Jiffy Bags & Bubble Envelopes

How to choose the right padded bag or bubble envelope

The right jiffy bag depends on three things: what you are posting, how fragile it is, and whether recyclability matters.

• Jiffy Airkraft (gold or white): Bubble lining laminated to a lightweight paper outer. 32 micron bubble with barrier air-retention technology. Suitable for CDs, DVDs, jewellery, clothing, books, and stationery. Gold finish for standard despatch; white for a cleaner, more premium presentation. Sizes 90 x 145mm to 340 x 445mm.
• Jiffy Mailmiser: 110gsm white kraft paper outer with 32 micron bubble lining and a barrier seal that retains air in the bubble for longer. Welded side seams. For heavy-duty domestic and overseas mailings of books, clothing, jewellery, and electronics. Sizes 90 x 145mm to 340 x 445mm.
• Jiffy Green (kraft-lined padded bags): 90gsm kraft outer with 100% recycled paper fibre lining that expands with use. Grease and puncture resistant. The fully recyclable choice for businesses with sustainability commitments. Sizes 105 x 229mm to 442 x 661mm.
• Heavy duty bubble envelopes: 75gsm puncture-resistant paper outer with 90 micron bubble lining — heavier duty than standard Jiffy. For industrial items, heavy components, and products requiring maximum shock absorption. Sizes 150 x 215mm to 520 x 660mm.
• Own-brand and polythene bubble mailers: Lower cost per unit for high-volume ecommerce despatch. Polythene construction is waterproof and lightweight. Tester packs available in assorted sizes to trial before committing to bulk orders.

Jiffy bag and bubble envelope ranges

Jiffy bags

The original branded padded bag. Jiffy Airkraft gold and white bubble envelopes and Jiffy Mailmiser formats — all with self-seal peel-and-stick closures, welded side seams, and bubble linings for shock absorption in transit. Available in packs of 50 and 100 with bulk discounts from 3 packs.

Bubble envelopes

Own-brand and non-Jiffy bubble envelopes providing comparable protection at a lower cost per unit. Available in white and kraft paper outers with standard and heavy duty bubble linings. Tester packs available in assorted sizes. Suitable for ecommerce, fulfilment, and office mailing operations.

Padded envelopes

Paper-lined padded bags filled with macerated paper fibre that expands with use for progressive cushioning. Heavier duty than bubble-lined formats and better suited for robust or heavy products. Both bubble and paper-padded formats available with peel-and-seal strips for secure closure.

Jiffy bag sizes

Jiffy bags and bubble envelopes are sized by internal opening width x height in millimetres. Standard Jiffy size codes (JL0 to JL7) correspond to the following internal dimensions:

• JL0 / Size 0: 90 x 145mm — small jewellery, USB drives, gift cards
• JL1 / Size 1: 110 x 165mm — jewellery, small electronics, cosmetics
• JL2 / Size 2: 135 x 215mm — CDs, DVDs, small books
• JL3 / Size 3: 165 x 215mm — paperback books, small clothing items
• JL4 / Size 4: 180 x 265mm — A5 documents, small clothing
• JL5 / Size 5: 215 x 280mm — A5 folders, hardback books
• JL6 / Size 6: 220 x 340mm — A4 documents, clothing
• JL7 / Size 7: 230 x 380mm — large books, A4 ring binders, clothing

For items that don't fit standard sizes, RAJAPACK offers jiffy bags from 90mm up to 442 x 661mm internally. If you're unsure which size to order, contact the RAJAPACK team — tester packs in assorted sizes are also available for bubble envelopes.

Frequently asked questions

What is a jiffy bag?

A jiffy bag is a padded postal envelope with a bubble wrap or paper fibre lining inside a paper outer. The name Jiffy is a registered trademark of Sealed Air Corporation, referring specifically to their range of padded bags. The term is widely used in the UK as a generic name for any padded postal bag or bubble envelope. RAJAPACK stocks both genuine Jiffy branded bags and own-brand bubble envelope alternatives.

What size jiffy bag do I need?

Measure the item you are posting at its widest and longest points, then add at least 20-30mm to each dimension to allow for the padded lining and seal. Jiffy bags are sized by internal opening x height — so a JL4 at 180 x 265mm would suit an A5 document or small clothing item. See the size guide above for the full JL0-JL7 size chart, or contact RAJAPACK for advice on non-standard sizes.

What is the difference between Jiffy Airkraft and Jiffy Mailmiser?

Jiffy Airkraft bags have a 70gsm paper outer laminated to a 32 micron bubble lining — lightweight and suited to standard domestic mailing of books, clothing, and small electronics. Jiffy Mailmiser bags use a heavier 110gsm paper outer with a barrier-seal bubble lining that retains air for longer, providing greater protection for heavy-duty domestic and overseas mailings. For the most robust protection, the heavy duty bubble envelope range uses a 75gsm outer with a 90 micron bubble lining.

Are jiffy bags recyclable?

It depends on the type. Jiffy Green kraft-lined padded bags are made from 100% recycled paper fibre and are fully recyclable at kerbside. Standard Jiffy Airkraft and Mailmiser bubble bags combine paper and plastic bubble film — the paper outer is recyclable but the bubble lining is not kerbside recyclable and needs to be taken to a soft plastics collection point. Polythene bubble mailers are recyclable at soft plastics collection points. If recyclability is a priority, Jiffy Green or own-brand paper-padded envelopes are the correct choice.

Can I buy jiffy bags in bulk?

Yes. RAJAPACK supplies jiffy bags and bubble envelopes in bulk to businesses across the UK, with volume discounts applied automatically from 3 packs. Available for next-day delivery to mainland UK addresses on orders placed before 4pm. Free delivery on orders over £180 excl. VAT. For very high-volume requirements, contact the RAJAPACK team for a quote.

What can jiffy bags be used for?

Jiffy bags and bubble envelopes are suited to posting books, clothing, jewellery, CDs and DVDs, electronics, cosmetics, stationery, and other items that need lightweight cushioning in transit. They are not suited to heavy, sharp, or rigid items — for those, use a cardboard box with internal protective packaging.

You might also need

• Full envelopes and mailing bags range — postal tubes, mailing bags, cardboard mailers, and document envelopes.
• Postal boxes — rigid cardboard postal boxes for items that need more protection than a padded bag provides.
• Packaging labels — address labels and document enclosed wallets sized for padded envelopes and mailing bags.
• Protective packaging — bubble wrap, foam, and void fill for packing items inside cardboard boxes.

Need help choosing the right padded bag for your operation? Contact the RAJAPACK team.