Bubble mailers are padded envelopes made of bubble wrap. They encircle the items inside with a cushion filled with air and provide a barrier in the situation of a fall. A bubble mailer will be the best packing alternative if you want to mail small, lightweight items that don’t require significant package protection.
You’ll find that the majority of bubble mailers come in bigger sizes, and they are bigger compared to standard business envelopes. So, the question may arise: “How Many Stamps Do I Need for a Bubble Mailer?” “Will it be covered with a single Forever® Stamp?”
Well, you will get answers to all your questions in this article. You will get the correct information through this article, How Many Stamps for a Bubble Mailer.
Keep reading!
How Many Stamps were Required for the Bubble Mailer in 2022?
Unfortunately, USPS doesn’t provide a standard method to determine how many stamps you need to mail a bubble mailer. You cannot simply say, “Sending a letter requires x stamps.”.
You’ll need to spend a lot of dollars to ship bubble mailers with USPS Forever® Stamps. The fact is that the cost of mailing a bubble mailer depends on three factors, including:
- Weight of your bubble mailer,
- The Size of mailer,
- And the distance it has to travel.
The above three factors influence the price of mailing any parcel through USPS, not just the bubble mailer. In general, the lighter and smaller your mailer is, the lesser the amount you’ll have to pay to send something.
The distance of the destination also plays a role in how cheap mailer shipping is. The shorter the distance the mail has to travel to the recipient, the cheaper the shipping cost.
Small and reasonably light mail may be considered precise for USPS First-Class Letter mail, and one Forever® Stamp can cover its postage price. In contrast, more extensive and heavier mail will require additional stamps.
Now in the following sections, we will talk about specific sizes as well as weight restrictions for various mail categories. Besides, we will discuss their shipping charges.
Bubble Mailer: An Envelope Vs. A Package
Whether a bubble mailer is an envelope or a package is determined by its thickness. A bubble mailer that is less than 3/4″ thick is considered an envelope.
On the other hand, bubble mailers that are thicker than 3/4″ fall into the category of packages. So, on the basis of thickness, you can decide in which category your bubble mailer comes.
Bubble Mailer: Envelope
Now let’s talk about the postage for bubble mailer envelopes. If the thickness and weight of your bubble mailer envelope is less than 3/4 inch and 1 ounce, you need only one $0.66 postage stamp or one Forever® Stamp.
On the other hand, if your bubble mailer envelope weighs over the 1-ounce limit, you will be charged $0.24 for each additional ounce.
Bubble Mailer: Package
In that situation, the USPS gives you the following choices for package shipping when it comes to bubble mailers:
- If you’re sending a personal item weighing less than 16 ounces in a bubble mailer, send it USPS First Class.
- You can use the USPS Priority Mail option for bubble mailers that weigh more than 16 pounds but less than 70 pounds.
Also Check: 32 USPS Stamp Types 2023 That You Need to Know
Can You Consider Bubble Mailers Flat?
You must look at the dimensions that the USPS provides for flats to determine whether a bubble mailer is flat or not. By checking the dimensions, you can also consider whether your item falls into the letter class.
And thus, checking the dimensions makes it easy to determine if a bubble mailer is flat or letter.
According to the USPS, the Flat’s dimensions should be:
- At least 6 inches in height, 11.5 inches in length, and 1/4 inches in thickness
- At most 12 inches in height, 15 inches in length, and 3/4 inches in thickness
A Letter’s dimensions have been set as follows:
- At least 3/5 inches in height, 5 inches in length, and .007 inches in thickness
- At most 6 inches in height, 11.5 inches in length, and 1/5 Inches in thickness
Apart from this, only First-Class letters not weighing more than one ounce are considered for shipping with a Forever® Stamp valued at $0.66.
If you have several different sizes of bubble mailers, first measure the mailers with a ruler, and make sure which bubble mailers fit which dimensions. So, if you find that your mailer is in the flat category, more postage will be required in that case as compared to a Forever® Stamp, as we mentioned.
Beyond that, you have two options to use in order to send a Flat bubble mailer, such as stamps maximum of 13 oz in weight and a combination of seven Forever® stamps. For example, a flat bubble mailer weighing four ounces of postage will be $1.98.
What happens in the case when a bubble mailer meets USPS’s requirements for length along the height, but not width? You then have a parcel or package. However, you needn’t be concerned. Your mailer will yet be eligible to send as First-Class.
