What is the best way to ship a book?

The wonderful world of books is inhabited by two types of readers: the classic and the digital bookworm. The first most enjoys a paper book that you can still comfortably leaf through and inhale the smell of fresh ink. The second reader is practical and opts for modern technologies (such as a tablet or e-reader).

More and more Dutch people have developed the reflex to buy their books online. As a result, publishers and bookstores face new challenges: they have to get their products to the end customer via courier service efficiently, inexpensively and without damage. Do you regularly need to ship a tablet, e-reader or paper book? Then the tips below will definitely come in handy.

Shipping an e-reader or book: which packaging is best?

For books, tablets or posters, there is packaging that perfectly protects them from a potentially hectic journey. The (postal) boxes below are all designed to optimally protect your products from shocks and bumps, especially the most vulnerable parts such as corners.

► 1. Books of medium size and weight

What do you need? ⇒ Rajabook postal packs

Rajabook postal packs are the ideal envelope for shipping any standard book. These packages are equipped with sturdy protective edges. Thus, the delicate corners of your books are protected from bumps and shocks.

► Save padding material: these postal boxes feature creasing lines that allow you to easily adjust them to the thickness of your book. Customised packaging also equals packaging with less or even no padding material.

► Save packaging tape: for a mailbox with self-adhesive closure, you don’t even need adhesive tape.

► Save storage space: with Rajabook postal packaging, you save storage costs as you only need to keep one type of box in stock. Need to send more or fewer books, thicker or thinner? It’s all possible with just one postal packaging!

► 2. Electronics (such as tablets and e-readers)

What do you need? ⇒ Foam boxes or post boxes with fixing film

The ‘alternative’ readers among us swear by an e-reader. They are not only light and compact but often cheaper per book than their paper alternative. An e-reader or tablet needs to be packed very securely to avoid scratches or dents.

A first solution for sending a tablet consists of a postal box with an integrated polyethylene film. The film makes your tablet extra firmly clamped inside the box. This prevents it from shifting and shocks or vibrations from affecting it. With a foam box, you go even one step further. It wraps your product in a thick layer of soft and flexible polyurethane foam.

► 3. Thin and/or light books

What do you need? ⇒ Air-cushion envelopes or cardboard envelopes

With an envelope you choose the cheapest shipping solution. A cardboard envelope is suitable if you want to send a thin and light book, for example. For a little more protection, consider using an air-cushion envelope. If your book has a hard cover, this could damage the envelope and make shipping more difficult. Fortunately, there are other shipping solutions for books with hard covers.

► 4. A stack of books or paper

What do you need? ⇒ Extendable lidded boxes or boxes with variable fill height

Sending one book may be simple, but what if you need to send a larger stack? Then it’s best to choose a box that you can easily adjust in height. This is possible if you use a lidded box or a box with a variable fill height. The better you adjust your box to the size of your product, the less filling material you will need. And that, of course, benefits your packaging costs.

► 5. Posters and cards

What do you need? ⇒ S hipping tubes

Finally, we stop at posters and cards, because these are also articles that are increasingly ordered online from publishers. To send these wrinkle-free, there is really only one good solution: a mailing tube! They are easy to handle, very sturdy and shock-resistant.

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How do I send a book by post?

RAJA’s packaging products are all suitable for sending by post. If you send your package with PostNL, we list the maximum dimensions below. Always check the PostNL website for the latest shipping conditions.

• Maximum weight: 31.5 kg.
• Maximum length: 175 cm.
• Maximum width: 78 cm.
• Maximum circumference + length: 300 cm.
• Minimum size: 14 x 9 cm.