The photograph above reveals my bundle mailing set-up. As anybody who follows my Twitter feed is aware of, I do a LOT of giveaways. Typically as a part of my ebook promo, however typically simply because I get pleasure from giving stuff away, particularly after I’m doing an workplace studio reorg/purge. I even have an Etsy store and have artwork on the market within the Canadian Image E book Gallery.
For me, essentially the most difficult half to start with was attempting to determine mailing provides, and having to take a bundle to the put up workplace each time to get issues weighed and pay for postage. Needing to depend on a bodily put up workplace was a ache (as a lot as I favored the clerk at our native put up workplace, which is inside a pharmacy across the nook) as a result of it meant I needed to take trip of my artistic work day to ensure I had all of the related data with me, bundle up the merchandise or objects, carry the bundle(s) with me to the put up workplace, usually should line up, typically arrive on the put up workplace simply to search out that there was nobody there as a result of they had been on a break, should then both return house or stroll to the subsequent nearest put up workplace – and that concerned a for much longer stroll via a neighbourhood with numerous development and noise.
Now, it’s rather more easy. Listed here are some recommendations on the best way to make it simpler to mail packages:
. I’ve discovered that I can often mail my small artwork, bookplates, and bibliophile pendants through certainly one of these 6×8 inch self-seal photograph mailers, for instance. These mailers value me CDN .62 a mailer, although, so I’m at present on the lookout for cheaper mailers I should purchase in Canada and (ideally) have shipped to me. If anybody has ideas, be at liberty to let me know! I like any such mailer as a result of it’s self-sealing, has a tear strip to make it simpler for the recipient to open, and the white cardboard is simple to put in writing on. While you order your personal, do make certain the self-seal adhesive is long-lasting! I’ve ordered some that aren’t (although the mailers had been cheaper), so now I all the time tape down the sting, simply in case.
. If I’m mailing artwork, even only a informal doodle, I attempt to all the time defend it in one thing water-resistant. I order all my Flap Seal baggage and backing boards from ClearBags Canada. I like that you may order smaller portions if you need. Their customer support is great – after I wasn’t certain what sizes of backing boards to get to suit what Flap Seal baggage, for example, I’d put a notice within the feedback part of my order asking for recommendation. I might all the time get a telephone name from somebody who would give me recommendation, and typically they’d change my order for me – MUCH higher than having stuff arrive and me realizing I’d ordered the improper dimension!
I ordered this Good Weigh Digital Transport and Postal Weight Scale (the one within the photograph on the prime of this put up) years in the past and it’s are available SO helpful for determining how a lot my packages weigh. Typically I’ll weigh a bundle earlier than I’ve absolutely packed it, and have the ability to tweak up or down with roughly objects, relying on how shut it’s to the subsequent Canada Publish restrict/value.
. I ordered this through Etsy from VoxelPrints. Any Canadians on the market who take a considerably cumbersome envelope to the put up workplace will likely be acquainted with the clerk attempting to suit their mailer via the Slot Of Doom (not the official title ?) to see whether or not it may be mailed through the MUCH cheaper Letter/Doc charges, if it wants Outsized charges, Small Package deal charges, and so forth. YOU WILL SAVE YOURSELF A LOT OF MONEY IF YOU CAN MAIL VIA LETTER/DOCUMENT RATE. You’d be shocked at what you CAN mail with the latter fee, even when it’s important to ship it as an Outsized letter/doc.
. For years, I by no means bothered. I nonetheless have lots to be taught, plus Canada Publish charges/transport insurance policies do change typically, however I’ve realized sufficient to appreciate that by adjusting what and the way I ship, I can save myself numerous problem and cash within the longterm. I recommendation bookmarking the Discover A Charge space of the Canada Publish web site. I additionally advise experimenting a bit, typing in varied postal codes, completely different sizes, and so forth. I realized lots doing this!
. Once more, one thing I ignored for years however lastly determined to enroll and wished I had performed it ages in the past. It’s free to enroll, however you may get entry to many sources and reductions (small reductions, however they add up) on transport. Plus you’ll get notifications about particular promo gives, like their annual Free Transport Tuesdays in
. As soon as I’m logged into the Canada Publish web site, I am going to Snap Ship to create mailing labels for my parcels. As soon as I click on on the “Create new cargo” button, I’m prompted for all of the related data. I pre-weigh my bundle so I’ve that data helpful. I additionally make certain there’s a ruler helpful so I can measure the size. Earlier than paying, I can select between various kinds of transport strategies/prices. After fee, I’ll get a PDF of the transport label(s) – I print these out and connect them to my mailers with clear packing tape, then save the PDF receipt for my tax information. The labels are legitimate for five days, so if I do know I’ve a number of packages to mail, I’ll typically wait a day or two earlier than going to the put up workplace. At my native put up workplace, I can skip the common line-up and simply depart it on the counter in a particular space only for any such already-prepped bundle. I’ve the choice of asking the clerk for a receipt, however I often simply make certain they SEE me depart the bundle after which I am going again house.
And if the bundle is sufficiently small, I can simply put the prepped mailer/pkg straight right into a mailbox with out having to line up on the put up workplace at ALL. This got here in super-handy earlier within the pandemic.
Talking of the pandemic, earlier than mailing a bundle abroad, verify to see what the postal service is like within the vacation spot nation. Earlier within the pandemic, there have been some international locations that had been just about holding all floor mail on the border. Some (like elements of China, I believe?) even now have an enormous delay on floor mail; one educator I provided to mail a doodle advised me to not trouble, as a result of it was prone to take many months to achieve them.
I hope this helps a few of you Canadian freelancers on the market! Feedback? Questions? Do you’ve gotten your personal ideas? I’ll depart feedback open for a few weeks if you happen to’d prefer to put up under.