Hover to zoomCustom Kraft Paper Mailers for Apparel, Books and Flat Goods
From $0.30 a box Exact price in your emailed quote
These paper mailers are flat bags with a self-seal flap, made for items that can bend without harm. Add your logo or a repeat pattern and skip the tape gun.
Quick answer
What are kraft paper mailers?
Kraft paper mailers are flat shipping envelopes made from tough kraft paper in brown or white. A peel strip under the flap seals the bag, so you need no tape. They replace poly bags for shirts, paperbacks and prints.
Key facts
- Paper bag, no box needed
- Self-seal peel strip
- Brown or white kraft
- Print front, back, inside flap
- From $0.30 a box
- Free design proof
Kraft Paper Mailers specifications
18 rows| Style | Flat paper envelope with a fold-over flap |
|---|---|
| Closure | Peel and seal adhesive strip under a liner |
| Paper | Brown or white kraft |
| Add-ons | Second strip for returns, tear strip for easy opening |
| Gusset | None by default; side gusset available for thicker items |
| Plain, one color, two color or full color CMYK | |
| Print areas | Front, back and inside of the flap |
| Sizing | Flat width × length in inches, plus any gusset |
| Board options | E, B or C flute single wall; BC flute double wall; kraft or white paperboard |
| Printing | Unprinted, one color, two color or full color CMYK, outside and inside |
|---|---|
| Finishes | Natural kraft left uncoated, matte or gloss laminate, spot UV, foil stamping or embossing |
| Sizes | Built to your inside length × width × height in inches (mm also fine) |
| Artwork files | Vector PDF, AI, EPS or SVG work best; sharp PNG or JPG also accepted |
| Design help | Our designers set up the layout for free |
| Proof | Free design proof to approve before printing starts |
| Production | 4–6 business days once you approve the proof |
| Shipping | Free and tracked to any US address, 2–3 business days in transit |
| Misprints | Send photos within 10 days for a reprint or a refund |
Common sizes
| Flat size (W × L) | Good for |
|---|---|
| 6.5 × 9.5 in | Socks, headbands, small pouches and greeting cards |
| 9.5 × 13.5 in | Folded tees, paperbacks and 8.5 × 11 in prints |
| 12 × 16 in | Sweatshirts, button-downs and folded dresses |
| 14 × 18 in | Hoodies, throw blankets and other bulkier soft goods |
What are kraft paper mailers?
A kraft paper mailer is a shipping envelope made from strong paper. It has a glued back seam, an open top and a flap that folds over.
Under the flap sits an adhesive strip covered by a liner. Pull the liner, press the flap down, and the bag is closed.
There are no stiff walls. The paper hugs whatever you put inside, so it works for goods that can flex.
Who buys paper mailers?
Anyone who ships light, flexible goods in volume ends up looking at them. They pack faster than boxes and store flat in a small space.
- Etsy and Shopify sellers shipping apparel and accessories
- Subscription brands sending zines, patches or sample packs
- Independent bookstores mailing paperbacks and journals
- Print shops and artists sending flat cards and posters
- Warehouses that want to drop plastic poly bags
What size paper mailer do I need?
Mailers are measured flat, width first and then length. Once a thick item goes in, the bag loses some usable room.
Add the item's thickness to both the width and the length, then add about 3/4 in. A folded tee measuring 8.5 × 12 in and 3/4 in thick fits a 10 × 13.5 in bag.
Springy or bulky goods need a little more. Our steps for measuring your product show how to take the numbers.
| Item thickness | Add to width and length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3/8 in | About 3/4 in | Cards, prints, thin books |
| 3/8 to 1 1/4 in | About 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 in | Folded tees, paperbacks |
| 1 1/4 to 2 1/2 in | About 2 3/4 to 4 in | Knitwear; ask about a gusset |
| Over 2 1/2 in | Ask us | A box may suit better |
Should I pick brown or white kraft?
Brown kraft gives a natural, earthy look. Black, navy and deep green inks stand out well, so one or two color logos look sharp.
White kraft is a brighter canvas. Full color artwork, light shades and photos show truer on it.
Both papers resist tearing. Brown hides scuffs better, while white shows them sooner.
What can I print on a paper mailer?
You can leave the bag plain or print in one color, two colors or full color CMYK. Many shops put a big logo on the front and a short note on the back.
The inside of the flap is a nice spot for a pattern or a thank-you line. Customers see it only after they open the bag.
Keep the address area clear and keep text off the glued seams. Paper stays uncoated kraft, which keeps the natural feel.
If some orders go out in cartons, match them with branded printed packing tape so every package looks alike.
