Proper Care for Shipping Artwork
HERE IS SOME WELL EARNED ADVICE I ISSUE ON A REGULAR BASIS
SHIPPING FRAGILE PLATES IN THEIR ORIGINAL BOXES:
- If Cardboard, Load them as the box is designed to do and then shake them. If rattles or is loose, place a layer of bubble wrap (SMALL BUBBLE) around plate and re-load and test. If still is loose Second wrap should do it.
- If box is hard foam, again load as designed and shake. If loose place a small layer or strip of bubble wrap or sheet foam, over one edge to force a tight seal in the box.
The trick is to use the box as designed and
The box must be tight and no shaking should be heard.
SHIPPING FRAGILE PLATES NOT IN THEIR ORIGINAL BOXES:
Wrap each of them separately with their paperwork and COA's in bubble wrap! A second layer of Bubble wrap is applied and taped together to make the plate a tight package. Place in a USPS box and pack box as mentioned above. A single plate will fit in a 12 X15" box (also FREE.) Pack box so no looseness is heard. Up to ten plates can be shipped in a USPS 12" X 12" Priority box packed this way.
A tight box pretty much assures a safe delivery.
Procedure TO SHIP:
Slide plate in a USPS Priority envelope, 15" X 11-1/2" (FREE from USPS) and wrap excess envelope tightly around plate box. DO NOT TRIM ENVELOPE. Tape with Clear tape around outside of the package leaving no edges loose that can be caught by a machine. This works for each type of box for plates up to 8 1/2 ".
If mailing two plates, Tape the boxes together as one package. If this is not secure enough for you, place bubble wrapped plate boxes in a USPS 12" X 12" Priority box for two and up to six plate boxes. Also works for plates larger than 8 1/2 ". The USPS boxes are free and can be ordered over USPS Web-site. Finish packing the box using packing peanuts, Plastic trash bags stuffed inside another bag, or bubble wrap.
Never use NEWSPAPER. The inks can leach onto the boxes and Paper weighs a lot and can carry molds!
NEVER BUY INSURANCE ON USPS PRIORITY SHIPMENTS:
The hassle is not worth the cost. This is true up to $50 - $100. If a customer insists, I charge them and comply, but my listing states no insurance offered.
PRINTED LABELS:
A way to speed up the process is to label everything with printed labels and complete addressing "to and from".
Do not use pen, Pencil, Marker, to address the parcels, but get the Labels from the Post office (FREE) and run them through your printer. (An easy word processor setup makes life in shipping easier.) USPS machines read Labels and do not read hand writing very well. Follow the labeling suggestions by the USPS.
You are well advised to set up an account with USPS to prepay your postage online to make life in Ebay easier.
Check out www.usps.com or sss-web.usps.com to sign up.
Not only can you print the postage but also the shipping labels in one operation. Saves Hours and provides an address book and notifies the customer via email to confirm shipment is sent.
If you use Paypal you can do the same process via the Ebay system and Paypal. This way you can ship all packages with FREE confirmation and never stand In line at the Post Office.
I have followed these tricks and have never had to replace a plate yet out of a thousand shipments.
Happy shipping!
Fisherman
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