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Complete Bubble Mailer Size Chart

These are interior dimensions — the usable space inside the mailer. Add roughly 1–2cm to each dimension for exterior size when checking Canada Post requirements.

Canada Post lettermail vs parcel: To qualify as lettermail (cheaper), the sealed envelope must be under 38cm long, under 27cm wide, under 2cm thick, and under 500g. Most #000–#0 mailers qualify if not overstuffed. Anything over 2cm thick ships as a parcel.
Size Interior (in) Interior (cm) Typical Products CP Classification Max Weight Buy on Amazon.ca
#000 4" × 8" 10 × 20 cm Coins, stickers, jewellery charms, keychains, patches, business cards Lettermail ~50g #000 Mailers →
#00 5" × 10" 13 × 25 cm Gift cards, earrings, USB drives, small pouches, folded art prints Lettermail ~100g #00 Mailers →
#0 6" × 10" 15 × 25 cm Phone cases, small books, folded greeting cards with extras, cosmetic samples Lettermail* ~200g #0 Mailers →
#1 7.25" × 12" 18 × 30 cm Paperback books, DVDs/Blu-rays, small toys, cosmetics, folded clothing Parcel ~300g #1 Mailers →
#2 8.5" × 12" 22 × 30 cm Hardcover books, T-shirts, small electronics, video game cartridges, mugs (padded) Parcel ~500g #2 Mailers →
#3 8.5" × 14.5" 22 × 37 cm Hoodies, jeans, multiple paperbacks, medium electronics, vinyl records Parcel ~750g #3 Mailers →
#4 9.5" × 14.5" 24 × 37 cm Shoes (small), jackets, larger books, framed photos, art prints up to 8×10" Parcel ~1 kg #4 Mailers →
#5 10.5" × 16" 27 × 41 cm Shoes (standard), bulky clothing, larger art prints, fragile electronics, board games Parcel ~2 kg #5 Mailers →
#6 12.5" × 19" 32 × 48 cm Large posters, multiple items, oversized clothing, art canvases Parcel ~3 kg #6 Mailers →
#7 14.25" × 20" 36 × 51 cm Large framed prints, A3 documents, multiple items, large clothing items Parcel ~5 kg #7 Mailers →

* #0 mailers can qualify as lettermail only if the item inside keeps the total thickness under 2cm and weight under 500g. Test with a ruler before assuming lettermail rates.

Poly Bubble Mailers vs Kraft Bubble Mailers

The two main materials are plastic (poly) and paper (kraft). Both have the same bubble interior — the difference is the outer shell.

🔵 Poly (Plastic) Bubble Mailers

  • Water-resistant — handles rain and light moisture
  • Lightweight — slightly lower shipping weight
  • Lower cost per unit at scale
  • White or metallic/gold finish options
  • Not recyclable in most Canadian curbside programs
  • Best for: most Etsy sellers, eBay resellers, clothing, electronics, general merchandise

🟤 Kraft (Paper) Bubble Mailers

  • Curbside recyclable in most Canadian cities
  • Looks more premium — popular for handmade/artisan products
  • Slightly heavier than poly
  • Not waterproof — can soften in heavy rain
  • Slightly higher cost per unit
  • Best for: handmade goods, eco-conscious brands, food items (dry), candles, soap

For most Canadian sellers shipping through Canada Post or ChitChats, poly mailers are the practical default. If your customers are eco-conscious and it aligns with your brand (e.g., you sell organic skincare or handmade ceramics), kraft is worth the extra few cents per unit.

→ Kraft bubble mailers on Amazon.ca  |  → Poly bubble mailers on Amazon.ca

Bubble Thickness — Does It Matter?

Bubble mailer thickness is measured by the size of the air bubbles inside the padding layer. The standard you'll see most often:

Bubble Size Padding Thickness Best For Typical Use
3/16" bubbles ~5mm padding Non-fragile items, clothing, soft goods Most standard bubble mailers (#000–#3). Fine for books, clothing, paper goods.
5/16" bubbles ~8mm padding Semi-fragile items, electronics, jewellery Mid-range option. Better for anything that could crack or dent.
1/2" bubbles ~12mm padding Fragile items, glass, ceramics, electronics Heavy-duty mailers, typically #4–#7 range. Noticeably thicker and heavier.

For most Etsy sellers shipping clothing, stickers, art prints, or accessories — standard 3/16" bubble mailers are completely adequate. If you're shipping anything with a screen, glass, or ceramic, step up to 5/16" or use additional wrapping inside.

Tip: Thicker bubbles add weight, which can push you into the next Canada Post weight tier. For lettermail-borderline items, thinner padding keeps the package lighter and flatter.

→ Heavy-duty bubble mailers on Amazon.ca

Quick: "What Size Do I Need?"

If you're not sure, here's the short version:

→ Assorted bubble mailer variety packs on Amazon.ca