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Hi MotherMark,
I just wanted Maddy to know that I do realize she does not live in India or China. I stuck a couple of international stamps on her card by mistake. She's going to think I'm a nutter! And I wrapped it all in packing tape. She may need a crowbar to get into that thing.
BUT, my point....packing tape! If your card fits into a envie and you don't want to use the bubble packs because of embellishments, etc. ,try wrapping the whole card in packing tape. Just one layer over each part of the card, from front to back. Hardly any additional weight and it gives the card some durability from the mail process and saves your precious paperclips, giant brads, etc. Just a tip in case you girls have not tried this.;)
Well, I'm wondering how the post office likes this?
Why not take a piece of packing tape and stick it to the INSIDE of the envelope, right where your brads, etc. will hit the envelope and create holes...reinforcement, less tape and nicer looking on the outside?
I have done the packing tape thing to the States before and she received it okay on two occasions. It does make it more glossy and not exactly slippery, but you know what I mean. We'll see if Maddy's card is returned to me!
If you put packing tape on the outside, don't put it OVER the postage stamps so that they show through the tape. This does not allow the USPS to cancel the stamps and they WILL return it.
Wow, How did I miss this? What great advice...I am definately gonna try that. Just strengthens the envelope..makes perfect sense to me! I am sure Maddy got into your package just fine! She knew the treasure to be held inside! Thanks for sending her a card!
You could also take a half sheet of regular copy paper and put tape on that...then fold in half and put card inside...then put in envie. You don't have to worry about tape on outside, or trying to get tape on the inside of the envie without making a mess (ask me how I know!). Just provides protection!
another thing I learned is that if you are using the USPS Flat Rate envelopes, you can use packing tape to make sure the flap stays closed but it CANNOT wrap around to the other side of the envelope. I got scolded for that at the post office... So, i still reinforce with packing tape but only on one side.
Location: Lake Bonaparte, NY and New Port Richey, FL
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Gee, I had my postmaster completely wrap the priority envelope (after folding it double over 2 sets of stamps) with packing tape! He did it so I guess it was "legal"!
Gee, I had my postmaster completely wrap the priority envelope (after folding it double over 2 sets of stamps) with packing tape! He did it so I guess it was "legal"!
Priority envelopes are ok, it's the flat rate envelopes that restrict the use of tape.
OFF Topic but just a good postal sharing thread so thought I would pass on a tip on mailing goody packages to the troops overseas. Priority Flat Rate boxes are the best! And here is the tip from my post office you can pack up to four of the filled flat rate boxes together (the kind that like thick shirt boxes.) Still the same postage for each flat rate box but nice that you can group them. We sent out some packages recently and my husband had a really special one he wanted to send... and it wouldn't all fit in one flat rate box. He grabbed a bigger box and even if had split the stuff into three boxes he would have saved $8.00 and I think it would have fit in two. Anyway just passing that tip on!
I use the flat rate envelopes and boxes all the time. I use MEGA shipping tape on the flat rate envelopes and wrap it all around the envelopes. I should knock on wood but have never had one returned. Total depends on each individual post office I think.
I've read the requirements online and they say that you can change the shape, meaning taking them apart and wrapping them around an item. It says that tape to secure them is fine. I've had some postal workers object but their superiors have said its fine. If you print your postage online you shouldn't have any problem with it. I've mailed more flat rate mailers than I can count with online postage and have never had one returned. If I mail outside of the country I do use limit myself to one piece of tape to reinforce the flap but... I tape a little on the inside and that really seems to help.
MotherMark/and a Point
