Welcome to our "How to Package and Ship Posters" page. If you have been directed here by someone who bought something from you on eBay, this buyer is just taking extra precaution to make sure their purchase arrives to them safely and undamaged.

It is the responsibility of the seller to do everything in their power to ensure that a poster arrives undamaged to the buyer. Extra strong packaging materials should always be used. There are NO EXCUSES for flimsy/careless packaging. The seller should expect that their package will be abused by the postal system. If a poster is not packaged well and it is damaged in transit, it is 100% the sellers fault because they didn't take EXTRA precaution. If however the poster was expertly packaged and it arrived damaged, only then is it the fault of the postal system.

If you are sending posters to us for sale or consignment:

FOR VERY VALUABLE POSTERS

ALWAYS USE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE

REGISTERED INSURED MAIL

The BEST way to ship a very valuable item is by REGISTERED INSURED U.S. MAIL. When shipping this way, all seals and openings must be secured with brown packaging tape. Shipping by Registered Mail is the safest way to ship something. The package is tracked every step of the way. Everyone who comes in contact with it must sign for it. For details on how to ship posters so they arrive undamaged, please read below.

Do's and Don'ts

ROLLED POSTERS

● Do not use a flimsy thin walled tube. You should be able to stand on the tube without it bending. Seriously! The U.S. Post Office, UPS, and FedEx have a nasty habit of crushing industrial strength tubes, so a flimsy one will definitely not survive. Sadly, most shipping tubes found at professional packing supply stores are NOT strong enough. They will tell you they are very strong (remember, they are trying to sell you something!) but 99% of the time they are low quality and will get crushed if you use them. If this is all you can find, then you should use 2 tubes, one with a smaller diameter than the other and put one inside the other. Or, you can place one of these tubes inside a FREE triangular Priority Mail tube for extra protection.

● Do not use too much tape. A lot of people overdo it with tape. Just use enough to secure it. The more tape you use, the more difficult it is for us to open the package. If your package is difficult to open the poster can easily be damaged.

● PVC pipe makes a PERFECT shipping tube. If you are a little creative you can make your own from materials at Home Depot. Try and get light weight 3" or 4" diameter pvc COEX drainage pipe. It is cheap, light weight, and strong. Regular pvc pipe works great also but it is heavier and will cost more, and it will cost more to ship it. Cut it to length and buy end caps or you can make your own out of cardboard. IF YOU LIVE IN A COLD CLIMATE WHERE IT IS BELOW FREEZING-DO NOT USE PVC! We have heard that pvc plastic can become brittle and crack/shatter in extremely cold weather. We haven't personally had it happen, but others have told us it is possible. If you live in and are shipping to a climate where it is not cold, then PVC plastic will be fine.

● TRIANGULAR PRIORITY MAIL TUBES: DO NOT use just a Triangular Priority Mail Tube alone without putting the poster in another tube first. TRIANGULAR PRIORITY MAIL TUBES ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH BY THEMSELVES. REPEAT! TRIANGULAR PRIORITY MAIL TUBES ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH BY THEMSELVES. They are great for extra protection though. Double tubing (placing your regular cardboard shipping tube inside a free triangular priority mail tube) is considered a requirement if you want the poster to stand any chance of surviving undamaged.

● For one sheets and other PAPER POSTERS (not cardboard stock), make sure to roll the poster into approximately a 1 1/2" to 2" diameter and then wrap with paper or plastic and fasten it with tape. THE POSTER MUST BE ROLLED INTO A SMALLER DIAMETER THAN THE TUBE SO THERE IS AIR SPACE BETWEEN THE SIDES OF THE POSTER AND THE TUBE. Just placing it in the tube loosely resting up against the inner wall is a bad idea because if the tube gets dinged even a little, then the poster gets completely ruined.

● For CARD STOCK POSTERS, do not roll the poster too tightly or you may damage the poster by causing wrinkles. What is too tight? It really depends on the thickness of the card stock, but generally we can say do not roll it tighter than 3" in diameter. You really have to use your best judgment.

● If you are shipping several rolled posters in the same tube:

All posters should have their edges/ends aligned together. EXACTLY TOGETHER! When several posters are rolled together they can become heavy. When they are placed in the tube if their edges are not aligned together, THE EDGES CAN BECOME DAMAGED DURING SHIPMENT! The posters can slightly move in the tube crumpling the edges.

● DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! If you are shipping 4 or more rolled posters rolled up together, BE CAREFUL! We hate to see posters arrive damaged! Sometimes we receive posters that started out MINT with no flaws arrive with the edges crushed.

● DO NOT JUST PLACE THE POSTER LOOSELY IN THE TUBE. REPEAT! DO NOT JUST PLACE THE POSTER LOOSELY IN THE TUBE! This can not be stressed enough. Damage to the poster will definitely occur if you are careless and just put the poster in the tube loosely.

Why? There are several reasons:

1. It makes it very hard to get it out.

2. The edges are unprotected as it slides up and down causing dings.

3. If the tube gets dented then it will cause dings all up and down the poster.

THE WRONG WAY    THE RIGHT WAY

● Protect the ends/edges of the poster from getting damaged by using cushioning material like bubble wrap, a paper towel, tissue paper, plastic bags from the grocery store, etc. This is an extremely important step that many people forget.

● Use plastic or cardboard end caps on the tube and tape them closed to the tube. Do not just place tape over the ends of the tube without using some form of end cap.

● Do not use rubber bands.

FOLDED POSTERS

● Put the poster in an envelope or plastic bag prior to putting it in the outside envelope/package.

● PROTECTING THE EDGES IS THE MAIN GOAL.

● Do not use too much tape. A lot of people overdo it with tape. Just use enough to secure it. The more tape you use, the more difficult it is for us to open the package. If your package is difficult to open the poster can easily be damaged.

● Do use at least 2 pieces of strong cardboard as stiffeners. 4 is better. Thin masonite particle board or plywood is best.

● Do NOT just put it in a flimsy envelope.

● Make sure the poster does not come in contact with the inside sticky seal of Priority Mail envelopes.

● The envelope and cardboard stiffeners should be larger than the folded poster by at least one inch around the edges so it can absorb postal impact. If a folded poster measures 11"x14", then the cardboard and envelope should be at least 13"x16". The poster should be in a plastic bag and then taped to the center of the cardboard.

● The packaging you use is critical. We use UNASSEMBLED Priority Mail Boxes and Express Mail boxes. You can get these FREE at the post office. WE DO NOT ASSEMBLE THEM INTO A BOX. We put the poster and cardboard in FLAT and then just tape the ends closed. This creates a very strong FLAT package.

● The only time we suggest you assemble the box is if you are shipping A LOT of flat posters where it is just not possible to fit them in the unassembled flat box/envelope. The amount varies, but you can usually fit at least 10 folded posters in a flat unassembled box.

● Why don't we assemble the box? We receive shipments of posters every day. Often times we get in a folded poster that was shipped in a box with bubble wrap. The box will be very lightweight and contain mostly air. These packages frequently get damaged/punctured by other packages in the giant mail bins at the post office. An assembled box full of air is usually not strong enough to survive a trip undamaged. We see it ALL THE TIME!!

● Be sure to use enough tape to seal up the ends very well. You should use postal insurance if you feel it is necessary.

● If you are shipping several folded posters in the same box:

Be sure to use A LOT of cardboard and/or bubble wrap on all 6 sides of the package. We have had boxes shipped to us with hundreds of 27" x 41" folded one sheets and they always arrive o.k. when extra cardboard is used.

FOR VERY VALUABLE POSTERS

ALWAYS USE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE

REGISTERED INSURED MAIL

● For REGISTERED MAIL Domestic Shipping within the U.S.
The BEST way to ship a very valuable item is by REGISTERED INSURED U.S. MAIL. All of the above packaging instructions apply. When shipping this way, all seals and openings must be secured with brown packaging tape. The post office is VERY STRICT about this! They will not accept the package unless all seals are covered with brown tape. It can't be clear tape, or strapping tape, or any other kind of tape, it must be brown packaging tape. As of January 2010 some post offices will no longer accept tubes by Registered Mail. If this happens you will have to put the tube in a cardboard box. Their rules are silly (we know!) but we did not make them!

Shipping by Registered Mail is the safest way to ship something. The package is tracked every step of the way. Everyone who comes in contact with it must sign for it.

● For International Shipping to outside the U.S.
The best way to ship is by U.S. EXPRESS MAIL WITH INSURANCE. Please be aware that if you do use insurance you must declare the value on the customs form and the recipient of the package may be responsible for import fees and taxes which could be quite high.

IF YOUR POSTER IS FRAMED

WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND REMOVING IT FROM THE FRAME BEFORE SHIPPING IT TO US.

