What can i ship in a usps tyvek envelope

Hey guys, so I needed to replenish my shipping supplies and I ordered the Tyvek mailing envelopes from USPS. I guess I didn't really know what Tyvek was and the description mentioned "water resistant," so I thought I was getting something more akin to a plastic "polymailer," but it turns out these are a weird paper material that is very hard to rip yet super transparent when you hold it up to light.

Anyone have experience using these to ship clothing? Will they do the job well or are they risky to use? They just feel so flimsy to me yet the material does seem un-rippable...

I have a shirt and a pair of lightweight jeans to ship-- should I go for it? I feel the the shirt would be fine, but not sure if jeans should travel in this...

April15, 2019

How Tyvek Envelopes Can Reduce Mailing Costs

What can i ship in a usps tyvek envelope

In previous posts I've recapped the ongoing travails of our Postal Service.   It’s fashionable to regard the Post Office as some relic of a benighted past before all the wonderful digital machines were invented. Yes, there’s no doubt that the USPS suffers from the same type of bureaucratic/political sclerosis that infects most government-run entities.  There’s a built-in bias against change; especially as it relates to staffing levels.  This makes it less nimble and able to adapt to an ever-changing economy which in a nutshell is why they find themselves grossly in debt and struggling to make the necessary adjustments.

While all the political machinations can be interesting (or tedious), those of us in businesses that in some way rely on a functioning post office are, unlike government, forced to deal with the reality of pleasing customers and making a buck.  So how do we cope with increasing postal rates and still “get the mail out”?

One way is to incorporate Tyvek envelopes into the mix.  Now I hear you screaming, “But Tyvek is soooo expensive!”  Well, calm down my friend.  Yes, Tyvek is a lot more expensive than regular paper envelopes but it has one property that makes it well worth considering for mailings; it’s lighter than paper. It’s not only lighter, but a lot lighter; so much so that it can make up for all of the increased cost and then some in reduced mailing costs as the chart below shows.      

Dupont’s Tyvek has been around for many years and has a reputation for durability and functionality in the mailing world. It’s virtually impossible to tear which makes it ideal for mailing anything that has rough or sharp edges; like a spiral bound booklet for instance.  It’s also water resistant which ensures it will hold up and look better when delivered especially if it’s raining!

Tyvek also has a smooth finish and has a more upscale look and feel than regular paper. It carries a message for the recipient that the sender believes strongly enough in what he’s sending to have spent a little extra which can never hurt.

And, perhaps surprisingly, Tyvek is 100% recyclable. A nationwide recycling program collects used envelopes and recycles them into other useful materials. Tyvek itself is contains an average of 10% post-industrial waste content.

So while there may be nothing we can do to help the Post Office except perhaps contact our elected representatives and urge them to do something, you can take matters in your hands to improve the bottom line on your next large envelope mailing.

1. What is Tyvek®?
2. What are the added benefits I get from a Tyvek® envelope? Why should I buy a Tyvek® envelope versus a paper envelope?
3. What sizes do Tyvek® envelopes come in?
4. Why do Tyvek® envelopes seal so tightly?
5. Where are Tyvek® envelopes available?
6. How do I know if an envelope is made of Tyvek®?
7. Can I write on Tyvek®?
8. Can I run Tyvek® Envelopes through a laser printer?
9.  How are Tyvek® envelopes better than ordinary envelopes?
10. Can I recycle Tyvek® envelopes?
11. Can I recycle Tyvek® envelopes that are printed?

1. What is Tyvek®?

Tyvek® is a specialty substrate (nonwoven) made from very fine high-density polyethylene fibers. These fibers are flashspun, then laid as a web on a moving bed before being bonded together by heat and pressure. The resulting sheet of material is then converted for a multitude of uses in envelopes and packaging, construction, protective garments, medical packaging, graphics, tags and labels. This unique process does not require binders or additives, so Tyvek® can be recycled after its use.

2. What are the added benefits I get from a Tyvek® envelope? Why should I buy a Tyvek® envelope versus a paper envelope?

DuPont™ Tyvek® provides superior toughness and durability compared to heavy kraft paper and even other high-strength materials used for envelopes and packaging. It resists rips, punctures and moisture, providing much more protection for the contents of your envelope. Tyvek® is also lightweight and can save on postage as well. Major overnight shippers and the United States Postal Service® choose envelopes made of Tyvek® for priority packaging because it protects important things, ensuring that they arrive in good condition.

3. What sizes do Tyvek® envelopes come in?

Tyvek® envelopes are available in the same sizes as paper envelopes, ranging up to expansion styles with gussets from 1" to 5". Tyvek® can also be manufactured into custom-sized envelopes for direct mail or to meet special mailing and shipping requirements. Visit the "Where to Buy" page to learn where you can obtain the Tyvek® envelope you need.

