How to Ship
One of the worst feelings a collector can have is to purchase a
poster that they really want, send the money and wait and wait,
for it finally to arrive and -- it's damaged!! Knowing the proper
way to ship is important to any collector, whether you are buying
or selling.
The rule of thumb is: package EVERY item like it's an egg and you
expect it to go for a ride on a bucking bronco.
Flat
Pieces
For flat items that are smaller or folded, it's best to put them
in a plastic bag (for better items put an additional backing board
in the plastic bag) and then place something very stiff, like STURDY
cardboard on both sides of the poster. Tape it down tight where
it can't move and place it in a padded or bubble envelope. Be sure
to mark "fragile" all over the outside. If it's multiple
items that won't fit into a large envelope, then you need to wrap
it like listed above and ship it in a sturdy box.
Whatever package you ship it in, when you're finished packing it,
shake the box to see if there is any movement. If there is, open
it and fill in packing on ALL sides and then close it. Check it
again and repeat until there is NO MOVEMENT of the poster.
Rolled
Pieces
For rolled items, you need to take extra precaution. One of the
best ways is to roll the poster and wrap it in paper or plastic.
Put it in a hard tube and pack paper or plastic all around the poster
and on both ends until it can't move. Be careful not to damage the
ends. Then place the hard tube inside your shipping tube and do
the same thing. This creates a package that will rarely be damaged.
But when it is, the person getting the item sees that you did everything
that you could to ship it correctly.
This method of shipping costs a little more. If the customer doesn't
want to pay for the additional packing, keep one thing in mind.
If you have to cut down anywhere in the shipping materials, be sure
that the poster is placed in the package correctly and doesn't rattle
when you shake it.
Tips:
If you are shipping by the US Post Office: The post office does
give free shipping supplies. Take advantage of them.
Priority and Express tape is extremely helpful and can save you
quite a bit of money. They will also supply you with free boxes,
labels and triangle tubes.....If you're shipping several, the more
you have the package labeled with tracking, delivery or insurance
notices, the faster and easier it is at the Post Office.....
NOTICE: The triangle shipping tube isn't that sturdy though, so
you have to put either additional support in it or double tube it.
What
if you purchase a poster and not sure that the seller knows how
to ship?
This
problem comes up quite often when purchasing blindly over the internet
auctions. Dave Lieberman, owner of Cinemasterpieces and one of our
dealers, uses this method and says that it's really helped cut down
the damage to the posters he's received from internet dealers.
Right
after he's made a purchase from a dealer that he doesn't know..
he sends them a letter! Dave has been gracious enough to let us
use HIS letter to give you an example.. Here's his letter for folded
posters and then one for rolled posters
___________________________
FOLDED POSTERS
Hello there!
I look forward to receiving this poster. I'm not sure if you
have experience shipping posters, so please forgive me for asking
you to please take special care with your packaging. Please put
the poster in a plastic bag or envelope and in between two or four
pieces of STRONG cardboard and tape it together before placing in
the shipping envelope/box. Also, please stamp “DO NOT BEND”
all over the outside of the package. Please do not just put the
poster between two pieces of cardboard without first putting it
in a bag or envelope. Sometimes the poster will move slightly between
the two pieces of cardboard and the edge of the poster will get
caught on the tape ruining the poster. This also happens when using
“Priority Mail” envelopes. On the inside edge of these
envelopes is a VERY STICKY seal that can ruin a poster.
Sorry to even have to bring this up, but I have received a lot
of posters lately that have been damaged due to poor packaging.
I realize people don't like being told what to do or how to do things,
but it is the only way I can ensure a safe arrival of the poster.
Thank you for understanding.
Sincerely,
________________
ROLLED POSTERS
Hello there!
I look forward to receiving this poster. I'm not sure if you
have experience shipping posters, so please forgive me for asking
you to please take special care with your packaging. Please put
the poster in a STRONG 3 inch or greater diameter tube with thick
walls at least 3/16 or 1/4 inch or thicker. FOR CARDBOARD STOCK
POSTERS like 30x40's, 40x60's, half sheets and inserts, please use
a STRONG THICK WALLED tube 4 inch or greater diameter as rolling
the poster too tight can cause wrinkles. Please do not use a flimsy
1/8 inch thick walled tube. Roll the poster into a slightly smaller
diameter than the tube. PLEASE DO NOT JUST PUT THE POSTER IN THE
TUBE. Rolling into a smaller diameter is VERY IMPORTANT because
it gives the edges strength and helps to prevent them from getting
wrinkled. Wrap the poster with some paper and tape it closed (please
do not tape the paper TO the poster). Please put some kind of soft
cushioning material (also very important!) on the ends to further
protect them from getting damaged. Good cushioning materials are:
shredded paper, tissue paper, bubble wrap, etc. If the tube is shaken
lightly from side to side, the poster should not move. Also, please
stamp FRAGILE: DO NOT BEND all over the outside of the package.
Sorry to even have to bring this up, but I have received a lot
of posters lately that have been damaged due to poor packaging.
I realize people don't like being told what to do or how to do things,
but it is the only way I can ensure a safe arrival of the poster.
Thank you for understanding.
Sincerely,
David Lieberman
_____________________________________
