Overwhelmed Newbie, Need Help on Sending Mail from US to UK

[kimmylee]

I use snapfish.co.uk (they have many international sites)

Search Google for large pictures and then upload to snapfish.

I prefer glossy finish but most seem to prefer matte.

They offer free prints to new customers so you could do a few in both to compare

[CrimeofPassion]

I actually found 2 sellers on eBay, one from the US and one from the UK, who have great photos and good reviews, so I just ordered, like, 8 photos of celebrities I'm gonna try for! No reply yet from the user suggested here to buy UK stamps from, so I just submitted an offer for some 1st class stamps on eBay. Trying to get her to go just a few dollars down on the price. Sounds like it might be a safe bet to put at least 3 first class stamps on the return envelope?

Gonna stop by Walmart this week to see what they have for bubble padded mailers and stationary. I have some 8.5 x 11 bubble mailers, I think, but I'll need some slightly larger ones to put those INSIDE, since the smaller ones will be the self-addressed return ones.

[kimmylee]

I actually found 2 sellers on eBay, one from the US and one from the UK, who have great photos and good reviews, so I just ordered, like, 8 photos of celebrities I'm gonna try for! No reply yet from the user suggested here to buy UK stamps from, so I just submitted an offer for some 1st class stamps on eBay. Trying to get her to go just a few dollars down on the price. Sounds like it might be a safe bet to put at least 3 first class stamps on the return envelope?

Gonna stop by Walmart this week to see what they have for bubble padded mailers and stationary. I have some 8.5 x 11 bubble mailers, I think, but I'll need some slightly larger ones to put those INSIDE, since the smaller ones will be the self-addressed return ones.

I would not send bubble mailers- there is no need and it will really jack up the return cost- a bubble mailer will not be allowed to go Airmail letter rate but Airmail small packet which is £3.30.

You could use a board backed envelope for the SASE but it will be weighty = higher cost.

If you're using a normal paper envelope yes then 3x 1st class (worth £0.60 each) will be fine.

There is a price calculator here if you need more help.

[CrimeofPassion]

Hmm. Well, I think I'd definitely put a piece of cardboard in a normal 8.5x11 (or whatever) envelope, since I wouldn't want the photo bent or damaged.

[luckyas13canbe]

Hmm. Well, I think I'd definitely put a piece of cardboard in a normal 8.5x11 (or whatever) envelope, since I wouldn't want the photo bent or damaged.

Yeah, bubble mailers pointless, they don't offer any protection from bending.

[CrimeofPassion]

So do you guys use envelopes like this?

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/3m-sco ... 39-product

[luckyas13canbe]

So do you guys use envelopes like this?

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/3m-sco ... 39-product

I guess some will, but I use board backed envelopes for anything 10x8 or up just to prevent risk of damage. Smaller items (up to 8x6) tend to have less chance of being damaged I find so I just use regular envelopes for cost efficiency.

[CrimeofPassion]

I found some nice, fairly stiff shipping envelopes at Walgreens specifically for shipping photos and documents. They're slightly larger than 8.5 x 11, I believe, and state "do not bend" on the front. I'll then put that inside a more standard 10 x 13 envelope, and I think it should work. Someone correct me if I'm wrong!

[kimmylee]

I found some nice, fairly stiff shipping envelopes at Walgreens specifically for shipping photos and documents. They're slightly larger than 8.5 x 11, I believe, and state "do not bend" on the front. I'll then put that inside a more standard 10 x 13 envelope, and I think it should work. Someone correct me if I'm wrong!

That sounds good. I would recommend weighing the return SASE, converting the weight to grams and checking the Royal Mail price calculator. Up to 20g is £1.28 and up to 40g is £1.88 so if it goes over 20g you'll need another 1st class stamp as you were planning to use 3 I believe?

[CrimeofPassion]

Yeah, but if I have to use another stamp (4) that's fine. I ordered a sheet of 24 or 26 I believe.

I should ask, when you do your SASE, do you put a return address on it?