Sizes of envelopes include the following and more:

Envelope - Retail Store Sizes
- 9"x12" Open End (Plain or First Class Border)
- 10"x13" Open End (Plain or First Class Border)
- 12"x15.5" Open End
- 10"x13"x1.5" Expansion Open End

Envelope - Office Products Catalog Sizes
- 12"x16"x2" Open End
- 9.5"x12.5" Open End
- 10"x15" Open End (Plain or First Class Border)
- 6"x9" Open End
- 9"x12" Open End (Tamper Indicator Seal)
- 10"x13" Open End (Tamper Indicator Seal)

Credit Card Sleeve

Disc Sleeve

School Specialty Products

4. Why do Tyvek® envelopes seal so tightly?

Tyvek® is extremely tough and durable. It is typically used for high-strength envelopes. The glues or adhesives used by envelope manufacturers are designed to seal tightly and aggressively to match the tear resistance of the Tyvek® material.

5. Where are Tyvek® envelopes available?

Tyvek® envelopes are widely available throughout the U.S. To purchase, check with your local office supply dealer, envelope supplier, or office superstore. You can also check our Where to Buy guide for more supplier information. If you have difficulty finding a Tyvek® envelope size or style that suits your needs, we're available to assist you. Please contact us online or call us at 1-800-44-Tyvek® or 1-800-448-9835.

6. How do I know if an envelope is made of Tyvek®?

Some Tyvek® envelopes have product identification either on the top flap adhesive release strip or on the bottom back flap. But you can also recognize Tyvek® by the unique swirl pattern of the material. And the fact that it simply defies ripping, tearing or puncturing.

7. Can I write on Tyvek®?

Yes. Most inks and many markers work on Tyvek®, although some may "run" or "feather." For best results, try permanent markers (e.g. Sharpie®), ball point pens, or a No. 2 pencil.

8. Can I run Tyvek® Envelopes through a laser printer?

No. Laser printers operate at higher temperatures that could soften or melt Tyvek®, causing damage to the printer. Rather than addressing your envelopes directly, run labels through your laser printer, then affix them to the Tyvek® envelopes.

9. How are Tyvek® envelopes better than ordinary envelopes?

Ordinary envelopes have their place. They also have their limitations.

Tyvek® envelopes are incredibly tough, yet lightweight, and easy to use. When you have important or propriety information to send, bulky documents, or most anything that fits, you can slip it in a Tyvek® envelope, seal the closure, and rest assured, your mailing will reach its final destination intact, safe, and secure. No worries, no fuss, just peace of mind.

Tyvek® also provides benefits in other applications, such as Interdepartmental envelopes. When ordinary paper is used, they wear out long before their time, but the extended life of Tyvek® Interdepartmental Envelopes makes them more economical and lightweight.

Tyvek® Expansion Envelopes and Cushioned Envelopes make a cost-effective replacement for heavy shipping boxes and cartons – they also cost less to send. They are durable enough to send most items through the mail or by express shipping company. Tyvek® envelopes are available padded or bubble lined, which provides extra protection for the contents you send.

No matter what the size or shape of the contents, you are likely to find the Tyvek® envelope that suits your need. There is just no substitute for a Tyvek® envelope, when sending something important that must arrive safely and on time, regardless of weather or rough handling in route.

10. Can I recycle Tyvek® envelopes?

Yes. DuPont manages a nationwide recycling program for used Tyvek® envelopes. Please contact us at 1-800-44-Tyvek® or 1-800-448-9835 for more information.

11. Can I recycle Tyvek® envelopes that are printed?

Yes. DuPont manages a nationwide recycling program for used Tyvek® envelopes. Please contact us at 1-800-44-Tyvek® or 1-800-448-9835 for more information.

What are Tyvek envelopes used for?

Tyvek® Expansion Envelopes and Cushioned Envelopes make a cost-effective replacement for heavy shipping boxes and cartons – they also cost less to send. They are durable enough to send most items through the mail or by express shipping company.

Can you put a box in a Priority Mail Tyvek envelope?

You can put a box into the envelope, as long as it's still shaped like an envelope! USPS only cares about your outer packaging, so if there is a box inside your poly mailer or envelope, that's no problem.

What can you put in a USPS mailing envelope?

Envelopes are for sending flat, flexible things, like letters, cards, checks, forms, and other paper goods. For just 1 $0.60 First-Class Mail® Forever® stamp, you can send 1 oz (about 4 sheets of regular, 8-1/2" x 11" paper in a rectangular envelope) to anywhere in the U.S.!

What is Tyvek USPS?

Tyvek is an extremely durable, moisture-resistant material made from densely woven polyethylene fibers. Due to its sturdiness, Tyvek is used in a number of applications outside of mailing supplies.