Mailing Bags

Mailing bags are a popular shipping option suitable for transporting a wide range of products. Macfarlane Packaging offer plasic mailing bags and plastic mailing bags, as well as popular bubble envelopes.

Find the perfect packaging
Enter your dimensions

Categories

Not sure what type of mailing bags you need?

We’re here to help you find the perfect mailing solution for your products. Check out our free Postal Packaging guide!

Drastically improve productivity

Discover custom bag solutions

Explore our postal packaging guide

Design your perfect packaging in our Innovation Labs

Kitted with state-of-the-art design technology, sample making equipment and packaging machinery, Macfarlane’s Innovation Labs can help you deliver packaging with the wow-factor.

Other Products & Services for Your Business

Boxes for your business

We’re here to help you get the packaging you need

As the UK’s largest distributor of postal packaging, we can help you find the right mailing solution for your products.


There are several options you can use as a postage bag, depending on your packaging needs and the items you are shipping. Some common postage bag options include:


  • Mailing Bags: These are lightweight, self-sealing bags made from materials like plastic or paper. They are often used for sending small items like clothing, accessories and documents.
  • Bubble Mailers: Bubble mailers are padded envelopes with a bubble wrap lining on the inside, providing extra protection for delicate or fragile items during shipping.
  • Poly Mailers: Poly mailers are lightweight, water-resistant plastic bags commonly used for shipping non-fragile items like clothing, books and other flat items.
  • Gusseted Mailers: These expandable mailers have side folds (gussets) that allow them to accommodate thicker items, making them suitable for shipping items with irregular shapes or multiple items in one package.
  • Padded Envelopes: Padded envelopes have a cushioned lining that provides protection for slightly delicate items during transit.

When choosing a postage bag, consider the size and weight of your items, the level of protection required and any special handling needs. Macfarlane Packaging offers a wide range of options to fully meet your needs.



The purpose of mailing bags is to provide a convenient and secure packaging solution for sending items through the mail or shipping them via courier services. Mailing bags serve several essential purposes:


  • Protection: They’re designed to protect the contents from external elements, such as dust, dirt, moisture and minor impacts, during transit.
  • Security: Many bags feature tamper-evident seals or self-sealing adhesive strips to ensure the contents remain secure and prevent unauthorised access during shipping.
  • Versatility: This type of packaging comes in various sizes and materials, making them suitable for shipping a wide range of items, from documents and clothing to small products and non-fragile goods.
  • Lightweight and Cost-Effective: Mailing bags are lightweight, which helps reduce shipping costs, especially for items that don’t require heavy packaging.
  • Space-Saving: Mailing bags are often flat and flexible, taking up less space when stored compared to rigid packaging materials like boxes.
  • Eco-Friendly Options: Many postage bags are made from recyclable materials, providing a more environmentally friendly option for packaging and shipping.
  • Branding and Marketing: This type of packaging can be customised with branding, logos and other designs, serving as a cost-effective way to promote a brand and create a professional image.
  • Postal Efficiency: Mailing bags are designed to meet postal regulations and fit within standard mailing and shipping requirements, ensuring smooth processing through postal and courier systems.
  • Convenience: Self-sealing adhesive strips or easy-to-use closures make postage bags user-friendly, saving time and effort during packaging.

Overall, mailing bags offer a practical, cost-effective and efficient solution for sending various items through the mail or courier services, ensuring safe delivery to recipients while maintaining the integrity of the contents.



The recyclability of mailing bags depends on the material they are made of. Here are common types of mailing bags and their recyclability:


  • Paper: Postage bags made from paper are typically recyclable. They are made from paper or cardboard materials, which can be recycled through regular paper recycling programs. It is essential to remove any non-paper components like labels, tapes, or plastic windows before recycling.
  • Plastic: Postage bags made from plastic are generally made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Some plastic bags can be recycled, but the recyclability depends on the recycling capabilities in your area. Many recycling centres accept LDPE and HDPE plastics for recycling. However, it is essential to check with your local recycling facilities to ensure they accept this type of bag. If they don’t, consider looking for specific recycling programs or drop-off locations that handle plastic film recycling.

Always check with your local recycling facilities to understand their guidelines on recycling and follow their instructions to ensure proper disposal and recycling of the bags.



Mailing bags are ideal for shipping items in the post. They provide a flexible and cost-effective solution that, in many cases, can lower shipping costs compared to boxes and padded envelopes. With various sizes and packaging materials available, they truly are a versatile option for many packaging requirements, whether you are shipping clothes, accessories, books or electronic devices.



