Book Mailers or B-Flute, How to Package Books for Shipping
Please, no more cheap Book Mailers
What are your odds of being content with the packaging of a book that you’ve ordered online?
My odds of being pleased after opening a package seem to running around fifty percent. Can you imagine that? About half the books I order either show up with bumped corners or worse. Many of them are thrown in a simple bubble wrap envelop with no receipt, no protection from water leakage and zero protection from being tossed about during transport. Book Mailers are not much better; the books often end up wet and/or bumped. I worry that many of these sellers are giving online book buying a bad name. I imagine some sellers (I won’t call these folks dealers just yet) are just too lazy to be bothered to work like a professional but there are probably many that would love to better protect books but don’t really know the right methods, after all even Amazon uses simple book mailers.
I would love to see every seller use this system. I have sent out thousands of books this way and have had zero returns, zero complaints or negative feedback and not one phone call or email to complain about damage. In fact I’ll show you some of my Amazon comments, not to toot my own horn but to show how customers feel about receiving a well packaged book.
5 out of 5: “The book arrived beautifully packed and in pristine condition…. I would highly recommend this seller.”
Date: 1/29/2008 Rated by Buyer: Margaret S.
5 out of 5: “…. Accurate description, well-packaged, no problems. Would recommend to a friend.”
Date: 1/29/2008 Rated by Buyer: Carol S.
5 out of 5: “Book arrived today in good time, excellent packaging and as described. Can’t ask for more…”
Date: 1/18/2008 Rated by Buyer: 1byte2few
5 out of 5: “As described, well packaged, timely delivery, excellent vendor”
Date: 12/28/2007 Rated by Buyer: Paul D.
5 out of 5: “The book is in good condition, arrived promptly and was well packaged – thanks!”
Date: 10/30/2007 Rated by Buyer: Carolyn D.
Did I mention that the method I use will cost you less than using bubble wrap envelopes, in fact about fifty percent less. My average cost for one book is about $0.35. The method is known as B-Flute packaging system for books. From the start I want to mention one situation where you should not be using this method. The reason this works well is that it squeezes the book snug inside the package so that there is no movement inside. Any book that can move inside a package is at risk of being damaged. Some older and/or antiquarian books have softer corners and at times can have the corners bent a bit while using B-Flute. To be frank, if a buyer is giving you $100.00 + for a book you should not be shipping it in a thirty five cent box. Go out of you way and package expensive books the way they deserve, in a fine box (or even a book mailer but with some extras) with plenty of interior extras to eliminate the chance of movement inside the box. Most sellers however are moving more moderately priced stock; this method will help them to look more professional, help the books arrive safely and keep your customers happy.
Follow me step by step as I pack a book for shipping.
Here is what’s needed for packing your books:
- B-Flute or C-Flute rolls of corrugated cardboard. We use 12 inch and 18 inch rolls – this will cover most sizes of books.
- Heavy duty stapler with 3/8” staples
- A tape gun and ultra-clear packaging tape
- A clamp
- Plastic food wrap
- A cutting board.
- Scissors
These items should all be easily found at a local office supply shop like Staples except for the B-Flute. Finding the B or C Flute (cardboard rolls) should be easy enough as well. Simply look for “Corrugated” at yellowpages.com or “Packing – Packaging Materials” in your local business directory.
Here is how to package your books for shipping:
Place your receipt and Thank You note on your book and wrap in the clear plastic food wrap. I purchase mine at Costco.
Measure how much cardboard you require by wrapping the book so that there are two layers all the way around and cut along the gutter.
Wrap the book snugly and clamp it.
Tape the seem with about an inch of tape folding inside the package.
