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Welcome to our
"How to Package and Ship Posters" page. If you have been directed here by
someone who bought something from you on ebay, this buyer is just taking extra
precaution to make sure their purchase arrives to them safely and undamaged.
It is absolutely the
responsibility of the seller to do everything in their power to ensure that a
poster arrives undamaged to the buyer. Extra strong packaging materials should
always be used. There are NO EXCUSES for flimsy/careless packaging. The seller
should expect that their package will be abused by the postal system. If a
poster is not packaged well and it is damaged in transit, it is 100% the sellers
fault because they didn't take EXTRA precaution. If however the poster was
expertly packaged and it arrived damaged, only then is it the fault of the
postal system.
If you are sending posters to
us for sale or consignment:
FOR VERY VALUABLE POSTERS
ALWAYS USE UNITED STATES POSTAL
SERVICE
REGISTERED INSURED MAIL
The BEST way to ship
a very valuable item is by
REGISTERED INSURED U.S. MAIL.
When shipping this way,
all seals and openings must be secured with brown packaging tape.
Shipping by Registered Mail is the safest way to ship something. The package is
tracked every step of the way. Everyone who comes in contact with it must sign
for it. For details on how to ship posters so they arrive undamaged, please read
below.
Do's and Don'ts
ROLLED POSTERS
● Do not use a flimsy thin walled
tube. You should be able to stand on the tube without it bending. Seriously! The
U.S. post office, UPS, and FedEx have a nasty habit of crushing industrial
strength tubes, so a flimsy one will definitely not survive. Sadly, most
shipping tubes found at professional packing supply stores are NOT strong
enough. They will tell you they are very strong (remember, they are trying to
sell you something!) but 99% of the time they are low quality and will get
crushed if you use them. If this is all you can find, then you should use 2
tubes, one with a smaller diameter than the other and put one inside the other.
Or, you can place one of these tubes inside a FREE triangular Priority Mail tube
for extra protection.
●
PVC pipe makes a PERFECT shipping
tube. If you are a little creative you can make your own from materials at Home
Depot. Try and get light weight 3" or 4" diameter pvc COEX drainage pipe. It is
cheap, light weight, and strong. Regular pvc pipe works great also but it is
heavier and will cost more, and it will cost more to ship it. Cut it to length
and buy end caps or you can make your own out of cardboard. IF YOU LIVE IN A
COLD CLIMATE WHERE IT IS BELOW FREEZING-DO NOT USE PVC! We have heard that pvc
plastic can become brittle and crack/shatter in extremely cold weather. We
haven't personally had it happen, but others have told us it is possible. If you
live in and are shipping to a climate where it is not cold, then PVC plastic
will be fine.
●
TRIANGULAR PRIORITY MAIL TUBES:
DO NOT use just a Triangular Priority Mail Tube alone without putting the
poster in
another tube first.
TRIANGULAR PRIORITY MAIL TUBES ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH BY
THEMSELVES. REPEAT! TRIANGULAR PRIORITY MAIL TUBES ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH BY
THEMSELVES.
They are great for extra protection though. Double tubing
(placing your regular cardboard shipping tube inside a free triangular priority mail tube) is
considered a requirement if you want the poster to stand any chance of surviving
undamaged.
● For one sheets and
other paper posters (not cardboard stock),
make sure to roll the poster into
approximately a 1 1/2" diameter
and then wrap with paper or plastic and fasten it with tape. THE POSTER MUST BE
ROLLED INTO A SMALLER DIAMETER THAN THE TUBE SO THERE IS AIR SPACE BETWEEN THE
SIDES OF THE POSTER AND THE TUBE. Just placing it in the tube without rolling
it into a 1 1/2" diameter and resting up against the inner wall is a bad idea
because if the tube gets dinged even a little, then the poster gets completely
ruined.
●
If you are shipping several rolled posters
in the same tube:
All posters should have their
edges/ends aligned together........exactly together!! When several posters are
rolled together they can become heavy....and when they are placed in the tube if
their edges are not aligned together....THE EDGES CAN BECOME DAMAGED DURING
SHIPMENT!!! The posters can slightly move in the tube crumpling the edges.
●
DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!!!!
If you are shipping 4 or more
rolled posters rolled up together.....BE CAREFUL!! We hate to see posters
arrive damaged!! Sometimes we receive posters that started out MINT with no
flaws arrive with the edges crushed.
●
DO NOT JUST PLACE THE POSTER
LOOSELY IN THE TUBE. REPEAT! DO NOT JUST PLACE THE POSTER LOOSELY IN THE TUBE!
This can not be stressed enough. Damage to the poster will definitely occur if
you are careless and just put the poster in the tube loosely.
1. It makes it very hard to get it
out.
2. The edges are unprotected as it
slides up and down causing dings.
3. If the tube gets dented then it
will cause dings all up and down the poster.
THE WRONG WAY
THE RIGHT WAY
● Protect the ends/edges of the
poster from getting damaged by using cushioning material like bubble wrap,
a paper towel, tissue paper, plastic bags from the grocery store, etc.. This is an extremely
important step that many people forget.
