learn how to ship comics via usps or fedex
We get this question all the time:
You are reading: How to ship comic books
“what’s the best way to mail comics?”
this page will help you.
We provide step-by-step video, photos, and written instructions.
there are several categories:
- how to ship your comic collection to us (don’t do this unless we’ve agreed on a price and paid you!)
- how to ship comics in long boxes
- 1-4 raw books in a usps priority envelope
- 5-14 raw books in a usps priority box
- large quantities of raw books
- 1-4 cbcs or cgc graded books
click any link above to skip, or scroll down the page to find the type of shipping you want and follow the instructions.
how to ship comics in a usps 1097 priority box
a usps 1097 priority box will safely ship between 5 and 14 vintage comics.
written instructions on how to submit comics (more than 4):
We want to create a “brick” out of your comics, using tape and bubble wrap, so that it is protected from possible damage during transport.
make sure all comics are protected in bags and cartons.
stacks the comics neatly with all the flaps at one end and at the back. secure the stack with a piece of tape.
Rotate the stack and secure the opposite end with a piece of tape, wrapped front to back of the top and bottom book.
Now you have a nice tight stack of 5 to 14 comics in bags and cartons. The stack shouldn’t move too much if you manipulate it a bit.
Cut out a large piece of bubble wrap. place the stack of books in the center.
Wrap the ends of the bubble wrap around and tape it shut.
Tape the other two open ends of the bubble wrap together to make a “brick.” all four sides of the stack of comics should be protected by bubble wrap.
take some newspaper and crumple it up to form a liner for the bottom end of the usps priority box.
slide the brick into the box.
Make two more strips of newspaper for the sides and end of the brick. There shouldn’t be much room inside the box, or the brick may shift too much during transit.
if it moves around too much, then you need to add more crumpled up newspaper between the brick and the box walls.
Remove the self-adhesive seal from the flap of the box and fold it to close it comfortably.
finish by taping along the outside of the flap for added protection.
The finished box shouldn’t make much noise when you shake it gently. it’s okay for the brick to move a little, but it shouldn’t be loose enough to hit inside.
more than 14 books will make the box stand out too much.
how to send comics in a usps priority envelope
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These are the standard priority mail envelopes that are given away at USPS offices.
written instructions on how to send comics in bags and cartons:
you can send 1 to 6 comics in a usps priority envelope.
make sure all comics are protected in bags and cartons. Ideally, the bags will not be taped closed and the flaps will be loose.
fold all the flaps so they wrap around the top of the stack. secure it with a piece of tape.
rotate the stack and secure the opposite end with another piece of tape.
Take a piece of card. stick the books to the card so they don’t move.
a piece of tape on each edge should suffice.
take 1-3 more pieces of construction paper (you’ll need more for a smaller number of comics) and place them on top of the books.
There should be a card on both sides of the comics.
you don’t need tape here. the priority envelope will keep them safe.
slide the card sandwich into the envelope.
Seal the envelope with the self-adhesive flap seal.
Ensure a tight seal by pulling the flap around the card before removing the adhesive strip cover.
how to submit cbcs or cgc comics
If you’ve graded comics, mailing them to a new owner is an important skill to master.
you need to protect the cases from damage. cracking in transit is very common.
written instructions on how to submit comics in cgc or cbcs media:
If you need to ship 1-4 cgc graded comics, unfortunately USPS does not have a free box you can use.
we used a 16 x 12 x 4 inch box purchased at uline.
The good news is that you can get free padded envelopes from usps. They supply bubble mailers for priority shipping.
each priority pack can contain up to two qualifying comics inside.
slide your cgc comic(s) into the padded envelope and seal with tape.
assemble the box. fill the bottom layer with packing peanuts, crumpled up newspaper balls, or lots of bubble wrap.
Place the padded envelope on top of the packaging layer.
cover the envelope with another layer. you want it to be a little too full. fold the flaps closed at the top of the box.
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Because it’s a little too full, the package will hold the book snugly inside.
Close the box securely with tape.
how to send us comic collections
(use the same process to submit large numbers of raw comics)
Watch these videos on how to turn your comics into bricks and then how to pack the bricks you make into boxes.
option 1) if your comics are already in bags and boards
option 2) if your comics are not in bags and boards
if you feel overwhelmed, watch this video for inspiration
once you have created the bricks, how to pack them into boxes
never send us without an agreed price. Contact us to discuss your collection before shipping.
If your comics are stored in comic boxes, write to us, we have special instructions for long or short box shipments.
You will need to pack the comics securely in a box.
rule one:
tape is the enemy! shouldn’t go anywhere near the old comics.
so if your comics are not in bags, you need to protect them from the duct tape. this can be done by wrapping the stack of 40 to 60 books in a clean, dry shopping bag, or a jumbo freezer bag.
please don’t: put each comic in its own freezer bag, or wrap each comic in saram wrap or waxed paper.
stack the comics in stacks of 40 to 60 first, then cover them with some sort of clean, dry bag.
then wrap it in a brick:
place stack of books inside clean, dry shopping bag; then gently close it and wrap it with bubble wrap to make a ‘brick’. duct tape to close the bubble wrap securely.
multiple bricks will not damage each other in transit.
when packing the final box:
the most important points are to make sure there is space between the books and the corners of the box (more vulnerable to crush damage), and that the space inside the box is padded before closing the box.
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place ‘brick’ inside the box and fill in the gaps inside the outer box with more filler. crumpled newspaper or packing peanuts are ideal.
how to ship comics when books are packed in shipping boxes:
1) use fedex ground with signature required;
2) do not ask for insurance or be convinced to accept it. we have private insurance coverage for fedex shipments with signature required at reception.
3) After the books arrive, we will refund the shipping price when you send us a photo of the fedex receipt.
We will have provided you with the address in your email.
how to ship comics in long boxes
Most comic collectors keep their books in long boxes.
With proper care and preparation, this is a perfectly safe way to ship comic collections.
This video explains how to do it in detail.
again, never ship to us unless we have agreed and paid you first.
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