I'm trying to figure out the cheapest but safest method for shipping single issue raw comics using USPS First Class. 1 1

[theguy1991]

I've got roughly 100 comics to sell, all bagged and boarded. They're 1990s stuff mostly. With tax and shipping for 100 Gemini mailers, it's $0.78 per comic. This is from just taping the comic down with painters tape and no cardboard sandwich. Now if I were to use a Kraft bubble mailer that's 9.5 x 14.5 with a cardboard sandwich it would be $0.73 per comic (tax and shipping for the materials). The sandwich is from 8.5"x11" precut 3/16"  thick cardboard. What is the best way to go here? If I add in the "sandwich" to the Gemini it would increase the cost to $1.25 using Geminis. I don't have any cardboard around that I can get a hold of to cut my own pieces up, which is why I'd rather just order. I've seen people say that just taping the book into a Gemini can bend the comic while trying to remove it. I've also seen people say bubble mailers with cardboard inside aren't enough.

[Rhymenoceros]

The majority of small orders (1-5 books) I've received that arrive without issues would be using the cardboard sandwhich Inside a gemini method (no bubble envelope).

I've recieved everything from $5 to $200 orders this way. That said, accidents/damage CAN happen even with that method but it's very rare IMO with the exta cardboard sandwich and adequate "PLEASE DO NOT BEND" Markings/ labels. 

Side note: what source are you pricing the cardboard sheets from? 

Edited May 1, 2021 by Rhymenoceros

[Rhymenoceros]

Also, welcome to the forums! 

[theguy1991]

5 hours ago, Rhymenoceros said:

The majority of small orders (1-5 books) I've received that arrive without issues would be using the cardboard sandwhich Inside a gemini method (no bubble envelope).

I've recieved everything from $5 to $200 orders this way. That said, accidents/damage CAN happen even with that method but it's very rare IMO with the exta cardboard sandwich and adequate "PLEASE DO NOT BEND" Markings/ labels. 

Side note: what source are you pricing the cardboard sheets from? 

Thanks for the response! https://www.boxforless.com/  with their save $10 coupon code popup that shows when I'm on the checkout page.

[Bird]

7 hours ago, theguy1991 said:

I don't have any cardboard around that I can get a hold of to cut my own pieces up

it takes a little time (meaning little, not a lot) but I bet there is SOMEWHERE you can source cardboard. Costco and giant box stores often have a section put aside where you can just take it. My local dollar store stocks on wednesdays and they have full easily accessible bins out back with cardboard all day long. And the best source is the local comic store, usually on tuesdays they have all that cardboard (great great thick cardboard) they throw out.

I cut my own and it keep the cost down. If you truly cannot source any locally it gets tougher. You can also use regional priority mail boxes for as low as $7 as well.

[adampasz]

If you can keep the weight to 8oz or less, you save around a $1 on first class postage.

For regular comics, you can achieve this weight with the cardboard sandwich and a bubble mailer technique.
You might be able to save a few more pennies by buying the bubble wrap in bulk, and ship in plain manila envelope (not bubble mailer).

 I'm not advising you try this, except for extremely cheap comics. ⤴

Geminis end up closer to 10oz.

If you use Geminis (which is what I use most of the time), you can protect comics by wrapping them in bubble wrap first, then taping the bubble wrap to the mailer. Make sure everything is tight enough so things don't slide around, but not so tight that it's putting pressure on the comic. Also, make sure you tape the mailer shut in several locations, so it doesn't pop open when the customer unpacks it..

A pet peeve of mine is when people directly put lots of sticky tape directly on the comic bag, which ruins the bag and increases the risk of damage when the customer unpacks the comic. If you *must* put tape on the comic bag, please consider using Removable Tape, and/or take a second to fold over one end of the tape so it is easier to peel off.

(I am klutzy, so two items I prefer to keep far away from my comics are scissors and tape.)

Edited May 1, 2021 by adampasz

[theguy1991]

17 minutes ago, adampasz said:

If you can keep the weight to 8oz or less, you save around a $1 on first class postage.

