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Hi all! What is the best way to mail your cards? I need to mail almost all my cards and want them to get there in good shape. I like to add all the extras but wonder how they look when opened on the other side. Any suggestions?
Location: wishing I was in London but you'll likely find me on my couch
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Bubble envelopes work well. Or make a little box. Costs more to ship though. I'm trying to keep mine to one regular postage stamp for mailing but I know lots of people like to layer. I tend to put my cards in the envelope with the back to the front of the envelop and then cover the front, which is now in the back, with a piece of cardstock that has been crimped.
If I have a lumpy card to mail I generally put an extra piece of cardstock over the front of the card for mailing to protect the front of the card.
blessings
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I turn them around, I guess I do this if there was a tear it not would be in the address area. Like Amber I cover them. I use a large index that's folded(cheap and already cut).
I mail cards with buttons, tied ribbon and brads. They all get there fine. I did mail one last week with a rather large SU button. I hope it didn't jam the PO's machine. Normally I would have taken it in.
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
I turn them around, I guess I do this if there was a tear it not would be in the address area. Like Amber I cover them. I use a large index that's folded(cheap and already cut).
I mail cards with buttons, tied ribbon and brads. They all get there fine. I did mail one last week with a rather large SU button. I hope it didn't jam the PO's machine. Normally I would have taken it in.
When you say you "would have taken it in", do you mean so it could be hand-cancelled at the P.O.?
For everyone responding to OP, do you routinely add extra postage when you drop your cards w/embellishments in a mailbox?
When you say you "would have taken it in", do you mean so it could be hand-cancelled at the P.O.?
For everyone responding to OP, do you routinely add extra postage when you drop your cards w/embellishments in a mailbox?
I take my bumpy cards physically in to the PO, so they can put non-machinable on them and I pay the extra 20 cents. Then I watch to be sure they toss it in the "special" bin.
I do this because when I used to write hand cancel on it myself, even with the extra 20 cent stamp, and just drop it in the mailbox, it didn't get the special handling. The recipients told me it came through machine cancelled.
I have had lumpy cards and envelopes tear in the mail. Since I don't want to buy padded envelopes all the time (and extra mailing cost), I use relatively flat cards for mailing. Ones with lumpy embellishments get hand-delivered to local friends.
I take my bumpy cards physically in to the PO, so they can put non-machinable on them and I pay the extra 20 cents. Then I watch to be sure they toss it in the "special" bin.
I do this because when I used to write hand cancel on it myself, even with the extra 20 cent stamp, and just drop it in the mailbox, it didn't get the special handling. The recipients told me it came through machine cancelled.
I have had lumpy cards and envelopes tear in the mail. Since I don't want to buy padded envelopes all the time (and extra mailing cost), I use relatively flat cards for mailing. Ones with lumpy embellishments get hand-delivered to local friends.
Maybe I s/b buying small padded envelopes in bulk. An accurate scale to check for amt of extra postage needed might help too. The overwhelming majority of my hand-made cards go thru the p.o. vs being hand-delivered to a friend or family member.
At the post office, they told me to keep bumpy embellishments (a bow or pearl, etc.) toward the top of the envelope so they don't get crushed or stuck in the machine. I did have someone tell me that a card I sent that was embellished with glass Dew Drops arrived with crushed glass in the envelope. :( A layer of bubble wrap cut to card size or just a bit smaller is a great way to protect embellishments. If I send cards in a padded envelope, I tuck a piece of chipboard down the back so they don't get bent.
At the post office, they told me to keep bumpy embellishments (a bow or pearl, etc.) toward the top of the envelope so they don't get crushed or stuck in the machine. I did have someone tell me that a card I sent that was embellished with glass Dew Drops arrived with crushed glass in the envelope. :( A layer of bubble wrap cut to card size or just a bit smaller is a great way to protect embellishments. If I send cards in a padded envelope, I tuck a piece of chipboard down the back so they don't get bent.
Historically, I too have slipped a cut pc of bubble wrap over embellishments when mailing cards in a regular A2 envelope. Now tho I wonder if the recipient's been stuck paying extra postage. No one's ever mentioned it but they probably wouldn't.
Do any of you think adding a pc of thinner bubble wrap over embellishments will mean a card can't go thru the machines @ the p.o. and thus need more postage? The bubble wrap certainly won't add much weight but will add thickness to the envelope, obviously.
I think as long as the whole thing envelope and all is not thicker than 1/4 inch anywhere, especially the bumps, there is a good chance that it will make it through the machines. If it's got serious bumps (like a button or bow) (not-serious bumps would be like a mini-brad or flat ribbon - no bow), or it is square, but is still less than 1/4 inch thick, it would only need 20 cents extra postage. Anything over 1/4 inch thick would be considered a "parcel", and would need $2.50 total postage.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 9or18holes
When you say you "would have taken it in", do you mean so it could be hand-cancelled at the P.O.?
