K Werner Design
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Mailing Cards: Calculating Postage + Tips for Troublesome/Embellished Cards
How many postage stamps do you need to mail your card? What makes an envelope nonmachinable? In today’s video, I’m answering these questions and more! 🙂
• —– • P O S T A G E . L I N K S • —– •
FREE Postage Flow Chart PDF to help you determine postage:
source
44 comments
NOTE: Mailing a Large Envelope that is under 1 ounce is not THAT expensive. However, when your smaller envelope is determined to be a "Large Envelope" because it is too thick (over 1/4" thick) or over 3 ounces in weight, THEN is it so much more expensive. I should have clarified that more.
So… If you have a LARGE card, make sure it's light and thin, and you'll save some money on postage. 🙂
Thank you for updating the flow chart!
Would it be possible to update your postage flowchart with the new 73 cents for first class postage?
THANK YOU so much for this video. Mailing cards is always a challenge for me. Even different clerks in different post offices come up with different charges.
Loved this video! I'm in the process of sending out save the dates and wedding invitations, and I never realized how much I had to consider when sending mail. Thanks!
Very beautiful! ✨
Where did you buy your stamp? They are so cute. Is postcard stamp is different in forever stamp? Can I use postcard stamp in envelope or it's only use for envelope? Thanks
Thank you so much for this video and the updated postage flow chart. This is so helpful to me because I like to send ephemera swaps and heavily decorated cards. I really appreciate you!
This was exactly what I was looking for! I still Jolee's Boutique stickers and I'm losing so many sales bc people don't want to pay $5+ for shipping, and I don't blame them! I want to start using envelopes and stamps and I was looking for help in how to do postage properly. This helped so much!! I just can't get the flowchart to download. Ugh, I really need it!
postage just increased to 68 cents today if you are interested in updating your flowchart
Thank you for this video. Wish I checked this out sooner 😞. My kids made cards and I didn’t know if the envelope lumpy, it will cause problems.
Hi postal worker here, a couple other tips. Tape the right corner of the envelope if it's a little thicker, the machine feeds starting at the right corner, so taping the flap on the top right of the letter is great BUT BE CAREFUL NOT TO TAPE THE STAMP! tape the envelope first then put the stamp over the tape, if you tape your stamp it will not be accepted and be sent back. 2nd if you envelope is dark (red, green, black, pretty much any color) the machine can't read writing on it put a white label where you write the address.
Great, useful info presented perfectly! Lovely flow chart! Beautiful envelopes! And I like the way your multitude of stamps looks like a miniature art gallery! A card or letter from you must be a real event! Thank you! All in all, 5 stars! ***
I only mail A2 cards bit I have never paid extra postage even when my cards were fat and had extra dies, boops, and things!
I have watched so many videos about mailing cards including postage and your video explanation was spot on. I totally understood everything. Thank you so much for this video and tips!
I didn't know mailing envelopes in the US could be this complicated…😅
thank you for all the information. I make cards for donations to nonprofits and elderly..but they have to be mailable with 1 stamp! so I have tried to make them mailable but also special..its not easy but your guidance is super. thank u so much.
I can't thank you enough for this. This flowchart is extremely helpful! Appreciate the time and effort you put into this video. All the best to you <3
I mailed smaller envelopes then what your showing with no problems.
Suggestion I think we need a paisley embossing folder! And stamp!
How do I start a business? Is there a kit I can buy or?
Great information! Tip:The slot the blade runs thru on some paper trimmer is 1/4 inch. I use that as a gauge for thickness if envelopes. Can’t remember where I picked that tip up at.
Excellent video, Karen, but I'd like to add a couple of things. I have been told by multiple Post Office employees that something that is non-machinable, which includes rigid cards, should be mailed at the post office counter. Writing "non-machinable" on the envelope and adding the additional postage will not insure that it will not be put into the automatic sorter. Mail that is collected from P.O. mailboxes or your roadside mailbox is not sorted before going into the automatic sorter. No one looks at them. This may be why some cards are delivered damaged even though you applied the additional postage and clearly labeled the envelope non-machinable. I have also had postal counter employees show me that if a card does not bend a fair amount, it will not go through the auto sorter (because the card travels around a wheel going through the sorter) and requires the non-machinable additional postage. As others have said, sometimes prices vary from one post office to another or even between employees in the same post office, I think non-machinable is the new term for "hand cancel".
Thanks for all your research time! Appreciate the handout too.
Super helpful!! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for this, Kristina. It is SO helpful. I tend to keep adding stamps "just to be sure"/ Maybe this will help me put just what's needed and no more – way better for my budget. You are really so thoughtful and awesome – and practical!
Very helpful video, and thanks for the free template 🙂
Thank you so much! This was so very helpful. I really appreciate that you provided this information.
Thank you, Kristina, that was very informative and helpful!!!! Good luck cleaning your craft room!!! LOL! Thanks again!
TIP: I recently mailed a heavily embellished pop-up birthday card to my sister that had dimensional crystal rhinestones on the front. I didn’t pad the card at all so the rhinestones were indenting the envelope from the inside out. I was worried the envelope would be torn when it reached my sister. Thankfully it made it okay (I’m sure the envelope didn’t look great though) but probably because it didn’t have to go far. From now on, when I mail a similar card with someone thicker embellishments on the front, I’m going to use a piece of thin packing foam which I will lay over the front of the card before tucking into the envelope. I have bought these before for using between dishes when packing and moving. They are 1/16th inch thick and can be easily cut to size with a paper cutter or scissors. At $13 for 100 12×12” sheets, they work out to be 13 cents a piece but each sheet can cover a few cards depending on card size. I think it’s worth it to protect the fancier cards that I spend a lot of time and effort creating. Search this title on Amazon if you’re interesting in this item: Foam Packing Sheets 1/16.
Thank you, Kristina. This is such a huge help.
Thank you for sharing. Acrylic template is sold out. I reached out to seller 🤞 hopefully will make more.
Thank you for all of your tips! I printed and laminated your mail sheet and keep it next to my desk. I also treated myself to an acrylic guide I found on Etsy ❤️
You are amazing, Kristina! Thank you for sharing this – I wanted to watch to see if I could learn anything new, and did pick up a few great tips… and I think I need to buy that template! For me, the hardest has always been figuring out if it's too thick or "ok." I appreciate it SO MUCH! 💕
Wow, thanks so much for this video! And, I adore your customized envelopes. They are so unique and special.
Thank you for the printable chart🤗
Lots of great tips and information. Thanks for sharing!
As explained by the clerk at my local post office, even if you put a non-machinable stamp on your envelope, you will still need to take it to the post office and have them hand cancel otherwise it will just go through the machine and runs the risk of getting damaged.
How incredibly helpful! Thank you!
Excellent! Needed clarification on all this. It can be confusing. Thank you for your clear explanations and providing the printouts.
There are non-machineable stamps you can buy at the post office. They are more expensive, but I figure, as much time as I put into most of my cards, it's worth it.
Thank you Kristina! What a help!!
Thank you sooo much for all this information! This is incredibly useful and helpful.
Kristina,
Bless you for this very well designed and informative video. I have been sending cards, maybe to family thank goodness-because they have been very forgiving- as everyone has had to retrieve their cards from the post office. I now completely understand the mailing process. Thank you so much for this January series, I've loved every single video!