Packing/ shipping ACEOs

[under-a-gypsymoon]

So -- I am new to listing/ selling ACEO cards; and was curious as to how everyone is mailing them. Padded envelopes, regular envelopes, photo mailers, rigid cd mailers ? Protective sleeves, ziplock bags, hard shell top loaders ? Delivery confirmation ( USPS 60 cents )? Added protection like cardboard, mat board ? Any info would help. Many thanks, elaine

[gidignard]

HI Elaine, I put my aceos in a plastic sleeve (not the rigid kind), then in a ziploc bag. I print a packing slip with all the information and a picture of the ACEO. I add a postcard from Montreal to write my thanks. This goes between two cardboards, then I wrap with bubbles and put it in a 6 x 9 1/2 envelope. Most times I add a print as a bonus gift. For the prints, I do the same but add the certificate of authenticity and a thank you note made of one of my paintings (I think I'll start doing that for the originals too because they're turning out great) It was a long process in the beginning, but now I'm a real pro at it and it's done in a few minutes. ;) Good luck with your aceos! Gigi

[jeanze]

Most of my art cards are done on very thick, sturdy, high-quality papers, so my 'modus operandi' is to slip the art card into a penny sleeve. That is wrapped into the packing slip (which is printed out on 8.5"x11" paper and folded securely around the art card making excellent padding), and then both are slipped into a thank you note card. Sometimes I use blank note cards and do a drawing on them, or I use pretty note cards that I've come across inexpensively in dollar stores and the like. The whole thing makes a very thick packet around the art card, and I write "please do not fold or bend" on the front and back of the envelope. Lastly, I print out my label directly from the USPS through PayPal, and the cost includes delivery confirmation. Although it costs $.14, I do believe that delivery confirmation is well worth the security it provides. On art cards that are done on less sturdy papers, I also use a rigid, top-loading card protector. You'll find there are as many shipping methods as there are ACEO/ATC artists! Hope this helps a bit. Jeanne (Jeanze)

[artistjillian]

I don't use padded envelopes, as the ones I receive still are bent by postal workers. Though if people use rigid top loaders inside them, this seems to be ok. I use 6x6" rigid CD envelopes for my ACEOs. I put my ACEO in a sleeve, together with an COA (certificate of authenticity) and a thank you (2 x 4x6" index cards. I buy the envelope on ebay in bulk for what works out to about 17 cents each. They post in the USA for .52 cents. I make sure the back of my ACEO has my unique numbering, title, © (copyright symbol) my full name and year, my signature, medium, my website, my ebay id. I don't get delivery confirmation. The cd mailer is too thin to qualify. If I needed to I could put a packing peanut inside to 'fatten' it so I could. Happy ACEO'ing. :) Regards, Jillian

[under-a-gypsymoon]

I have added delivery confirmation on all my items because I learned ( the hard way ) that if the buyer says he didn't receive the item; and files a dispute on Ebay about it; Ebay's response is that the seller has to refund the TOTAL price to the buyer. Delivery confirmation was the only way that Ebay acknowledged that the buyer really did send the item; no matter if it was received. On items under $5; it is not so much a deal ( although for me EVERY penny counts ).... but what if an ACEO should sell for say -- $20; and the buyer doesn't choose insurance; and then says it didn't arrive ??? OW ! I know the post office charges $0.60 for delivery confirmation. ... but that is expensive too.... ANY sugguestions ??? ---elaine

[southshoreartist]

I paint on sturdy matte board, so I usually put the card in a penny pocket and include a card of thanks with one of my aceo's pictured on it. I also add a piece of thin cardboard to keep the envelope from bending to easily. I always draw two geese (drawn in sort of a traditional Cree style)on the outside of the envelope (sort of my own logo) If I use a regid top loader I eliminate the penny pocket and cardboard, but still include the thank you card.

