How You Can Properly Pack and Prepare a Book for Shipping
If you have a business which is engaged in the shipping of books, whether they’re rare finds or contemporary books, there is a correct way to prepare and pack a book for shipping. Knowing the proper way to prepare a book for shipping can save you a lot of time and effort, not to mention expense, particularly if you are shipping to another country across the globe. So, what’s the best thing you can do to prepare and pack books for shipping? Let’s find out.
apple on books photo/ Michael Jarmoluk via pixabay.com
What you need in packaging materials
The packaging materials and packaging supplies you need will depend on the kind of book you are planning to send, although some standard materials will include scissors and tape, bubble wrap, boxes, and packing chips (or peanuts). Experts in packaging supplies in London such as UK Packaging have a more extensive range of packaging supplies which you may also need, such as postal bags, parcel labels, and more. It’s best for you to have whatever you think you need ahead of time (before you start packing) so that you don’t have to look for the material later on. This will help you save time.
How to pack books according to type
The way you pack the book will be according to its type. For example, if you are packing a paperback book, you will merely need a padded envelope where you can place the book. The padded envelope will protect the book from damage, and since the envelope is small, it can easily fit into a letterbox as well.
If you are planning to send a hardback or hard-cover book, it will often come with a dust jacket, so a simple padded envelope may not be a good choice as it can rip or tear the book’s dust jacket. For hard-back or hard-cover books, it may be best to use an envelope which can open at the side. This way, you can easily slip the hard-cover book into the envelope and not have to worry about damage to the book. Alternatively, you can use an even stronger and sturdier self-sealing mailing box.
If you are planning to send a large book (such as a textbook, cooking book, or reference book), it’s best to find a cardboard box which can comfortably accommodate the book (such as the mailing boxes mentioned above). If you can, find a box that will be just the right fit for the book, as a bigger box may result in higher shipping costs.
Other important tips
If your book doesn’t fit into the box you have (if the box is too large, for instance), then just wrap it in packaging paper to make sure that the book’s pages are not ripped, or bent, and the book itself does not open when it is being shipped. But make sure as well to fill the box with enough packing paper or packing peanuts so that the book will not move around during transport. For this, place the book at the bottom of the box and fill the box up to the top with packing paper or peanuts.
Author: Joana Green
