Padded Envelopes vs Bubble Mailers: What's the Difference?
The terms "padded envelopes", "padded mailers", "mailing envelopes", and "bubble mailers" get used interchangeably, but they don''t all mean the same thing. Here is the clear version.
Padded envelopes (the umbrella term)
"Padded envelopes" is the broad category for any mailing envelope with internal cushioning. That includes:
- Bubble mailers — lined with bubble cushioning. Lightweight, water-resistant, most common in ecommerce.
- Paper-padded mailers — lined with recycled paper fibers. Curbside recyclable, slightly heavier.
- Foam-padded mailers — lined with thin foam. Used for fragile flat items like records.
Bubble mailers
Bubble mailers are the specific type of padded envelope with bubble lining. They''re what most ecommerce brands actually mean when they say "padded mailers" or "mailing envelopes" — they''re cheap to ship, protect well, and accept full-color printing across the entire outer surface. See our bubble mailers hub for sizes and print specs.
Which one should you use?
For most ecommerce — apparel, accessories, beauty, small goods — custom bubble mailers are the default choice. Use paper-padded if sustainability is a hard requirement; use foam-padded for flat fragile items.
Cost comparison
Per unit, poly bubble mailers are the cheapest padded option. Paper-padded mailers run ~20–35% more. Custom printing is similar across both. For a real-world cost breakdown including shipping, see USPS flat rate vs bubble mailers.
Where to buy
You can buy plain padded envelopes at most office supply stores. For custom printed runs, see our guide on where to buy bubble mailers.
