How to package my patterns when shipping?

[Former_Member]

Hey Guys!

I am very new to selling vintage patterns!

My grandma was an amazing seamstress and had a fabric store in the 1970's. I inherited 100's and 100's of vintage patterns and after having them for over 17 years, have finally decided to sell the ones I don't think that I will use.

I have sold and shipped half a dozen patterns in the last month and have gotten a feedback message that I am not happy with. I have done tons of research to figure out all of the different little pieces of information regarding selling my patterns. Since I have always had this great collection, I have never personally purchased one online and seen how it is mailed. The message I got is telling me that I need to have them in a plastic sleeve. I can't seem to find any information regarding plastic sleeves and where I can get them. Is this anything more than a zip lock baggy? What is the proper way to send them off? I put them in a large yellow envelope and folded it in half for extra support. I thought it looked nice and was pretty protective. A large amount of my vintage patterns have had the envelopes cut in half and taped to paper lunch bags. This is an abnormal size and won't ship the same way. Any suggestions?

Does anyone know how I can remove the feedback so that it is not seen? It was my very first sale and I would like to do all I can to make sure everyone is happy with their purchases from me. I don't want this neutral feedback, that I see as a negative, to effect future sales. I already wrote back the person with an apology and asking them for advice as to how to make their experience better, yet no response.

Suggestions please!!! I want all my customers to be happy and excited to receive my wonderful patterns!

Thanks,
Laura

[finickypatternshop]

Hi, Welcome to pattern sales on Etsy!

I bought my plastic sleeves on eBay, I think I just searched cello sleeves. They are resealable and acid free so they won't damage the paper patterns. I send all my patterns in the cello sleeve, flat not folded and then in a regular envelope. If they are in fragile condition I do add a backer board so that it can't be bent. I think that folding them in half might not be a good idea as it might damage them.

Other pattern sellers have posted that they send them in a bubble mailer for extra protection but I haven't had a problem so far so to keep the weight down for shipping I just use a regular envelope.

I don't believe the feedback can be removed unless it is a 'negative' then there is a 'kiss and make-up' option that would change it. I don't think it will affect you too badly though once you get a few more positives. If you are concerned maybe add a comment to your policies stating that you have since changed your packaging to make it more secure. People are generally very fair and will give you another chance if they really want one of your lovely patterns.

Good luck with your shop :)

[Former_Member]

Well, I'm new enough to know practically nothing, but I decided it would be a good thing to describe my shipping (packing) method on each listing. Yes, my descriptions turn out to be long but most of it is "boilerplate" meaning I just copy and paste. My theory (neither proven or disproved at this point) is that buyers are delicate little creatures w/ flit-away qualities and only by answering every little concern can we entice them to stay and buy. Overkill? Probably, but selling online is where those OCD tendencies really come in handy! :-)

[PatternJones]

I wrap mine in acid free tissue paper and depending on size ship in a manila envelope. So far no packaging complaints!

[CynicalGirl]

The best way to remove your negative feedback is to learn from it and improve your packaging. As more feedback appears the negative ones will drop off the first page. It's a hard lesson but one to pay attention to.

I hear all this talk about acid free and I think it sounds good but no acid free sleeve will stop the acid that is already in the pattern. Any plastic sleeve will isolate it.

Some say that a piece of cardboard to stabilize the envelope is overkill but that one envelope that gets folded and stuffed through a mail slot will only bring more negative feedback. Better safe than sorry. Remember these are one of a kind and not readily replaceable.

[Former_Member]

I don't use a plastic sleeve, but I do mail them in stiff cardboard mailers I bought online. I have had a customer request it be mailed in a ziplock bag though. I think the main issue is keeping the pattern from getting destroyed by the post office and/or weather (rain). Manila envelopes are super flexible and get bent, rolled, and shoved in small mail boxes, rather than getting treated like a package.

[GreyDogVintage]

I do use acid free sleeves I bought online, but for a cardboard backer I just recycle my cereal boxes to give it added protection when mailing. I use it in the envelope not in the acid free sleeve.

It is true that the postal carrier will bend or fold to get a package in the box rather than place it at your door. Mine does it all the time. A cardboard backer helps a lot if you're using a manilla envelope or bubble mailer. I find a plastic ziplock bag of some sort is well worth the extra 0.25-0.5 of an ounce in postage. I received a book I ordered, in a bubble mailer and not wrapped in plastic that was destroyed from heavy rain we had here. My mail carrier placed it at my door where it was not protected and it was soaked through.

Don't worry GrandmasBackRoom. Just learn from the mistake and make changes to your shipping and you'll be fine. Others will give you positive feedback which will discount that one neutral.

By the way, you have some lovely patterns!

[Former_Member]

If the pattern is really old I'll put it in an acid free sleeve. Not the best but you can get them at places like walmart. Look in the section with notebooks for the plastic sleeves and make sure it says acid free. Most of the time I just stick it in a zip lock back and into a bubble envelope and so far no complaints. A few of my patterns have gone to other countries and they still arrived safely. Zip lock bags or some sort of water protection is a must in my mind. USPS especially does not have a good reputation around here and I've had stuff I've ordered ruined by the rain! Good luck! And remember some people can't be pleased if you wrap it in pure gold!

[kalliedesigns]

You can find cello sleeves cheap at paper mart.com.

[historicallypatterns]

I put patterns that are fragile or older or valuable into cello sleeves (look on ebay, that's the cheapest I've found and you can get a couple different sizes for Simplicity/Butterick/etc., McCalls, and the large format Vogue patterns) for shipping. Normally I won't bother if it is an inexpensive Simplicity pattern and thus far no complaints from buyers. I think you may just have has a persnickity customer.

