Where should I put the Do Not Bend labels?
February 24, 2011 5:31 PM Subscribe
I'm about to send out about 100 envelopes (6 inches high by 9 inches wide) that I don't want bent. I'm going to have "Do Not Bend" labels printed, and plan to request that the envelopes be hand-stamped at the (U.S.) post office (and/or ask whether I can hand-stamp them myself at that location). The question: Where is the best place on this size of envelope to put a "Do Not Bend" label?
Best answer: When the Post Office has special-stamped mail that I send, they've always put their stamps directly under the postage. So that's where I'd put it. And write it in a vibrant color (like red or fuchsia) rather than black.
posted by phunniemee at 5:40 PM on February 24, 2011
posted by phunniemee at 5:40 PM on February 24, 2011
Why wouldn't you use harder-to-bend cardboard mailers?
Can you make a sticker that says both "Hand Stamp" and "Do Not Bend"?
You're not going to get anything hand-cancelled unless you stand there and watch someone do it, so a sticker is sort of irrelevant for that part.
posted by staggernation at 6:02 PM on February 24, 2011
Can you make a sticker that says both "Hand Stamp" and "Do Not Bend"?
You're not going to get anything hand-cancelled unless you stand there and watch someone do it, so a sticker is sort of irrelevant for that part.
posted by staggernation at 6:02 PM on February 24, 2011
Response by poster: I already have the envelopes stamped and ready to go. I plan on asking to hand-cancel them myself, rather than making someone else do it; I've read elsewhere that people have had success with that approach. I considered cardboard mailers, but decided I'd rather just get them out with the envelopes I have. I know that leaves me open to having some of them bent. That's OK. I've decided to go with stickers, but I'm just curious if anyone's had experience with this and knows where those stickers would best be placed on the front of the envelope. Thanks!
posted by limeonaire at 6:13 PM on February 24, 2011
posted by limeonaire at 6:13 PM on February 24, 2011
Is it the envelope or the contents you don't want bent? If it's the contents you could add a peice of non-corrugated cardboard I've used picture frame matting in the past. Often you can buy damaged pieces for 3 or 4 dollars a giant sheet (usually just a bit dirty or have marks so fine to use in a mailing). That should get your contents there unbent.
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 6:27 PM on February 24, 2011
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 6:27 PM on February 24, 2011
Response by poster: Alas, these envelopes are already sealed. I'd prefer to add a sticker—just not sure where it should go!
posted by limeonaire at 6:37 PM on February 24, 2011
posted by limeonaire at 6:37 PM on February 24, 2011
Best answer: Sticker should go in the front lower left-hand corner, about 1" up and 1/2" in. (it does not have to be exact). Yes, I went to secretarial school for a year.
posted by fifilaru at 7:34 PM on February 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by fifilaru at 7:34 PM on February 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Can you make a sticker that says both "Hand Stamp" and "Do Not Bend"?
You're not going to get anything hand-cancelled unless you stand there and watch someone do it, so a sticker is sort of irrelevant for that part.
You can, but you need to pay a little extra for it (or sometimes you don't, various branches respond to the request in different ways). Official policy (or at least, what my Post Office uses) is that hand-canceling is subject to the non-machinable surcharge, which just went from .20 per piece to .21 per piece. When I want it hand-canceled, I either take it in myself and pay my extra .21, or I write "Non-machinable surcharge added, Please Hand Cancel" (And of course add the surcharge's worth of stamps to each piece).
Depending on where you live, a lot of PS's will just do it for free, so it is probably worth taking your pieces in first and asking.
posted by arnicae at 7:42 PM on February 24, 2011
You're not going to get anything hand-cancelled unless you stand there and watch someone do it, so a sticker is sort of irrelevant for that part.
You can, but you need to pay a little extra for it (or sometimes you don't, various branches respond to the request in different ways). Official policy (or at least, what my Post Office uses) is that hand-canceling is subject to the non-machinable surcharge, which just went from .20 per piece to .21 per piece. When I want it hand-canceled, I either take it in myself and pay my extra .21, or I write "Non-machinable surcharge added, Please Hand Cancel" (And of course add the surcharge's worth of stamps to each piece).
Depending on where you live, a lot of PS's will just do it for free, so it is probably worth taking your pieces in first and asking.
posted by arnicae at 7:42 PM on February 24, 2011
Best answer: I am not an expert, but I'm not sure that hand-stamping would be enough. It sounds like what you're mailing would fall under non-machinable items, albeit without physical attributes that make it so. Non-machinable items generally incur a surcharge. Your best bet is probably to ask the folks at the post office.
posted by roomwithaview at 7:42 PM on February 24, 2011
posted by roomwithaview at 7:42 PM on February 24, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks again for all of the answers. I went to the post office today and asked whether I could hand-cancel them myself, as well as borrow their "DO NOT BEND" stamp (I decided to try that before paying to have stickers printed), and the woman at the counter hesitated at the first request, then said, "You're askin' too much" to the second... But when I politely emphasized that I'd be happy to do it and save them some work, she let me use both stamps, and seemed impressed by my speed. No extra charge!
Added bonus: As I was stamping, some girls mistook me for a post-office employee. I guess I looked pretty serious?
posted by limeonaire at 5:17 PM on February 25, 2011
Added bonus: As I was stamping, some girls mistook me for a post-office employee. I guess I looked pretty serious?
posted by limeonaire at 5:17 PM on February 25, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by luckynerd at 5:37 PM on February 24, 2011