Because one of the most common complaints on the site is that books arrive damaged or wet (or both) owing to being inadequately wrapped, I thought it might be a good idea to post some basic guidelines on how to wrap books adequately to protect them in transit. 

Jiffy bags are obviously one of the best options, as they're padded and have a waterproof liner.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with re-using old jiffies - we're all for recycling! - but do make sure you use plenty of tape to seal the flap, and tape up any holes that have appeared in the outer layer of the bag.

However, the thickness of the jiffy can mean a slim book has to go at the more expensive Packet rate rather than as a Large Letter (if it's more than 2.5cm thick), so often people prefer to use thinner wrappings.

In these cases, a plastic mailbag is perfect - these can be bought very cheaply on ebay, in a wide variety of sizes. 

Brown paper is also fine, but PLEASE remember that this isn't waterproof and doesn't offer a lot of protection when the book is tossed around in the RM sorting office.  So if you use paper, make sure it's relatively thick, and always use a waterproof wrapping round the book itself - a carrier bag, clingfilm, sandwich bag etc will all do the trick. 

Also, it's a very good idea to use lots of tape (preferably parcel tape) around the edges of the parcel to protect the ends and spine of the book.

Envelopes can also be used, but only if they're thick and strong and secured tightly round the book (again using lots of tape) so the book can't move around inside and so the envelope doesn't tear. 

Finally, if you're printing your own postage, remember to tape the label securely to the parcel, and a piece of sellotape over the address itself is a good idea to stop the ink running in the rain.  And it's always wise to put some form of return address on your parcel so it can be sent back to you in the event of non-delivery - it doesn't have to be your full details, just a name and/or house number and (most importantly) the postcode is enough. 

 

There is a thread listing links to useful packaging sites in the Hints & Tips section of the forum. 

That's a really useful guideline Penny!  Sure it will help to reduce some of the battered books that have occured lately!

Nat

natsplatt:

That's a really useful guideline Penny!  Sure it will help to reduce some of the battered books that have occured lately!

Nat

Yeah i second that penny and nat, i have received about 10 books with package/book damge this month where books have been able to rattle around in brown envelopes,  It has been mostly new members mind, so i know this will help them, i brought a load of the plastic mail bags of ebay, they seem to be working quite well, as i have not had any complaint of other members.

One thing i have started doing though in the last couple of days, i cut the corners of all my envelopes now and stick them on the book corners, and have just started halving a a4 sheet and putting that over the page edges for extra protection as well 

I keep meaning to do that with the envelopes too and keep forgetting,

 I bought a load of Jiffy bags off ebay, but got confudsed with the sizing, and they're a little large, so I end up folding them in half around the book, which is good in terms of giving extra padding, but not good for going as a large letter!! Think next time I will get the mailing bags though, they seem better in terms of slimlining the packages!

Nat

Hi I am new on here, but have been a keen ebayer and when i used to send books instead of buying the plastic mailing sacks, i get the royal mail special delivery ones for free and turn them inside out. Helps save a few pennies

I'm new here as well but I have bought and sold lots of books on ebay and I'm not keen on excessive plastic packaging. I have never had a problem sending or recieving paperbacks in brown or white recycled envelopes so long as they are taped to prevent the book moving and breaking the envelope.  I suggest jiffy bags or bubblewrap are only necessary as a precaution for valuable books or hardbacks (not usually found here as far as I can tell).  If there was some minor transit damage to a book it really wouldn't bother me as much as adding to all the non-biodegradeable plastic swilling around the world. Call me an ecogeek but.....

Hi, I joined a couple of days ago..... Very exciting as am an avid reader in both English and French. Anyway, reason I'm replying is to ask you - do you just ask for the special delivery bags at the post office - if not - where can I get some? Thanks in advance. Avers1

simon55:

Call me an ecogeek but.....

Hello!  Won't call you a geek of any kind, but whilst I am with you on the plastic scenario, some members on here do not have limitless money to spend on postage, so anything that makes a wrapped book thinner (so that it goes through the slot at the post office) or lighter (to try and keep postage costs down) is all to the good.

I recycle lots of things, including jiffy bags, but have found it is easy to recycle the plastic ones also.  Sellotape can be peeled off, address labels can be stuck on top of other labels etc etc. 

Also, as you mooch around the forums you will probably see that books can get badly damaged on wet days if they are only wrapped in recycled paper envelopes.  And of course you still have to use parcel or sellotape to seal them and that bit isn't recyclable.  Anyway, welcome, enjoy swapping, and here's to recycling!

 

I've been sending mine in the plastic bag that the saturday & sunday papers come in & then wrap the book in wallpaper (but turned plain side out). Wallpaper is a heck of a lot stronger than brown parcel paper & it's a good way of using up left over rolls... 

I also brown tape around the edges for extra protection. Saves excessive use of plastic as it's re-using those magazine wrappers too. (& if anyone has had a book from me, I would like to state that someone gave me that roll to use up....it's not a colour I'd stick on my walls!)      Also helps more books fall into the large letter category!

Hi everyone,

I've just sent off my first swap book and am now a bit worried after reading this thread. I wrapped it in bubble wrap and then  with a couple of inside out carrier bags and then tightly taped it up. Will my swapee be expecting a jiffy or a mail bag? I'd hate to annoy someone on my first swap.

 

Fabulous site btw - am so glad it was recommended to me :D

whoopidoo:

Hi everyone,

I've just sent off my first swap book and am now a bit worried after reading this thread. I wrapped it in bubble wrap and then  with a couple of inside out carrier bags and then tightly taped it up. Will my swapee be expecting a jiffy or a mail bag? I'd hate to annoy someone on my first swap.

 

Fabulous site btw - am so glad it was recommended to me :D

They'll be expecting a book!  As long as it's packaged tightly, that's fine.

Happy swapping!

Thanks :)

 I just really re-use what i've been sent books in, or from other post i've recieved, i'm with the recycling end though, and I do sometimes just use brown paper (and i've never had any complaints), i'd hate to use plastic un-neededly! i don't use carrier bags anymore so that's eliminated them :)! my books are always sent in a safe and good condition too :) i've recieved books in just brown paper and they haven't ended up damaged!

I always reuse jiffy bags that I'm sent but if I have none or the book is slim and I want to send it large letter then I use some clingfilm round the book and brown paper.

I think swapping books is good recycling.

princessjeyda:

 I just really re-use what i've been sent books in, or from other post i've recieved, i'm with the recycling end though, and I do sometimes just use brown paper (and i've never had any complaints), i'd hate to use plastic un-neededly! i don't use carrier bags anymore so that's eliminated them :)! my books are always sent in a safe and good condition too :) i've recieved books in just brown paper and they haven't ended up damaged!

This seems to depend entirely on your postie and of course the weather when the parcel is delivered.  If it's pouring with rain, and unless your postie drives round in his van (as ours does), there's a high risk of the parcel getting pretty wet.  There's also a small risk of the parcel being dropped and so getting even wetter.  And some posties leave parcels by the front door or somewhere if the person is out, so again they may get soaked.  For these reasons, even if you've been lucky enough never to receive a damaged parcel yourself, it really is a good idea to use some sort of waterproof wrapping in case the book is delivered somewhere where conditions are less favourable.  There have been countless complaints on here from disappointed swappers who've received soggy and damaged books that were wrapped in just paper.