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fromuk2014 wrote:Hi all, I'm new here, though I have been viewing the forum for a while.

I've been reading and reading, and then reading some more, and though various questions may be answered, I wonder if anybody else from the UK would be able to help.

I'm mainly interested in knowing the exact details of how you package your photos before sending them, what you include and how you arrange it all in the envelope.

I understand to write a letter, add a photo or two, does the size of the photo matter so much, I know it could be damaged so I was thinking 12'' x 8'' or 10'' x 8'' or should it be smaller?
>>>Photo size is up to you, I use 7x5 a lot, cheaper to post each way, cheaper to print.

Where is the best place to print out the image(s) you want to send for quality and price?
>>>hunt about online, snapfish, aldi, loads. depends on size and quantity for best deal. in store printing will either be poor quality or cost more to get them.

When sending over seas, what is the best way to obtain the correct postage needed to include with your return envelope?
>>>buy stamps for that country, or use paper currency to hide in package.

I have read the important threads at the top of each section, but some photos maybe missing or removed and certain details may have changed since they were created.

When sending a photo, I would assume to send a 10'' x 8'' photo in an A4 sized card backed envelope, this may be a silly question, how would you go about including a return envelope as you wouldn't want the photo to bend on return?
>> I'd send it inside the cardback, which would then be packed inside a larger normal envelope, folded around it and taped in place so it's tight and as small as possible.

Is it as simple as sending the A4 sized envelope in a larger envelope or are there other methods?
>> as per above, yes.

As an extension of that, can you get envelopes that are slightly bigger than A4 and not huge like A3?
>>Ryman do heavy duty ones just above a4 size, costing around a fiver for fifteen. For 7x5 photos i really want to protect, i use a c5 board back inside an a4 envelope, taped in place. a lot of the time I just use regular envelopes and hope for the best, 9/10 its fine. i never use board backs abroad, far too costly.


Anyone who is willing to share some useful information for a fellow collector, thank you.

insertnamehere wrote:Just saw this....

fromuk2014 wrote:Hi all, I'm new here, though I have been viewing the forum for a while.

I've been reading and reading, and then reading some more, and though various questions may be answered, I wonder if anybody else from the UK would be able to help.

I'm mainly interested in knowing the exact details of how you package your photos before sending them, what you include and how you arrange it all in the envelope.

I understand to write a letter, add a photo or two, does the size of the photo matter so much, I know it could be damaged so I was thinking 12'' x 8'' or 10'' x 8'' or should it be smaller?
>>>Photo size is up to you, I use 7x5 a lot, cheaper to post each way, cheaper to print.

Where is the best place to print out the image(s) you want to send for quality and price?
>>>hunt about online, snapfish, aldi, loads. depends on size and quantity for best deal. in store printing will either be poor quality or cost more to get them.

When sending over seas, what is the best way to obtain the correct postage needed to include with your return envelope?
>>>buy stamps for that country, or use paper currency to hide in package.

I have read the important threads at the top of each section, but some photos maybe missing or removed and certain details may have changed since they were created.

When sending a photo, I would assume to send a 10'' x 8'' photo in an A4 sized card backed envelope, this may be a silly question, how would you go about including a return envelope as you wouldn't want the photo to bend on return?
>> I'd send it inside the cardback, which would then be packed inside a larger normal envelope, folded around it and taped in place so it's tight and as small as possible.

Is it as simple as sending the A4 sized envelope in a larger envelope or are there other methods?
>> as per above, yes.

As an extension of that, can you get envelopes that are slightly bigger than A4 and not huge like A3?
>>Ryman do heavy duty ones just above a4 size, costing around a fiver for fifteen. For 7x5 photos i really want to protect, i use a c5 board back inside an a4 envelope, taped in place. a lot of the time I just use regular envelopes and hope for the best, 9/10 its fine. i never use board backs abroad, far too costly.


Anyone who is willing to share some useful information for a fellow collector, thank you.

>>>hope that all helps a bit.

fromuk2014 wrote:

insertnamehere wrote:Just saw this....

fromuk2014 wrote:Hi all, I'm new here, though I have been viewing the forum for a while.

I've been reading and reading, and then reading some more, and though various questions may be answered, I wonder if anybody else from the UK would be able to help.

I'm mainly interested in knowing the exact details of how you package your photos before sending them, what you include and how you arrange it all in the envelope.

I understand to write a letter, add a photo or two, does the size of the photo matter so much, I know it could be damaged so I was thinking 12'' x 8'' or 10'' x 8'' or should it be smaller?
>>>Photo size is up to you, I use 7x5 a lot, cheaper to post each way, cheaper to print.

Where is the best place to print out the image(s) you want to send for quality and price?
>>>hunt about online, snapfish, aldi, loads. depends on size and quantity for best deal. in store printing will either be poor quality or cost more to get them.

When sending over seas, what is the best way to obtain the correct postage needed to include with your return envelope?
>>>buy stamps for that country, or use paper currency to hide in package.

