Insulated mailer for medicines and lab samples
Sending an insulated mailer for medicines and samples chilled is a common use: the bubble wrap envelope with an aluminum layer slows the warming of the contents during transport. You use it for small shipments such as medicines, vaccines and laboratory samples. This article explains what the insulated mailer does, which size suits which shipment and where your own responsibility lies.
What does an insulated mailer for medicines and samples do?
The mailer insulates passively. The bubble wrap traps air, the metalized aluminum reflects heat radiation, and together they slow the warming of the contents. The bubble structure also absorbs shocks. A self-adhesive strip closes the mailer neatly.
A thermal insulated mailer for medicines or an isothermal envelope has no cooling of its own. You add a gel ice pack or cooling element, and for the best result you place the mailer in a sturdy insulated shipping box if you wish. You can read more about the cooling element in our article on ice packs for medicines and vaccines.
Insulated mailer for laboratory samples: what fits?
Shipping laboratory samples in an insulated mailer is a common use. In the pharmaceutical sector this is, for example, sample transport between sites and laboratories. Such shipments are small, flat and temperature-sensitive. The mailer is light and closes with an adhesive strip.
The mailer protects against temperature influence and shocks. Which additional requirements apply to your samples is decided by your client or laboratory.
Which size insulated mailer for which pharmaceutical shipment?
| Size | Suited for |
|---|---|
| 30 x 45 cm | Elongated packages such as medicine vials and ampoules |
| 35 x 35 cm | Standard small boxes, jars and compact pharmaceutical packages, also vaccines and diagnostic samples |
| 45 x 45 cm | Larger shipments: several medicine packages or larger samples in one mailer |
| 60 x 60 cm | Large or bundled shipments, for example in pharmaceutical wholesale |
Choose a size that is just larger than your product plus the cooling element. You will find all sizes in our insulated mailers.
What we do not promise
We do not promise conformity with any guideline or certification. Whether your shipment meets GDP or your client's requirements depends on your complete chain, your validation and your measurements. The mailer is one part of that chain, not the proof of it. You can read more about that side in our article GDP compliant cold chain packaging for the pharmaceutical sector.
We also state no fixed duration or temperature range. That depends on the outside temperature, the amount of product, the cooling element and the travel time.
How do you pack a pharmaceutical shipment in an insulated mailer?
- Put the product and the cooling element in the mailer.
- Close the mailer with the adhesive strip and press firmly.
- If you wish, place the mailer in a sturdy insulated shipping box. For longer transports, add cooling elements.
You can read more about shipments abroad in shipping medicines safely chilled abroad.
Insulated mailer or insulated shipping bag for medicines?
The mailer is meant for small and flat shipments. If your shipments are larger or heavier, you are better off placing the products in an insulated shipping bag in your own shipping box. For longer transports, add extra cooling elements. You will find the range in our cold chain packaging and in the article on the insulated shipping bag and thermal bag.
Which packaging fits therefore depends on the size of the shipment, the number of cooling elements and the travel time.
Frequently asked questions about the insulated mailer for medicines
Is an insulated mailer suitable for vaccines?
The 35 x 35 cm size is widely used in the pharmaceutical sector for medicines, vaccines and diagnostic samples. You combine it with a gel ice pack. You can read more about vaccines themselves in shipping vaccines and biological medicines chilled.
What is the difference between a thermal insulated mailer for medicines and an insulated mailer?
None. Thermal insulated mailer, insulated envelope and insulated mailer are names for the same product: a bubble wrap envelope with an aluminum layer and adhesive strip.
Is the mailer reusable?
Yes, if you open it carefully. For medicines and samples, your own quality policy decides whether reuse is allowed.
Order insulated mailers for medicines
All insulated mailers are from our own production since 1972 and available from stock. View the sizes in the insulated mailer collection. If you have questions about the right size or the combination with cooling elements, contact us.
You will find all names in our glossary.
