8.5 x 11 thin cardboard inserts?

[HuntersPlace]

Hi All,

Im not sure if this has been asked before, so appologies if it has.

Im new to etsy and learning about shipping my prints. So far I have been cutting out cardboard I have at home and using that to protect my prints when I ship them. They are all less than 8.5 x 11 so they fit in a standard envelope. However, I looked into "photo mailers" and they are larger. So I don't really want to use them because I'll have to pay more for shipping and for the mailers. I think I'd rather just buy some cardboard inserts that are already in 8.5 x 11 in size?

Does anyone know where I could buy that or if you have any other suggestions?
My typical print is 8 x 10".

THANK YOU in advance!

[DrunkGirlDesigns]

I think that it's worth the price to pay a little extra for the peace of mind that the heavier cardboard & mailers provide. It's why you charge for S&H, after all, and your customers will appreciate the effort.

I put my prints in a manila envelope, then sandwich it between 2 heavy pieces of cardboard, tape it together, then I put that inside a rigid mailer. The 9x12 rigid mailers cost about $2.40 to ship out + approximately .80 per mailer, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

So far I haven't looked into pre-cut cardboard, as it turns out I have enough lying around to last me a while :D

[HuntersPlace]

Oh I totally agree. But it sounds like you're doing what I am now (manilla envelope and not the mailer). I just want to buy them so I don't have to cut the cardboard anymore. I'd rather pay and have them look all nice, plus be easier for me, you know?

Also, maybe I could order / make some stickers to pretty them up a bit! :)

I hope someone knows where we could get pre-fab 8.5x11 inserts!

[GoingPlaces2]

Hi Tamara,

I order my chip board here ~
http://pattengraphics.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=62
You get a box of 480 sheets for $59.99 (free shipping). That comes to about .12 ea. I mat all of my prints - so I don't feel I need more than one sheet of the chip board included in the 9x12 size clasp envelope.

They also offer the 11x17 size which I use from my larger sizes.

Hope that helps!

[Former_Member]

Before you go and buy pre cut cardboard have you considered just buying tough non-bendable envelopes? It's what I use to ship my prints in and they came out to 35 cents each for 100.

[ArtistMonicaBruenjes]

I purchased bags and boards from http://www.clearbags.com/ and I'm happy with what I got from them.

[Former_Member]

http://www.royalmailers.com/ is great because they offer free shipping on every order. The downside is if you live on the east coast, like me....it will take about 5-6 days to arrive as it is shipped out of CA. At any rate, this is where I get my rigid mailers and I agree they are definitely worth the little extra :)

[TheMarthaAnne]

I just received feedback that someone has received my illustration with creases. It was sent in a photo mailer - but somehow it looks like it ran through a machine that pinched the envelope and print. I will definitely be looking into cardboard and an even more effective way of packaging. Such great suggestions here, thank you! I just thought I'd let everyone know that sometimes just a photo mailer won't even protect them.

[Former_Member]

I think chipboard is a great option and is probably more visually appealing than cardboard. I tend to use clear cellophane art sleeves and a rigid photo mailer. I've been operating a brick and mortar print & ship shop for the last 10 years and haven't seen one damaged yet. :)