Things You'll Need:
- Computer
- Printer
- Digital Scale
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Step 1
First, you will need to prepare your package for shipment. You do not need to go buy expensive boxes, like those white ones they sell behind the counter at the post office. The Post Office gives out Priority Mail boxes as long as you use there service. Visit USPS.com to have them delivered to you for free. Also check out Craigslist or local stores in your area who usually recycle boxes and other shipping materials that they will give you for free. Craigslist has a section for free stuff and you will usually find packing peanuts and bubble wrap there.
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Step 2
Once your package is ready you will need to weigh it. Buy a digital shipping scale from Amazon. You can get one in the $20 dollar range. Trust me it is worth it even if you only mail packages once in a while. It beats the stress of waiting on line at the Post Office especially around the holidays. Plus you can also use it to ship boxes via UPS/Fed EX etc.
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Step 3
After you weigh your package you will need to print the label from your computer. You can do this from the USPS website or sites like stamps.com or Endicia.com. The online shipping rates are usually cheaper then those you get online waiting at the Post Office.
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Step 4
After you affix the label to your package it is ready to go. You have 2 options here. Schedule a pickup from the Post Office once again through it’s website. Or you can go and drop it off at a Post Office that has automated postal centers. If the box is bigger than 12” wide and 16” long I would schedule a pickup because that won’t fit into the drop off box.
