Books play a quintessential role in the life of every human being. Without a doubt, they are some of the most popular, pure, and yet accessible entertainments as of today. With the advent of state-of-the-art technologies and the Internet, the book industry branched into different parts. Nowadays, you can read electronic books, listen to audiobooks, and enjoy the beautiful imagery when it comes to comics or manga.

Despite the latest advancements, paper books remain the most south-after product on the market. The dominance of print books can hardly be undermined in the years to come, as there is a bunch of scientific benefits of reading printed books. However, there are risk factors that many buyers do not consider when purchasing a couple of new books. One of them is shipping.

No matter what types of books you have, the moving difficulties are always the same. Whether your collection consists of the latest bestsellers, rare editions, or even collectible & antique books, the formula for successful shipping is identical. Today, you will find out how to ship fine books without damaging them.

Why do you need this information in the first place?

There are many reasons why you need to learn some skills in book shipping. As your book collection grows, you might want to sell some items or just give them away to other book worms. Furthermore, think of book exchange when people just share books with each other. On top of that, you can have friends, family, and loved ones living far from you; what if you want to give them a book you have just read and hugely enjoyed? In all these cases, the safety and integrity of a book are top priorities. And the sooner you understand the ins and outs of the shipping process, the better. So, where to start?

Shipping supplies

Buying quality packing supplies is half a success. It is worth mentioning that the list of materials may differ, depending on what packing method you are going to use. Below, you will find supplies that you would usually use in the majority of cases. Here is what you need:

• Packing tape
• Scissors/box cutters
• Kraft paper/plastic bag/bubble wrap
• Cardboard/chipboard sheets
• Bubble wrap/peanuts/other filling material
• Corrugated shipping boxes

Now it is time to put your hands to the plow!

Packing and shipping fine books

Wrapping

The first thing you need to do is to make a sandwich-like construction, putting a book between two cardboard or chipboard sheets. This will prevent bumped corners, scratches, dents, and marks on a cover. Then, you need to use kraft paper or bubble wrap to wrap the book around several times. After that, secure it with packing tape — the first protective layer is ready.

Giving extra protection

Before you proceed to the next stage, you have to know a little bit more about additional protection. When shipping fine books, your main goal is to protect items from all sorts of threats. The common mistake is to forget about moisture protection. Water damage is almost as critical for printed books as fire damage. That is why you need to use a sealable plastic bag in the very beginning. It is a simple yet effective method to waterproof your books.

Packing & filling

A corrugated box is the main protective layer, but you should not rely on one box only. Instead, you can use a double boxing method when you actually combine a larger box and a smaller one together. All the padding will be in the smaller box. This technique is a pretty simple and efficient way to create more robust packaging. Now, you should put a covered book in the box and fill the void with bubble wrap, peanuts, or kraft paper. The shipping container is ready; it is time to seal it!

Sealing & labeling

You have to cover all seams with packing tape or any other box-sealing material. While sealing, try to apply a little bit of force to create a tight construction. The next step is attaching shipping labels to the box. In this case, you need a couple of fragile stickers, especially if you ship some antique books that cannot stand negligence and vibration.

Insuring

If you fear for your books or you ship some rare editions, it is better to have an insurance policy. It will allow you to cover your losses if your package gets stolen or damaged. As they say, it is better safe than sorry.

Wrap it up!

The final step of shipping is hiring a reliable shipping company. It is up to you what services you will choose, but keep in mind that the cost is not the main component to consider. Opt for experienced shippers with good customer reviews and feedback. That is how you can ensure the safety of your valuable package during transportation.