Sending something out in the mail often requires
a lot of advanced preparation. You need to make sure that your prized cookies
get to your father for his birthday on time. You want to be sure an important
document arrives at the right destination. From shipping items you've sold
online to sending out wedding presents, it's all a matter of trusting the mail
service. One way to help the delivery people is to properly prepare your items
for the trip.
The Right Boxes
Before you do anything else, you need to find the
right sized shipping boxes. Your boxes should be large enough to contain the
items you're shipping with a little bit of room to spare. Allow at least an
inch on each side. This will help provide a cushion as the box get moved from
place to place as is in transit. Make sure the boxes can be closed easily. You
don't want to have tie the entire package together with tape.
Filling The Void
Your goal when shipping to create a dense, stable
inner core inside the box. Then, you want to surround the box with a layer or
layers of materials that keep the core in place as the box is shipped.
Fortunately, there are many varied choices when it comes to filling this inner
core area. Certain materials can help make sure the items inside the box don't
shift.
Your Choices
In general, there are three different types of
packing material that most people use to fill in any gaps: bubble roll, peanuts
and packing paper. Each form of filler has pluses and minuses. Bubble roll is a
good choice for items that may be in transit for a long time. It can be reused
and fitted against a package using tape. But if the bubbles get punctured, it
may not work. Peanuts are lightweight and make it easy to cushion things.
However, they can also very messy when putting items in the box and taking them
out. A good alternative for both options is packing paper. Packing paper can be
fitted against any item easily. It's also far less messy than peanuts and
easier to remove once the package arrives.
Other Options
Certain items will need special care as they are
being shipped. If you are shipping delicate items such as crystal or china, for
example, put a fragile sticker on the outside of the box and make sure that
have enough padding inside it to fully protect it. Careful attention to detail
is also important when shipping heavier items such as furniture. You don't want
it to shift or the surface may suffer damage. Make sure they are stabilized so
they don't move. Many experts recommend using heavy boxes with lots of support
on the bottom and lots of packing tape.
Important Documents
If you are shipping a really important document
such as passport, it's best to use the right mailer. You don't want it to get
damaged in transit. In that case, many experts recommend using a heavy mailer.
The mailer has padding that keeps the document flat. It also helps protect it
against the weather. Other good mailing options for important documents include
a mailing tube or a flat cardboard envelop.
