Wrapping Larger/Multiple Book Shipments

The 2-page PBS wrapper works well for single paperbacks, or even two small books packaged together, but if you have a larger or heavy book, or a multiple-book shipment to send, the 2-page PBS Wrapper alone will not provide sturdy enough packaging on its own to protect your book(s) en route.  You will need to use alternate packaging methods.  You can use the 1-page PBS Label (the choice on the far right on the Wrapper Settings page) as an address label.

Suggestions for alternate packaging materials:

GOOD options:

• Heavy brown paper (NB if you use a cut-down grocery sack, you should use DOUBLE LAYER since that paper is recycled and can be a little soft)
• Manila envelope
  • tape it down tightly around the book(s) to prevent "flaps" that can get caught in postal machinery
• Bubble or padded mailer
• Tyvek or similar large envelope
  • tape it down tightly around the book(s) to prevent "flaps" that can get caught in postal machinery
  • taping tightly around the book(s) also prevents the contents from sliding around inside
• Box
  • prevent your books from sliding around inside with crumpled paper (NOT newspaper--the ink can mark the books!) or (clean) plastic shopping bags, balled up.
  • If the books slide, they can rip box flaps right open, or even pierce the sides of the box or burst the mailing envelope
  • We recommend putting tape around the entire box or envelope in both directions - this will help keep the package together as it travels to its destination.  Strapping tape (the one with fibers in it) is great; also 2 -inch wide packing tape (not Scotch or duct tape! neither one has strong, temperature-resistant enough adhesive for the purpose) applied tightly and in adequate amounts, will suffice.

POOR choices for alternate packaging materials:

• Giftwrapping paper (too thin)
• Newspaper (can smudge ink onto the books)
• Priority mail or Express Mail envelope/box (this is illegal to use for MediaMail, even if you are reusing it, and even if you turn it inside out!)
  • if you do this, and the package is inspected, it will arrive postage-due at the requestor's, or be returned postage-due to you (the additional postage required will be the difference between postage paid and Priority Mail rate)
  • Even the Priority Mail tape is illegal to use for a non-Priority shipment
• Scotch tape (this will not hold tightly enough)
• Duct tape (this adhesive can "melt" during temperature extremes and be totally ineffective)

The aim is to have a sturdy package that will not permit the books to slide around inside, and which will not have loose flaps to get caught in postal machinery, and will not be so tight that it will fail under the stress of USPS handling and open/burst en route. It can take some experimentation to find the best method for you.

Related Links

How to Wrap Your Book Shipment
Wrapping a Trade Paperback Using the PBS Wrapper