Subscribe in a readerBook Mailers or B-Flute, How to Package Books for Shipping
By Bruce K. Hollingdrake • Feb 3rd, 2008 • Category: Bits & PiecesWhat 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.Better than a Book Mailer
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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