How to post trading cards safely
Buying and selling. . 1 min read.
A card that arrives bent is a refund, a negative mark and a card worth less than it was. Packing properly costs pennies and takes a minute.
The layers
- Penny sleeve, so nothing touches the card surface.
- Top loader or semi-rigid holder.
- Team bag or tape the top loader shut sideways, so the card cannot slide out in transit.
- Sandwich between two pieces of stiff card, taped so they cannot separate.
- Bubble mailer, or a plain envelope marked do not bend for low value cards.
Never tape directly across the opening of a top loader onto itself in a way that requires force to open. The commonest damage of all is done by the recipient, cutting into the card while opening it.
Choosing a service
- Low value. Large letter, which is where the flat packing matters, because anything thicker moves it into a more expensive class.
- Mid value. Tracked, so there is a record and a claim route.
- High value. Tracked and signed with adequate compensation cover. Check the cover limit rather than assuming it.
Declared value and compensation
Standard compensation is capped and often far below what a good card is worth. If the card is worth more than the cap, either pay for higher cover or accept the risk deliberately rather than by accident.
Common questions
- Can I send a card as a large letter?
- Usually yes if the total thickness stays within the limit, which a sleeved card in a top loader between two card stiffeners generally does. Measure rather than assume; the surcharge for getting it wrong falls on the recipient.