How do I pack a paper mailer?
Packing takes seconds once you have a routine.
- Fold the item so it is a little narrower than the bag opening.
- Wrap pale or delicate fabric in tissue to avoid marks.
- Slide it in without touching the adhesive strip.
- Squeeze out extra air and smooth the bag flat.
- Peel the liner and fold the flap down, working from the middle outward.
- Run your thumb along the strip to check it grabbed fully.
What mistakes should I avoid with paper mailers?
The most common error is choosing a bag that is too snug. A stretched seam can split when packages get tossed around a sorting line.
The second is sending breakable goods in paper alone. Candles, glassware and electronics need cushioning, so look at padded paper mailers or a box.
Also keep the shipping label on the flat front panel. A label stuck across the flap can rip the seal when the customer opens it.
Do paper mailers cut shipping costs?
Often they do. A flat bag weighs less than a carton and takes up less room, which can move you into a lower rate tier.
That helps most on low-priced orders where shipping eats a big share of the sale. See how size and weight affect rates in our advice on lowering package costs.
Can customers use the mailer again for returns?
Yes, if you add a second adhesive strip and a tear strip. The customer tears the bag open, then uses the spare strip to reseal it.
This adds a little to the price of each bag. Apparel sellers with frequent returns often say it saves them support emails.
Tell us you want it when you ask for a quote, and it will be built into the figure.
Paper mailer or poly bag: which is better?
Both carry soft goods well. The choice usually comes down to how you want the package to feel when it lands.
Paper has a dry, natural texture and a matte print finish. Poly is slick and shiny, and it can show the contents through the film.
Paper handles heavy rain less well, so a porch package left in a downpour may spot. If you need wet-weather film with a greener angle, compare compostable film mailers.
How do I order custom kraft paper mailers?
Send us the flat size, paper color, print plan, any extras such as a returns strip, and your quantity. Design Your Box lets you preview your logo on the bag.
Prices start from $0.30 a box, and the exact figure for your mailers is sent in the quote by email within one business day. Request yours on the quote request page.
Our designers lay out your artwork for free. Nothing prints until you approve the free design proof.
Production takes 4–6 business days after approval. Shipping to any US address is free and tracked, with 2–3 business days in transit.
If bags arrive misprinted, damaged or defective, send photos within 10 days. We reprint or refund them.
Kraft Paper Mailers: questions
12 answersAre kraft paper mailers strong enough for clothing?
Yes. Kraft paper resists tearing, and a bag with enough room carries folded apparel through the mail without trouble.
How do the mailers seal?
A peel and seal strip sits under the flap. Pull off the liner, fold the flap over and press along the strip.
Can I add a returns strip?
Yes. We can include a second adhesive strip plus a tear strip, so buyers can reseal the same bag for returns.
What size fits a folded T-shirt?
Most tees fit a 9.5 × 13.5 in bag. Measure the folded shirt, then add its thickness and about 3/4 in.
Can paper mailers be printed in full color?
Yes. CMYK artwork looks brightest on white kraft, while brown paper favors bold one or two color designs.
Can you print inside the flap?
Yes. Shops often use that area for a pattern, a coupon code or a short thank-you message.
Do paper mailers protect fragile items?
No. They have no stiff sides or cushioning. Choose a padded mailer or a box for anything that can break.
What is a gusset?
A gusset is a pleated fold along the sides of the bag. It adds depth so thicker goods like sweaters fit more easily.
Is a mailer sized like a box?
No. Mailers are given as flat width by length. Leave extra room for the thickness of the item.
Do you offer white kraft mailers?
Yes. You can pick brown or white kraft paper for the whole order.
When will my printed kraft mailers arrive after I approve the proof?
Your mailers are printed and made in 4–6 business days after proof approval. Free tracked US shipping then gets them to you in 2–3 business days.
Can I mix several sizes in one order?
Yes. List each size and its count on one request, and we quote them together as a single job.
Still have a question? Phone (503) 461-4788, send our team a WhatsApp message or write to info@ordercardboardboxes.com.
Design Your Box
Pick a box photo, drop your logo onto it, choose the print and send it over. Our designers return a free proof ready for printing.
1Choose a box
2Place your logo
Add your logo to preview it on this box
Selected: Kraft Paper Mailers
Tell us about your boxes
Share the inside size, the board you want and how it should be printed. Our team emails a quote and a free design proof within one business day.
- Free design proof before any box is printed
- Made in 4–6 business days after you approve the proof
- Free tracked shipping to any US address
Rather talk it through? Phone (503) 461-4788 or chat with us on WhatsApp.