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I have been browsing the galleries and I see so many gorgeous cards that have multiple dimensions. The creators are popping out a flower 3 and 4 times on top of each other to give great dimensions. They are using dew drops and other such embellishments that stick out a good bit. I have also seen very delicate flourishes and punches. I am just wondering how these gorgeous cards are being mailed to the recipients. Can they be mailed in the pretty clear envelopes so as the card goes from point A to point B, everyone in between can look at it or do these need to go in heavily padded envelopes to ensure no damage while on route?
__________________ Gam zu l'tova...Everything happens for the good.
I've often wondered this as well. When I've mailed anything like this, I usually put a piece of thick chipboard (i.e. the back of a legal pad cut in 1/2) over the front before i mail it, then i go to the post office and have them weight it. it usually costs about 2x as much as normal postage to mail. I'm interested in what others have to say, though, too!
yes it takes extra postage.....and some TLC in packaging them up to be mailed.
some use bubble wrap or some slide in chipboard or cardboard or extra piece of cardstock to help protect your card.
I use padding to cushion the bulky cards and pay the extra postage to make sure they arrive safe. The amount of time and money that went into making just the perfect card, and the pleasure I got from making it is worth the little bit extra care to mail it.
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I had one button on a card with nothing else really... only two layers. They charged me $1.20. That was one expensive button! Another PO charged me .62 for the same card (that was great). I can't imagine what they'd charge for a super embellished card.
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
I'm a retired Postal worker and I have to say the worst part about retiring is having to trust the PO with getting my work to the recipients undamaged. I used to sort the cards myself and that somewhat ensured a safe trip.
Now I use padded envelopes quite often. Better to pay extra than to have the machines eat up our hard work.
You have to figure that a flat envelope or semi flat envelope will go through a machine on average 10 times before it reaches it's destination. That is 10 times of being compressed to the size of a sheet of c/s.
Also better to use the padded envelopes since they will not go through the letter sorting machines. They may go through the flat sorting machines, but those machines are used to the bigger items.
When in doubt, also use the chipboard in back and bubble wrap around your really sticking out embellies.
Now I'm off to wrap up my bulky valentines and flowers to send off to my family out of state.
Have fun and be creative!
Thanks for the info Mother's daughter! I just sent out my first swap items ... some over embellished ATCs. I used a padded envelope for that very reason. I think it cost me about $1.20 to send it. I didn't think that was too bad of a price I usually FedEx everything since I work for FedEx and get a discount on shipping. But $1.20 was still waaaay cheaper than FedEx-ing it!
It has cost me an extra 20cents to mail cards with bows, brads, etc., and square cards. I would recommend you pad the front of the card somehow like someone said above. DH is a retired postal worker.
I mail ALL my cards in clear envelopes...I just love the presentation. Sometimes I add the extra .20 to make total postage .64 but mostly not. They all seem to arrive at their destinations with no problems or postage due.
blessings.
I would use a bubble envelope or padded mailer so the card doesn't get damaged in the mail. Dew drops are usually thicker and require extra postage when I mail them. But for most everything else I use I can get away with a piece of corrugated paper on top and regular postage. HTH
After about five years in shipping items I would not mail anything that you do not want bent or smashed in anything less than a padded, or bubble envelope with an insert as mentioned. And if you made that extra effort to give them a lovely hand made card I think it is worth the extra postage to ensure it arrives as lovely as it was when it left your hands.
I simply add two sheets of paper towels folded to the size of the card and place it in the front of the envelope. Yes, it does add to the postage, and this works well for semi-bulky cards (buttons, brads, that sort of thing). Any the receipient can use the towels ... ;-)
Okay...I'm a HEAVY embellisher...REALLY heavy! LOL
Here's what I do:
I cut 3 pieces of scrap card stock and accordian fold them. I make a "card stock sandwich" of them, making sure the folds do NOT match up, so that there is "open" space between the card stock. These are placed on top of my cards, so that they protect the embellishments, when I put the cards in envelopes for mailing.
The 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" cards usually cost between $1.20 and $1.30. The Square cards cost A LOT more...And, it DEPENDS ON THE POSTAL EMPLOYEE as to the price I'm charged! Seriously!!! One charged me over $1.50 EACH for all 300 Christmas cards I mailed this year. I complained, and a different employee weighed each one, and they ended up being about $.80 each! Go figure!
Definitely carefully.....any card with dimension gets the royal treatment from me...a padded bag and bubble wrap....I am sure I would be devastated should it not get to the recipient in good order.....
...and most doubtful about sending anything in clear stuff....too much stuff gets..."lost"!!!!
Cheers,
Michelle
Quote:
Originally Posted by stamping_jen
I have been browsing the galleries and I see so many gorgeous cards that have multiple dimensions. The creators are popping out a flower 3 and 4 times on top of each other to give great dimensions. They are using dew drops and other such embellishments that stick out a good bit. I have also seen very delicate flourishes and punches. I am just wondering how these gorgeous cards are being mailed to the recipients. Can they be mailed in the pretty clear envelopes so as the card goes from point A to point B, everyone in between can look at it or do these need to go in heavily padded envelopes to ensure no damage while on route?
i would be avoiding postie number one like the plague!
Michelle
Quote:
Originally Posted by markie's mom
Okay...I'm a HEAVY embellisher...REALLY heavy! LOL
Here's what I do:
I cut 3 pieces of scrap card stock and accordian fold them. I make a "card stock sandwich" of them, making sure the folds do NOT match up, so that there is "open" space between the card stock. These are placed on top of my cards, so that they protect the embellishments, when I put the cards in envelopes for mailing.
The 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" cards usually cost between $1.20 and $1.30. The Square cards cost A LOT more...And, it DEPENDS ON THE POSTAL EMPLOYEE as to the price I'm charged! Seriously!!! One charged me over $1.50 EACH for all 300 Christmas cards I mailed this year. I complained, and a different employee weighed each one, and they ended up being about $.80 each! Go figure!
A question on the subject. I have some of the clear box type "envelopes" that my cards will fit in. Question #1 - Can you mail these through the P.O.?
I have thought about the idea that they would get "lost" because you could see the contents and they would be taken, so I thought about wrapping it in paper so you couldn't see the card. Also, I guess you would have to use sticker labels to address your card, if it is possible to mail these box type envies? Any ideas, thoughts, or experience?
Thanks!
I sandwich heavily embellished cards in between corrugated cardboard and then put that in a small bubble envelope, it costs about $1.40 and always gets there safely.
Wow.....Sounds like many of you make gifts out of your cards. I just make conservative 1-2 layer cards. No need for special packaging.
I like the idea of clear envelopes, but would put a fancy paper inside so that as it goes through the mail everyone and their brother wouldn't be able to see the card inside.
Mailing heavily embellished cards
