Mailing in an envelope?

[Former_Member]

Hi! Hoping to get some advice on shipping. I'm working on new button sets and am trying to figure out shipping.

I was wondering - would a button be safe in just a regular envelope? I would adhere them to tag board, place another piece to cover the backs of the buttons. I'd include a thank you card which would cover the front of the buttons. Would that be safe enough or do I need to use a padded bubble mailer?

Thanks for any help!

[Former_Member]

Hi LitPrints,
I mainly work with 1" buttons and 2.25" compacts, but after some trial and error I figured that wrapping them in bubble wrap is best... I actually had a couple of customers about 10 years ago, that sent me back the envelope, the button had actually come out of the bottom of the envelope...another instance the button was dented! So, you really don't need a bubble mailer, it's actually cheaper just to buy a roll of bubble wrap and wrap each order...
Hope that helps,
Grue

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it. I've seen the bubble wrap at Target and will pick some.

[naniwear]

we send ours out in padded mailers, like the ones used for CDs, with bubble wrap.

the US postal service isn't exactly a gentle bunch of workers. if it's not sufficiently protected, expect broken buttons delivered.

uline has damn cheap bubble mailers. get the tyvek/plastic ones, cos they're lighter than paper ones.

[PandaLoveShop]

I buy small envelopes in bulk from Ebay. I got 500 4x6 bubble envies for $30 including shipping and they've been working great.

[Former_Member]

I use the size #000 bubble mailers. I get mine from eSupply Store. http://www.esupplystore.com/Kraft-Paper--Self-Seal_c_353-1.html

[Former_Member]

I used to send in regular envelopes, but eventually I had too many envelopes damaged. It seems they run the mail through something, and print on the bottom, and it was tearing and ripping my envelope to shreds!

I too ship in a bubble now, I bought some one ebay as well. I bought 800 of them for a really good price. I would have to look it up.

[BayleafButtons]

Hey Lit!

I send my pins in a larger catalogue/invite envelope as they were inexpensive and thicker than regular envelopes. I don't have any trouble with them, but I do make sure to pack my pins with bubble wrap/tissue paper to avoid the pin being bent. And after they are individually wrapped they go in a smaller #8 envelope with business cards and a little bit of cardstock for extra protection.

Within Canada I have been able to send them within the regular mail and haven't had any damaged. So if you can locally get away with that perfect but from my knowledge technically you are supposed to send them a different method if the envelope contains anything other than paper.

Whenever I mail outside of Canada I have to send them via Light Packet, which is for packages or envelopes with items that are not paper. I like to think this means the machine sorting will be gentler on the envelope.

Good luck!

[Former_Member]

With just an envelope I'd be worried about the pin being bent. I usually use either padded mailers, or a regular envelope but I wrap the buttons in bubble wrap before putting them in the envelope.

[theangryrobot]

I've had the post office damage some of my buttons sent in bubble mailers. I can't imagine how many damaged packages I'd have if I used regular envelopes.