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Do you need extra postage when mailing cards with buttons on them?
Hi everyone,
I have always loved the way buttons looked on cards but resisted using them because I was concerned about mailing them. My local post office will run their hands over my cards to feel for "bumps" and if it doesn't fit through their 1/4" mail slot they charge extra for the postage. I don't want envelopes I've decorated coming back to me with a notice that extra postage is needed. Recently, I broke down and bought a couple packs of buttons (to get to a total where I earned free postage on an online order) and before I start using them I'm hoping someone can let me know about this. If they require extra postage, how much is it? I could at least be sure to have the proper stamps at home before mailing. Or do you just use buttons on cards that will be hand delivered and other projects like gift tags, etc? Any help would be much appreciated-thank you!!!
More than likely. But how much kind of depends on the size of the button and who processes it.
A single thin button might not increase the weight or thickness, but may make the piece non-bendable, in which case I think it might just be the nonmachinable surcharge (which used to be 20 cents but I'm not sure if it went up or not.)
Depending on how big the button is, and the area of non-bendability, it's also possible your card would get flagged as a package (I don't have the flow chart handy.) In which case I do believe the cheapest postage is 2.07.
I think the answer is - it depends. I put buttons on a lot of my cards, and have never had to pay extra postage. I don't think buttons add much to the weight, but as said, if they stick up a lot, they can make a "bump" that won't fit through the 1/4" slot that they measure with.
The buttons I use on my cards are pretty thin, about as thick as a shirt button, for the most part. I always put an extra piece of cardstock, the size of my card, inside on top of the card side with the button.
Some people have said they fold their cards inside out when they have embellishments, but I've never done that.
I also put my card in the envie so that any "bump" will be as far from the stamp location as possible, so it won't hang up when it goes through to be cancelled.
I've not had any problems with cards arriving postage due, or being returned to me in many years of sending cards in the mail.
PS 99% of my cards are the standard invitation size, 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".
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Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
It is going to depend on how picky your post office is. A couple years ago I had to get postage for some Christmas cards I was mailing. I had one that had one small rhinestone on it. The guy tried telling me that I needed extra postage on it because of the hard bump (it was no where near too thick to go thru their 1/4" slot). I told him I have never paid extra before so he asked another clerk. She said she would let it go thru. He still tried to get me to pay extra but I told him I would chance the cards being returned. They never were.
If I have a bump on my envy like a gem or button I put a piece of packing tape over the top of it on the outside of the envelope. Seems to work for me. I also find that the bar on your paper trimmer is 1/4" so you can gauge if your envy is too 'fat'. If it will go through then your PO shouldn't give you a hassle..at least in Canada but I suppose it is pretty well the same everywhere.
It is going to depend on how picky your post office is. A couple years ago I had to get postage for some Christmas cards I was mailing. I had one that had one small rhinestone on it. The guy tried telling me that I needed extra postage on it because of the hard bump (it was no where near too thick to go thru their 1/4" slot). I told him I have never paid extra before so he asked another clerk. She said she would let it go thru. He still tried to get me to pay extra but I told him I would chance the cards being returned. They never were.
That's exactly why I never go to the desk and ask them what it would cost! I just use my own judgment, put the stamps on, and put them in the mail box.
Like I said, I've never gotten one back, or had it arrive postage due.
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Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
My post office is very picky. They claim the card will have to be hand sorted to fit in the machine and that's 20 cents extra. I weigh my cards at home and just pop into mailbox. I have sent cards with wooden buttons and they made it w/o problems. Also my p. o. charges 20 cents extra to add the words, " do not bend".
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Isn't it amazing how each post office can be so different? I have found that one particular clerk at my local branch always assumes stuff is going priority. She is fast (I'm sure that is why- she never asks what you want!) and I've been stuck with her a few times. I've paid way more to mail some boxes than I needed. I HAVE to remember to ask her for the cheapest rate. She always gets me flustered, though!
