Most people have little knowledge of how to ship a textbook. They assume you just put a book in a box, stick a label on it, and toss it in the mail. But, unfortunately, there is a bit more to it. We get many complaints from people that their books get rejected when we receive and process them. 

The main reason why most books get turned down is that we receive them already damaged and in no condition for resale. Some people left reviews saying they shipped their books in good condition. However, when we received it, it got damaged somehow. 

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The reason why that happens is improper packing. For example, it is unrealistic to pack your textbooks in a fragile cereal box and expect them to arrive in good shape. The transit can cause massive damage to the books. Several other boxes have similar problems as well.

It is also fair to include some customers who sell textbooks clearly in bad shape, hoping we will overlook its condition. We advise against such acts. So what is the best way to send your books? 

If you want to know how to ship a textbook, follow the practical guides below. 

5 Effective Ways Of How To Ship A Textbook 

1. Use A Firm Box 

First of all, avoid envelopes and any other thin cardboard walls such as pizza boxes, cereal boxes, etc. Also, do not use boxes with enough space to pack foam or bubble wrap to protect the textbooks from damages. You never know when a postal worker such as Ace Ventura will handle your shipment. 

Furthermore, do not use flat rate or Priority Mail boxes to ship your used textbooks. When you use these types of boxes, you incur extra shipping costs deducted from your payment. 

2. Avoid Any Empty Space In The Box 

Make sure that there is no space when you put the textbooks inside. If there are any spaces, you can fill them up with bubble wrap, newspapers, or packing foam. That will ensure that the book has no huge spaces before taping the box. 

3. Tape The Entire Label Effectively 

How To Ship A Textbook

You should securely tape down all the label edges to avoid tearing and raising. But you should also tape the entire label surface. That way, it will not get defaced or damaged when in transit. If the label becomes unreadable, we may never receive your packages. 

4. Buy Optional Insurance

If you cannot fulfill the previous three steps for some reason, you can go for a safe option by purchasing optional insurance from USPS. So if anything happens to your package before it gets delivered, USPS will compensate you. 

This method is optional, of course, and may not be necessary. However, if you follow the previous three steps, we should get your package. It is an effective way of how to ship a textbook.

5. Reduce The Moisture In The Box 

Nobody would want to buy a moisture-damaged textbook when they are expecting a book in a better shape. Therefore, it is highly relevant to decrease the moisture when shipping a hardcover or a paperback. Another reason is that it protects the edges of the textbook during transit. 

To protect your textbooks from moisture, wrap them in plastic. You can use plastic wrap or put it into a plastic bag. It is advisable to leave some air in the bag for additional padding. Another way is to cover the back and front of the textbooks in bubble wrap and secure them with tape. 

The bubble wrap can protect the books from moisture while providing a cushion against any impact. Another alternative is to wrap the textbooks in waxed Kraft paper, which offers high moisture resistance and does not tear easily. 

How To Ship Large Books

All books are not the same. There are small books, thin books, thick books, and big books. For example, a pocket-sized manual is not the same as a school textbook. And shipping 30 volumes of Dictionaries will require a different shipping approach. 

It is better to wrap them in plastic for large textbooks to provide adequate protection from water damage. As said earlier, bubble wrap is sufficient protection against moisture. But make sure you protect the corners and spine of the book with a cardboard covering. And also, ensure that the books are placed in a proper-sized shipping box. 

Again, ensure that the books are further protected within the box with extra packaging materials such as bubble wrap. If you are shipping more than one textbook, each should be protected using the guidelines explained above. Also, place the books in the box in such a way that maximizes space. 

For the shipment of larger books, get a multi-depth box that helps you adjust the box to the required depth. You can use cardboard dividers between the textbooks so that the books do not bend. Use extra packaging material within the box to prevent the books from sliding around. If you want to know how to ship a textbook, use these methods.

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How To Pack Textbooks For Shipping

1. First, Get Your Supplies 

Before you ship your textbooks, you need to get fundamental things. Here are some items you need to get before you pack your books. 

  • Scissors
  • Shipping boxes
  • Bubble wrap or clear plastic bags
  • Textbooks 
  • Corrugated cardboard rolls 

2. Pack Your Textbooks Using The Order Slip 

How To Ship A Textbook

Ensure that you pack the order slip well before packing the textbooks. It must get to us. Pack the books and packaging slip in bubble wrap. As mentioned earlier, bubble wrap is ideal, especially when shipping old textbooks. 

3. Protect With Corrugated Cardboard

To prevent tear and wear while shipping, it is advisable to use cardboard. Place the book on the cardboard and wrap it. You can cut the extra edges if necessary. Wrap it again if it is not adequately secured. 

4. Tape It And Staple It 

Make sure that the open ends of the cardboard box are stapled. Nothing should go inside or come outside. You can further secure it by sealing it with tape. 

5. Place The Textbooks In The Shipping Box

You can use any shipping box you prefer. For example, USPS has flat rate boxes you can use. They are cost-effective and available everywhere. After putting the textbooks in the shipping box, you can make them intact by adding paper pieces, bubble wrap, etc. 

6. Ship The Books 

You can now ship the books when it is ready. Make sure that the shipping label is attached well to the box. 

Conclusion 

Shipping textbooks can be easy if you know what you are doing. If you want to know how to ship a textbook, we recommend going through this guide. Remember that when you send your books to us, it is entirely free. If you want to sell used books online, we recommend BookDeal.com.

We are highly experienced in the bookselling industry, and we have a vast network of book-buying companies. The best part is that we guarantee that you get paid. So visit BookDeal.com and start selling your books. If you have any questions, contact us, and we will gladly help you out. 

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