I have read the important threads at the top of each section, but some photos maybe missing or removed and certain details may have changed since they were created.

When sending a photo, I would assume to send a 10'' x 8'' photo in an A4 sized card backed envelope, this may be a silly question, how would you go about including a return envelope as you wouldn't want the photo to bend on return?
>> I'd send it inside the cardback, which would then be packed inside a larger normal envelope, folded around it and taped in place so it's tight and as small as possible.

Is it as simple as sending the A4 sized envelope in a larger envelope or are there other methods?
>> as per above, yes.

As an extension of that, can you get envelopes that are slightly bigger than A4 and not huge like A3?
>>Ryman do heavy duty ones just above a4 size, costing around a fiver for fifteen. For 7x5 photos i really want to protect, i use a c5 board back inside an a4 envelope, taped in place. a lot of the time I just use regular envelopes and hope for the best, 9/10 its fine. i never use board backs abroad, far too costly.


Anyone who is willing to share some useful information for a fellow collector, thank you.

>>>hope that all helps a bit.

Thank you greatly for the response, I didn't think anyone was viewing this section.

- Somebody recommended dscolourlabs.co.uk to me, I believe the price per 10 x 8 or 12 x 8 is around 84p to 99p, do you think this is a good price?
>>>aldiphoto are cheaper than that, though they can occasionally mess up in terms of cropping pics or in terms of delivery, they'll always accept returns etc though.

- I have looked around quite a lot and found that you're not able to buy US stamps in the UK, and looking through google results does not get many good answers, do you have any recommendations for where to buy them?
see below.

- I had looked via eBay but not certain on what I should be looking for since many collectors sell stamps and I am just looking for general use.
if you buy via ebay you have to take the hit and accept they are looking to make a profit, as anyone does by selling there. no one will sell at cost price when there are fees going off it at the end etc.

- An idea struck me that it may be a good idea to use mailing bags to use for an outer packaging on a hard backed A4 evelope, which should be lighter in weight than a bubble envelope and cheaper, does this sound a good idea?
in theory yes, nothing wrong with that, depending on costing of course.

- I assume it would be costly abroad but if I were to take the time and effort of obtaining the envelopes, mailing bags and printed photos, I would possibly stretch a little further and spend the money to mail abroad, perhaps this may change between who I am sending to in future though.

Thank you again for replying insertnamehere, I didn't think anybody would take the time, and of course anyone else who would like to add some knowledge is welcome to do so.

fromuk2014 wrote:I thought I would ask a local print/photography store today what the price was for a single 12 x 8 piece and was quoted £5.00 for one, it appears dscolourlabs.co.uk will charge 50p per 12 x 8 print so this was shocking.

I'm sure dscolourlabs will charge a delivery fee and even with that it shouldn't come close to what I have been quoted in store.

insertnamehere wrote:

fromuk2014 wrote:I thought I would ask a local print/photography store today what the price was for a single 12 x 8 piece and was quoted £5.00 for one, it appears dscolourlabs.co.uk will charge 50p per 12 x 8 print so this was shocking.

I'm sure dscolourlabs will charge a delivery fee and even with that it shouldn't come close to what I have been quoted in store.

Shops always charge more, that's just the way of it. More overheads etc. You can expect to pay 70p in Boots for a 6x4 instant print.

fromuk2014 wrote:

insertnamehere wrote:

fromuk2014 wrote:I thought I would ask a local print/photography store today what the price was for a single 12 x 8 piece and was quoted £5.00 for one, it appears dscolourlabs.co.uk will charge 50p per 12 x 8 print so this was shocking.

I'm sure dscolourlabs will charge a delivery fee and even with that it shouldn't come close to what I have been quoted in store.

Shops always charge more, that's just the way of it. More overheads etc. You can expect to pay 70p in Boots for a 6x4 instant print.

I think I must have come up with the ideal source at dscolourlabs, they do charge £3.99 shipping but it should even out so long as several prints are ordered at once.

I have just finished working out everything too, for the neatest setup I could think of, of course your opinion would be appreciated.

£3.50 - 4 Global Forever Rate Stamps to cover 110g
£0.30 - 1 Card Backed Envelope
£1.50 - 3x 12'' x 8'' Photos
£0.09 - 1 Plastic Mailing Bag
£4.75 - Shipping to US

Total = £10.14 (If I have that correct)

This is a rough estimate of sending one letter, works out expensive but if successful it should be worth every penny.

insertnamehere wrote:Aldiphotos.co.uk will do those photos a bit cheaper. I'd also consider downsizing the photo size, it will still bring results, but half your prices across the board and let you write to some more people.

fromuk2014 wrote:

insertnamehere wrote:Aldiphotos.co.uk will do those photos a bit cheaper. I'd also consider downsizing the photo size, it will still bring results, but half your prices across the board and let you write to some more people.

Thanks, I'll look in to aldiphotos.

I can understand that, and had considered 10 x 8, but would not send higher than 12 x 8, and of course not know if you will get success, but I am willing to try a few select celebrities per month.