Hello !!! I am fairly new to this and am wondering what is the best way to wrap books for shipping.  Currently I am just wrapping in 2 or 3 sheets of paper and taping with mailing tape but I would like to do better.

I usually wrap a book in a plastic bag and then put it in a bubble wrapper.  If it is a little book, I use a manila envelope that I tape around the edges with packing tape.

I usually re-use packaging from books I've received, or a bubble wrapper, often wrapping the books in some kind of plastic first. I have received MANY books just wrapped with 2-3 sheets of paper and packing tape that have come through just fine.

I wrap most of my books like you do it sounds like, and I've heard they made it just fine - I just use lots of tape!  For paperbacks, I use the two page wrapper (if the book will fit).  I wrap the book in a plastic bag first, then use the wrapper, and then I tape all the seams and edges of the package.  For hardbacks, just to protect them a little more, I wrap them in plastic, then a sheet of newspaper for extra padding, and then brown paper and tape the address label on.  For bigger books, I use bubble mailers or envelopes.  Just a tip though:  if you use one of the manilla envelopes, still use lots of tape.  I've received two in envelopes like that recently that had holes where they had started to tear open.

Packing tape

Packing tape

Packing tape

Packing tape

Packing tape

that is the most important thing. To prove a point I mailed a book wrapped in toilet paper, but it was well taped and got there fine.

dont use, scotch tape, masking tape, duct tape, electical tape, double sided tape, just packing tape

I use tyvek. It's water and tear resistant. Very light weight too. Great stuff. :)

I am new too and currently use the postal brown wrapping paper with plenty of wrapping tape, especially the corners. I have just started using the plastic inside, too. I didn't know about that. However, the others had no problem, but always used when requested.

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I currently have plenty of Robin Cook, Patterson, Woods,  J.D.Robb, check out the bookshelf.

 To prove a point I mailed a book wrapped in toilet paper, but it was well taped and got there fine.

I bet that requestor was confused! :P

it was not a PBS swap book LOL. The person knew it was coming.

I normally wrap mine in plastic wrap & mail them in manilla envelopes (tape them around the bottom & top). So far (that I know of) they've gotton everywhere perfectly fine. I get a lot of books wrapped in just the few sheets of paper & they're usually ripped & about falling out of the "package".

I am big into not wanting my books to get dings or worse along the way so I typically cut up a piece of cardboard and place it over the front cover of the book.  Then I wrap in plastic before putting into bubble envelope or another sturdy wrapper.  I'm big into recycling so I reuse my bubble wrappers or use the outer wrapper in which a ream of paper is packaged in (generally it is coated to repel water).  I also use 1-2 calendar sheets, depending on thickness, for the outer wrapper.  I also make sure to use plenty of packaging tape, especially around the seams.

So I just joined earlier today.

And will probably have all ten books up by tomorrow or the day after.

I have no idea where to get the address thing that you're supposed to print out, or how to wrap it.
I just wanted to know why everyone's so against envelopes? Can you not send them with them?

If anyone could reply that'd be great.

Thanks.

When you agree to send a book, Rose, there will be a button for printing the wrapper.  If you read the helps section it will give you a lot of info on how to wrap the book.   Personally,  I have wrapped books in everything from a map, to gift paper, to the printed wrapper,  to brown paper bags.  ALL of them have arrived safe and sound.   I do wrap my books in plastic first, but it's not a requirement of the site, just a courtesy.   The main thing is to use mailing tape (NEVER  plain Scotch tape) and to use plenty of it.   The package needs to be tight - even in an Tyvek envelope it needs to not move around.   I always make sure one piece of tape goes all the way around the packing front to back and end to end.   That way if the wrapping gets torn - the book doesn't ever come out.   ALSO - I always put the address inside the book too, just in case.         

BTW - the worst damage I've had has been books loose in Tyvek type envelopes.  NO they don't tear, but the PO machines punch holes in them and that renders them no longer water proof.   

Enjoy the site Rose.  It's a great one!

Welcome, I'm fairly new too. I wrap the book(s) in plastic, and then either use a bubble mailer (I tape all the edges, and esp the opening)  or the brown postal paper, and most importantly, lots of tape (my books usually look like they're wrapped in packing tape, except for the address label). This is an awesome site, with some incredibly nice (and helpful) people. ----Les

I always try to use the computer paper with address info  but it seems I always need to use a few extra sheets to cover thoroughy.I have wrapped books in plastic wrap so they are waterproof. I used to wrap completely with packing tape but learned how difficult it was for some to unwrap so now I leave some untaped space!!! I always have to chuckle however when I recieve a book and am asked if the wrapper was the only means used to wrapped the book,I rarely get away with using just two pieces of paper! Maybe the question should be did you like how the book was wrapped? why or why not.

I don't have any packing tape, and I have no idea where to get it from.

Why doesn't duck tape work? And I think I'm going to put the books in a sandwich bag, waterproof, and easy. And then put it in a brown envelope and some duct-tape on the opening side. With the address on the front. I think it'll be safe.

Hi Rose,

You can get packing/shipping tape at Wal Mart, Target, or even most grocery stores. 

USPS frowns on duct tape.  From their website:   "Always use shipping tape.  Duct tape will not be accepted." 

Hope that helps. 

Plain shower curtains work great as wrappers. I can buy on at the Dollar Tree for $1 (duh) and it lasts forever.

Duct Tape peels off. It does not stick properly. 2" wide packing tape is the prefered tape to use.

If you use an envelope, make sure the book is tight in it, not sliding around. it can- and WILL- rip out of a loose envelope.

Tight, compact packages are good, loose, shifting packages are bad.

I use 3 different methods (depends on what I have on hand and what I feel like doing that day, LOL).

#1  I buy bubble mailers from Sam's Warehouse by a case of 50. I still tape with packing tape over the flap and ends

#2  I buy rolls of brown package wrapping paper from Dollar Tree and use LOTS of packing tape (also from Dollar Tree)

#3  I re-purpose packaging from books I have received or from other items received in the mail. Magic Marker over any addresses,etc and then write addresses on white cardstock and tape firmly to re-purposed wrapping/packaging 

The 3 rules I use ( and these are basically the ones already mentioned) are-

1)  pre-wrap with some sort of free plastic,

2)  wrap tightly (like a present) in whatever you have even if it's an envelope of some sort the loose parts need to be wrapped tightly against the book(s).

3)  use adequate amounts of packing tape which can be bought at dollar stores, online, at Wal-Mart, etc.  Buying it from the PO can be costly.

and it there is a 4th rule - it is to make sure that the address printed on the label is protected with clear tape covering it so that it doesn't get ruined in wet areas or torn off - so I make sure the labels that I tape to packges are very secure with clear packing tape.

Ruth

I have received some books that were so well taped, I couldn't get into them!!!

I do the same thing as most others. I generally wrap the book tightly in a grocery store plastic bag, then wrap with the PBS label, like a present with tight corners. Then packing tape the heck out of it leaving a tape free space for the postage.

Just two more questions that I have are; one, do you have to give your address out at all on this site? And two, I've heard something about a printable something or other for your packages -- what is that?