Bubble mailers are padded envelopes used for mailing breakable or slightly fragile items that need a little extra protection. They may also be referred to as padded mailers. They look like a traditional yellow or manila envelope on the outside, but are lined with bubble wrap on the inside for extra protection. Bubble mailers are a necessity if you do a lot of mailing and shipping.
Bubble mailers come in various sizes to accommodate different sizes of items. They are smaller and lighter than using a box or other package to mail an item, so they are generally less expensive to mail. They can be purchased in bulk at most post offices, office supply stores, shipping centers or online. They often feature a peel-off sticky strip at the top to make it easier to seal the envelope without using tape. This also then makes it easier to see if the envelope has been tampered with.
For mailing media such as CDs and DVDs, bubble mailers are a good option. The CDs and DVDs fit easily inside the envelope where they are protected from rough handling and any damage better than if they were in a non-padded envelope. You might also mail photos in a bubble mailer to prevent them from being bent. You can mail many items in a bubble mailer, except for exceptionally fragile items that should be packed very carefully in a box.
If you don't have any bubble mailers, you can create your own by wrapping the item you wish to mail in bubble wrap and inserting it into a manila envelope. It will keep the item as secure as if it was in a padded mailer. If your item won't fit in a bubble mailer, there are other options.
You might choose to mail your items in a cardboard box, which can then be reused or recycled. A mailing tube is another option for mailing over sized documents or oddly shaped items. There are many options to mail different sized items; to prevent damage to your items, be sure to choose the proper packaging and pack it carefully and securely.
If you are concerned about the environment, you might choose to use a cardboard box or mailing tube that can be recycled. Padded mailers usually cannot be recycled and often cannot be reused once they have been ripped open. Many bubble mailers are manufactured from recycled materials, however.