Location: wishing I was in London but you'll likely find me on my couch
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It does seem to be very arbitrary. I generally cut a piece of card stock and run it through my crimper. I put the card in the envelope with the back flat side to the front of the envelope and then put the piece of crimped paper over the front side of the card/back of the envelope so that it gives it some protection. With the back of the envelope toward the front it is flat going through the part that will get coded y the machines. It has worked well for me with no extra costs incurred. (Hope this makes sense)
It really depends on the post office clerk!! They love to have you pay extra postage any chance they can! However, I always put a Card Protector Sheet over my card. This is usually a piece of scrap cardstock I'll either run through my crimper, or I simply cut up old file folders they throw away at work. I just hand print Card Protector Sheet on it and lay it over my card and then I mail it. I buy ten cent stamps and put a Forever stamp and a ten cent stamp on my cards and they go through wonderfully. Some postage machines get hung up on non-protected envelopes where there may be a button or a rhinestone or some kind of bling such as a tiny bow. That's why I use the Card Protector Sheet for most of my cards that have something additional sticking up on it. Seems to work pretty good for me.
__________________ Gillian W.
St Louis Missouri My Blog
Location: I live in the country near Ponca City, Ok..
Posts: 71
Well, I have a funny story. When I made Halloween Cards for three kids, the two cards that were the fattest where the two that made it just fine. The card that was flat was sent back to me! I just hand delivered it!
I have mailed all thicknesses of cards and never have gotten one back. If I think it is too bulky I add an additional stamp...assorted amounts...and have no problem. Must be my post office is not picky because sometimes I just put tape over the button spot and there is no problem and no extra postage. I have been charged more for 6x6 cards where I learned to fold the top down 1/2 inch and adjust the card size to that. Now I don't pay extra for a card 6 x 5 1/2. Sometimes I do put a piece of cardboard, like cereal box thickness, in on the front and don't get charged more and its still bulky. Wonderful! So I do think it is each individual post office choices.
I never ask the PO, just stick it in the mail. I use buttons, ribbons, bows, etc. and have never had a card returned or postage due. Don't ask the PO and I only put a forever stamp on it. I do not say hand deliver and they arrive just fine.
I've dropped several in the mail that had buttons, only a few we're damaged from the sorter. If its something your worried might not do well thru the sorter just pay the extra 20 cents to have it hand sorted.
I buy 66¢ stamps for my bulky cards. If the bump is highly visible, I just stick one of those on. My cards are mostly A2 and never overweight. Just the bump. They are supposed to hand cancel them. Having said that, I think as long as they can get the top through the stamp canceller, they will use the machine anyway and there goes my extra postage.
I never ask the PO, just stick it in the mail. I use buttons, ribbons, bows, etc. and have never had a card returned or postage due. Don't ask the PO and I only put a forever stamp on it. I do not say hand deliver and they arrive just fine.
Yeah, but that doesn't mean the items didn't require more postage: I have never ever ever told anyone who has sent me something if it arrived postage due. As the deficit has never been more than 50 cents, I just put the money in the envelope that the mail carrier leaves and be done with it. There is no point in embarassing the sender over pennies.
Yeah, but that doesn't mean the items didn't require more postage: I have never ever ever told anyone who has sent me something if it arrived postage due. As the deficit has never been more than 50 cents, I just put the money in the envelope that the mail carrier leaves and be done with it. There is no point in embarassing the sender over pennies.
You are sweet. That is why I always go for the extra postage just in case! I know my friends wouldn't want me to know if they had to pay for my card either. I have paid postage once, I think last year, on one card. I can't even remember who sent it! I just paid it like you did and must've really let it go, since I can't remember who it came from! LOL
I turn my with the front inside. That gives it more padding.
But will non card makers understand this? I forgot about this method. I got a gorgeous watermelon card from bensarmom once (I still have it!) and she had it turned inside out and it held up wonderfully! I'm just not sure I would mail one to someone I didn't know well like that in case they thought I was making backward cards! LOL
My daughter's wedding invitations had a ribbon knot on the front and I paid extra for the 200 envelopes to be hand stamped. It was obvious the invites were machined as many came with holes in the envelopes....Grrr. So now, I crimp a piece of cardstock, put it in the envelope with the card with any embellishments on it, put a regular postage stamp on it and never, ever ask if the envie will go through without extra postage. That wedding invitation fiasco really steamed me.
I did my sons wedding invites last year and took one to the post office. They had a ribbon knot on the front. She checked it out and said it would pass with a regular stamp. The thank you notes had bling on it, so I put the extra postage on those. I think many times they run them through the machine even if you have the extra on it. I always try to make sure the bling is at the bottom, just in case. That means putting it in the envelope upside down sometimes..
Do you need extra postage when mailing cards with buttons on them?
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