apart in the rain?

A sturdy paper bag survives a short dash through the rain from the van to the door. A long soak on the doorstep can weaken them, so seal well and avoid overfilling.

### Which size mailing bag fits a folded jumper?

A 10 × 14 in poly bag holds most single garments. For paper, go a size up for thick knits so the seal sits flat.

### Can I reuse mailing bags?

Yes, if the old label is fully covered and the seal still holds.

### Does packaging choice affect postage price?

Postage depends on size and weight. Either bag adds little weight, but check the carrier’s size guide so the parcel stays in the band you paid for.

### Should I print my logo on mailing bags?

Plain bags cost less, so start with those. A sticker or stamp brands them without custom stock.