Gray plastic poly mailers against curbside-recyclable paper ones, for shipping folded clothes and soft goods.
The short answer
Use gray poly mailers for most clothing when price and weather count for more than looks. Pick paper mailers when your shop sells on character or your buyers ask about plastic.
Gray poly mailers
Typical price$8 to $15
See on Amazon
Paper mailers
Typical price$36 to $48
See on AmazonSide by side
How they compare on packing and shipping.
- Price per mailer
- Gray poly mailersTypically 8–15 cents ($8–$15 per 100).
- Paper mailersTypically 72–96 cents ($36–$48 per 50), several times as much.
- Rain and wet porches
- Gray poly mailersWaterproof once sealed.
- Paper mailersSurvives light rain, but soaks through if left in a puddle.
- Tear resistance
- Gray poly mailersStretches before it splits.
- Paper mailersTears more easily on a sharp corner or buckle.
- Recycling for the buyer
- Gray poly mailersMost curbside programs won't take it.
- Paper mailersGoes in household paper recycling.
- Buyer impression
- Gray poly mailersPlain and practical.
- Paper mailersFeels considered, which suits vintage and handmade.
- Weight added
- Gray poly mailersAlmost nothing.
- Paper mailersA little more, rarely enough to change the rate tier.
- Writing on it
- Gray poly mailersNeeds a label or marker.
- Paper mailersTakes a pen, stamp or sticker well.
| Gray poly mailers · 3 | Paper mailers · 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per mailer | Typically 8–15 cents ($8–$15 per 100). | Typically 72–96 cents ($36–$48 per 50), several times as much. |
| Rain and wet porches | Waterproof once sealed. | Survives light rain, but soaks through if left in a puddle. |
| Tear resistance | Stretches before it splits. | Tears more easily on a sharp corner or buckle. |
| Recycling for the buyer | Most curbside programs won't take it. | Goes in household paper recycling. |
| Buyer impression | Plain and practical. | Feels considered, which suits vintage and handmade. |
| Weight added | Almost nothing. | A little more, rarely enough to change the rate tier. |
| Writing on it | Needs a label or marker. | Takes a pen, stamp or sticker well. |
Choose Gray poly mailers if
- You ship lots of everyday clothing on Poshmark, Mercari or eBay.
- Your margin per item is small and packaging cost adds up.
- Packages might sit on a porch in bad weather.
- You ship sweaters or denim that you want kept dry.
Choose Paper mailers 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.
The guide
Each step in the order you'll need it.
Cost across a year
At $8–$15 per hundred, poly mailers cost cents each. Paper mailers at $36–$48 per 50 cost 72 to 96 cents each, about 65 to 80 cents more per mailer, so on 500 packages a year paper adds about $320 to $405.
You can split the difference: poly for low-value bundles, paper for pieces that sell on story.
Kit for this step
Protecting the item
Poly mailers keep water out and stretch around a chunky sweater. Paper is stiffer, so fold items flatter and use the right size to avoid strain on the seal.
Neither mailer protects fragile items, so put a box or wrap around them.
Kit for this step
Matching the mailer to the shop
Your buyer sees a 1970s dress in a paper mailer as a piece you picked for them. In a gray poly mailer, 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 package dry and on time. Gray poly does that cheaply.
Kit for this step
Questions
Straight answers to what sellers ask about this.
Are poly mailers recyclable?
Some are made with recycled content, but most curbside programs do not collect plastic film. Some grocery stores take it in a drop-off bin; check the pack and your city’s rules.
Do paper mailers fall apart in the rain?
A sturdy paper mailer survives a short trip through the rain from the truck to the door. A long soak on the porch can weaken it, so seal well and avoid overfilling.
Which size mailer fits a folded sweater?
A 10 × 13 inch poly mailer holds most single garments. For paper, go a size up for thick knits so the seal sits flat.
Can I reuse mailers?
Yes, if the old label is fully covered and the seal still holds.
Does packaging choice affect the shipping cost?
USPS Ground Advantage prices by weight and distance. Either mailer adds little weight, but weigh the packed mailer so you buy the right tier.
Should I print my logo on mailers?
Plain mailers cost less, so start with those. A sticker or stamp brands them without custom stock.