I do ship all patterns in either a stiff cardboard mailer or a bubble mailer. I use the cardboard mailers for anything that is likely to get bent or banged up (usually single patterns, or a couple thin ones) and bubble mailers for larger orders or very thick patterns that will not be mangled by USPS or for shipping overseas where weight is a bigger issue.

Even with the cardboard mailers and cello sleeves $2.50 almost always covers my postage plus shipping materials and I've yet to have anyone balk at that shipping cost. Works for me! Good luck with your new shop.

[Former_Member]

I ship mine in resealable cello sleeves that I bought from an etsy seller, and use eco-friendly envelopes that I also bought from an etsy seller, that appear to be water proof. I haven't actually tested that, but 2 layers of plastic should do the trick.

I haven't used any cardboard yet, but think I might on my more delicate patterns. Good idea to use cereal boxes!

this is the shop for the cello envelopes:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlepaperthings

[GreyDogVintage]

Ooh, resealable would be great! The sleeves I bought I usually put a piece of tape to seal. After they're all gone I might have to go with the resealable. Thanks for the link downthestreet!

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much for all the great ideas and tips here!

[Former_Member]

You absolutely must use a very firm cardboard backing, and the pattern itself in a close fitting plastic bag (acid free is best.) I ship my delicate 40s - 60s patterns this way AND inside a box.

A cereal box backing will not work - the postal workers in my area have totally destroyed several vintage patterns and other vintage paper items I have bought that were packaged this way. And when I say totally destroyed, I mean that they were unusable, torn, and the delicate parts of paper reduced to dust and shreds. This is extremely disappointing to see valuable pieces of history in this condition, especially since they probably were not in this condition prior to shipping.

I know that other people who have posted here may find this a little extreme. However, the MAJORITY of delicate vintage patterns and vintage paper goods I have bought (eBay more so than here) have been damaged and close to unusable, and most of them did have cardboard backing. I did not complain, but I was very sad to see them in such poor shape. The seller had made an effort, but it was not enough with the way the postal service treats packages.

I wish that everyone would package vintage patterns much more carefully. It is very sad to see them damaged. Keep in mind that you never know what conditions they will go through (water, rapid humidity changes, postal machines with sharp edges and machines that pound on them, very rough postal workers, heavy packages sitting on them and bending them, etc.)

Thanks everyone for reading.

-Kelina

[Former_Member]

Thanks everyone for sharing all this great info!
I have been using regular plastic baggies to protect my mailings from getting wet. Now shopping around for the cello envelopes, I think they would be appreciated, for a small cost. Wondering which size would be best, since I haven't run across any that say specifically for patterns...
Just remembering a recent visit to the post office when I had an envelope with cardboard backing, and the post office employee told me that since it wouldn't bend to fit in the mailbox, it could be left alongside the mailbox, exposed to the elements.
They have also told me recently that to get a delivery confirmation, it should be a small parcel, not envelope. Confusing! One worker even advised me to put a scrunched up piece of paper in the envelope so it would be considered a package, rather than a flat envelope.
Have a great day, all, and thanks again for your expertise!
Teresa

[Former_Member]

I use the comic book sleeves that are resealable. I buy them from Amazon.com for approx. $7-8 for 100. Sometimes for less. They are resealable. As for cardboard, I haven't used it and so far I haven't had any problems. I keep them in the resealable sleeves and then pack them in a bubble envelope. The bubble envelope is plastic as well. I even ship internationally using this method.

[finickypatternshop]

I buy mine on eBay from this seller http://stores.ebay.com/uniquepacking?_trksid=p4340.l2563

I find the prices good and have purchased several times with very good service. I buy 3 sizes:
for Butterick & smaller patterns 5 11/18 x 8 9/16
for Simplicity 6 x 9
for McCall's 6 1/2 x 9 1/2 though I wish I could find 6 3/4 wide since some fit tight.

Three sizes are probably not needed I just kept trying different sizes until I found the ones I liked :)

[Former_Member]

You guys are awesome! Thank you!

[Former_Member]

Where can we get the cardboard backers or how do you make them and out of what?

[Former_Member]

If you are putting the cardboard in the sleeve with the pattern, I would use the acid-free boards that are sold for magazines and comic books. If you are just putting them in the envelope not up against the pattern, you can use any cardboard that is stiff enough to keep it from bending. If it's too thin, do 2 on each side. Just make sure it's slightly bigger than the pattern!

[Former_Member]

Sorry I just re-read the the posts here and I think you answered my question earlier and I asked it again. Thanks much.

[Former_Member]

how helpful! I've just been putting my patterns in bubble mailers and I hadn't had any problems. I think I'll put them in plastic sleeves and add a cardboard backer, based on what I read here. Thanks so much.

[PeoplePackages]

I use acid free ziplock bags from ebay and uline and a bubble envelope from royalmailers. I have only used a cardboard once because the pattern I sold was so expensive.

[GreyDogVintage]

Acid Free Sleeves

For simplicity, butterick, vogue I have been using these. I do have to fold the top and tape it for closure, but they fit perfectly.

http://www.clearbags.com/catalog/product/view/id/519


For McCall's I found these work really well.

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-10644/High-Clarity-Polypropylene-Bags/7-x-9-2-Mil-Reclosable-P...

[NormasShoppe]

I am going to start selling my vintage patterns on Etsy.  When putting the size of the pattern for shipping, I noticed there is a depth you need to enter.  I will be using a bubble envelope and not sure how I should go about this shipping method.  I loved reading everyone's input above.  Really helpful.  Thank you.