For regular comics, you can achieve this weight with the cardboard sandwich and a bubble mailer technique.
You might be able to save a few more pennies by buying the bubble wrap in bulk, and ship in plain manila envelope (not bubble mailer).

 I'm not advising you try this, except for extremely cheap comics. ⤴

Geminis end up closer to 10oz.

If you use Geminis (which is what I use most of the time), you can protect comics by wrapping them in bubble wrap first, then taping the bubble wrap to the mailer. Make sure everything is tight enough so things don't slide around, but not so tight that it's putting pressure on the comic. Also, make sure you tape the mailer shut in several locations, so it doesn't pop open when the customer unpacks it..

A pet peeve of mine is when people directly put lots of sticky tape directly on the comic bag, which ruins the bag and increases the risk of damage when the customer unpacks the comic. If you *must* put tape on the comic bag, please consider using Removable Tape, and/or take a second to fold over one end of the tape so it is easier to peel off.

(I am klutzy, so two items I prefer to keep far away from my comics are scissors and tape.)

You use bubble wrap around a bagged and boarded comic rather than the cardboard "sandwich" in the Gemini? I'm assuming $50 of bubble wrap goes further than $50 of precut cardboard right?

[adampasz]

I don't put a cardboard sandwich in the gemini. You don't need it. The Gemini is plenty thick.

Better to reinforce with extra backing boards, or maybe a single piece of thinner cardboard. Gemini sells "filler pads", which are designed to fit in the mailer.

For higher-value books I would put the bagged & boarded comic in a top-loader or maybe a Mylite4 for some extra rigidity.

And $50 of bubble wrap is like 1000 feet! Probably way more than you need. I buy 175' rolls online for like $15.

[theguy1991]

4 minutes ago, adampasz said:

I buy 175' rolls online for like $15

Bubble size matter? I think I have some 3/16" size ones around. The smaller ones.

[Tnexus]

https://www.amazon.com/Quality-Park-Extra-Rigid-Fiberboard-64014/dp/B0006VPH60

My go to mailer for 1-2 comics. I can cut up scrap usps boxes or other thinner cardboard to sandwhich a comic in and still get it under 8oz for single comics. These things do not bend at all, and they stay flat so it's not possible to crush. Plus comics dont wiggle like in a poorly packed Gemini. Never had an issue in over 100 used.

[Robot Man]

For less expensive books I just use 9 x 12 Manila envelopes. I use painters tape to secure the book to 2 sheets of double thick cardboard I cut myself. I put this inside a magazine bag and into a Manila envelope. I mark “Please do not bend” on both sides of the envelope. Never had a problem and it keeps it in the first class regulation. 

[theguy1991]

1 hour ago, Tnexus said:

https://www.amazon.com/Quality-Park-Extra-Rigid-Fiberboard-64014/dp/B0006VPH60

My go to mailer for 1-2 comics. I can cut up scrap usps boxes or other thinner cardboard to sandwhich a comic in and still get it under 8oz for single comics. These things do not bend at all, and they stay flat so it's not possible to crush. Plus comics dont wiggle like in a poorly packed Gemini. Never had an issue in over 100 used.

Was looking at the reviews. A guy is complaining about them being more flimsy and not as good as they were?

Found these. Do yours have the red strip? I feel like its the same company making them all.

https://www.amazon.com/9x11-5-Cardboard-Mailer-Envelopes-Kraft/dp/B07L99TS5X?ref_=ast_sto_dp

[adampasz]

2 hours ago, theguy1991 said:

Bubble size matter?

Small bubble. 

[csaag]

2 hours ago, Robot Man said:

For less expensive books I just use 9 x 12 Manila envelopes. I use painters tape to secure the book to 2 sheets of double thick cardboard I cut myself. I put this inside a magazine bag and into a Manila envelope. I mark “Please do not bend” on both sides of the envelope. Never had a problem and it keeps it in the first class regulation. 

I do something very similar to this.   First of all we save all cardboard/packing paper/bubble wrap from mail shipments (It helps to have a big dog as we're regularly receiving boxes)

I wrap the comics in plastic sheeting (eg cheap Home Depot 1/2 mil thick plastic).  I tape that to the cardboard sheets.  That keeps tape residue off the comic bags and prevents having to pull tape off a comic bag.  I fill the open space around the cardboard sandwich with rolled up paper or bubble wrap.

