Best Ways to Mail 12x12 Pages

[elliesmom]

I thought this could be a useful thread for all to post their favorite method of shipping 12x12 pages for swaps and contests. For me, it always seems to be a challenge! I have seen 12x15 envelopes to purchase, but I'd rather not spend the money if I can make something work from home.

What's your favorite way to send 12x12's?

I've re-used poly-mailers that came with other catalog merchandise.
I've re-used the SU! shipping boxes, but these are usually way too big.

[allidee]

If you are fortunate (or un- as the case may be) to have 12 x 12 paper ship separately on back order from su! It usually ships in a perfect size box.

I have made my own out of two pieces of corrugated cardboard then tape three sides together to form a pocket, then slide your pages in. Tape the fourth side and it's ready to mail.

Also, pizza boxes are great for swaps where you are shipping 10 +1. If you frequent the same pizza shop all the time and they recognize you they should be willing to give you one or two spare clean boxes.

[uffdastamper]

I haven't done swaps/contests, but when I have mailed 12 X 12 scrapbooks and paper I have used the 12 1/8 x 13 3/8 X 2 3/4 priority mail boxes. They fit perfectly. And because the box is cardboard, I usually just wrap the paper in tissue paper and it doesn't get bent etc.

The best part is the box is free and sometimes by the time you buy the envelope and pay for shipping etc. it can cost up to $3 bucks anyway. But I understand for swaps etc. this could get expensive, but for mailing 12x12 gifts etc. it works great.

I'd love to hear other suggestions too!

[elliesmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by allidee

Also, pizza boxes are great for swaps where you are shipping 10 +1. If you frequent the same pizza shop all the time and they recognize you they should be willing to give you one or two spare clean boxes.

Before you mentioned the clean boxes, I thought "Man, you must have the best smelling swaps around!" LOL

[vdoyle8]

I've used pizza boxes in the past also ... after I've scrapped the cheese off - just kidding!
Seriously, they worked great and my pizza place just gave them to me.

[willosmama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by uffdastamper

I haven't done swaps/contests, but when I have mailed 12 X 12 scrapbooks and paper I have used the 12 1/8 x 13 3/8 X 2 3/4 priority mail boxes. They fit perfectly. And because the box is cardboard, I usually just wrap the paper in tissue paper and it doesn't get bent etc.

The best part is the box is free and sometimes by the time you buy the envelope and pay for shipping etc. it can cost up to $3 bucks anyway. But I understand for swaps etc. this could get expensive, but for mailing 12x12 gifts etc. it works great.

I'd love to hear other suggestions too!

The few swaps I have been in I have used the free priority boxes from PO also.

[maslex]

I've always used the priority boxes too BUT I don't open and assemble the boxes. I leave them flat. I just stick my 12x12 paper in it and then tape up the ends with packaging tape. Works great!!!

[ScrappinGoodTime]

And if you don't want to mail priority, just turn the box inside out and retape! Its my favorite way to ship 12x12 too!

[rsmobley85]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrappinGoodTime

And if you don't want to mail priority, just turn the box inside out and retape! Its my favorite way to ship 12x12 too!

Can yall tell me how much it cost to ship this way, Using the priority boxes (Flat) to ship 12 x 12.

Priority Cost?

Turned inside out?

Thanks
Sharon

[stampinwithnat]

I was wondering the same as well. I feel like anytime I ship anything, it costs me a fortune.. there has to be a cheaper way! haha.

[Mary_Pat419]

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[heatherg23]

Priority boxes aren't free where I live. It's cheaper to get a box from walmart..............only the flat rate boxes are free of charge. Don't get anything for free these days. (Wisconsin)

[AnnieWills]

You can order normal (not flat-rate) priority mail boxes for free on the USPS website and have them shipped right to your home (free shipping too). It takes a while...sometimes up to 2 weeks...and you may have to call them when you don't get your order...but they are free. They have many different sizes, and there is one with internal dimensions greater than 12X12, but you may have to search for it as occasionally it has been hard for me to find again on their site. I never use flat-rate to ship 12X12 because often it is cheaper to ship these priority by weight instead (unless I have a huge amount of paper to ship).

[cr8iveme]

I haven't shipped 12x12 pages. But we did have to occasionally ship x-rays from the hospital.
And one time I did get to ship out a completed 12x12 scrapbook for someone.

I should mention I worked at a UPS Store for two years.

Basically you just make sure that what you're shipping is secured. So personally I would put the 12x12 in one of those large Ziploc bags. And then you just take the box that when it's laying flat measures to about that size. It may be necessary to cut the box down to size.

We'd usually just cut the box in half and make sure after the x-ray was inside that the ends of the box fit snuggly around it and then tape it up. You'd just want to be sure that it's secured on both the top side to side, bottom side to side, and then tape up any openings. Basically you'd want to make sure there's a really good seal.

You can cut down the Priority mail Flat Rate medium size box to fit. I recommend the more square sized one.

Oh, if you were to send one out in the medium flat rate box it'll probably cost somewhere between $11.30+. I have a USPS account and it says $11.30. But you would probably have to go into the mailbox and hand it off to a mail carrier. USPS gets kinda picky about sizes and weights sometimes.

My USPS seem to charge more if something isn't in a flat rate box. You may also want to try to see if UPS or FedEx could deliver it cheaper. Everything would have to be ready to go though because sometimes they can be picky too and not all locations will pack something for you.

Probably more info then you wanted to know. But I have a lot of useless knowledge like that and the only other person I spend time with that knows stuff like that is my SIL. She works at a Pak Mail.

[TexasGrammy]

Thanks for the info, Mary!
Whew!
I think that is precisely why I have never ventured to sell any of my 12 x 12's .... far toooooo many, even though I know I will never personally make a good dent in the total. :rolleyes:

[Lotsofbubbles4me]

I use LP boxes I buy on ebay. Works perfect no matter how many embellishments are on the pages and shipping will run you around $3.50...

[SkyNacho]

Quote:

You can cut down the Priority mail Flat Rate medium size box to fit. I recommend the more square sized one.

Do not do this unless you are going to send it as the actual medium flat rate. The boxes are not provided for any other use. Misuse of them can be a violation of federal law.

[SkyNacho]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyNacho

Do not do this unless you are going to send it as the actual medium flat rate. The boxes are not provided for any other use. Misuse of them can be a violation of federal law.

Oh, I see edit isn't working in this forum.

I wanted to add that my statement applies only to new boxes. I believe that if you have a box that's already come through the system once, you can reuse it for something else if you'd like.

[scrappychic17]

if you use poly mailers, what size should I buy? Is 12X15 big enough or should I go to a 14X19? Just worried the 12 won't really be a full 12

[cr8iveme]

If the 12x15 is the outside measurement it won't fit a 12x12. So I'd go with the 14x19.

HTH