Here is what I do, and I've never had an issue or complaint.
I highly recommend using Baronial style envelopes that are 4x6 and can be bought in large combo packs with thank you cards. These throw off thieves who know what a card in a big floppy envelope feels like.
1. Card in top loader or semi rigid. With tape to cover top. You will hear people tell you never to use one or never to use the other. They are both fine, I like top loaders more just because they help stop bending from handling better. Both go through sorting machines absolutely fine. If a card gets caught in a sorting machine (has never happened to me using these steps). No type of plastic on earth is stopping it from being shredded. That's just the very small risk you take when a machine messes up from factors out of your control.
2. Tape card into a thank you card or greeting card so it doesn't move around. I usually place the card sort of in the middle and put the tape longways half on the bottom of the top-loader and half on the thank you card itself. Optional, you can tape the greeting card shut before placing inside, just so it's that bit flatter. And stick it in the envelope. I typically use masking tape for everything up to this point, it's quite cheap compared to painters tape, and works equally as well for the use case. Also doesn't leave much residue, if any at all on plastic.
3. I almost never see this done but I highly recommend it. Use an inch or two of packaging tape in the middle of all 4 sides of the envelope. This really boosts the integrity and structure. I can't say how many pwes I've gotten that were ripped and torn. Some of them with the cards literally hanging out. Pwes are cheap and dont hold up at all to weather or handling. This helps eliminate that with very little effort. I also like to put a piece over the address on the front, just incase they take a few raindrops the ink doesn't smear. (If not sending through ebay).
This method is extremely cost efficient and works with a single stamp as well if not sending through eBay. Everything used is the cheapest brand etc, and I have never had anything except nice words about the package job on the days buyers receive.
Last edited by Lucas00; 11-24-2025 at 11:20 PM.
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