How to Ship Magazines and Comic Books

[wastingtime101]

Put the magazine or comic book in a plastic bag or sleeve to keep it clean and dry in case the outer package gets wet or damaged.

Cut 2 pieces of cardboard just larger than the size of the item with the corrugation facing opposite directions: one vertical and one horizontal. Corrugation in opposite directions makes the package more rigid and harder to bend. Cardboard just larger than the size of the item means the corners and edges are protected.

Sandwich the item between the cardboard and secure the 4 sides with masking tape. Remember, the item is already in plastic so the tape will not ruin the item if there's contact.

Stick that inside of an envelope - paper, poly mailer, bubble mailer all work.

Larger lots should be shipped in a box, taking care to use a plastic bag and protect the item's corners and edges, plus securing the items so they don't shift around in transit. Many ways to deal with packing in a box.

USPS Ground Advantage is generally the best service choice as neither magazines nor comic books qualify for Media Mail. (reference)

A few of my older posts on this topic get a lot of attention, but they have outdated information about shipping service, which is why I'm posting an updated version.

If others have tips, different methods to share, or questions, post them below.

[wastingtime101]

Tagging @jhnw_12 in response to: https://community.ebay.com/t5/Ask-a-Mentor/Shipping-magazines/m-p/34859791#M814217

[lakefor94]

"Corrugation in opposite directions makes the package more rigid and harder to bend."

I ship a few items like you described but never thought of flipping the corrugation around. Good tip. I might use less sheets of cardboard that way.

[deserdog]

I have shipped lots of magazines and thin books. What I also do is mark on the front and the back: DO NOT BEND! I did this after a buyer asked me to do this because their carrier would fold anything possible to make it fit in the mail box. 

I also make a flap on the tape the seals thee plastic bag that the magazine or book is in, and also on the 2 pieces of cardboard. I mark the flap with a black X so the buyer can open easily.

[1786davycrockett]

In addition, to the suggestions made by @wastingtime101 ,  I would also suggest shipping Silver Age through Modern Age comic books inside stiff mailing envelopes, for additional rigidity.

I've been using Wexford photo mailing envelopes (available at many Walgreen's stores); but any rigid mailing envelope will do the trick, and can be purchased online in bulk.

Anything that will protect the comic books is worth a try!