Packing an Antique Plate for Mailing
Sending your prized antiques to others can be risky business. Proper packing of antiques is important to prevent breakage of priceless collectible items. Due to the large volume of packages handled every day by the United States Postal Service and other shippers such as UPS or FedEx, marking the box as "fragile" is not sufficient to protect the contents inside. Over packing the plate with plenty of packing material such as crumpled newsprint and foam packing peanuts will help to ensure your antique stays in one piece.
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Instructions
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Wrap the plate in unprinted newsprint. Using old newspapers may transfer ink to the plate that may be difficult to clean off, so it is important to use newsprint without ink.
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Wrap the covered plate in a layer of bubble wrap. Tape the sides so the plate does not slip out of the bubble wrap layer.
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Choose a box at least three inches larger than the dimensions of the plate. A large box will ensure there is enough packing material surrounding the plate to cushion it while mailing.
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Fill the bottom of the box with packing peanuts or wadded newsprint. Place the plate on top of the packing peanuts and fill the rest of the box with packing material. Seal the top and bottom of the box with tape.
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Shake the box gently. If movement inside can be felt, open the box and add additional packing material.
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Mark the box "FRAGILE" on all sides with a red or black marker. Your markings should be large and easily readable. The package is ready to send.
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Tips & Warnings
Newspaper presses often sell the remnants of their unprinted newsprint rolls for a low price.
Insurance can often be purchased while you are shipping your item to replace the item if it breaks during shipping.
The United States Postal Service offers special handling service for an additional fee.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