The right size of a mailing bags will depend on the dimensions of your product. Your postage bag should be large enough to comfortably fit your item, with sufficient room for sealing.


A postage bag that is too small will not provide adequate protection, as it is prone to tearing during transit. Conversely, a bag that is overly large can also result in damage, as the contents are free to shift around. Additionally, unnecessary shipping costs may increase with a larger parcel size.


If you need help choosing the right size mailing bag for your items, reach out to us. We can help you find the perfect mailing bag for your products and requirements.



You can choose from plastic mailing bags, paper mailing bags, gusted paper mailing bags and bubble envelopes, depending on your products and packaging requirements.


Plastic mailing bags are great if you are shipping for non-breakable items, such as clothing and looking for a waterproof solution. The opaque design also helps conceal the nature of your content for added security.


If you are shipping fragile items, such as CDs, DVDs and electronics, you may want to opt for a bubble envelope for extra transit protection.


Paper mailing bags are great for shipping a wide range of products, like documents, clothing, cosmetics, textile, toys and accessories, that doesn’t require enhanced protection.



Our mailing bags feature a self-sealing strip designed to securely lock products inside the bag during transport. This eliminates the need for additional adhesive, resulting in packages that look neat for enhanced customer experience.


Discover our video guides

Quick Facts about Mailing Bags | Macfarlane Packaging

Bestselling mailing bags

Free standard delivery when you spend £150 / €150

We offer a wide range of delivery services and options to suit your business. Your delivery is in the safest of hands.

Register for a trade account with Macfarlane Packaging

We serve businesses of various sizes, allowing you to find the ideal packaging solutions for your requirements with ease.

Packaging advice to protect your products

Speak to one of our packaging specialist online, by email or over the phone 0800 576 452 in business hours.

Wide range of mailing bags to choose from

With an extensive selection of mailing bags available, you can be confident that whatever your needs, Macfarlane Packaging has the solution.

Mailing bags are an excellent, cost-effective and versatile packaging solution, perfect for shipping a wide variety of products, from clothing and accessories to books and electronics.

Macfarlane Packaging offers high-quality mailing bags designed to provide a smooth and professional shipping experience. Our postage bags can handle a variety of postage needs, from small letters to big packages and keep your items safe during delivery.

Select from an extensive range of plastic mailing bags, paper mailing bags and bubble envelopes, all available in various sizes to suit your packaging requirements.

We also provide environmentally friendly packaging choices, such as recyclable options and those made from recycled materials. Our paper mailing bags can be recycled at kerbside, while our plastic mailing bags can be recycled at supermarket collection points.

If you have a bespoke packaging requirement, we can assist you in designing a custom mailing bag solution that meets your packaging needs. Whether you're looking for a specific size, a custom colour, or a unique print, we've got you covered.

Packaging advice, news and opinion

Protective packaging products and services to businesses throughout the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe

The ultimate guide to bags for packaging
From safeguarding products during transit to organising your warehouse, bags have transcended their basic purpose to become integral components of branding, protection, and convenience. They are often the unsung hero of the packaging world, as bags are used throughout the packing process but not always remembered. Whether you're a business o
How to package clothes for shipping
The clothing industry in the UK is the world’s third-largest apparel and footwear market. From picking new swimwear for your holiday or treating yourself to new workout clothes, the UK loves clothes - especially buying them online! A recent survey found that 41% of Brits who purchased clothing in the last 12 months did so online. In the fast
How online retailers can combat rising business rates through packaging optimisation
Do you work for an online retailer that owns its own warehousing site or uses a third-party logistics (3PL) provider? If you do, you may be aware of the incoming rise to business rates for large distribution warehouses. Announced in the 2022 Autumn statement, the review of business rates could see some online retailers (and their 3PL partners)
Macfarlane Packaging announces automation agreement with Lantech

Macfarlane Packaging, the UK’s leading distributor of protective packaging, announces today (18 March) a new automation distributor agreement with U…

Macfarlane Packaging announces automation agreement with Lantech

Macfarlane Packaging, the UK’s leading distributor of protective packaging, announces today (18 March) a new automation distributor agreement with U…

Macfarlane Packaging announces automation agreement with Lantech

Macfarlane Packaging, the UK’s leading distributor of protective packaging, announces today (18 March) a new automation distributor agreement with U…

Confident for any packaging challenge

Whether you want to buy packaging materials now, ask for advice about custom packaging or transform your entire packing operation, our experts are on hand.