In the world of e-commerce and retail, which is evolving by the day, first impressions are everything. And in many cases, the first physical touchpoint between your business and your customer is the mailing bag.
Whether you’re shipping clothing, books, artisan soaps, or subscription boxes, your packaging says a lot about your brand. It’s not just about protection; it’s also about presentation, sustainability, and customer experience.
From sleek plastic poly mailers to sustainable kraft paper bags, the options are vast, but the principles of great mailing bag design remain the same across all formats and pretty much all industries, too. We’re going to walk you through five top tips to help you design the perfect mailing bag that reflects your brand identity and is immediately recognisable as ‘yours’.
Understand your unique product and packaging needs
Before diving into colours, fonts and logos, start with the basics: what are you shipping, and what kind of bag will best protect and present it? A durable mailing bag needs to safeguard your product from tears, moisture, and rough handling, especially if your items are delicate or valuable.
Printed paper mailing bags are increasingly popular, especially among brands that prioritise eco-friendliness. They’re a great choice for soft goods like clothing, stationery, or textiles. Not only do they feel premium and natural, but they’re also biodegradable and recyclable, making them ideal for companies trying to lower their environmental footprint.
However, paper isn’t always a good fit. If you’re shipping liquids or heavy items, you might opt for reinforced plastic or padded mailers. The key is to match form to function, then design from there.
Make sustainability a priority
Consumers are more conscious of how their buying habits impact the environment than ever. According to recent surveys, over 70% of online shoppers say they prefer companies that use sustainable packaging. This is where paper bags come into their own as a viable alternative to their plastic counterparts.
By designing a paper mailing bag, you’re making a clear statement: your brand cares about the planet. But even within the paper category, you have myriad design and formatting choices. Consider FSC-certified paper to ensure your materials have been sourced responsibly, or go the extra mile with compostable options. You can also explore water-based inks and natural adhesives to make your entire packaging solution as green as possible. Speak to our team for more information on the range of eco-focused mailing bag solutions available from Hallmark.
Be sure to highlight your sustainability efforts on the bag itself. A simple line like “This bag is 100% recyclable” or “Packed with care and sustainability” can build trust with your customers.
Balance branding with practicality
Branding your mailing bag is a golden opportunity to make a memorable mark on your consumers. It’s essentially a mobile billboard, ie something that travels through postal networks and ends up in the hands of your customer. But design isn’t just about slapping on a logo, it’s about telling a story.
To start with, think about your use of colour. A soft neutral tone might align with an organic skincare line, while bold neon could be perfect for a youthful fashion brand. Typography plays a role as well. Serif fonts evoke tradition and reliability, while sans-serif feels modern and clean.
That said, always balance aesthetics with function. If you’re using paper bags, choose a finish that won’t smudge or tear. You may want to go for a matte or Kraft finish to enhance durability and maintain that distinctively rustic, eco-friendly vibe.
Also, remember to leave room for essentials, such as shipping labels, barcodes and legal information. A cluttered-looking bag design can be confusing.
Design with your customers’ unboxing experience in mind
The unboxing moment has become a huge part of securing your customers’ satisfaction with your brand experience. Social media is flooded with unboxing videos, making packaging more important than ever. If your mailing bag looks good and feels good, you create a mini event every time a customer receives your product.
Paper mailing bags excel here, thanks to their tactile quality. There’s a certain charm to unwrapping a beautifully designed paper package. You can enhance things further with thoughtful design elements like easy-open tear strips, printed messages inside the flap, QR codes that lead to a thank-you video or discount code, or even custom printed labels for a handmade feel.
Test, tweak, and iterate
Great packaging design is rarely perfect the first time around. What looks great on a screen might not translate well into physical packaging. Materials behave differently, colours shift, and logistics sometimes get tricky.
Always test your mailing bags before a full rollout. Send samples to team members, trusted customers, or even yourself. Ask yourself the following questions to make sure your mailing bags hold up in the real world:
- Does it hold up in transit?
- Is it easy to open and reseal?
- Does the ink smudge or fade?
- How does it look when folded or creased?
If you’re working with paper bags, pay extra attention to how they handle moisture, pressure, and folding. Reinforced gussets or laminated coatings might be worth considering, depending on your needs.
And most importantly, listen to customer feedback. If people rave about your packaging, you’re on the right track. If they mention damage or difficulty opening the bag, it’s time to refine your design.
It’s time to think beyond the bag!
While the mailing bag is central to your experience, you need to consider how it fits into your overall packaging strategy, which, depending on your business, may include mailing boxes, retail bags and various care labelling and swing ticket requirements. Can your bag double as a tote or shopping bag? Can customers reuse it for returns? Offering this kind of functionality can really help to set your brand apart.
With paper bags, you have the chance to encourage reuse them naturally. A strong, stylish paper mailing bag might live on as a storage pouch, book protector, or gift bag, giving your brand added visibility and value.
Create and order your custom printed mailing bags today
Paper bags continue to gain traction not only for their aesthetic and tactile appeal but also for their environmental benefits. They’re versatile, customisable, and a clear indicator that your brand is forward-thinking and planet-conscious. For more information on how we can use a fantastic range of tools, techniques and materials to create the perfect paper mailing bags for your business, contact the sales team here at Hallmark Labels now.