● Use plastic or cardboard end caps
on the tube and tape them closed to the tube. Do not just place tape over the
ends of the tube without using some form of end cap.
● Do not use rubber bands.
FOLDED POSTERS
● Do put the poster in an envelope
or plastic bag prior to putting it in the outside envelope/package.
● PROTECTING THE
EDGES IS THE MAIN GOAL.
● Do use at least 2 pieces of
strong cardboard as stiffeners. 4 is better. Thin masonite particle board or plywood is best.
● Do NOT just put it in a flimsy
envelope.
● Make sure the poster does not
come in contact with the inside sticky seal of Priority Mail envelopes.
● The envelope and cardboard
stiffeners should be larger than the folded poster by at least one inch around
the edges so it can absorb postal impact. If a folded poster measures 11"x14",
then the cardboard and envelope should be at least 13"x16". The poster should be in a plastic
bag and then taped to the center of the cardboard.
● The packaging you
use is critical. We use UNASSEMBLED Priority Mail Boxes and Express Mail boxes.
You can get these FREE at the post office. WE DO NOT ASSEMBLE THEM INTO A BOX.
We put the poster and cardboard in FLAT and then just tape the ends closed.
This creates a very strong FLAT
package.
●
The only time we suggest you
assemble the box is if you are shipping A LOT of flat posters where it is just
not possible to fit them in the unassembled flat box/envelope. The amount
varies, but you can usually fit at least 10 folded posters in a flat unassembled
box.
●
Why don't we assemble the box?
We receive shipments of posters every day. Often times we get in a folded poster
that was shipped in a box with bubble wrap. The box will be very lightweight and
contain mostly air. These packages frequently get damaged/punctured by other
packages in the giant mail bins at the post office. An assembled box full of air
is usually not strong enough to survive a trip undamaged. We see it ALL THE
TIME!!
●
Be sure to use enough tape to seal up the ends very well. You should use postal
insurance if you feel it is necessary.
●
If you are shipping several folded posters
in the same box:
Be sure to use A LOT of cardboard and/or bubble wrap on all 6 sides of the
package. We have had boxes shipped to us with hundreds of 27" x 41" folded one
sheets and they always arrive o.k. when extra cardboard is used.
FOR VERY VALUABLE POSTERS
ALWAYS USE UNITED STATES POSTAL
SERVICE
REGISTERED INSURED MAIL
●
For REGISTERED MAIL Domestic Shipping within the U.S.
The BEST way to ship
a very valuable item is by
REGISTERED INSURED U.S. MAIL.
All of the above packaging instructions apply. When shipping this way,
all seals and openings must be secured with brown packaging tape.
The post office is VERY STRICT about this!!! They will not accept the package
unless all seals are covered with brown tape. It can't be clear tape, or
strapping tape, or any other kind of tape.....it must be brown packaging tape.
As of January 2010 some post offices will no longer accept tubes by Registered
Mail. If this happens you will have to put the tube in a cardboard box. Their
rules are silly (we know!) but we did not make them!!
Shipping by Registered Mail is the safest way to ship something. The package is
tracked every step of the way. Everyone who comes in contact with it must sign
for it.
●
For International Shipping to outside the U.S.
The best way to ship is by
U.S. EXPRESS MAIL WITH INSURANCE.
Please be aware that if you do use insurance you must declare the value on the
customs form and the recipient of the package may be responsible for import fees
and taxes which could be quite high.
IF YOUR POSTER IS FRAMED
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND REMOVING IT
FROM THE FRAME BEFORE SHIPPING IT TO US.
Why? There are
several reasons:
1. Because it will
be very heavy and cost you a lot to ship it to us (if it is a one sheet or
larger). Smaller posters like half sheets and inserts can usually be shipped
safely and affordably if framed with plastic/Plexiglas.
2. If
it is in a glass frame, the glass will most likely break during shipping and
ruin the poster.
3. Most people will not buy a poster that is already
framed, they need to see its condition first (is it linen backed? is it dry
mounted?) and you just can't tell these things when it is in a frame.
We
understand that you may have spent a small fortune framing your item. It may
have museum glass and a very elaborate frame that was not cheap.
Unfortunately, any potential new owner does not care what you spent on the
frame and glass. They will only be interested in the poster and its
condition. Also, if it is framed in glass (not plastic/Plexiglas) we will
not even attempt to ship it. The risk of damage is too great. Glass can very
easily crack during shipping, and if this happens, pieces of the glass can
slide across the poster scratching and ruining it. We have seen this happen
more than once.
LETTERS TO SELLERS
The following
letters are sent out to those we buy posters from:
FOLDED POSTERS
Hello there!
I
look forward to receiving this poster. I'm not sure if you have experience
shipping posters, so please forgive me for asking you to please take special
care with your packaging.
This poster is described as being in great condition
so I hope it will not arrive damaged due to poor packaging.
Please put the
poster in a plastic bag or envelope and in between two or four pieces of STRONG
cardboard and tape it together before placing in the shipping envelope/box.
Also, please stamp DO NOT BEND all over the outside of the package.
