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Price Match
We guarantee our prices are extremely competetive and should be the BEST prices you will find on-line, along with delivering the very best service. For this reason, we offer a price match against other on-line sellers. If you find the same product elsewhere on line, give us a call on 0345 224 3691 and we will match or even beat it! Note that the following conditions must be met for the price match to apply:
- The item must be available on a UK website at the advertised price, and readily available to purchase, with a like for like delivery offering.
-The item in question must have the same specifications, quantity and be produced by the same manufacturer - although we will usually price match even if made by a different manufacturer, as long as its a comparable quality.
- Auction sites such as ebay and amazon do not qualify for price match.
- The price match cannot be used in conjunction with any discount codes or promotional items.
- If there are pricing errors on competitors sites that are clear typographical pricing errors, these will not be matched.
- Note that for corrugated lines (boxes/cartons), the item must be of the same specification (fluting and thickness) and be unbranded.
Call us on 0345 224 3691 and we will be more than happy to help!
Padded Envelopes vs Bubble Mailers: Differences, Sizes & Cost
Key Takeaways
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Padded envelopes use a kraft paper outer with paper-fibre or bubble-lined padding (Jiffy and Arofol formats), while bubble mailers use a polythene outer with a bubble wrap interior, the format most UK e-commerce sellers ship in.
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Choosing on price or habit alone often backfires: bubble mailers waterproof and protect at lower cost, but they are hard to recycle kerbside, while traditional padded envelopes recycle more easily yet weigh more and cost more per unit.
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For sellers who want padded protection without the recycling problem, Globe Packaging stocks both formats plus Tenvolope and Tenvowrap, which swap the inner lining for 100% recycled corrugated board so the whole mailer goes in kerbside cardboard collection.
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Trade pricing runs £0.08 to £0.45 per unit for bubble mailers and £0.15 to £0.80 for padded envelopes, and both formats post at the Royal Mail Large Letter tier when packed within 353 × 250 × 25mm at 750g.
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Globe Packaging supplies Jiffy, Arofol, Tenvolope, recycled polythene, and standard bubble mailer formats from a 60,000 sq ft UK depot, with same-day dispatch on orders placed by 4pm and free next-working-day delivery on UK Mainland orders over £50.
Picking the Right Protective Envelope for Your Shipments
Padded envelopes and bubble mailers solve the same problem in two different ways: padded envelopes wrap a kraft paper outer around paper-fibre or bubble padding (the Jiffy and Arofol formats), while bubble mailers pair a polythene outer with a bubble wrap interior for lightweight, waterproof protection. Recycled paper alternatives like Tenvolope and Tenvowrap replace the inner lining with 100% recycled corrugated board for a fully kerbside-recyclable mailer. Which format fits depends on what you ship, how weatherproof it needs to be, and whether kerbside recyclability matters to your customers.
Protective mailers now carry real weight in how a brand is judged, and UK sellers increasingly choose packaging on recyclability and cost per parcel rather than habit alone.
If you are comparing formats for your own dispatch, this guide breaks down the materials, the standard sizes across both, and the typical UK trade pricing so you can match the right mailer to your products.
What Are Padded Envelopes and How Do They Protect Shipments?
Padded paper alternatives like Tenvolope and Tenvowrap replace bubble-lined linings with
recycled corrugated board for full kerbside recyclability.
Padded envelopes in the traditional sense use a kraft paper outer combined with a padded interior, with the most recognised formats being Jiffy bags (paper-fibre padding) and Arofol envelopes (bubble-lined kraft outer). The kraft paper outer provides a more premium, natural appearance than plastic mailers, while the padding inside cushions semi-fragile contents through the postal system. Most padded envelopes include peel-and-seal closures with self-adhesive strips.
The primary advantage of padded envelopes is appearance and recyclability of the outer layer. The kraft paper outer aligns with brand positioning around natural materials and reduced plastic use, and the paper exterior recycles through standard kerbside paper collections. The trade-off is the inner lining: traditional Jiffy bags use loose paper-fibre padding that can shed during opening, and Arofol envelopes use bubble lining that complicates recycling because the bubble layer must be separated from the kraft outer before recycling.
Modern padded paper alternatives including Tenvolope and Tenvowrap solve the inner-lining problem by replacing the bubble or fibre padding with 100% recycled corrugated board. The result is a fully recyclable mailer that protects books, boxed beauty, electronics accessories, and similar semi-fragile flat goods, with kerbside cardboard recyclability for end customers.
What Are Bubble Mailers and How Do They Protect Shipments?
Bubble mailers use a polythene plastic outer combined with a bubble wrap interior, producing a lightweight, waterproof, tear-resistant envelope that handles most general e-commerce protection needs. The plastic outer comes in white, kraft-printed, or branded variants, and most bubble mailers include peel-and-seal closures with a second adhesive strip for easy returns. Standard specifications run 50 to 70 microns for the outer film with 10mm bubble interior, with heavier-grade variants available for sharper-edged or higher-value contents.