Then the brick goes into a 9x12 poly bag which gives it some moisture protection too

[kav]

5 hours ago, adampasz said:

A pet peeve of mine is when people directly put lots of sticky tape directly on the comic bag, which ruins the bag and increases the risk of damage when the customer unpacks the comic.

I always fold the tape over to make a pull tab so tape can be easily removed.  I highly recommend this.  

[the blob]

Get married. All the stuff your wife orders will come in huge boxes you can cut up.

[Tnexus]

11 hours ago, theguy1991 said:

Was looking at the reviews. A guy is complaining about them being more flimsy and not as good as they were?

Found these. Do yours have the red strip? I feel like its the same company making them all.

https://www.amazon.com/9x11-5-Cardboard-Mailer-Envelopes-Kraft/dp/B07L99TS5X?ref_=ast_sto_dp

I bought a box of 25 in November 2020 and the quality hasn't changed in four years. I do see the review which was from December, so it's possible I got the last batch. I would say though, that there's plenty of third party sellers that may be selling nearly identical versions with poorer quality. Advantages of Amazon is if they feel crappy, return them. There's also someone selling the "New Version" for a little cheaper. That's a third party reseller, so they're probably fake. If you do buy them, make sure you buy the $16.49 ones, not the other two.

Also your link is a different brand. You want the Quality Park ones. They all look the same, but I've seen ones with various rigidity.

Oh, and Do Not Bend and Fragile stickers will be ignored. Don't waste your time. If you don't want them to bend it, make it impossible to bend. People like to harp on the Post Office workers, but they're handling thousands of pieces of mail every day. Chances are that envelope is banded to other pieces of mail and they don't even see your sticker.
Source: Used to work in a post office.

Edited May 2, 2021 by Tnexus

[Rhymenoceros]

On 5/1/2021 at 10:27 AM, adampasz said:

I don't put a cardboard sandwich in the gemini. You don't need it. The Gemini is plenty thick.

Better to reinforce with extra backing boards, or maybe a single piece of thinner cardboard. Gemini sells "filler pads", which are designed to fit in the mailer.

For higher-value books I would put the bagged & boarded comic in a top-loader or maybe a Mylite4 for some extra rigidity.

And $50 of bubble wrap is like 1000 feet! Probably way more than you need. I buy 175' rolls online for like $15.

I've had Gemini's (without cardboard) get beat up so much that the book arrived damaged. Don't get me wrong, it's RARE, but it has happened. Rolling the dice and not adding extra cardboard would probably be fine 98% of the time... but I overpack for safety for sure and haven't had an issue. 

[gregwynn]

Do people actually think that the post office reads the do not bend? Better too add enough card board so that they can not bend the package.  Next thing you will tell me is COA's are actually worth something 

[adampasz]

Just to be clear, I'm not advocating for less cardboard, but the premise of this thread is safest and cheapest.

There is no single right answer. There are different strategies depending what you're shipping.

For comics, the current applicable price ranges for 1st class are:
<= 8oz, <= 12 oz and <= 16oz.

I don't think a Comic + Gemini + cardboard sandwich can be done under 12 oz. And if your package is heavier than 12 oz, you will probably be paying $6 for shipping 1st class.

Sure, if you're shipping a $50 book, use the Gemini in a legal priority envelope, and add as much protection as possible, since weight doesn't matter.

But if you're shipping a $2 book, it's hard to justify $6 for shipping.

Regarding "Do Not Bend", you can't really bend a Gemini Mailer unless you're actively trying to damage it. Or it gets run over by a mail truck or something. In which case, you're hosed no matter how well you packed it.

Finally, I still strongly advise using bubble wrap or bubble mailers. Bubble wrap will absorb impact force better than rigid cardboard, and it weighs very little.

References:

https://sciencing.com/substances-absorb-impact-science-projects-8400100.html

https://www.iopp.org/files/public/PlasticToteDropImpactStudy2.pdf

 

Edited May 2, 2021 by adampasz