maybe silly question regarding mailing cards

[Tracyg]

have seen some beautiful cards on here, lots of texture and bling and flowers and dimension....do you actually mail those? and how? or do you save those for hand delivery?
just wondering....
tracyg

[carla36301]

I do mail my bulky cards. What I do is run a quarter sheet of cheap cardstock through my crimper, and then I use that in the envelope to "pad" my bulky card. If my envelope seems way too thick, then I'll stick an extra stamp on it, but most of my cards I just mail with one stamp.

[Joan B]

I do not. Of course I rarely make them but when I do I hand deliver. I had a few folks tell me that the ribbon was smashed or I received cards with buttons broken. I think these embellishments are wonderful to look at but impractical for me to mail.

[LaLatty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by carla36301

I do mail my bulky cards. What I do is run a quarter sheet of cheap cardstock through my crimper, and then I use that in the envelope to "pad" my bulky card. If my envelope seems way too thick, then I'll stick an extra stamp on it, but most of my cards I just mail with one stamp.

I cover the front of my cards as well using a quarter sheet of card stock, but I never thought to run it through my crimper first, what a great idea! Thanks for sharing this tip!

[carla36301]

Well, I figured I needed to use the crimper for something! LOL!

[buggainok]

Here is a tutorial I found on youtube for making a "box" envelope for a standard A2 size card using the Score Pal. This could be used to mail a bulky card.

YouTube - A-2 Box Envelope Using a Scor-Pal

[whoistracy]

Something really bulky that I make, I make on purpose because I KNOW it's going to be hand-delivered (like for a birthday, anniversary, sympathy, etc.).

But most of my cards are made less bulky because I assume they will be mailed. You can add bling and bows, just have to keep them mostly flat and then add a shim on top of your card for mailing. I have found it doesn't increase the postage at all, as long as your thickness doesn't increase by too much.

[jeanstamping2]

I just use extra Card stock that I run through my crimper. It works for me.

[jennv]

Love the crimper idea! Thanks!

[bound4london]

I mail 90% or more of my cards. I either put in a filler piece or use a bubble wrap mailing envelope or it is with a gift so in a box so no worries.

[LaLatty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by carla36301

Well, I figured I needed to use the crimper for something! LOL!

Yeah, that's one tool that I hardly use and now I have a reason to keep it

[kerbear]

Yes, I mail mine. If they are A2 sized, I mail them sealed in a clear envelope to secure all the embellishments then I place them in a padded envie. If they are 5.5square or larger, I wrap them in bubble wrap and put them in a box (I get boxes that fit about 6 bulky cards. Since I don't buy my cards, i figure I can spend something to send them...

Kerry

[planet43]

Yep, I'm with you! If I go to the trouble to embellish and bling the heck out of it, I will gladly spend the extra postage....

Holly

[mamalea]

I fold them inside out, so that the bulkiness is inside. If they are REALLY bulky I spend the extra money to mail them in a padded envelope. My hard work is worth whatever it takes to get my cards to my family. I do try to watch it, though and make them only for family members.

[Ldumont999]

Quote:

Originally Posted by carla36301

I do mail my bulky cards. What I do is run a quarter sheet of cheap cardstock through my crimper, and then I use that in the envelope to "pad" my bulky card.

I crimp as well. At one point I took a whole bunch of ideas that people gave for sending bulky cards and tried them all by making dozen or so duplicate cards (with buttons, flowers, brads, etc) and mailing them to myself. The crimped paper actually worked best - and cost a lot less than using padded envies. I also tried turning the cards inside out but if you are using buttons or brads it sometimes punctures the back of the card.

[klh54]

I'm not huge into super bulky cards but just a few layers especially if they're textured can add up so most of the time if I do that and then add buttons or pretty ribbon I use a padded mailer or really thin cardboard (like cereal box thin). I like the idea of crimping cardstock but I don't own a crimper-must go out and get one now that I know it works the best!

[Jewell Moon]

What a wonderful idea.....never thought about using my crimper for this...but now I will.....I have used squares cut out of cereal boxes to mail my cards that Have some bling on them......Thanks for the info......

[debbiemom23cs]

I mail them in a padded envelope, too! That way my pretty stuff on the card doesn't get damaged. I never thought to use a crimper and cardstock around the card. That is a great idea!

[stamper1996]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamalea

I fold them inside out, so that the bulkiness is inside. If they are REALLY bulky I spend the extra money to mail them in a padded envelope. My hard work is worth whatever it takes to get my cards to my family. I do try to watch it, though and make them only for family members.

