Quantity Savings Tier 1+
Subtotal £0.00
Spend £250.00 more and receive free delivery
Free delivery on all UK mainland orders over £250
Save even more with these products
Padded Envelopes
Padded envelopes — sometimes called bubble mailers, jiffy bags, or padded mailers depending on who you ask — are one of the most efficient ways to despatch smaller products that need in-transit protection without the bulk or cost of a full box. Lightweight, easy to store flat, and available in a wide range of sizes, they're a staple for ecommerce, retail, and general despatch operations of all sizes.
The main decision is which type of padded envelope suits your product, your customers, and your sustainability commitments. Choose from Arofol padded envelopes in white or gold, or plastic-free paper padded envelopes including Jiffy Green and Priory Elements EcoPaddedMailers. Here's a guide to each.
Shop Padded Envelopes
About Padded Envelopes
Which padded envelope is right for you?
Arofol padded envelopes are our largest range, with 11 sizes from 1A to 12XL in white or gold, supplied in packs of 50 to 200 depending on size. If you already buy Arofol or work from Arofol size codes, it's the simplest like-for-like choice, and the size table below makes picking the right one straightforward.
Paper padded envelopes are the plastic-free alternative, with paper padding in place of plastic bubble. Jiffy Green Original Jiffy Bags® have a 100% recycled paper fibre lining and are fully recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable — a well-recognised name that customers trust. Priory Elements EcoPaddedMailers™ are padded entirely with paper too, so they can go in with your standard paper and cardboard recycling, and 1% of every sale is donated to environmental charities through our partnership with 1% For The Planet.
Not sure which to choose? Our padded envelope buying guide will help you match an envelope to your product.
What size padded envelope do I need?
Padded envelopes are bought by size code as much as by dimension, so this table shows our Arofol sizes alongside the Jiffy and Mail Lite equivalents — useful if you're switching supplier and want a like-for-like replacement. Measure your item at its longest, widest, and thickest points, and choose an envelope with a little room to spare so it closes easily.
| Arofol size | Internal size (mm) | Jiffy size | Mail Lite size | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | 100 x 165 | JL000 | A/000 | Jewellery, SD cards, small accessories |
| 2B | 120 x 215 | JL00 | B/00 | Cables, cosmetics, small gifts |
| 3C | 150 x 215 | JL0 | C/0 | DVDs, make-up, small boxed items |
| 4D | 180 x 265 | JL1 | D/1 | A5 notebooks, phone accessories |
| 5E | 220 x 265 | JL2 | E/2 | Paperbacks, make-up sets, gifts |
| 6F | 220 x 340 | JL3 | F/3 | A4 documents, magazines, folded textiles |
| 7G | 225 x 330 | JL4 | G/4 | A4 books and folders |
| 8H | 270 x 360 | JL5 | H/5 | Hardbacks, tablets, folded clothing |
| 9J | 300 x 445 | JL6 | J/6 | Larger books, A3 prints, clothing |
| 10K | 350 x 470 | JL7 | K/7 | Bulkier clothing, large prints |
| 12XL | 440 x 670 | JL8 | L/8 | Large flat items |
For external dimensions and the full conversion between brands, see our padded envelope size guide.
Getting the size right also affects postage — a padded envelope even a few millimetres over the large letter threshold moves into the small parcel band, so measure the packed envelope rather than the empty one. Our Royal Mail size guide sets out the exact thresholds for each band, and you can filter our padded envelopes by large letter, small parcel, and medium parcel.
Custom padded envelopes
If you want to add your logo or a printed message to your padded envelopes, our bespoke team can help with custom padded envelopes. Get in touch for a quote.
For non-fragile items like clothing that don't need padded protection, our mailing bags are a lighter and more cost-effective option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which padded envelope is right for you?
Bubble Lined Bags™ are our standard padded envelopes — low cost, high performance, and 100% carbon neutral. High-slip bubble interior for fast packing, heat-welded edges for burst resistance, and a peel-and-seal closure. Made from FSC-approved materials and available across the full size range including Arofol, Featherpost, Mail Lite, and Jiffy Bag equivalent sizes.
What size padded envelope do I need?
Our size conversion filter lets you shop by Arofol, Featherpost, Mail Lite, and Jiffy Bag equivalent sizes — useful if you're switching supplier and want a like-for-like replacement. You can also filter by Royal Mail postal size to find padded envelopes that fit within large letter, small parcel, or medium parcel thresholds.
What options are available in the Padded Envelopes range?
If you want to add your logo or a printed message to your padded envelopes, our bespoke team can help with custom padded envelopes — available in bubble-lined and eco formats.
Are different sizes or formats available for Padded Envelopes?
With nearly 100 sizes and styles in the range, the main decision is which type of padded envelope suits your product, your customers, and your sustainability commitments.
What can I find in the Padded Envelopes category?
Padded envelopes — sometimes called bubble mailers, jiffy bags, or padded mailers depending on who you ask — are one of the most efficient ways to despatch smaller products that need in-transit protection without the bulk or cost of a full box. Lightweight, easy to store flat, and available in a wide range of sizes, they're a staple for ecommerce, retail, and general despatch operations of all sizes.
What size jiffy bag do I need?
Measure your item's length, width, and thickness, then choose an envelope slightly bigger in each direction so the item slides in and the flap closes without straining. As a guide, an A4 magazine needs at least an Arofol 6F or a Jiffy Green size 4. Our padded envelope size guide covers the full range.
What is the difference between a jiffy bag and a bubble mailer?
Jiffy bag started as a brand name and is now used for padded envelopes in general. Strictly speaking, a jiffy bag is padded with paper fibre, while a bubble mailer has a plastic bubble lining. Both protect small items in the post without the cost of a box.
Are padded envelopes recyclable?
It depends on the padding. Paper padded envelopes, including Jiffy Green and Priory Elements EcoPaddedMailers, can be recycled with your paper and cardboard. Envelopes with a plastic bubble lining are made from mixed materials, so check the product page for recycling guidance.
What are the most eco-friendly padded envelopes?
Paper padded envelopes, as they replace plastic bubble with paper padding. Jiffy Green envelopes use a 100% recycled paper fibre lining, and Priory Elements EcoPaddedMailers are padded entirely with paper.
What size padded envelope counts as a large letter?
Royal Mail's large letter limit is 353 x 250mm and 25mm thick, with a maximum weight of 750g. The envelope and its contents must stay within those limits, so measure the packed envelope rather than the empty one. See our Royal Mail size guide for every band.
Can I send fragile items in a padded envelope?
Padded envelopes suit small, lightly fragile items such as jewellery, cosmetics, and books. For very fragile, heavy, or awkwardly shaped goods, a postal box with bubble wrap gives better protection.
Can I get printed padded envelopes?
Yes. Our bespoke team can add your logo or a printed message to custom padded envelopes. Get in touch for a quote.