How to Package Books for Shipping
Books may seem easy to ship because they are generally quite sturdy, but they can still be damaged by moisture or rough handling. If you need to ship books, you must pack them properly to ensure that they arrive safely at their destination. How do you pack books for shipping? Here are a few tips.
The key to protecting your books from all kinds of damage is to wrap each book individually, no matter how many books you’re shipping. First, wrap each book in plastic to protect it from moisture. A Ziplock bag is a good option if it fits the size of the book. If you don’t have a Ziploc bag large enough, you can wrap the book in a clean plastic bag and tape it closed.
Next, you need to protect the books from bending or tearing; this includes hardcover editions, as their corners can be bent or damaged during shipping. Sandwich each book between two pieces of plain cardboard slightly larger than the book. Do not use cardboard with stickers or printing on it, as glue or ink may transfer to the book (plastic may protect, but we would not risk it). You can also use corrugated cardboard in a roll: wrap it around the book and tape it down.
The next step is to wrap your books in paper, taping it in place. The paper will hold the cardboard in place and provide additional protection from moisture, dust, and dirt. If the book is fragile or rare, you can add an extra layer of protection by wrapping it in bubble wrap.
Now you should place your books in the shipping box. While it is theoretically possible to ship a single book or a few thin books in a padded envelope as long as they fit inside, we do not recommend it because the envelope may not provide adequate protection. What you need is a sturdy corrugated box that is slightly larger than the books you are shipping: there should be some extra room for cushioning material, but not too much.
Line the bottom of the box with bubble wrap, then arrange the books inside. There are two main ways to arrange books in a shipping box: flat (lying down) or vertically with the spine down, with the first arrangement being preferred. Do not place books vertically with the spine up, as this may cause the spine to warp. If you choose to place the books flat, heavier books (hardcovers, large paperbacks) should go on the bottom and lighter books on the top.
If there is enough space in the box, you can separate the books with bubble wrap; this will provide some additional protection, but is not necessary. Once all the books are arranged in the box, fill the remaining space with a lightweight filler such as packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or crumpled plastic bags. Finally, close the box and tape it down with heavy-duty packing tape, making sure to tape over all the edges and seams.
Now all that’s left to do is print a shipping label and attach it to the box. You don’t need self-adhesive paper or a special printer to do this: a regular printer and office paper will do the trick, just be sure to secure the label with clear tape. But don’t tape over the barcode: this makes it harder to scan and can cause delays in shipping. You can also add a “fragile” sticker to ensure that your books are handled with extra care, although this does not guarantee that your package will not be damaged in transit.
Most shipping companies offer insurance that is included in the shipping cost; the amount is usually about $50-$100, depending on the carrier and shipping method. This should be sufficient if you’re sending only a few books that can be easily replaced. However, if you are shipping a large number of books, expensive books, rare books, or books with sentimental value (for example, a signed copy of your favorite novel), you should consider purchasing additional insurance.