Staple the ends of the book package. [after some great comments from the Amazon seller's forum I realized that I forgot to mention that on occasion a staple can have a sharp end pop up. This can be a nuisance if not down right dangerous to a postal worker. Please gently run your hand over the stapled edges and if you feel anything sharp remove it and re-staple. Thanks guys]
Cut your shipping label (we always use a cutting board to give it a sharp edge) and tape to the front. This is where you’ll be happy that you have ultra clear, high quality packing tape. The label will be very clear and sharp looking. If you buy in bulk the tape should be relatively inexpensive.
There you go.
Due to the strengthening effect of the pinched cardboard the corners of the book package are very strong. We have tested this by tossing the package around a fair bit and have never seen corners get bumped. It is a very safe way to pack your books using inexpensive packaging materials. Corrugated Mailing Boxes - Better than a Book Mailer
This should not only be as good a system as I was using (bubble wrap plus bubble mailer envelope) but MUCH more cost effective. All of a sudden as I’m transitioning from refurbishing and reselling books from library sales to building my inventory and shipping several times a week, I’ve realized the time and mainly the EXPENCE of packaging materials. This should REALLY help with that and still provide proper care for my books. THANKS!
Many people use manilla envelopes which often become torn during transit. I have used paper grocery bags wrapped in a similar fashion around the book but those packages can unwrap even with good tape. Bubble mailers are a good solution because they include the plastic water-resistant layer but they might be more costly to purchase including in bulk than this solution.
My question is: do the staples and cardboard add extra weight to each package and thereby increase shipping costs?
I have weighed paper packaging versus bubble mailers on a post office scale and the bubble mailer is the lighter package material — often making the difference between one lb. or over on media mail shipping rates.
Hi Louis – not much difference I find – but much stronger. It’s really hard to damage a book wrapped like this. I’ve done some pretty good testing.
[...] can find out more about B-flute packing here and stamps.com [...]
[...] wrote a pretty extensive article on corrugated mailers in another post, complete with instructions and images. I’m sure you’ll find the process quite easy to [...]
This is great! I can pack these as quickly as my old method (bubble wrap + manila envelope) WAY cheaper and I am much more confident about the protection afforded the book. It took a little practice, but after a few books I had the hang of it.
I used to use this method. My only comment would be to ditch the stapler. I originally used a stapler (and yes it was heavy duty) but found it to be a PITA to use. Instead I just used tape. Same results-just faster (I used this method for about 4 years-that equates to about 9,000 packages without a complaint). FYI: I currently use the Multi-D (more expensive but faster). I got rid of bubble mailers once I started using B-Flute (they’re OK for cheap books). I figure with an average price per book a bit over $35.00 I can afford to ship books in better packaging.
This is a great way to ship books. I cannot disagree with you there but what if you have dozens if not hundreds of books to send every day? This method is not going to work at all. I’ve used simple bubble mailers since I started selling books online and have never had one complaint about packaging and still maintain my 99% feedback rating on Amazon.
I was wondering if you’d considered using an adhesive faced b-flute material? Seems to me it would save the stapling process if you could just press the ends together… Thoughts?
Thanks to all for good comments, an amalgamation of which launched our small book selling venture. Some observations:
- William S. is right — my post office likes me better with tape over the stapled ends
- buy the right size staples for less tearing and jamming of the stapler. 3/8 inch goes well through 2-3 layers of flute
- plastic bags are cheap at Walmart
- for really big art books — pack well first in bubble pack then use b-flute to wrap like a gift package (instead of stapling the ends). Tape well. Yes, it works.
- befriend the post office people at the counter, and they will help point out savings -e.g flat rate boxes for 20 lbs. of books
Good luck! The more of us selling, packaging and reselling used books successfully, the better market for everyone.
This was the best article I have ever found on shipping books. I am a gentle reader of my books…they still look brand new after I read them. I stopped selling them online because the cost to package/ship was not worth it any longer. I felt that if I couldn’t ship them and have the receiptent receive them in the condition I sold them as or would want to receive them if it was me, it wasn’t worth it anymore.
I live in Phx, AZ so finding the B Flute should be easy. You have given me something to be excited about…selling my books again.
