Hey guys..

I need some help!  I have to mail 2 books that are not the normal mass market paperback size. One is a pretty big hardback and one is a very thick/large trade paperback. Any suggestions for some economical ways to get the wrapped? They are large enough that I'm afraid to use just computer paper.

Thanks!

Try wrapping in a waterproof layer (Saran wrap, recycled plastic bag, etc), then cover with heavy brown paper, such as a paper grocery bag.  You could also try to reuse any padded mailing envelopes you may have received, or use a new one.

Cheers,

Catt

Jackie, I use corregated card board, cut to size, wrap in bubble wrap, or some other plastic, like a grocery bag and some strong paper over that with lots of packing tape. For the outside, I use either heavy paper grocery bags, old wrapping paper, triple wrapped, or even old wall paper. The card board will help protect it from bending or from getting the corners smashed when the old PO goes tossing it around.

The easiest would be a bubble wrapper.  You can also use the computer paper to wap these, along with maybe an extra half sheet of computer paper taped to the wrapper. 

When I'm out of bubble envelopes, I've used cereal boxes, rice boxes. amazon boxes, etc.  I pad the books with grocery bags or bubble wrap to help protect them from any dings during shipment.

If I'm out of bubble envelopes and boxes, I wrap them in a piece of bubblewrap and then a layer of wallpaper and tape the heck out of them.

I posted earlier that I put the book in a ziplock and then wrap the book with a used manila file folder.  I cut the used tab off and then wrap it like a present, works great!

Try using freezer paper.  I do that alot and of course use alot of packing tape!

95% of what I mail out are hardback books.

So when I mail out any book it is wrapped in plastic. I use 1 or 2 shopping bags from Wal-mart or wherever.

And, I turn the book on it edge and tape all around it.

Then I put it into a salvaged wrapper that some of my books came in, I form fit it and tape it down tight, all

around the edges.

Sometimes at local stores like Dollar Tree, I buy a 3pk of small white gift boxes, (and still wrap the book in

plastic) and use the shopping bags as filler, inside the ends and sides, before taping all around the perimeter

of package.

This is not expensive, even with the extra padding, the usual hardback postage is $2.47.

And my shipping supplies are minimal. I reuse what I have and buy what I need from $ type stores.

Just think of books you have received and any problems that you saw.  If you do that, you can think of

inexpensive ways to prevent damage in what you send out.

I agree that all wrapping should be tight on packages.  If it is loose, it will get caught in postal machinery.

And please do not use scotch tape!

Several that I have received in the last few weeks were loose inside manila, plastic, and bubble envelopes,

I have even received hardbacks in nothing but the PBS wrapper.

Many arrived on the verge of coming out of wrapper, and with some damage to the corners.

Most are not even wrapped in plastic, but thank goodness, no damage from weather yet.

I would much rather have to work a little harder to open a well wrapped book, than have the disappointment

of a lost or badly damaged copy of something I really wanted.

Hey, I like the idea of using freezer paper.  It's sturdy and has that waxy, waterproof layer too.  Never thought of that!  Thanks for the idea, Sue!