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I recently sent out invitations that had a raised embellishment on them. A number of these were torn by the postal machines while others arrived just fine.
I am donating a large number of cards and feel I need to place some sort of warning on the card. How would you word this?
This is a tough one. I understand your concern, and that you want to do the right thing so that the cards won't be destroyed in the mailing process when the people mail them.
That said, in my experience, most folks just don't take the time to read or pay attention to things like that. You could include a "warning", but in the end I don't think most would heed it.
When I give sets of notecards with embellishments for gifts I always include an extra piece of cut cardstock to use with each card to protect it in the envelope when mailing.
A friend recently returned a stack of these pieces back to me, saying "I didn't use the extra writing notecards, and thought you might like to have them back.":mrgreen:
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
I include an extra piece of cardstock and a piece of paper with this warning: Please insert extra piece of cardstock between card front and envelope before mailing. This helps to protect embellishments from postal equipment. I've wondered if people understand and what they think about this.
I sell many of my cards... so I put a label on the back (I have them all in dust covers) indicating that if the card will be sent by US mail to have it hand cancelled. Most of these cards require extra postage and a trip to the post office... so they can just have it hand cancelled to avoid the dreaded machines...
I would probably do the same as the other ladies have mentioned - place a warning label on the back. Otherwise, you can print the warning on printer paper, cut to size and place it in with the card tucked in clear envie.
If my post office notices this and I am at the counter they tell me to pay extra postage and mark it fragile or I end up sending it priority.. not an exactly cheap way to do it but at least I know they get there undamaged.
When you take them to your local post office, all you have to do is ask to have them Hand Cancel. Then they will stamp it with a special stamp and put a metered stamp on there. That way it goes to the person handling the mail verses through the mail machine. It may cost an extra 20 cents though, well at least my post office does.
Good luck!
__________________ Bonnie~Proud Fan Club Member~Marine Wife My Gallery~One of Kota's Kids My Blog~Bonnie's Creative Corner Every Job is a Self-Portrait of the Person Who Did It. Autograph Your Work With Excellence.~Author Unknown
When I make cards for gift sets or to sell I do not make them with big embellishments on them because I find that most people don't want to take the time to add the extra cardstock or pay extra postage. My goal is to make it as "easy" for the recipient as possible. Also, some people I give sets to are on a fixed income and I don't want them to have to pay the extra postage. It's hard sometimes because I love my embellishments but it is possible to make a beautiful card without them.
Hi ladies thanks for all the help. Unfortunately I have already made these embellished cards and packed them up in clear sleeves.
I was thinking of printing out on clear labels some sort of caution about mailing and sticking it on the back of the sleeve. How should I word it?
I include an extra piece of cardstock and a piece of paper with this warning: Please insert extra piece of cardstock between card front and envelope before mailing. This helps to protect embellishments from postal equipment. I've wondered if people understand and what they think about this.
This is exactly what I do for all my cards that I mail out to protect them in mailing.
~ Pam
__________________ "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."
Depends on the place you're donating to, though. I believe that if you are donating them to the military for the troops to use to send home, it won't matter, because the troops themselves don't pay to send letters home.
I agree with what stampaholic17 (Post #10) says in her post, with exception of the last sentence.
I don't feel heavy embellishing is necessary to have a nice card, though.
I don't quite get the idea of putting in the blank card stock to cover the embellished side? (it would add weight and may increase postage. Also, there is a proper way to insert a card in the envelope and this extra paper would interfere. As a previous poster said, she got the pieces returned. I can undersand that. I also feel that you should not expect people to have to pay extra to mail cards you made. Many (especially the elderly) would not consider cards needing extra postage and also probably would not be going to the Post Office to mail the card.
I feel many over embellished cards given in gift sets may never really ever be used once the purchaser realizes the extra effort/expense necessary.
Just my opinions and I realize not shared by everyone.
I like to have an assortment of both....some people buy the cards with raised embellishments knowing they're going to hand deliver it with a gift, etc.
Why couldn't you put the card into the envelope so that the embellishment is facing the backside when you take card out?
I received one that was ripped up that was facing backwards... I only put bulky items on cards that I hand deliver ~ ones I donate ~ I like to use embossing, stickles, glossy accents, liquid pearls, etc. to make them special for the sender... I sometimes wonder why so many 'cards' have so much on them that there's no way they will even fit in an envelope ~ most of those I always think to myself (& now here)... those need to go into a frame or shadow box as works of art & not cards... but to each her own... ;)
Here's a market niche! How many of us would pay a bit more for an envie of the regular A2 size that was either a bit heavier or had a little bit of bubble wrap to it? I'd love to send cards with embelishments, but won't for the worry of what happens as it makes it's journey through the post.
__________________ If you don't want your tax dollars to help the poor, then stop saying you want a country based on Christian values, because you don't. ~ Jimmy Carter
I cut a piece of cs and run it through my crimper. I put this inside cards to mail that have embellishments. This seems to protect the card from getting ruined during the mailing process. I also pay the extra postage since the card is usually thicker than the regular size.
When I sold cards, I added a label that said: Extra postage required. I placed this on the back of the sleeve that was protecting the card. I never thought to add my crimped piece of cs with the card.
I would pay more for postage and envie just because those cards are extra special just like the recipient. I'm not saying that a card with little or no embellishment is not as nice. I shouldn't have to limit my ideas/creativity for worry of what might happen to it in the mail.
I put a separate loose note inside the card that indicates extra postage reguired and I tape a piece very thin foam inside the evelope (its the foam you use to pack plates) to pad the envelope. If the card is heavliy embellished, like a collage card, I include an acrylic box with sealing stickers. I charge more to cover the cost of the box. Most of the time though, I don't use a lot of embellishments on cards that are sold or dontated because of the cost and because of the time to make "production" type cards.
Did you know that even if a card is hand canceled it's still has to fit through the sorting machines and can be torn if not padded? Sometimes you get lucky and it your envelope is not damanage and other times it can be returned or ruined.
Here's a market niche! How many of us would pay a bit more for an envie of the regular A2 size that was either a bit heavier or had a little bit of bubble wrap to it? I'd love to send cards with embelishments, but won't for the worry of what happens as it makes it's journey through the post.
Warning for back of card - Help please
