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I am worried that even though I wrote "Photos...Do Not Bend" on both envelopes, some of the photos will most likely get bent. I have been looking around and the only thing I have seen as far as shipping packaging are rigid envelopes that cost around $1-$2 each (cant reuse). I have also looked for precut (Im lazy!) cardboard that I could just insert. The most likely option might be to spend the money for some rigid toploaders. http://www.iconusa3.com/online/8x10_toploader.html

Before I spend money, does anyone have any cheaper alternatives?

Thanks,
Glen

Hi Glen

Welcome to the forum!

I normally send out smaller (6x4) photos and I find that they don't really get bent at all because of its size.

However, I assume you'll be sending larger 8x10 photos. Apart from writing Photos...Do Not Bend on the envelopes I would suggest the cheapest option would be to just include a piece of cardboard in your envelope. It doesn't have to be anything special - if you put in a bit of effort you could probably find the necessary cardboard in and around the home.

My suggestion would be to cut up some old cereal boxes (they work particularly well), exercise book covers or other similar cardboard to fit the size of your envelope. This way you won't have to spend much money at all, and your photos won't be bent. Plus, if you do receive a success back you can reuse the card for another request

Good luck!

nowandagain [rockon]

hey,

yes you should use cardboard and write "do not bend" on your envelopes. Hopefully this will work for you.

My pictures rarely get bent, & I dont send cardboard or write on the envelope.

i never write "do not bend" on my envelopes, but always when they come back, there's a stamp "do not bend"

I just bought 60 8 3/4"x 10 1/2" Cardboard Photo Mailer Sleeves on ebay. They ended up being expensive due to shipping ($.33 each) however with the exception to the ones that dont get returned, they are reusable.

Thanks for the help
Glen

I go to my local comic book store to buy the cardboard they put in the bag with the comic book (10 cents each). I always include a cardboard with my envelope. Doesn't effect the price of the stamp either. and I write to not bend on the envelope.

Danny wrote:I go to my local comic book store to buy the cardboard they put in the bag with the comic book (10 cents each). I always include a cardboard with my envelope. Doesn't effect the price of the stamp either. and I write to not bend on the envelope.

I get those from my mom's work (she doesn't work at the comic book store) she works at a hospital and when she gets her orders of documents (forms and stuff) they all have cardboard backing so the documents don't get bent. So if you know someone who works in a hospital... or even an office building... you could ask them to save you the cardboard that comes with the documents.
Another thing you could do is buy folders when they are on sale. I cut them in half (down the middle) and put them in the envelope... it is great because then there is a little sleeve for your photos.

Nicole

dgangel wrote:hey,

yes you should use cardboard and write "do not bend" on your envelopes. Hopefully this will work for you.

My pictures rarely get bent, & I dont send cardboard or write on the envelope.

Ditto. I also write Do Not Bend on my envelopes & I also don't use cardboard & my pictures rarely get bent, it just depends on what person is handling your envelopes.

I agree with nowandagain that using 6x4 photos will decrease your chances of getting things bent.

I put Do Not Bend on all my stuff, but it doesn't really mean anything to the Post Office. If something says Do Not Bend, they will still bend/crease it to get it into your mailbox.

Your best bet is to incude some form of cardboard with it, although that may not always stop them from bending it, it should help significantly

luckily my mailman knows that I get autographs in the mail, so he usally puts the envelope in my doorway, or on my mailbox