Why? There are several reasons:

       1. Because it will be very heavy and cost you a lot to ship it to us (if it is a one sheet or larger). Smaller posters like half sheets and inserts can usually be shipped safely and affordably if framed with plastic/Plexiglas.

       2. If it is in a glass frame, the glass will most likely break during shipping and ruin the poster.

       3. Most people will not buy a poster that is already framed, they need to see its condition first (is it linen backed? is it dry mounted?) and you just can't tell these things when it is in a frame.

We understand that you may have spent a small fortune framing your item. It may have museum glass and a very elaborate frame that was not cheap. Unfortunately, any potential new owner does not care what you spent on the frame and glass. They will only be interested in the poster and its condition. Also, if it is framed in glass (not plastic/Plexiglas) we will not even attempt to ship it. The risk of damage is too great. Glass can very easily crack during shipping, and if this happens, pieces of the glass can slide across the poster scratching and ruining it. We have seen this happen more than once.

LETTERS TO SELLERS

The following letters are sent out to those we buy posters from:

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.

This poster is described as being in great condition so I hope it will not arrive damaged due to poor 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.

Also, if it is possible, please use postal insurance.

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

ROLLED POSTERS - ONE SHEETS

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.

This poster is described as being in great condition so I hope it will not arrive damaged due to poor packaging.

Please put the poster in a STRONG 2 or 3 inch diameter tube with thick walls at least 1/4 inch or thicker. Please do not use a flimsy 1/8 inch thick walled tube.

Roll the poster into approximately 1 1/2 inch diameter. Rolling into a smaller diameter is VERY IMPORTANT because it gives the edges strength and helps to prevent them from getting wrinkled. THE POSTER MUST BE ROLLED INTO A SMALLER DIAMETER THAN THE TUBE SO THERE IS AIR SPACE BETWEEN THE SIDES OF THE POSTER AND THE TUBE.

PLEASE DO NOT JUST PUT THE POSTER IN THE TUBE RESTING AGAINST THE INSIDE WALL OF THE TUBE. Just placing it in the tube without rolling it into a 1 1/2 inch diameter and resting up against the inner wall is a bad idea because if the tube gets dinged even a little, then the poster gets completely ruined.

Before placing it in the tube, please wrap with paper or plastic and tape it closed (please do not tape the paper TO the poster and do not use rubber bands). 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 barely move. Also, please stamp FRAGILE: DO NOT BEND all over the outside of the package.

You can then put this tube inside a FREE triangular priority mail tube provided by the post office (for extra protection).

DO NOT use just a Priority Mail tube without putting it in another tube first. PRIORITY MAIL TUBES ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH BY THEMSELVES.

Also, if it is possible, please use postal insurance.

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

ROLLED POSTERS - CARD STOCK (INSERTS, HALF SHEETS, 30X40'S, 40X60'S)

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.

This poster is described as being in great condition so I hope it will not arrive damaged due to poor packaging.

Please put the poster in a STRONG 3 inch or greater diameter tube with thick walls at least 1/4 inch or thicker. Please do not use a flimsy 1/8 inch thick walled tube.

Roll the poster into approximately 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter (not too tight or you may cause wrinkles). Rolling into a smaller diameter is VERY IMPORTANT because it gives the edges strength and helps to prevent them from getting wrinkled. THE POSTER MUST BE ROLLED INTO A SMALLER DIAMETER THAN THE TUBE SO THERE IS AIR SPACE BETWEEN THE SIDES OF THE POSTER AND THE TUBE.

Before placing it in the tube, please wrap with paper or plastic and tape it closed (please do not tape the paper TO the posters and do not use rubber bands).

PLEASE DO NOT JUST PUT THE POSTER IN THE TUBE RESTING AGAINST THE INSIDE WALL OF THE TUBE. Just placing it in the tube without rolling it into a 2 1/2 inch diameter and resting up against the inner wall is a bad idea because if the tube gets dinged even a little, then the poster gets completely ruined.

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 barely move. Also, please stamp FRAGILE: DO NOT BEND all over the outside of the package.

You can then put this tube inside a FREE triangular priority mail tube provided by the post office (for extra protection).

DO NOT use just a Priority Mail tube without putting it in another tube first. PRIORITY MAIL TUBES ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH BY THEMSELVES.

Also, if it is possible, please use postal insurance.

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