Please do
not just put the poster between two pieces of cardboard without first putting it
in a bag or envelope. Sometimes the poster will move slightly between the two
pieces of cardboard and the edge of the poster will get caught on the tape
ruining the poster. This also happens when using Priority Mail envelopes. On the
inside edge of these envelopes is a VERY STICKY seal that can ruin a poster.
Also, if it is possible, please use postal insurance.
Sorry to even have to bring this up, but I have received a lot of posters lately
that have been damaged due to poor packaging. I realize people don't like being
told what to do or how to do things, but it is the only way I can ensure a safe
arrival of the poster. Thank you for understanding.
Sincerely,
David Lieberman
ROLLED POSTERS - ONE SHEETS
Hello there!
I
look forward to receiving this poster. I'm not sure if you have experience
shipping posters, so please forgive me for asking you to please take special
care with your packaging.
This poster is described as being in great condition
so I hope it will not arrive damaged due to poor packaging.
Please put the
poster in a STRONG 2 or 3 inch diameter tube with thick walls at least 1/4 inch
or thicker. Please do not use a flimsy 1/8 inch thick walled tube.
Roll the
poster into approximately 1 1/2 inch diameter.
Rolling into a smaller diameter is VERY IMPORTANT because it gives the
edges strength and helps to prevent them from getting wrinkled.
THE POSTER MUST BE ROLLED INTO A SMALLER DIAMETER THAN THE TUBE SO THERE IS AIR
SPACE BETWEEN THE SIDES OF THE POSTER AND THE TUBE.
PLEASE DO NOT
JUST PUT THE POSTER IN THE TUBE RESTING AGAINST THE INSIDE WALL OF THE TUBE.
Just placing it in the tube without rolling
it into a 1 1/2 inch diameter and resting up against the inner wall is a bad idea
because if the tube gets dinged even a little, then the poster gets completely
ruined.
Before placing it in the tube, please
wrap with paper or plastic and tape it closed
(please do not tape the paper TO the poster and do not use rubber bands). Please
put some kind of soft cushioning material (also very important!) on the ends to
further protect them from getting damaged. Good cushioning materials are:
shredded paper, tissue paper, bubble wrap, etc..
If the tube is shaken lightly
from side to side, the poster should barely move. Also, please stamp FRAGILE: DO
NOT BEND all over the outside of the package.
You can then put this tube inside
a FREE triangular priority mail tube provided by the post office (for extra
protection).
DO NOT use just a Priority Mail
tube without putting it in another tube first. PRIORITY MAIL TUBES ARE NOT
STRONG ENOUGH BY THEMSELVES.
Also, if it is possible, please use postal insurance.
Sorry to even have to bring this up, but I have received a lot of posters lately
that have been damaged due to poor packaging. I realize people don't like being
told what to do or how to do things, but it is the only way I can ensure a safe
arrival of the poster. Thank you for understanding.
Sincerely,
David Lieberman
ROLLED
POSTERS - CARD
STOCK (INSERTS, HALF SHEETS, 30X40'S, 40X60'S)
Hello there!
I
look forward to receiving this poster. I'm not sure if you have experience
shipping posters, so please forgive me for asking you to please take special
care with your packaging.
This poster is described as being in great condition
so I hope it will not arrive damaged due to poor packaging.
Please put the
poster in a STRONG 3 inch or greater diameter tube with thick walls at least 1/4
inch or thicker. Please do not use a flimsy 1/8 inch thick walled tube.
Roll the
poster into approximately 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter (not too tight or you may
cause wrinkles). Rolling into a smaller
diameter is VERY IMPORTANT because it gives the
edges strength and helps to prevent them from getting wrinkled.
THE POSTER MUST BE ROLLED INTO A SMALLER DIAMETER THAN THE TUBE SO THERE IS AIR
SPACE BETWEEN THE SIDES OF THE POSTER AND THE TUBE.
Before placing
it in the tube, please wrap with paper or plastic
and tape it
closed (please do not tape the paper TO the posters and do not use rubber
bands).
PLEASE DO NOT JUST PUT THE POSTER IN THE TUBE RESTING AGAINST THE INSIDE
WALL OF THE TUBE. Just placing it in the
tube without rolling it into a 2 1/2 inch diameter and resting up against the
inner wall is a bad idea because if the tube gets dinged even a little, then the
poster gets completely ruined.
Please put some kind of soft cushioning material
(also very important!) on the ends to further protect them from getting damaged.
Good cushioning materials are: shredded paper, tissue paper, bubble wrap, etc.
If the tube is shaken lightly from side to side, the poster should barely move.
Also, please stamp FRAGILE: DO NOT BEND all over the outside of the package.
You
can then put this tube inside a FREE triangular priority mail tube provided by
the post office (for extra protection).
DO NOT use just a Priority Mail
tube without putting it in another tube first. PRIORITY MAIL TUBES ARE NOT
STRONG ENOUGH BY THEMSELVES.
Also, if it is possible, please use postal insurance.
Sorry to even have to bring this up, but I have received a lot of posters lately
that have been damaged due to poor packaging. I realize people don't like being
told what to do or how to do things, but it is the only way I can ensure a safe
arrival of the poster. Thank you for understanding.
Sincerely,
David Lieberman
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