WOW!!! I haven't check this post in a bit. I didn't get an email notification so I went around it. I just checked and I had responses. Thanks for your responses. I am going to go with an envelope and try not to fold the SASE. (if I can find envelopes big enough) We don't have cardboard, but a comic shop who has those little comic bags with a thin piece of cardboard. I am not sure if it is any better than the manilla folders. I will try a few things. Thanks for all of your help and your sending secrets.

:razz:

Hi. I dunno about other people, but I've recieved around fifty autographs, and I've yet to have any trouble with bent photographs - and I use no protection at all. I just write Do Not Bend ALL OVER (usually in pretty fonts & colors for mine and my post-office workers amusement) and I have no trouble. (I have, however, gotten some celebs write 'Do Not Bend' for me on the back from my early days).

I think what you use to protect your photo should really depend on your system and how well you trust it. For instance, I live in a small town and we have to go to the post office to get our mail - the workers either put it in one of the special drop boxes that is extra large and leave the key to that inside your box, or leave a note saying to pick it up in the office (they usually do that so they can see me open it.) My post office workers recognize it as autographs and treat it like gold - but I guess it depends on the OTHER end of where you're mailing as well. Just depends on whether or not you want to invest, I suppose.

I always send a rigid photo mailer for the return envelope and i send it in a slightly larger regular envelope because its worth paying a little more to get it back perfect,you can buy the rigid photo mailers made for pictures and documents for about 50 cents each at wal mart and they also have a tighter better seal on the flap and they open easily without damaging whats inside and already have do not fold or bend printed on them. {up}

This is what I do.....

I have a 9 by 12 inch manilla envelope, I write the celeb address on that envelope. Then I have a self addressed envelope the same size I put return postage on it. I fold that envelope and put it in the envelope to the celeb. I put a piece of card board in the envelope to the celeb. When they open the envelope they always put the card board in the envelope back to me. This method I use works the best for me. Its cheap and easy.

I haven't had any problems yet. [i]try it out.[/i]

Niko.

Here are the scans. Unfortunately I didn't have the 6x9 box anymore as that got tossed, but it basically looks like the 9x12 only in the 6x9 shape. Go figure! :lol: Anyway, when I do get another pack of 6x9's I'll scan that one in too.

9x12's
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j201/RYJALI/Ampad%20Envelopes/9X12_Ampad_Envelopes.jpg

#10
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j201/RYJALI/Ampad%20Envelopes/Number_Ten_Ampad_Envelopes.jpg

RYAN J. 8)

[quote="nednarb3"]Seems like a lot of different options and methods each person uses. I guess I will learn and do a trial and error. Stinks, but oh well. What 9x12 Ampad envelopes are you talking about (Ryan)? Do you mean the ones that have some bubble wrap inside? I didn't see any on their site. I do like the self sealer envelopes though. Those are nice, I will have to get those. Do you guys (gals) prefer to send a 5x7 then? The sports pictures usually are an 8x10, so that's why I went with those for starters. Also, I had them already printed (Photo File) from a seller from eBay. Hope all goes well. They are only going to Chicago, which I am not too far from.[/quote]

I don't use the 9x12 bubble kind, the front of the box says EVIDENCE Ampad Clasp Envelopes - Kraft Paper - Brown - 25 envelopes.

I only send out my 6x9's when I'm requesting a playbill or sending a DVD/VHS Cover. 9x12's I use some of the time, generally when I'm requesting an 8x10 photo. I don't usually send out my own. And the #10's are my most used ones for my 4x6's.

Hope this is what you were looking for. {thumb2} I'll scan the boxes in so you can see what they at least look like. Maybe that would help you better. {thumb2}

RYAN J. 8)

hey i use a 9by 12 yellow envlope

Seems like a lot of different options and methods each person uses. I guess I will learn and do a trial and error. Stinks, but oh well. What 9x12 Ampad envelopes are you talking about (Ryan)? Do you mean the ones that have some bubble wrap inside? I didn't see any on their site. I do like the self sealer envelopes though. Those are nice, I will have to get those. Do you guys (gals) prefer to send a 5x7 then? The sports pictures usually are an 8x10, so that's why I went with those for starters. Also, I had them already printed (Photo File) from a seller from eBay. Hope all goes well. They are only going to Chicago, which I am not too far from.

I only included a piece of cardboard with a few early requests, but haven't since. All I do is write "Photo - Please Do Not Bend" on the envelope. I haven't recieved a damaged photo yet. The postman is very good with my mail and my mail box is very large. {up}

Khackdrums :D

I use a 9X12 SASE and put it in a 10X13 envelope (it fits perfectly inside without having to fold the SASE). I also take file folders and cut them in half and put one half in the 9X12. Also you could write "DO NOT BEND" and "PHOTOS" on your SASE. Good luck! {thumb2}
~Annie