I always use the PBS wrapper when the book fits.  Lately I've found that it's much easier to get a tight wrap if I use a tiny piece of scotch tape and tape the edge of the wrapper to the book, then wrap it around, if that makes sense.  I only do this on books that have "glossy" covers that I know they won't stick to, but I was just wondering if I'm violating some sort of PBS guideline, since the "no scotch tape" rule is pretty hard here. 

If so, how do you wrap your books and keep them in place to do the other side?

I had such a difficult time wrapping books I started to use recycled envelopes and then just bought some bubble wrape envelopes from the office supply store.

I think if you keep using the scotch tape you're gonna get some picky person that'll mark it RWAP.  I understand what you mean about it not sticking but some of these folks - well nuf said.

I wrap my first sheet (tightly) around the book squeezing both ends towards each other, and then use a small piece of scotch tape  to secure it.  The sheet stays tight around the book without taping to the book itself.  Then I use a small piece of scotch tape for each end.

Repeat for the second sheet.

Add shipping tape completely around the edges, then around length-wise, then around width-wise.

Oh, I might add that I use thumb and forefinger of my left hand to hold the sheet tightly around the book while I use my right hand to clip a small piece of tape from my dispenser to secure the tightly wrapped sheet.  It's a little tricky.

Dan (for Marilyn) edit to add last paragraph

I think tape on the book cover violates the guidelines:

Do not apply tape directly to the book! This can damage the book when the package is opened.... If you apply tape directly to the book and it is then damaged when the package is opened, you will not receive a credit.

I use the two-page wrapper. I wrap the bottom page around the book and make creases where the edges will be. Then I make creases for the top page and tape the two pages together, on one side, where the creases are. This makes them one page, and they're easier to wrap with.

There is another PBS rule that clearly states that no tape should be applied directly to the book. If you feel you must anchor your outer wrapping to something, wrap the book in plastic first, then tape the outer layer to the plastic.

On another note, the ban on scotch tape is meant for securing the outside of the wrapper.

Happy swapping!

Susan

I would recommend reading the thread at the top of this forum called Tips for New Members.  It's a wealth of shared information and experiences.

Oh, I might add that I use thumb and forefinger of my left hand to hold the sheet tightly around the book while I use my right hand to clip a small piece of tape from my dispenser to secure the tightly wrapped sheet.  It's a little tricky.

I want to echo Susan's recommendation.  Wrapping a book in plastic wrap (NOT Press-N-Seal -- believe the horror stories!) adds practically no weight, gives you a secure place to tape the wrapper, and provides some protection against water damage en route. 

If you print an extra copy of the wrapper and include it under the plastic, you also give the post office something to work with if water happens to obliterate the outer wrapper.

And feel free to use scotch tape to position the wrapper correctly -- just cover it with shipping tape.  If you sew, think of scotch tape as basting before you sew the final (sturdy) seam.  (Woodworkers -- the nails that hold the piece in place until the glue sets up.)  You get the idea.

Happy Swapping!

Welcome Kristina,

Echoing Susan, wrap in plastic first (Saran wrap, plastic bags from newspapers). I always wrap in plastic first (to add a layer of protection); those starving postal machines can rip into a  package (and plastic saved my book from the rain:) I wrap in brown postal paper/brown paper bags, bubble mailers, or boxed (for multiple books). I also reinforce the seams/flaps with clear packing tape, but leave an clear area (for ease of opening/so someone can slip in scissors) .  

Going to agree with everyone on the plastic.  SOme of us have mailmen who leave the book sitting on the porch, etc. and if its not wrapped in plastic under the paper, rain will ruin it.  Just wrap in plastic, tape the wrapper to the plastic and you should get a tight fit.

I always wrap in plastic first.  A roll of Glad Cling Wrap goes a long way!  Then, I wrap the wrapper around that and tape the 2 sides together with a small piece of scotch tape.  Then, I go back over that long seam with packing tape.  Same thing on the ends of the book.  Get them nice and tight and use a piece of scotch tape to hold it in place until I can get the packing tape around it.  So, the scotch tape ends up completely encased in packing tape.

Once you wrap a few books, you get the hang of getting the wrapper nice and tight without having to tape to the book or plastic wrap itself.

"No scotch tape" really means "no using just scotch tape". It isn't strong enough to hold the package together when the USPS sets the apes loose on media mail. I always use scotch to wrap my books first and then go over all seams and edges and corners with packing tape. I also use a plastic underlay to protect the book so I tape the wrapper to that.

As others have said, you should never affix the label directly to the cover with tape. It might seem fine when you are gently applying it. But the trip through the USPS system can be rough and cause the tape to damage the book.

Wrapping a book in plastic wrap (NOT Press-N-Seal -- believe the horror stories!) adds practically no weight, gives you a secure place to tape the wrapper, and provides some protection against water damage en route. 

Egad! I got one of those press-n-seal wrapped books today. The whole thing is sticky. I'm going to try rubbing alcohol to clean it up. I think if the book had been left sitting in my mailbox all day in the heat, rather than my husband getting it out of the box right away, then the wrap might not have come off at all.

Anyway, my point is don't attach anything sticky of any sort to the book at all.

please do not tape the paper to the book- not only is it against the rules- it can rip the book when someone opens it.

i never ever use the 2 pieces of paper to mail in. i reuse mailing envelopes, paper sacks, gift bags, maps- pretty much anything. i always wrap it plastic first- newspaper bags, produce bags, grocery bags

and i use mailing tape. lots and lots of mailing tape...

good luck and welcome to pbs

Thanks for the suggestions.  I think the wrapping in plastic will make the difference, although it seems a lot of people say they use it, I've never received a plastic wrapped book. 

it will also protect your books from rain and such and..... see the link below to the real reason why i have to add an rc for the summer.........

please remember- post date

Ewwwww I never even would have considered that!

"I think the wrapping in plastic will make the difference, although it seems a lot of people say they use it, I've never received a plastic wrapped book."

That's because the people who read & post here are accustomed to the horror stories & subsequently are the most concientious packagers:P   And ditto on what everyone else said about plastic.  Even used plastic grocery bags can be molded & wrapped around a book to protect it from moisture, tape, or a good bit of rough handling by USPS package manglers.