For everyone responding to OP, do you routinely add extra postage when you drop your cards w/embellishments in a mailbox?
Yes, into the post office. If it's extra thick I add extra postage. Usually I don't have to add extra postage. It does depend on what PO I take the card to.
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
Do any of you think adding a pc of thinner bubble wrap over embellishments will mean a card can't go thru the machines @ the p.o. and thus need more postage? The bubble wrap certainly won't add much weight but will add thickness to the envelope, obviously.
Yes, it will cost more. If your envelope is "thicker" than 1/4", you have to pay extra. Ask me how I know.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
I think as long as the whole thing envelope and all is not thicker than 1/4 inch anywhere, especially the bumps, there is a good chance that it will make it through the machines. If it's got serious bumps (like a button or bow) (not-serious bumps would be like a mini-brad or flat ribbon - no bow), or it is square, but is still less than 1/4 inch thick, it would only need 20 cents extra postage. Anything over 1/4 inch thick would be considered a "parcel", and would need $2.50 total postage.
I've not even been adding the extra 20 cents postage !! Do many of you do that?
ATM I emboss some thin cardstock or use some "free to me" bubble wrap and put the embellishments to the back.
KWYM about the 'free to us' bubble wrap. I absolutely hoard the thinner variety of it (usually clear or green in color) to use for insertion w/ cards. I'm sure we receive things wrapped in the foam products you mentioned...will have to start saving that too, particularly computer-related products.
Lots of great ideas! I'm going to try the crimped paper and also get some padded envies for the more bulky cards.
I asked my local(small town) PO about the postage on a handmade card, he said if it was more than an 1/4" then to add the extra .20 cents.
I send my mom alot of cards(several a month) and the only one, she said had some trouble was the one was added rhinestones, it made holes in the envie, so I'll know to add that extra padding for those.
Thanks all, I stamp alone but with all the tricks, helps and responses on here I feel like I have hundreds of stampers right along there with me!!
I've not even been adding the extra 20 cents postage !! Do many of you do that?
I get away with not adding it if I only have brads or ribbon. But I know that one card (out of hundreds) DID have "postage due" stamped on it. But my sister said they never collected on it, and that that was the only one ever, out of the hundreds that I've sent them. Every once in a while if I'm not sure, I stick a 20 cent stamp on there. Most of the time I don't.
I did notice if sending cards out of the country that different postal clerks tell you different things. For example on line, a metal embellishment is not able to be metered. I always add the extra amount. On a recent trip to the post office for an out of country card, a clerk told me the card can be metered and no extra postage is needed. She also told me that most postal clerks do not know the difference. I sure hope that card goes through ok. It's really guess work but how embarrassing to receive a card postage due.
A different situation, a clerk charged me extra for a bow since the knot in the bow she said was a rigid object. So it's really a gamble depending on clerks in various post offices.
When I've added a pc of the smaller-bubble bubble wrap, I see that it DOES make the envelope thicker. Its ability to get thru the p.o.'s machines has been a concern. For those of you who instead use a pc of card stock run thru a Big Shot w/an embossing folder, do you feel it provides the same protection to your embellishments? It would certainly not add the same degree of thickness.
As a previous poster had mentioned, thanks so much to all of you who're more veteran stampers. Your advice to us relative newbies is invaluable, and certainly enhances our enjoyment of card-making.
The price for extra ounce is $.21. Not 20 cents.
Obviously by all these posts, each post office (or worker) has their own opinion of the 'rules' about lumpy letters, so I just go online for the real story and drop them in my outgoing mailbox after weighing on postage scale.
Very interesting video, Fionna. Just shows we get much less personal service than we thought! TFS.
The price for extra ounce is $.21. Not 20 cents.
Obviously by all these posts, each post office (or worker) has their own opinion of the 'rules' about lumpy letters, so I just go online for the real story and drop them in my outgoing mailbox after weighing on postage scale.
Very interesting video, Fionna. Just shows we get much less personal service than we thought! TFS.
Well, I did everything right yesterday, and it seems the PO has eaten my card. The SASE I enclosed after having everything weighed, measured, married... has returned to the house within 24 hrs of being sent without the card. I know I sealed the card because I have the rubbish from the strip...*BIG SIGH* I nearly didn't send the card because I liked it so much so I am slightly devastated.
And they can't say it was a bump on the outside of the card!!! it is the toolbox card in my gallery. Can't get it to link ATM.
Well, I did everything right yesterday, and it seems the PO has eaten my card. The SASE I enclosed after having everything weighed, measured, married... has returned to the house within 24 hrs of being sent without the card. I know I sealed the card because I have the rubbish from the strip...*BIG SIGH* I nearly didn't send the card because I liked it so much so I am slightly devastated.
And they can't say it was a bump on the outside of the card!!! it is the toolbox card in my gallery. Can't get it to link ATM.
Well, rats! That's just awful. I'm so sorry.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Mailing cards
