{"id":54,"date":"2022-02-15T11:01:22","date_gmt":"2022-02-15T11:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsworldcards.com\/?p=54"},"modified":"2022-02-21T16:16:32","modified_gmt":"2022-02-21T16:16:32","slug":"what-is-the-best-way-to-ship-cards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsworldcards.com\/what-is-the-best-way-to-ship-cards\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is The Best Way To Ship Cards?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Most collectors build up their card collection through the magic of buying online. Thanks to the internet, you can buy pretty much anything you want, which is also true for collecting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"What<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

You can find other collectors and trade for the cards your collection lacks, which will be sent out to you in the mail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The use of mail is a great thing for collectors as it enables us to get what we need quickly. However, it\u2019s extremely important to ship the cards<\/a> correctly to avoid disappointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s explore the best way to ship cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Unofficial Rules Of Shipping Cards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So there are no set rules to shipping<\/a>, but we think that there should be. If you\u2019re packaging up some for sale, make sure you follow these guidelines to avoid an angry buyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protection Is Vital<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When dealing with collectors, never – under ANY circumstances – just pop the cards into an envelope and send them on their way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a surefire way to piss off a buyer and probably lose the money you earned from the sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, you\u2019re going to need some protection. The best protection for cards will be two layers – a penny sleeve and a top loader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are two different plastic sleeves that will stop your cards from getting bent in their mailing journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steer Clear Of Envelopes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Paper envelopes are sure to crumple, tear, or get wet during mailing. How many times have you received a piece of mail in an envelope that is a little worse for wear?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even top loaders will struggle to maintain the card if it\u2019s in a flimsy envelope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To avoid the card being damaged after it\u2019s been posted, a more rigid form of outerwear is preferred. A bubble mailer will do just fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bubble mailers are padded envelopes with a lining of bubble wrap within to protect its contents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re not that more expensive than regular envelopes and will give the cards a better chance of getting to their destination smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be Weary Of Cardboard Boxes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can also use cardboard boxes that provide a more rigid exterior to the cards, so if and when the package gets thrown about in shipping, the cards shouldn\u2019t feel it one bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also fit more cards in boxes, so they\u2019re good if you\u2019re sending more than a couple of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of packaging is great for the most part, but there are a few precautions to take to avoid the cards suffering from damaged corners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When packing a box of cards, you want to make it as difficult as possible for the cards to move within it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parcels are thrown left right and center while being mailed, and a card that can move inside the box might experience blunt force trauma to its corners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how do you avoid the cards shifting within the cardboard box? You can add some bubble wrap down the sides to give them a little more padding on their journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even the smallest of gaps can cause trouble, so putting the bubble wrap across all four of the sides is the best way to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people ship cards in a box within a box. This can help protect the corners from being damaged, but it might also increase the shipping fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be Careful With The Tape<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Top loaders can be taped to ensure that the card does not fall out and remain without protection for the rest of its journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the type of tape you use could make your buyer\u2019s day much easier or more difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most sellers will use normal scotch tape to secure the card<\/a>, but this can ruin the top loader by leaving a residue on it that is impossible to get off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No one wants to keep a card in a top loader that has a massive blurry smear all over it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Packing tape is even worse and often requires a knife to get into, so don\u2019t use this either. Instead, opt for masking tape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is strong enough to hold the card in place but not so strong that it ruins the top loader or creates more hassle for the buyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Go Overboard With Protection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We know that this is going against everything we\u2019ve just been saying – but there\u2019s a fine line between well protected and too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a buyer has to cut into the packaging because you\u2019ve lined it with so much tape that it\u2019s impossible to get in, they might risk damaging the card within.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, avoid too much padding wrapped around the card, as well as any packing tape that you\u2019re thinking of using.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By all means tape the exterior, but leave the buyer a clear way of getting into the package so that they don\u2019t have to get the knife out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step-By-Step Guide For Shipping Cards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take all we\u2019ve learned and put it into a guide of how to properly package cards<\/a> for mailing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Fit the cards inside of a penny sleeve, then a top loader. This gives two layers of protection instantly against folding.<\/li>
  2. Tape the top loader with masking tape to avoid making the top loader too difficult to get into.<\/li>
  3. Choose between a bubble mailer and a cardboard box for your cards. The former is best for a few cards while the latter is better for whole sets.