I was just wondering if people have had luck with the PBS printable mailing wrapper, the 2 page one?  I haven't received a book in it yet, but I did wrap the book I need to mail in it.  It is taped up really good so I'm hoping it will be fine.  But was just wondering what everyone else has experienced.

I've received books in them, and usually there's no problem.  Occasionally, for whatever reason, as the wrapping is sufficiently taped, the postal machines don't like it, and the wrapping comes all mangled.  Fortunately, very seldom is the book ruined, but it has happened, and if the book is sufficiently taped, you just have to put it down to postal problem, and can't repost the book.  Good luck. Pat

I only use the two page wrapper on mass market paperbacks. And not the 350+ pages ones.  Everything else, I use the one page label. It just does not fit.

I'm getting ready to mail the 3rd book of Fifty Shades.  I used the 2 page wrapper and I was able to get it to fit ok.

Really? The only way I can get it to fit a trade paperback is if I layer the page to overlap. Then I worry about only one paper layer.

I think I overlapped a bit but it worked.

I only use it on mass markets also. Anytime you get down to only one sheet of paper covering the book in places, it becomes too weak and can tear or be punctured in transit. The trade sized books bend and flop so much I definitely wouldn't trust them with weak spots in the wrapping unless I used a lot of tape.

But Sara wraps her books in heavy paper. (Very nice paper. Always a treat to get her books.) Not copy paper.

When I first joined I always used the 2 page label as the wrapper and never had any mangled by PO, nor have I received any in the 2 sheets that were mangled, though I have had plenty put loosely in an envelope that were (books need to be snug in whatever kind of wrapper you use--manilla envelope or even a box).

Now that I've been around a while I have plenty of manilla envelopes and bubble wrappers I've received books in that are still useable so I use those and no longer have to consider the weather where the recipient lives. I always put books in a plastic bag first and seal that so in case the PO does mangle the outer wrapper, there is some protection from the elements to keep the books dry.

I have used the paper wrapper on thousands of books I've sent out with only a few being mangled by the post office. Because I have a printer that can print on 11 x 17 paper, I can even use it for trade paperbacks. But I always use a padded envelope for hardcover books. Like others, I do use a layer of plastic underneath the paper wrapper for protection from the elements and tape all seams as well as taping around the book once in each direction so that if the wrapper is torn, it still stays with the book. From my experience receiving books, the worst are the books placed loose in a manila envelope...those are usually the ones that arrive without a book inside, especially if it is two books loose in a manila envelope...I can almost guarantee those will not arrive intact.

Yes, I use the two sheet mailer for Mass Market paperbacks, but use other methods for larger books.  I've sent and received many average size books with plastic underwrap and two layers of paper with very few (if any) problems.  No outgoing problems, and just a few incoming...mostly postal issues that would have caused damage regardless of the packaging.

One layer of average printer paper tho?  I've received a couple of those and they invariable have some damage from rounded & creased corners to torn open scuffed/torn.  IMO one layer of paper is not sufficient for most books when faced with the Media Mail sorting monkeys...especially larger  books.
 

I also only use the wrapper for MMPBs, and if I can a plastic bag underneath. (A reused produce bag, usually, clean, of course.)

I keep all the bubble mailers I receive things in, and the vast majority of them are reusable; I tend to use those for hardcovers and larger paperbacks.

I don't have the skills to use the two page wrapper, I have a hard enough time managing a roll of tape  I've never received a damaged book from a sender who uses the PBS paper as a wrapper but they can be tricky to open sometimes. 

A seam ripper is the tool to use. Sharp, with a ball to prevent you from cutting too deep. Better than sissors. Although I recommend having one for books and one that is free of tape glue for fabric.

Years ago, somebody here recommended freezer paper.  It's what I've used ever since.  Plastic-lined (so waterproof), very sturdy.  Works great and a roll lasts a long time.