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sending jersey ttm questions

Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 7:07 pm
by rittdk01
Had a couple of questions about sending a jersey ttm. First its an authentic Tim Riggins Friday Night Lights jersey and is pretty heavy. Should I just put in $10 for Taylor Kitsch to mail it back since I cant put stamps on it?

Second if a jersey is signed and then sent ttm the letters and jersey will get wrinkled. Im thinking I might put it through the wash. I doubt sharpie marker would come off with one washing. Heres photos of the jersey.

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Re: sending jersey ttm questions

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 12:49 am
by ultimateager
i would highly oppose washing it after its signed.

just fold it real nice with cardboard in it... kinda like they do at stores with nice shirts...with the part you want signed facing up. then put a bag around it so it doesn't get wet.

i am pretty sure you can put stamps on it. when you go to the post office have them weigh it so you know how much stamps you should have it. i bet 1 $5 stamp would cover it but otherwise you can buy $1 stamps as well. you should get a plastic shipping bag/envelope to ship it and put an extra in as the SASE. it should work.

Re: sending jersey ttm questions

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 2:58 am
by chriscollector
I do a lot of jerseys TTM. This is what you need to do:
First USPS has implemented a new rule that anything over 13 ounces with stamps MUST be taken to the post office so you can answer the security questions. This poses a problem for the TTM community. Thankfully if you print the label yourself using USPS.com clink-n-ship that rule dosen't apply.

I go to the post office and ask the clerk for a large Priority Mail box, you have to ask because they ONLY display Flat rate boxes in the store.

Inside I use 12x15 or larger bubble mailers. I get a 12 pack from Staples for $14. On this envelope I put the shipping label I print off USPS.com. On the website you enter all of the address information so the player/actor only has to put the jersey in the envelope and seal it shut. Now they can just leave it for the mailman to pick up or drop it off with no questions asked.

The jersey I fold with a piece of cardboard inside so the numbers are facing up. If I want an inscription I just write it on a post-it and stick it right on the jersey (yes it's necessary, I don't care if it's "in the letter" chances are they didn't read the letter). This makes it easy for the star to sign and slip right into the return envelope.

Marker, you should go to your local craft store and buy a Deco or Sharpie maint pen. They come out much nicer on fabric, and this way you get the exact color you want.

There is NO guarantee the person will sign the item, or the secretary, clubbie, etc. dosen't keep it for themself. If you paid $$$ for it I would write first asking if it's ok to send it. Try to contact them directly or through their agent. Big ticket items mor eoften than not have a way of "dissapearing". If it's going to really bother you if it never comes back, do the leg work first to insure the item will actually get to the person.


Postage is typically from 5.75 to 8.25 there and $5.25 to 7.50 back. Have the package weighed so you know exactly what it will cost.

Wrinkles : DO NOT WASH IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is no way to prevent them, only to limit the amount. If you fold it as I mentioned that will help, then just iron it on the lowest possible setting, avoiding the numbers/signed area. That works perfectly fine. Do NOT steam it, the ink can run; the iron does a very good job and it's simple task.

Re: sending jersey ttm questions

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:06 pm
by rittdk01
Thanks guys. Chris Collector that was the best answer to a question I have posted on here lol. The usps information is especially helpful. I have gotten Taylor Kitsch ttm once two yrs ago and I sent a Friday Night Lights cast photo and got back as recently as last week. I would love to get it signed at a convention but thats not possible.

So I buy stickers to print the shipping labels from USPS right? Do they sell them at the post office or at like Walmart or KMart?

Thanks very much I appreciate the input :)

Re: sending jersey ttm questions

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 2:37 am
by chriscollector
Here's the labels, you can look for them wherever you like. I just went to Staples because I know they always have them and I buy a bunch of stuff at once so it's just easier.
http://www.staples.com/Avery-8126-White ... rea=SEARCH

Here is the USPS site where you will print the labels
https://sss-web.usps.com/cns/landing.do

For some reason the USPS store is down right now so I can't link you the Priority boxes I use. I think they are about 13-14 inches long, 8-10 inches wide, and maybe 3 inches deep. Just ask the clerk for large Priority boxes, tell them the long thin ones.

I think that's about all you need to know. It will be much easier than you think. I always shyed away from anything other than photos, but once i started with baseballs I moved to figures, footballs, jerseys, an danything else i can find.

Re: sending jersey ttm questions

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 4:11 pm
by dobie516
Priority mail boxes are really the way to go with jerseys. Every post office will have them, and most time they are right in the lobby so you can look for the right size that you need. {up}

Re: sending jersey ttm questions

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 4:25 pm
by chriscollector
dobie516 wrote:Priority mail boxes are really the way to go with jerseys. Every post office will have them, and most time they are right in the lobby so you can look for the right size that you need. {up}
NO. As I stated above since the emergence of the "Flat Rate" campaign they ONLY display the flat rate stuff in the lobby. They MUST offer the standard priority boxes, but you have to ask for them at the counter.

Re: sending jersey ttm questions

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 7:31 pm
by rittdk01
I got the jersey and it was folded up into a little square in a tiny package. Anyway it was all wrinkled so I threw it in the dryer with some towels for a few minutes and it took the wrinkles out. If it comes back all wrinkled I wouldnt think it would hurt to throw it in the dryer signed for a few minutes again. Anyway thanks for all the help everyone who responded. I will post pictures once I get the jersey back.

Im thinking of getting a Jason Street jersey too and getting it signed at a con since Scott Porter is doing them now. I have a bunch of Colts jerseys and things signed but Friday Night Lights is one of my favorite shows and I think it would look awesome to have a signed jersey collection from the show.

Re: sending jersey ttm questions

Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:50 pm
by rittdk01
One final question. When I print out the labels it asks for a shipping date and it only goes up four days from the day I buy the shipping label. Is there a time limit on how long the label is good for? Since it takes weeks or sometimes more to get stuff back what particular shipping method will work best?