The Power of Paper Wrap

What is paper wrap?

In simple terms, paper wrap is a hybrid between envelopes and poly wraps.

It works in a similar way to traditional poly but uses paper rather than clear plastic to wrap direct mail items. Packs are sealed with glue along the outside edges and the flap, meaning the final packs are not dissimilar to an envelope. We can also add a perforation to create a tear-off strip for easy opening.

Paper is fed from large reels, which can be plain or printed in full colour with a bespoke design. Our high quality inkjet heads run inline to print variable data, barcodes and postage PPI’s as well as text, images and logos. So even if you’re using plain wrap, we can still print a message or branding to the outside of your pack.

Paper wrap is ideal for mailing a range of items from A5 to oversized A4 size, including catalogues, magazines, brochures or charity appeals. We can insert multiple items into the pack, such as a letter, BRE, leaflets or forms. And with our paper wrap line running at up to 10,000 packs per hour, we can turn mailings around quickly and efficiently. 

There are still very few mailing houses in the UK offering paper wrap, which isn’t surprising given the level of investment required in the machinery, technology and skilled operators. This demonstrates how committed we are to staying ahead of the game when it comes to sustainability. 

Sustainability

Ultimately, what makes paper wrap so sustainable is that it’s paper!

Paper boasts the highest recycling rate of any material in the UK. Approximately 80% of UK-made paper utilises recovered paper, epitomising the circular economy model of make, use, recycle, and reuse. Once the mail packs have been opened, paper is quick and easy for recipients to recycle. 

Paper wrap can help boost your company’s eco credentials and support any environmental commitments associated with CSR policies and ISO Standards. It’s a great way to show your customers you care about the environment. 

As with all the paper we purchase, the reels used for paper wrap are carbon captured through The Woodland Trust carbon capture scheme. Over the past 12 months, our contributions have helped to remove over 48,800kg of carbon dioxide and supported the planting of over 1,220 m2 of native woodland in the UK. We encourage all our clients to use the Carbon Capture Scheme logo, whether on printed items or the front of paper wrap packs. It’s a great way to show that you’re serious about minimising the impact of your marketing activity. 

Printed or plain paper wrap?

Another benefit of paper wrap is the opportunity it creates to customise packs with a bespoke design, printed in one, two or full colour. Why not show the front cover of the enclosed magazine, a promotional message, or even sell the wrap as advertising space to raise revenue? This not only enhances the visual appeal of the pack but also reinforces brand identity and recognition with customers, which is crucial when it’s the first thing recipients see when it lands on doormats. 

If budgets don’t stretch to full-colour print, we can still add a logo and strapline to plain paper wrap. This can be done inline at the same time as we inkjet the variable data with our high-quality inkjet heads.

What type of mailings can I use paper wrap for?

Paper wrap is ideal for mailing a wide range of items, including magazines, catalogues, brochures, or charity campaigns. We can use paper wrap packs in A5 to oversized A4 sizes. It’s strong enough to protect heavier and/or thicker items, which traditionally have had to be mailed in polywrap.

We don’t have minimum or maximum run quantities, although it’s generally more feasible to use them for mailings over 1,000 items.

We’re always happy to handle one-off ad-hoc mailings or periodic journals and regular subscription titles. 

At KJS, customer service is always key, so we will always work with you on your direct mailing campaign. We’ll advise on the best solution for your mailings to ensure we offer the best postage rates and we get your mailing out on time, however tight that schedule may be! 

Postage

Postage rates are often the biggest single cost in any DM campaign so it’s crucial you get the best rate possible. But, postage is complex and there’s no one size fits all. So many factors can affect the rate you pay; the size of your mailing piece, the quantity, what you’re sending, and to who, as well as how clean your database is and what you’re using to mail you items out in. 

Paper wrap has the potential to help you achieve better postage rates than other wrap options, which can be a major force in making the decision to switch. Speak to one of our KJS account managers for more information.

Paper wrap, Poly, Potato Starch or Envelope… What’s the difference?

There are pros and cons to all of these polywrap and eco alternatives, and ultimately, it all depends on what you’re looking to mail and your budget. 

Traditional clear poly is still the cheapest option. It’s strong and durable for mailing heavier items such as catalogues or magazines and because it’s clear, it makes it easy for the recipient to see exactly what’s in the pack. 

However, there is a misconception that all polywrap is bad for the environment, which puts some clients off using it for fear of the image it’s presenting. But the standard poly we use is LSPE4, which can be recycled at larger stores or at the curbside in some local authorities.

We also run an alternative clear wrap made from potato starch, which offers all the same benefits as poly wrap but is compostable and biodegradable. We advise adding a message to the carrier sheet to let your readers know how to dispose of it correctly and that it is a more sustainable option.

Envelopes are still a great choice for many mailing, such as letters, leaflets, brochures and booklets. They’re easy to recycle and, like paper wrap mailing , can offer the competitive postage rates. With our inhouse envelope press, we can overprint envelopes in one or full colour, for maximum impact, although for larger run paper wrap will probably be more cost-effective, depending on what you’re mailing. 

Paper wrap traverses many of the above options. It has the strength and durability that poly wrap can offer, the sustainability credentials of potato starch and envelopes, and, like envelopes, allows for bespoke branding and best postage rates. 

With so many choices, it’s always best to speak to us so we can advise on which option is best for your mailing.

The future is paper wrap

Since our first line was fitted in 2021, we’ve seen the demand for paper wrap mailing solutions grow massively. We’re now looking to invest further to increase our capacity and benefit from continually evolving technology. We hope to soon be able to offer camera-match mailing and create packs with windows. Watch this space!

If you want to know more about paper wrap at KJS or would like a quote, call us on 01733 342 321.