The two sheets of printer paper don't fit around these books. I put one in a manilla envelope first then taped the wrapper on but that can get expensive. I also used boxing tape. What is the easiest and most efficient way to wrap?

I wrap in Saran wrap, and then cut a piece of brown grocery bag and use that as the wrapping paper.  You can buy brown craft paper by the roll but I just recycle my grocery sacks this way.  Then I tape the seams, end, and cut the address label to fit and tape it on. 

Happy trading!

Sara

Thank you Sara!

Also, when you receive books in a bubble mailer - save them and reuse them!  I always do!

I work in an office that has a lot of 11 X17 and 8 1/2 X14 paper.  I typically snag a sheet or two, or wrap in brown kraft paper. (I got a big roll at Walmart for under $2)

Brown grocery bags work really well (and you're recycling!). Cereal boxes work if you need sides that are more sturdy than just paper. If you have legal sized paper (11X17), it works well with larger books. I try to open "reusuable" packaging very carefully so I can use them to mail books to other members. This includes boxes and bubble mailers (I don't try to reuse paper wrappings). 

I often just use wrapping paper and put the PBS label over the top.  it gives the receiver a colorful package when they open thier mail box and it's pretty cheap.

Shannon

ditto to reusing padded envelopes.  I have really started doing that especially for larger books and it is nice not having to do a lot of cutting or figure out how to wrap the books!

I'm cheap - I just wrap in plastic, and tape reinforce the edges, then a couple layers of computer paper and then the wrapper, and then mummify the whole thing in packing tape.  It's worked well for me so far, I've even gotten compliments on how well the books were wrapped.  I think the inner tape-reinforced plastic covering helps stabilize the book, and then the wrapper being snug against the book prevents the 'ripped-envelope due to book movement within' syndrome.  The only issue is some folks don't appreciate tape-mummified packages, but not only is it added reinforcement against ripping, it helps to water-proof the package, so unfortunately for those who don't like it, that's the method of wrapping that works best for me.

I've got a system down and can wrap my books quickly and efficiently now.  =)

For thick paperbacks or trade paperbacks I use a 3 sheet technique. Sheet one folds over both sides of the top half of the book, then fold and tape tight with scotch tape just to hold it in place. Sheet two folds over both sides of the bottom half of the book, then fold and tape tight with scotch tape just to hold it in place. At this point I use a small piece of 2 inch packing tape to attached the top piece to the bottom piece of paper at the overlap on front and back. My third sheet is the one with the address printed on it. Usually a trade paperback's width is 6-6.5 inches and the front of your printed address sheet is about 6 inches. I cut off the (margins) sides of that sheet so I do not have to fold the ends over. I wrap the third sheet over the other two which covers the seams well and tape the joined area with two inch packing tape. The next to last step is taping the address sheet on the ends. If the book is thin enough one piece of two inch tape will wrap the end and adhere to the address sheet on both sides, if thicker I just use two pieces of tape on each end. The only thing else I do is use a small piece of tape for the corners to make sure they are protected.

This works well for a really thick paperback or any size trade paperback. If I have a really nice trade paperback and it's pretty thin I will cut a piece of cardboard (same dimension as the book) and use that as a stiffener to protect it.

Multiple books I shift to the brown paper shopping bag or reuse a used envelope or mailer.

I put them in a manila envelope, then wrap the envelope with mailing tape such that there aren't any flat edges.

I buy the envelopes lined with bubble wrap. The Dollar Tree down the street sells them 2/$1. I have found them to be a worthy investment.

#1 bubblewrap mailers for typical trade paperback sizes

#2 for larger paperbacks (<x> for dummies, etc) and most hardcovers

#5 for the really large ones (picture books)

Boxes if they are unusually heavy.

I wrap just about everything in grocery store plastic bags followed by brown paper from more grocery bags. Hardbacks may occasionally get a bubblelope but more often than not it just gets a couple layers of packing paper between the plastic and outer brown paper.

Oh thanks for the tip about the wrapping paper "tubes" Elizabeth!   I had been just throwing that away! 

My newspaper is delivered in a long plastic bag about the weight of  the bags you put produce in at the grocery.  It's VERY waterproof because I've picked up many papers that were sitting in puddles or in wet grass and the paper inside is fine.  Those are my favorite inner wrappings.  I just wish I could buy those.  Sometimes the newspaper doesn't keep up with my shipping needs.  :)  Then I wrap in brown grocery bags and mummify in box tape.

I use 3 sheets of regular paper.  I tape a clean sheet to the info page - long sides overlapping, and use that now-large sheet  to wrap the book.  Then I take the lable page and wrap it around the wrapped book, tape down the seams, tape the ends, and it's ready to go.

I mail everything in polymailers that I buy through a sewing coop. I've never had a complaint yet!

If it's a really really big box of books I normally sent it in a flat rate priority box or a recycled amazon box. I always send 1 priority so I get free carrier pickup at the door of everything I mail out that day.

I use the poly mailers, too!  But I fear that if a sharp edge goes across it there will definitely be a cut. So I try to wrap it in plastic first and I definitely tape up all the loose edges so there's nothing left to snag on the machinery.

Ruth

ETA - I also use Amazon boxes if I have more than 3 books going out.    BTW - anyone have an estimate of what the charge is going to be for sending out 20 paperbacks?  I'm not looking forward to packing all these! ;D

Ruth

Like many who have posted, I use newspaper bags, recycle bubble mailers, save Amazon boxes, etc but sometimes I just have to wrap books individually in plastic and wrap them together to mail (usually hardbacks). I had been using brown paper grocery bags but some of the groceries here don't even have them anymore! Then I happened on a roll of wallpaper at Goodwill and for $0.39 my wrapping issues were ended!

And yes, you can wrap with the pattern showing and just tape the label on and mail it just fine.

Mary, that must really brighten up the recipient's day!  Unless it's really drab wallpaper!  ;D

Ruth

Oh, wallpaper, what a great idea!

I buy polymailers by the 100's and I've never had a problem with anyone saying a book was damaged or lost.  It's so easy because you put the book in and seal--pulling the self seal top down to fit snuggly over the book.  Print out a self stick label--and the book is ready to go!  Easy as pie!

Here's where I buy my mailers-- http://www.amazon.com/WHITE-POLY-MAILERS-ENVELOPES-BAGS/dp/B000HG6KBU/ref=pd_bbs_6?ie=UTF8&s=office-products&qid=1220851791&sr=8-6

100 for around 10 bucks--the time I save not having to wrap and tape is well worth the cost--and 100 mailers last me a long time. 

I don't really have a technique that I always use, BUT I ALWAYS make sure I have something protecting the corners..nothing worse than getting a great HC or large paperback with damaged corners.  It's also easier to wrap if you add a little cardboard to the front and back before wrapping.

ETA:  Thanks for the poly link!