Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th in Community Help Boards in Community

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Last Post Dec 14, 2005 11:07 AM by: deirdre@ebay.com

Replies: 95

Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Nov 30, 2005 12:12 PM

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Topic: Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics

Host: bubblefast
Date: Wednesday 12/14
Time: 10:00 to 11:00 PST
Location: Workshop Board

Description: Need help in deciding how to package and ship your eBay items? Not sure which supplies are best to use for your product? Please join us for this very informative Packaging and Shipping Workshop hosted by Mark Le Vine of Bubblefast. We will discuss what supplies to use, how to get them and try to answer all of your shipping questions, including options on how to charge your buyers for shipping costs.

Cheers,

Deirdre
eBay Community Development

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Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Dec 14, 2005 9:53 AM

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Hello everyone and welcome to the Packaging and Shipping Workshop

My eBay ID is Bubblefast and my name is Mark.

Bubblefast has been offering shipping supplies to fellow eBayers since 1999. Since that time we have been asked many questions regarding shipping supplies and packaging techniques. We thought, “What a great opportunity to share some of these answers in a workshop forum.”

Bubblefast

Workshop Host

Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Dec 14, 2005 9:54 AM

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What Supplies to Use

There are four basic types of supplies to use, based on your particular application. They are:

Bubble Cushioning Wrap
Mailers
Boxes
Void Fill Packaging.

I will briefly describe some applications of each type.

Bubblefast

Workshop Host

Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Dec 14, 2005 9:54 AM

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Bubble Cushioning Wrap
There are three sizes of cushioning wrap: ½” large bubbles, 5/16” medium bubbles and 3/16” small bubbles.

The ½” large bubble is good to wrap larger items such as pictures, lamps, etc.

The 3/16” small bubble is good for delicates, such as dishes and collectibles.

I personally do not recommend the 5/16” for anything. It is more expensive than the ½” and is used for the same basic applications.

Bubblefast
Workshop Host

Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Dec 14, 2005 9:54 AM

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Mailers
There are many different types of mailers available for all kinds of applications. Here are some of the most widely used:
A) Bubble-Lined
B) Poly Courier
C) Stay Flats (No Bends)
D) Corrugated

Bubblefast
Workshop Host

Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Dec 14, 2005 9:55 AM

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Bubble-Lined Mailers
Perhaps the most popular mailer is the self-seal bubble-lined mailer. They are lightweight and inexpensive. There are 12 different sizes from 4” x 8” to 14-1/4” x 20.” The 3/16” bubble on the inside provides excellent cushioning for your product.

You can find Kraft paper mailers or poly mailers. The poly (plastic) mailers are water resistant, tear resistant, and lighter in weight than the paper. They typically cost 10-15% more than the paper.

There are mailers for CDs and there are mailers for DVDs. People use the bubble-lined mailers for books, jewelry, sports cards, and just about anything else that will fit.

Bubblefast
Workshop Host

Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Dec 14, 2005 9:55 AM

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Poly Courier Mailers
These mailers are just like the poly bubble-lined mailers except they do not have bubble inside. They are flat and do not provide cushioning. There are 9 sizes that range from 6” x 9” to 24” x 24.” These mailers are very inexpensive and very lightweight. They are perfect for soft goods such as clothing, linen, etc, or anything where cushioning is not needed.

Bubblefast
Workshop Host

Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Dec 14, 2005 9:55 AM

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Stay Flat (No Bend) Mailers
Stay flat mailers are rigid envelopes that are made of chipboard cardboard. Chipboard is just like the cardboard you find in a men’s new shirt package. They are perfect for artwork, photos, postcards, documents or anything else that you do not want bent in the mail. They are flat, so not much will fit in a single mailer.

Bubblefast
Workshop Host

Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Dec 14, 2005 9:56 AM

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Corrugated Mailers
Corrugated mailers are boxes that are typically white on the outside and brown on the inside. The two basic types are book folds and die cut.

The book folds are usually multi-depth. They are flat boxes that fold up and around your product. You then need to seal the top with tape. Typical applications are for books and LPs.

The die cuts are actual boxes with tuck flaps. They are tougher than regular corrugated boxes but are usually more expensive. People use them for shoes, sunglasses, jars, etc. Regular corrugated boxes are harder to find in sizes less than 4” in height. White corrugated boxes are available in smaller sizes.

Bubblefast
Workshop Host

Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Dec 14, 2005 9:56 AM

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Boxes
Boxes come in all shapes and sizes. Typically, you can only find them in bundles of 25. The larger sizes may be available in bundles of 10-15. While the boxes themselves may not be expensive, you may find the cost of shipping the boxes to you to be cost prohibitive. Many people go to their local grocery store, places of employment or family and friends to find free boxes. I think this is a great way to save money! If you ship via Priority Mail, you can get FREE Priority boxes from your local post office or order them on www.USPS.com

Bubblefast
Workshop Host

Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Dec 14, 2005 9:56 AM

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Void Fill Packaging
There are basically four types of void fill packaging: packing peanuts, air pillows, crumbled paper or newsprint and a “best kept” secret product known as PadLocs.

Paper is inexpensive but heavy. I do not recommend using paper.

Bubblefast
Workshop Host

Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Dec 14, 2005 9:57 AM

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Packing Peaunts
Packing peanuts are very popular. They provide cushioning and space filler. However, they are messy and full of static (unless you pay extra for the anti-static kind.) The biggest problem with packing peanuts is that your item can still shift in the box and migrate to the side. Thus, exposure to damage is increased.

Bubblefast
Workshop Host

Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Dec 14, 2005 9:57 AM

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Air Pillows
Air pillows are great as fillers of empty spaces around your product. The misconception is that air pillows are good for cushioning. Also, it is often difficult to find pre-filled air pillows. Blowing up you own air pillows with a straw makes the whole process unworthy of your time.

Bubblefast
Workshop Host

Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Dec 14, 2005 9:57 AM

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Padlocs
PadLocs, by Storopack, are a great combination of both. PadLoc pads are packing peanuts in small plastic bags. They come in three sizes: 12” x 12”, 12” x 18,” and 12” x 24”. Padlocs are great because they lock your product into place. Usually one on top and one on the bottom will do. Padlocs are UPS drop tested. You can read more about Padlocs at the Storopack website by following this link: Link

Bubblefast
Workshop Host

Member Workshop: Packaging and Shipping Basics - December 14th

Dec 14, 2005 9:57 AM

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Would you use Bubblewarap and peanuts. I hear peanuts shift in the shipping?
Cheers Grenda

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