The primary advantages of bubble mailers are waterproofing, consistent protection, and low cost. The plastic outer keeps moisture out across the entire postal journey, the bubble interior provides reliable cushioning that does not shift or settle during transit, and bulk pricing at trade volumes typically runs significantly cheaper per unit than equivalent padded paper envelopes. The lightweight construction also helps shipments stay within Royal Mail Large Letter weight limits more easily than heavier padded alternatives.
The trade-offs are sustainability and end-customer disposal. Standard bubble mailers are difficult to recycle through kerbside collections in most UK council areas, requiring carrier bag collection points at supermarkets for proper disposal. Recycled polythene bubble mailers at 50 to 100% recycled content reduce virgin plastic use significantly and qualify for Plastic Packaging Tax exemption above the 30% recycled content threshold, which closes the cost gap with paper alternatives once tax exposure is included.
What Sizes Are Available Across Both Formats?
Both padded envelopes and bubble mailers come in standardised UK sizes that match common postal categories and product dimensions.
Padded Envelope Sizes (Jiffy-style)
Envelope Sizes (Recycled Padded Paper Alternative)
Bubble Mailer Sizes (Standard Polythene)
Padded Envelopes vs Bubble Mailers: Direct Comparison
How to Match the Right Mailer to What You Ship
The right choice comes down to contents, weather exposure, and brand positioning. Bubble mailers in standard or recycled polythene give you waterproofing, consistent cushioning, and the lowest cost per unit for high-volume e-commerce and weather-sensitive goods. Paper-based padded envelopes, including Jiffy bags, Arofol, and the fully recyclable Tenvolope and Tenvowrap alternatives, suit books, boxed beauty, and eco-focused brands where kerbside recyclability and a natural look matter more.
Globe Packaging supplies every format in this comparison from one 60,000 sq ft UK depot, with same-day dispatch on orders placed by 4pm and free next-working-day delivery on UK Mainland orders over £50. Sample packs and pack sizes of 50, 100, 250, and 500 let you test both formats against your own products before you standardise on bulk packaging.
Compare formats and order both at trade prices from Globe Packaging.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are padded envelopes the same as bubble mailers?
In casual conversation, the terms are often used interchangeably, but technically they refer to different formats. Padded envelopes traditionally use a kraft paper outer with a padded interior (Jiffy bags use paper-fibre padding, Arofol uses bubble lining inside a kraft outer). Bubble mailers use a polythene plastic outer with a bubble wrap interior. The distinction matters for recyclability, waterproofing, and brand positioning, with paper-based padded envelopes suiting sustainability-led brands and plastic bubble mailers suiting high-volume e-commerce operations.
Which provides better protection: padded envelopes or bubble mailers?
Both formats provide similar impact protection for the typical contents they handle (books, semi-fragile small goods, accessories). Bubble mailers add waterproofing that paper-based alternatives cannot match, which matters for weather-sensitive contents. Padded paper formats including Tenvolope and Tenvowrap provide structural rigidity that suits flat goods better than flexible bubble mailers. The right choice depends on what you ship and the conditions the parcel encounters during transit.
Can I send padded envelopes and bubble mailers as Royal Mail Large Letter?
Yes, both formats qualify for Royal Mail Large Letter rates when the packed shipment stays within 353 × 250 × 25mm and 750g maximum weight. Most standard padded envelopes and bubble mailers in sizes up to A4-equivalent fit comfortably within these limits when packed with thin contents. Bubble mailers compress slightly thinner than padded paper alternatives, which gives them a small advantage at the 25mm thickness limit. Larger contents that push the thickness beyond 25mm move to Small Parcel rates regardless of envelope type.
Are there eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bubble mailers?
Yes. The strongest eco-friendly alternatives are Tenvolope and Tenvowrap, which use 100% recycled corrugated board to provide padded protection in a fully kerbside-recyclable format. Recycled polythene bubble mailers at 50 to 100% recycled content reduce virgin plastic use significantly while keeping the operational efficiency of standard bubble mailers, and they qualify for Plastic Packaging Tax exemption above the 30% recycled content threshold. Paper Jiffy bags and Arofol envelopes provide kraft paper exteriors with paper-fibre or bubble-lined interiors, offering middle-ground options between full plastic and full paper.
Where can I buy padded envelopes and bubble mailers in the UK with fast delivery?
Globe Packaging stocks the full range from its 60,000 sq ft UK depot, including Jiffy bags, Arofol envelopes, Tenvolope and Tenvowrap, white and kraft polythene bubble mailers, and recycled polythene variants across all standard sizes. Orders placed by 4pm receive same-day dispatch, and orders over £50 (exc VAT) qualify for free next-working-day delivery across UK Mainland.
Note: Product listings, prices, and delivery times shown are approximate and subject to change. Contact Globe Packaging for the latest information.
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