When it comes to mailing trading cards, there are a few different options. There are top-loaders, bubble mailers, and boxes. You can also use painter’s tape to secure them. Before mailing, make sure you have all the necessary materials. This will help you avoid delays or damage to your package.
Bubble mailer
Buying bubble mailers in bulk is a great way to save money when mailing trading cards. A single bubble mailer costs $0.50 to $0.75 per piece, but buying a case of 250 online can save you $75. In addition, you can save a lot of time by not having to continually buy new bubble mailers.
Bubble mailers are great for protecting your cards while they are in the mail. They are big enough to sandwich your cards between a layer of cardboard and a layer of bubble material. When sending your trading cards, it’s a good idea to include a tracking number on your shipping receipt. Most courier services will provide tracking options for bubble mailers.
Bubble mailers are available in a variety of styles and colors. However, the most common colors are white and bright yellow. Bubble mailers are safe for sports cards, but they must be handled properly. They must be carefully placed inside the bubble mailer to avoid any damage to the cards. If you don’t, you risk damaging your cards during shipping.
Quality bubble mailers should be purchased. These will be sturdy and prevent accidental damage during shipping. Cheaper bubble mailers are likely to rip easily and have weak bubbles. Purchasing a good quality bubble mailer is important if you want your trading cards to arrive in good condition. A high-quality bubble mailer will have thick, hard-to-pop bubbles and durable outer shell.
Boxes
There are two basic types of shipping boxes for trading cards: plain white envelopes and boxes designed specifically for this purpose. Plain white envelopes are inexpensive, but offer little protection for the cards inside. In fact, they are not a good choice for mailing trading cards valued at more than $5 to $10. Moreover, they can bend or tear the cards. Instead, you should use a thick cardboard box or a bubble mailer to protect them from pressure. Moreover, you can also use special padded envelopes to keep the packing compact.
Boxes for mailing trading cards should be large enough to accommodate all the cards inside. Boxes designed for bulk mailing can accommodate up to five hundred and eight hundred cards. If you plan to sell full sets or teams of cards, you should use rigid cardboard boxes. If you need to ship a few hundred cards, you can also go for a large flat rate game box. These boxes can be ordered for free from USPS’s website. They are the most cost-effective packaging options when shipping in bulk.
For a small batch, you can use a Medium Flat Rate box. These boxes are 200-pound-test corrugated cardboard and will hold approximately 2,000 stacked cards. They can also be used to ship bulk commons or base. You can use three 660-count boxes in a medium-sized box, although you will need to add packing material to the ends of the box to prevent a card from bending.
Painter’s tape
When mailing trading cards, you should use a good quality tape, such as painter’s tape. It can be purchased online or from a local store like Target or Walmart. The advantage of painters tape is that it leaves no residue and is easy to remove. However, you should be careful not to overprotect your cards, or you will risk ruining them.
Painter’s tape is the most recommended tape for mailing trading cards. Don’t use scotch tape, as it can cause top loaders to stick together and ruin your cards. Moreover, painters tape is more easily removed than scotch tape, so you don’t have to worry about damaging your cards.
Use a thin tape and do not make it too big. It should have about half an inch of sticky part, which helps create a secure seal during transit. Also, use small pull-tabs rather than large ones, since your recipient can easily access them with their fingernails. Lastly, be sure to write “pull” very gently and without pressure, as it may damage the card.
A resealable bag is another great option. This adds a professional touch to the shipping process. This is especially helpful if the cards are expensive and require extra care. A cardboard box will also do the job. Simply cut a piece of cardboard to the size of the card and apply painter’s tape to seal the box. This provides rigid protection to the cards, while also saving on space.
Sleeve
If you have a hobby that involves trading cards, you should use a protective sleeve. This will protect the cards and prevent them from being damaged while in transit. However, there are some common problems with sleeve materials. For instance, some sleeve materials can cause the cards to become indented when you put them in them, ruining the condition of the card. Fortunately, there are several types of protective sleeve materials available.
Sleeves can be divided into two types: top loaders and bottom loaders. Top loaders are more rigid and will protect the surface of the cards from abrasion. However, they will not protect the surface of the trading cards from major bends and indentations. This is where a soft inner sleeve comes in handy.
Penny sleeves are a good choice for mailing trading cards. They come in a variety of designs, sizes, and prices. While they look attractive, they aren’t as good as those designed for play. Using a penny sleeve will allow your trading cards to fit comfortably without getting squeezed or damaged during shipping.
A plain white envelope is cheap, but offers little protection for your cards. Unless you’re mailing your trading cards in bulk, you should avoid using plain white envelopes. Even though this option is cheap, you can’t be sure they won’t bend 90 degrees or tear while in transit. You also don’t want to get lost in a sea of cards in a plain white envelope.
Insurance
Regardless of the value of your trading cards, it is vital to secure shipping insurance before mailing them. Shipping insurance covers the contents of your package, and is based on the value of the items you declare. The USPS allows you to insure a single package for up to $5,000, and UPS offers up to $50,000 of insurance coverage.
If you plan to send high-value cards, it is essential to have them appraised before shipping them. You can also take photos of the cards to support your insurance claim. Depending on the value of your cards, you may also want to take special precautions when packaging them. If you are shipping a large amount of trading cards, you will want to send them with adequate packaging, including extra boxes and packaging materials.