[jeanze]

Elaine, I do my postage right through eBay/PayPal, printing out the paid label (regular paper that I trim and adhere with craft bonding glue stick to the envelope)here at home, and the delivery confirmation only adds $.14 to the postage. The only downside to printing out the postage-paid label at home is having to break out the glue stick, because it prints out both the label and a receipt for you on one sheet. 8 1/2 x 11" label sheets are too expensive to waste half of one on a receipt. Not sure why the delivery confirmation is only $.14 at home as compared to your $.60 at the post office, but maybe this will help? Jeanze

[hauntedswampdesigns]

I now mail in a CD cardboard mailer. I wrap ACEO in tissue, sandwich between cardboard, tape this togather...the cardboard that is. Wrap the receipt around it. I also do the postage online with the .14 delivery confirmation. Asked the post office why the price differance....they don't know. One great thing is not one of my 'packages' has been reported as lost since I started doing the online postage....hmmm very interesting. Lynda

[mdtart]

Just wanted to mention keep in mind for delivery confirmation the package is supposed to be at least 3/4" thick!!! Now out of 20 sent, only 1 was 'caught' at one post office as being too thin and my client was charged an additional amount of money because the post office bumped it up to priority mail (due to it being under 3/4" thick) 2 out of 3 in my own post office would let it go, one said no, it must be 3/4" thick for delivery confirmation. I don't want another client to have to pay upon receipt!!! (which I did reimburse btw 3.39) So for now I pack in: 6 x 9 inch bubble envelope aceo is in a penny sleeve, that & COA is put into a 3 x 4 plastic bag, this is between two pieces of cardboard, the packing slip is wrapped around that, I then cut a paperplate into 4 pieces and put two together taping it and slide all that into the bubble envelope. I also mark 'fragile' do not bend' on both sides of package and tape the printed label on the front. There is no way this will get bent! And it is also going to qualify for delivery confirmation thickness, ends up being .77 cents (not including the envelope, etc) I am thinking though of switching to the rigid sleeve in a thankyou card, but now will need to look into the confirmation qualifications for letter size!!! Thanks all for your tips too!

[artistjillian]

For those that are 'too thin' .... easiest way to overcome this is to enclose a packaging 'peanut' to boost the thickness, but not the weight.

[mdtart]

Jill, Yes, good idea, the paperplate also didn't add weight, it ends up being 1.4 ozs or so, I pay for 2 ozs to be careful! But I want to offer cheaper shipping because now charging $1.50 to the customer does just pay for supplies and shipping, I'm including, sleeves, baggie, envelope, ink, paper, and plate and/or extra wrap. I would like to offer a better shipping rate or free as some do, but shipping this way I cannot justify that! Sales haven't been good lately either for me.

[jeanze]

Wow! This 3/4" thick thing is news to me! The gods of art card delivery must be watching out for me, because I've never had an issue, and none of the art card packets has been that thick. Color me relieved and thank you for letting me know. I'm wondering if it makes a difference since I print the postage at home and my delivery person picks up my outgoing mail here. Also, when you print out the postage through PayPal, delivery confirmation is NOT AN OPTION! It's automatic. Maybe that has something to do with my not running into problems? I dunno', but I'll be dipping into the peanuts now for sure. That's if I get any more art cards completed in the near future! (Going crazy with the kids' end of the school year events!) Jeanze

[mdtart]

Jillian, Sorry for calling you Jill! Jeanze, I use PayPal for printing the label too! And I wish that confirmation wasn't automatic! But as I said only one of mine was questioned at the receiving postoffice. they may all 'pass' in the future but I was sick when I received notice from the customer and after confirming everything I felt I just had to refund that money, because it does mention the width in the fine print!lol

[jeanze]

I would've refunded, too, Michele, just as a matter of honor and ethics and all the things that make a good eBayer a good eBayer. But I still think it was rotten of the post office!!! I'm going to have to retrain myself in the fine art of packaging art cards now. *sigh* Just when you get something down to a science! Jeanze

[buteoflyer]

I'm new to the ACEO scene and want to know what a penny sleeve is. Funny about the 3/4" size. I've sent letters to people using the confirmation and they are only the size of a letter.