All you have to do is send it as a First-Class package rather than a letter. And stamps won’t be used. You can visit your local post office to get the solution to any query regarding your bubble mailer.
Also read: Does Walmart Sell Stamps in Stores?
How to Address a Bubble Mailer?
When addressing a bubble mailer for mailing, it’s important to follow standard guidelines to ensure the package arrives at its destination safely and on time. Here are some steps you can take to address your bubble mailer:
- Write the recipient’s name and full address, including any apartment or suite number, in the center of the front of the bubble mailer. Use a pen or permanent marker and write legibly.
- Include a return address in the top left corner of the bubble mailer. This will help ensure the package can be returned to you in case it is undeliverable.
- Affix the appropriate postage to the top right corner of the bubble mailer. The postage should match the weight of the package, including any padding or cushioning material inside the mailer. You can use stamps or a postage meter.
- Seal the bubble mailer securely, making sure the seams and edges are well sealed to prevent any damage to the contents during transit.
- consider using mailing labels to address the package, this way you can print it out and stick it on the mailer and can help to make sure that the address is clear and legible.
How Do You Send Your Bubble Mailer?
For sending bubble mailers, your first step is to enclose and seal whatever you wish to mail securely. Next, you’ll need to determine which of these two classes
your bubble mailer is eligible for sending – First-Class Letter and Package Class.
The guidelines in the section above will help you determine whether your bubble mailer falls into the letter or package category.
So, if the mail is considered a First-Class Letter or Flat, and stamps are available, you can estimate how much postage is needed for this mailer. Then apply the estimated postage to your bubble mailer shipping.
After putting a postage stamp on your mail, drop it in a mailbox or any USPS mailbox to be sent to its destination. Apart from this, you can also choose the third option of dropping your mailer at the local post office.
Your work is done. Your bubble mailer will reach your selected location. Note that if the bubble mailer is large enough, it may not be treated as a Letter or Flat, you will need to choose a Package Class.
If your mailer is below 13 oz, you may only send the item First-Class. Otherwise, any heavy items (over 13 ounces) will need to select from expensive package alternatives.
With a scale as well as a business account available, you may measure your bubble mailer weight and apply one of the Click-n-Ship labels on it. And in case you need a scale and business account, in that case, you have to take your mailer to the nearby post office to get postage on it. Post Office counter staff will help you through the process.
Also read: How to Create Paypal Shipping Label Without Purchase or Invoice
Can You Use Stamps on Your Bubble Mailer?
Of course, you can use postage stamps for your bubble mailer. But, the condition is that your mailer must meet all of the requirements for being a USPS Flat or a Letter.
On the contrary, in the case of a package, you will need a label to send it. With the availability of a scale as well as a printer, you can label your package at home; otherwise, visit the post office with your package.
How Much Would It Cost You to Ship a Padded Envelope?
The padded envelope’s size and weight will decide its shipping expense. For instance, in case the specific bubble mailer is tiny enough to count for a letter, all you need is a single Forever® Stamp that costs $0.66. Your flat will need extra postage if it exceeds the weight of one ounce.
Besides, shipping labels demand package postage once the weight reaches four ounces or the dimension exceeds a flat. The USPS.com Calculator can be used to determine your postage expenses.
What is the Cheapest Way to Send a Padded Envelope?
USPS First-Class Package is considered the cheapest service for shipping bubble mailers under 15.99 ounces. In order to ship light and small bubble mailers, the USPS First-Class Package Service is the most inexpensive way.
This is because packages weighing less than 15.99 ounces can be delivered by USPS. Usually, the cost of delivering an item to other countries via the First-Class Package ranges from $3 to $5, which becomes more expensive in terms of shipping.
Conclusion
Bubble mailers are specially designed for small and lightweight items. Flat items, such as miniature books, jewelry, and bubble mailers, are used for shipping. Some bubble mailers are so small and light that only one Forever® Stamp covers the postage, while additional postage is required to ship the Flat ones to their destination.
Hello, I’m Kevin, a passionate philatelist from Brooklyn, NY, with years of experience in collecting and studying stamps. Through my blog, I aim to share my knowledge and insights on all things related to stamps, including where to buy them and their current market value. As a trained researcher, I pride myself on providing accurate and trustworthy information to my readers. Feel free to reach out to me through the contact form with any questions or suggestions. Happy stamping!