What do you use?

Where do you get those lightweight, almost cloth-like, envelopes? Do you know what I mean? I've looked a couple of places but can't find them.

Try the post office.

The almost cloth-like envelopes would be Tyvek envelopes.  You can get them at an office supply store.

I find a box if I have one small enough.  Otherwise, I stack the books and wrap the stack up tight with plastic wrap.  Then, I use that brown kraft paper to wrap them up just like a present, being sure to pull it tight so there are no wrinkles and then I tape over every seam.  And tape around the outside just to be sure.

It works quite well!  I've sent several packages that way and received packages that way without a problem.  I think this works best on paperbacks though.  I wouldn't try it with books of different sizes.  I'd find a box or padded envelope for those.

You mean bubble mailers?  Office suppy stores, Walmart, drug stores have them.  you can also buy things like that in bulk at Ebay or there is another mail order place you can order from and get 100 assorted at a time.  The name escapes me...but I'm sure someone here will come up with the name.   Ladies....the name is.....................................?

Edited to add...told you someone would come up with the name of the envelope. now the name of the place to buy in bulk is?

I thought tyveck was plastic.

Tyveck does feel rather like fabric.  It is a "spun-bound olefin material".  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olefin

USPS does have Priority mail envelopes made of this stuff, and some people do turn them inside out (to hide the priority markings) - but this is not a good idea - if USPS catches it, they can charge the full priority postage.  This applies even to reused/recycled envelopes (or any other priority mail supplies).

Fed Ex also has this kind of envelope.  USPS has no problem with these turned inside out, but it isn't ethical to take free supplies from Fed Ex and use them for USPS mail.  (No problem with recycled, though).

One source for plain tyveck envelopes is the Associated Bag company (www.associatedbag.com) .  As a sample price, a box of 100 9x12 plain white envelopes is $33.60 plus shipping.

You can also buy the Poly mailer envelopes (white strong plastic w/silver lining for privacy) on one of the ebay stores.  You can get 50 9x12 for about $12 (including shipping).

I use large poly mailers.  I cut them up to fit the book(s)  when I mail smaller books.  They are waterproof so I can skip the inner bags a lot of people use. 

I used a small box to wrap 3 books yesterday and it didn't up the postage at all. I had a thick tradesize paperback and 2 mass market sized ones to mail to one person.  I used a small box I had received something in w/some plastic bags on top for cushioning.  It was only 2.47 for media mail. 

If you use the mailers, just be sure to tape it tight around the books.  If it's loose the postal machines can tear it, and there's more wear and tear on the books from sliding around inside.

I wrap the way Sarah K. does, except that after I slip them in a plastic bag or plastic wrap, I circle the books with 2 lengths of tape, one lengthwise and one breadthwise, to ensure the pile won't shift.  I think of it as making the books into a brick.

I ordered this plastic envelopes from Valuemailer on Ebay.  I mail a lot of WL tradesize paperbacks.  I ordered some lrg mailers.  I wrap the excess envelope and tape it around to fit the book better.  This provides extra cushioning and keeps the book(s) from sliding around.  It's also much faster then using the printed wrapper.  They were really cheap too.  It worked out to like .18/env.  Much cheaper then the bubble env. 

I'd recommend bubble mailers over the tyvek ones for books.  The books are far less likely to move around inside a bubble mailer than in tyvek.  I also sell books online, and ship quite a few this way (multiples go in boxes).  If shipping in a box, I always wrap the books in plastic - usually a grocery bag or similar - then use other material to pack around them if needed.

If you are a Sam's Club member, their bubble mailer prices are usually equal to or less than buying them online, once shipping is added in.  Plus, you can buy smaller quantities with less cash upfront.

A good source for small boxes is Michael's Art Supply or similar store when they are stocking their frame departments.  They'll give you as many as you like, usually along with the bubble wrap the frames came in.  It is stuff they just throw away, so it is a good way to reuse and recycle.

A reallyl good, cheap alternative is to use a cereal box.  Cut it down to the size you need, leaving enough of the box to create flaps to fold down over the opening and tape shut.  I cover it with paper (brown paper bag works) and then tape the PBS label on.  Also, I always still wrap the books in plastic wrap before putting them into the box, since boxes are not water-proof.

I get many of mine from the post office, but on occasion have gotten better deals at K-Mart.  Carol Ann

I wrap mine in saran wrap to keep the books in a tight block.  Then I use either a paper grocery sack or freezer paper with the shiny side in.  Then I tape all of the seams as well as the edges to make sure it doesn't tear open.