Any ideas on shipping magazines or would you suggest this method as well?
Regards,
Tina
Hi Tina – thanks for coming by. You could ship magazines the same way just cut out a second piece of the b-flute and lie it on the magazine in the opposite direction of the outer wrap to give it a little extra rigidity. Thanks a lot for the kind words. I’ve been shipping books this way for 5 years, probably over 5000 books and have had 0 complaints about condition, 0 returns. It works.
in wrapping the books to be delivered really have to be assured that it won’t mess.
wrapping it with plastic before it is being wrapped with the cardboard will be a double protection in case it would be exposed in the rain.
Nice tips!…
Great ideas! I’ve been trying to find a way to stop the packaging from eating into my profit.
Packing, you mentioned that USPS will provide an envelope with Media mail. I thought so, too…but when I asked the postal worker she said that they don’t do it – only for Priority and up. Is there some special way you need to ask to get a mailer provided to you from the Post Office?
Every little helps! Thanks again for a great article.
Why would you pack books? Just use usps media mail option and they will provide you with secure envelope.
Simple – it is less than half the cost and is more secure for the books – corners never get bumped using this method.
The only way you can use USPS’s shipping material for media mail is to do it illegally! Some online booksellers put the boxes inside out or wrap brown paper around it to conceal the fact that it’s actually a PRIORITY mail box. Do not use USPS’s materials with a media mail package.
The only problem I had was finding a stapler that worked. I took a wrapped book to Office Depot and tried a variety of different staplers. Some didn’t staple all the way through or didn’t curl over properly. Mostly, the stapling tore the B-flute. I ended up using a hot glue gun instead. A glue gun is cheaper, but the glue sticks cost more than staples. If you use glue, all the B-flute layers need to glued shut at the ends. I also suggest buying two clamps so that the package ends can be held closed until the glue dries.
Very good insights on the packaging issue. Being a college student I have noticed so much terrible packaging when receiving textbooks its crazy! (and their expensive!) I have received packages in B-Flute and it keeps the book snug in there and well protected.
I have written about this issue and others on my on blog at booksellertalk.blogspot.com come check it out!
Clear food wrap? Not the exact material I’d use before packaging my books. As Al Navis has already said, bubble wrap is definitely the way to go as it gives added protection to your books.
It is ironic that there is so much thought put into the packaging of books from small-based sellers, but the massive chains majority of their books of a below-par and battered quality, often damaged, watermarked or bent.Considering they would have more money to pay for shipping and careful protection of books, they just find more ways to cut on cost.
Great ideas. Another way to go that is quick to wrap and more protective than a mailer is the cardboard folding package. These wrap around the book and secure with a piece of tape. I guess you could make your own but you can get one that will fit a hardcover novel for about $.25 (plus shipping). You can wrap a book tight, or put in a little padding at the ends of the book, and the book is as secure as the above systems.
Ray
This is an effective method but holy smokes, no one mentioned the TIME it takes to ship this way. If you’re only shipping a few books, then this is not a problem but if you ship lots of books every day, it will eat a large chunk of time as opposed to using bubble envelopes.
I myself have tried several different types of packaging and bubble mailers seem to be the most effective. We have similar feedback to the seller listed above too.
I will continue my search. If you can get a method where it takes 30 seconds to package a book, let me know.
Duncan
This is a great system. I also sell books on Amaxon part time and have tried a few different book packaging systems. Book Mailers worked pretty well but where I live they were bit expensive. I switched to b-flute and went from about $1.50 a book in packaging materials to about .35. It really adds up. No more Mailers for me.
Thank You for the tips. My boxes are getting too expensive especially since most sizes I order are coming from 500 miles away and I must pay shipping.
Has anyone tried a hot glue gun for sealing instead of staples?
Thanks for the comments everybody.
Naima – I haven’t had a chance to use it self adhesive b-flute. Just wondering what the difference in price might be. The next time I put an order in with my cardboard distributor I’ll ask about pricing and see if he might throw in a roll for me to try out.
