Reply With QuoteYou can print on plain paper, then use tape around the edges. DO NOT TAPE OVER any of the barcodes or QR codes or anything like that. It can effect the scanning. Any scale that measures ounces should work.
Hi everyone,
I have a few questions about mailing stuff from home; I know a few of you take care of this stuff from home so I am hoping you can help me. I want to be able to ship cards and boxes but am not sure what I really need to have on-hand to take care of that.
Do I have to have a specific scale or will any digital scale do?
Can I print my postage onto paper (and just cover with clear tape or something) or do I have to purchase the specific labels from usps?
I remember Deb's tip about cards needing to fit through the Fiskars slot and I know we can have the priority boxes and envelopes delivered for free. I suppose what I am trying to figure out is what I must have for sending non-urgent things and if I must have the usps specific supplies to do it...?
Any help is greatly appreciated
Adriana B. (SA# 173)
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“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou
You can print on plain paper, then use tape around the edges. DO NOT TAPE OVER any of the barcodes or QR codes or anything like that. It can effect the scanning. Any scale that measures ounces should work.
Yapha
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Cool! Thank you!
Yapha, is there anything else I need to know? I know I will learn more the first time I go to use it, but I wonder if I am missing something. I keep seeing ads for companies that require a monthly fee and I am wondering why I would want to do that when usps is free to use...?
Adriana B. (SA# 173)
My Blog
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou
The only other thing I can think of is that you can't print First Class postage from the USPS site, but if people pay you for something through PayPal, you can print First Class postage through them.
I think if you go through a company, they might include the scale and other supplies in their fee. We use one at work. But USPS & PayPal are good enough for me!
Yapha
My blog * My Scentsy web site * My Children's Book Blog
Looking for inspiration? Check out my books of card sketches for sale!
Oh, ok. So if I know the weight of something going first class, then I need to put enough postage stamps on it to cover the cost because I won't be able to just print out the right amount.
That is good to know about Paypal because it is likely to be an issue when I sell retired stuff. Either that or I will just have to insist on Priority so we don't have to deal with it...
Thank you, Yapha.
Adriana B. (SA# 173)
My Blog
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou
For stamps, priority flat rate is often cheaper than first class anyway. And it's so much easier for you. I would just put that is the method you will use to ship in your ebay postings.
I do most of my shipping from home but for first class, I take it to the PO and have them do it for me. I do have a kitchen scale I picked up from walmart, but it isn't 100% accurate. So I generally end up off anyway for the lighter weight stuff.
Paula - Or Palua to my SA Sistahs!
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"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right . . . and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."— Marilyn Monroe
I would be lost without usps.com! I bought a small postal scale at staples and it has paid or itself easily between savings on postage (you save $.20 or so shipping through usps) and gas. I generally buy some $.80, $.10, and $.01 stamps at the PO when I go to get regular stamps so that I can easily do first class postage without an extra trip. Stamps.com will cost you around $15/mo so totally not worth it to me. With ebay or paypal, just make sure that they send the money to you marked as goods. If they do "gift" or "services" it won't let you print a shipping label. After many years of folding, cutting, and taping the labels, I finally bought some from USPS. It is more convenient. Avery 5126 labels I believe are the equivalent for size for usps or paypal/ebay labels. I need to pick some up next time I go to Staples.
the stamper formerly known as stampinCPA
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Thank you all. Exactly the info I needed thanks again!
Adriana B. (SA# 173)
My Blog
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou
Also, something to consider - if you use the free flat rate boxes/envelopes and print the postage from USPS.com, you get a slightly better rate than if you shlep it to the PO, you can schedule a free pickup at your door, AND you get Delivery Confirmation for free. I really, really like Delivery Confirmation, because I have proof the recipient received it.
Do any of you know what the postage should be on our small padded envelopes. It is lightweight, but because of the padded envelope I don't know if it just counts as "non-machinable" and can go as a 65 cent one or is it considered a large envelope?
My searches on-line are not really giving me answers and driving to the post office isn't an option today. Have any of you used them?
Adriana B. (SA# 173)
My Blog
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou
Adriana, did you try calling the post office? I think part of it depends on how thick it is whether it's considered a letter or package. I would think $.65 would be the right answer if all that's in it is a card.
the stamper formerly known as stampinCPA
Llama Llover #561
Stampin' Up! Demo
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Thank you to all those serving in our Armed Forces
I didn't call them, I just asked the mail guy when he was delivering today. It's a card and is lightweight, but it has chunky embellishments so that's why I put it in our small padded envelope. His answer was to recommend sticking three stamps on there, "that should cover it". So I asked him specifically if .65 would cover it if I marked it non-machinable and all he said was, "Yes, it is non-machinable; just put three stamps on there and it should go." Oooo-kay... lol
I'll just bribe my hubby to take me tomorrow and see what they say. That way they can touch it; I'm afraid a verbal description only might mislead them...
Adriana B. (SA# 173)
My Blog
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou
You can find out exactly on the USPS website at Domestic Price Calculator. Note that URL is for mobile apps because I'm sending this from my phone. You put in the "To" and "From" zip codes, the weight and type of package (regular envelope, large envelope, parcel, etc.). If you aren't sure what constitutes a "large" envelope, click on the ? icon and it tells you specific measurements for width, length, AND thickness.
Thank you, Cindy. I had seen this, but was not sure if this fell into the same category as rigid or with closures, etc. I'm guessing this is the spec for "non-machinable" in general so I will just go with that.
BTW - Our padded envelopes are smaller than the "large envelope" specifications and fall within the specs for "letter" size. With the added bulk, it is non-machinable, making the first class mailing fee $0.85
So, those of you who are purchasing these mailers from the discounted section of the retirement list... now you know it is 85 cents
Adriana B. (SA# 173)
My Blog
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou
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