I do the same.

[ShariW]

I cut a piece 5 1/4 x 4 and put it through an embossing folder and place it front of the bling, etc. So far no one has indicated there has been any problems. Also, it gives the recipient a pretty piece of card to cut and use as a book mark. Like the crimper idea too since I just dragged mine out of moth balls and have used it on almost every card I've made since my last Stampin' Brunch Bunch class.

[SophieLaFontaine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldumont999

I crimp as well. At one point I took a whole bunch of ideas that people gave for sending bulky cards and tried them all by making dozen or so duplicate cards (with buttons, flowers, brads, etc) and mailing them to myself. The crimped paper actually worked best - and cost a lot less than using padded envies. I also tried turning the cards inside out but if you are using buttons or brads it sometimes punctures the back of the card.

Wow, I am impressed that you actually tested all the methods!! Thanks for sharing your results! I'll use crimped cardstock from now on!

[Stamper for fun]

I'll pay the extra postage with extra cardstock as padding if necessary and also use a padded envelope if too thick and bulky. I never turn them inside out as the presentation to the recipient is just not the same (please note this is only my opinion for my cards).

[CherylMarie]

I use a clear envelope with a Monarch stamp affixed on the outside.

The USPS has issued the first in a series of stamps to aide consumers in applying postage to non-machinable greeting cards. The 64-cent Monarch Butterfly stamp was issued in May, 2010.
Although more expensive...USPS handles these cards by hand versus by machine.

The USPS hopes the new Monarch Butterfly stamp, along with the cooperation of greeting card manufacturers, will help customers to apply the proper postage to odd-shaped or rigid cards.

[jeanne3579]

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoistracy

Something really bulky that I make, I make on purpose because I KNOW it's going to be hand-delivered (like for a birthday, anniversary, sympathy, etc.).

But most of my cards are made less bulky because I assume they will be mailed. You can add bling and bows, just have to keep them mostly flat and then add a shim on top of your card for mailing. I have found it doesn't increase the postage at all, as long as your thickness doesn't increase by too much.

I live way away from family, so virtually all my cards are mailed. I don't want to miss out on all the fun of embellishing, so end up with cards that require extra postage. Anything that has bumps or soft spots and is under a quarter inch, will require 20 cents extra. If it is over a quarter inch (and that could be the card stock padding you have added) it is considered a parcel and costs 85 cents more, it it is an ounce or less. If it is over an ounce it will cost more more than that depending on the weight. If you are not paying for it yourself, be aware that the recipient is. I seem to get mine back requesting/demanding extra postage, but also get some from friends that come requiring me to pay the extra postage. I can't win!

[Tap3x]

Quote:

Originally Posted by carla36301

Well, I figured I needed to use the crimper for something! LOL!

The more reasons someone can give me for buying someting, the more justified I feel in buying it ... not that I really need a reason.

[muscrat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CherylMarie

I use a clear envelope with a Monarch stamp affixed on the outside.

The USPS has issued the first in a series of stamps to aide consumers in applying postage to non-machinable greeting cards. The 64-cent Monarch Butterfly stamp was issued in May, 2010.
Although more expensive...USPS handles these cards by hand versus by machine.

The USPS hopes the new Monarch Butterfly stamp, along with the cooperation of greeting card manufacturers, will help customers to apply the proper postage to odd-shaped or rigid cards.

I use this too. Someone at the PO told me about them. My cards are always okay in weight, just the bulkieness needs extra postage so they can hand cancel them. Just bought ten of these on Friday! I was putting two stamps on and wasting 24 cents each time.

[jeanne3579]

I usually put on a regular stamp (44 cents) and then two 10 cent stamps for my thick cards. Didn't know about a 64 cent stamp. I'll have to see if our little rural P.O. carries them--sometimes I have trouble buying even the 10 cent ones.

[TexasGrammy]

If there's not a lot of bulk, I will use the bubble-padded envies.

For lots of dimension, I wrap them in tissue paper or bubble wrap and mail them in a box. Special times, special needs .... it's worth it!

[muscrat]

If I have a small ribbon or a little dimensional I try to slide them into the envelope so they are at the bottom and can still be run through the postage machine. I only use the Monarch stamps for those that have a few brads or things I know will tear up my envelope. Two 10 centers is perfect Jeanne. I'm rural too, but my post office is one of the best around, in my opinion.