What do u think of self adhesive b flute?
Its always about using the right material keeping in mind how it is going to be handled lately. Packaging industry is too mature to overcome minor issues but its about the cost which forces the manufacturers to take ill designed packaging into consideration.
Harry Bradman
http://www.abc-packaging.com
Nice article. I use a similiar method except I don’t staple. Instead, I tape the ends of the b-flute and slip it into a white poly mailer. Simple and effective for me.
Brilliant article, Bruce, thanks so much for sharing this method. I found myself nodding in agreement with your comments about how some sellers pack books. I buy and sell books and while I take as much care as I possibly can to protect the books I sell from the marauding elephants who work at the Post Office, some of the books I receive come with almost no protection. I’ve complained a few times and the seller just tried to put the blame back on the Post Office.
Many thanks from a bookseller in Oz.
Some paching suppliers call the rolls of corrugated cardboard “single-faced” as it is a two part cardboard with a smooth side glued to the corrugated side.
A standard box ir “double-faced” as both sides are smooth and the corrugated in sandwitched in between. Even better is “double wall, which looks like two sheets of cardboard glued togather and it makes the best stiffeners for paperbacks.
Al Navis
bb420..
Hi and thanks for your comment at the Bookshop Blog.
If you live in a larger city it shouldn’t be a problem. You need to look for industrial packing supplies dealers.
In my case I looked through the Yellow Pages under ‘Corrugated’ and found a few.
You can try looking for ‘corrugated’, flute or packing supplies..etc. Just give them a call. You may need to order a few rolls at a time.
** If you mention your city here perhaps another reader can help you out.
Bruce, thanks very much for this how-to, but may I ask where you get the rolls of B-Flute or C-Flute? I went to four separate stores last night trying to find such a thing, but had no luck. But I did get some strange looks! Thank you.
Al, thanks for the comment. The plastic wrap is only to keep the book dry in case the package is left out in the rain. The protection comes from the snug fit of the outer package.
The only thing that I disagree with is using plastic wrap as it offers no protection at all. Bubble wrap is far better and you can buy large rolls, cut to 12″ widths for less than fifty dollars. Also, for paperbacks, I create a sandwich with two pieces of double-walled corrugated cardboard (I just cut up old boxes) which are cut to the same size as the book, with the book as the ‘meat’. Tape top, bottom and side edge but not the spine. This way the paperback almost becomes a hardcover for shipping purposes.
Many recycling depots accept packing ‘peanuts’ and if you make friends well, you can probably get the depot to bag the ‘peanuts’ for you and get them for free. Otherwise a 25 cubic foot bag will cost $25-30.00.
When at the grocery store, look for boxes which are double-walled and grab them, or contact local businesses which get shipments but seldom make them. I have a dress store nearby and they get their clothing in nice double-walled cardboard boxes but since the dresses go out the front door in bags, they have no use for the used boxes.
Looks like this method would fit inside of the Tyvek envelopes the PO provides for Priority Overseas shipping. (What used to be Global Priority). – Much quicker than the methods I use although I get clean used large ziplock bags for free. (Don’t ask me where. Top secret! I’ll have to kill you if I tell you.)
Thanks for the wrapping tips.
Good points Will, especially about the sharp staples. I go over the seems lightly with my hand and a staple does occasionally prick out a bit. Of course this gets taped over. In fact I’ll add this to the article.
Thanks
I use pretty much the same method for most books, except I wrap the book the tall way (stapled at the top and bottom). Takes fewer staples and offers the same protection. Also, it’s a pain but I recommend you tape over the staples. I’ve hear PO workers complain about getting speared on staple ends…and you don’t want to PO your PO.
Next time I buy a batch of supplies, I’m thinking of going with waxed butcher paper for water-proofing to cut down on my plastic usage. Also looking for gummed-back printer paper for the labels to cut down on tape.