I'm almost done with my DIY invitations but I was wondering if i'd have any problems mailing them.
I plan to tie a "flat" knot on them so there would be a slight bump on one side of the envelope. Has anyone had a problem with this? I can't run out to the P.O. until later this evening and I'm hoping I can start the tying now!
Depends on how you define "flat". You and the post office may defer in your opinions. If they are actually flat, there is no rate increase. If there is a thick bump, postage goes up.
There is 20 cent add'l postage required for items which are not flat. You should also try going to a very small/not busy post office and see if they will let you hand cancel them and also put them into their own USPS bin. Once they're in their own bin, there's less chance of them being put through a machine later. My dad's a mailman :)
A friend of mine also did a flat knot, and one post office was going to charge her 20 cents extra, and then she went to another post office and they didn't even notice the bump... so if it really isn't too noticeable, maybe you can try a couple of different post offices?
You most likely will run into an upcharge, due to the thickness of the invitation (resulting from the bow). Your best bet is to take it to the post office. They have a little plasitc guide (they should even be able to give you one to take home). On this guide, there is a slit that you can pass your invitation thru. If you have to force it thru, then the mail machine will not take it and it will have to be hand-cancelled, resulting in a higher postage charge.
I had planned to use a wax seal on the interior envelope...but I hadn't even thought about a rate increase due to added thickness. Has anyone done this? Does the seal make the envelope too thick for normal postage rates?
Mine had quite a big bump, but in terms of mailing, they got to their destination fine. It did require more stamps though. I would suggest you take it in to the post office just to double check with them, make sure the postage is correct, and that way you can be rest assured they will arrive ok!
The bump has more to do with the machine tearing it apart than from thickness. You could have a bump that fits through the guide, but the belts on the machine rip it apart. When you pay the "bump" fee, it will not go through the machines.
I know some people that had bumps and sent them normally with no problem. But I also know some people did the same, and the envelopes ended up with marks and dirt and some were ripped and torn.
I think if you are worried the bump is "big" enough, or more importantly sharp enough (you know, not a smooth bump, like a little more pointy) and it might get ripped by the machine, the cardboard idea is great idea. This way you know it will make it through the machines. And like somebody says, If one postoffice says you need the extra stampage and you don't want to pay that, try another post office. The bump scenerio is often objective. (the thickness scenerio is not objective)
I had the same issue as different post offices wanted to charge me different amounts. I regret not sending it with more postage as people have claimed their invitations have arrived quite damaged on the outside. The inside envelope and invitation were okay luckily. I keep thinking though if I added the extra postage they would have treated it as bulk and more careful.
That's what I did with mines, it really lowered the bump. Then take one invitation completely ready in it's envelop and bring it to the post office to see what they say.
What shape is your envelop? If it's square it won't go through the machine anyway. In that case as long as it fits in the slot you're fine.
If it's regular size then yes you should consider the ripping problem that Candi1024 mentionned and maybe a put something in between the knot and the envellop.
Hello hive!
I'm almost done with my DIY invitations but I was wondering if i'd have any problems mailing them.
I plan to tie a "flat" knot on them so there would be a slight bump on one side of the envelope. Has anyone had a problem with this? I can't run out to the P.O. until later this evening and I'm hoping I can start the tying now!
TIA!
posted by sweetart 61 posts 3 months agoDepends on how you define "flat". You and the post office may defer in your opinions. If they are actually flat, there is no rate increase. If there is a thick bump, postage goes up.
posted by Niki 433 posts 3 months agoI think the knot style i tied is just called a "flat" knot or bow? There is definitely a bump though.
Should lay an extra piece of cardstock over it to make it smoother bump?
posted by sweetart 61 posts 3 months agoI had small crystals glued in my invites - and all of mine arrived on time just fine with no problems with the post office.
posted by Sweeney2Be 1,488 posts 3 months agoHi Amber! How small were the crystals and did you have to pay extra because of it? the bump is about half a cm high.
posted by sweetart 61 posts 3 months agoThere is 20 cent add'l postage required for items which are not flat. You should also try going to a very small/not busy post office and see if they will let you hand cancel them and also put them into their own USPS bin. Once they're in their own bin, there's less chance of them being put through a machine later. My dad's a mailman :)
posted by snmcdowell 467 posts 3 months agoHi!
A friend of mine also did a flat knot, and one post office was going to charge her 20 cents extra, and then she went to another post office and they didn't even notice the bump... so if it really isn't too noticeable, maybe you can try a couple of different post offices?
I really think it depends on the employee.
Good luck!
posted by pinkorchidweddings 7 posts 3 months ago~Emilie
Take it to the post office. You will be glad you did in the end. There is nothing worse than redoing everything in hindsight :-)
posted by ktmoore 1 posts 3 months agoYou most likely will run into an upcharge, due to the thickness of the invitation (resulting from the bow). Your best bet is to take it to the post office. They have a little plasitc guide (they should even be able to give you one to take home). On this guide, there is a slit that you can pass your invitation thru. If you have to force it thru, then the mail machine will not take it and it will have to be hand-cancelled, resulting in a higher postage charge.
posted by LilahPaper 6 posts 3 months agoI had planned to use a wax seal on the interior envelope...but I hadn't even thought about a rate increase due to added thickness. Has anyone done this? Does the seal make the envelope too thick for normal postage rates?
posted by DCbrideinATL 77 posts 3 months agoMine had quite a big bump, but in terms of mailing, they got to their destination fine. It did require more stamps though. I would suggest you take it in to the post office just to double check with them, make sure the postage is correct, and that way you can be rest assured they will arrive ok!
posted by daffodil 65 posts 3 months agoThe bump has more to do with the machine tearing it apart than from thickness. You could have a bump that fits through the guide, but the belts on the machine rip it apart. When you pay the "bump" fee, it will not go through the machines.
I know some people that had bumps and sent them normally with no problem. But I also know some people did the same, and the envelopes ended up with marks and dirt and some were ripped and torn.
I think if you are worried the bump is "big" enough, or more importantly sharp enough (you know, not a smooth bump, like a little more pointy) and it might get ripped by the machine, the cardboard idea is great idea. This way you know it will make it through the machines. And like somebody says, If one postoffice says you need the extra stampage and you don't want to pay that, try another post office. The bump scenerio is often objective. (the thickness scenerio is not objective)
posted by Candi1024 304 posts 3 months agoI had the same issue as different post offices wanted to charge me different amounts. I regret not sending it with more postage as people have claimed their invitations have arrived quite damaged on the outside. The inside envelope and invitation were okay luckily. I keep thinking though if I added the extra postage they would have treated it as bulk and more careful.
posted by pinklau325 119 posts 3 months agoThere is a little trick, but it takes time:
Iron your knots.
That's what I did with mines, it really lowered the bump. Then take one invitation completely ready in it's envelop and bring it to the post office to see what they say.
What shape is your envelop? If it's square it won't go through the machine anyway. In that case as long as it fits in the slot you're fine.
If it's regular size then yes you should consider the ripping problem that Candi1024 mentionned and maybe a put something in between the knot and the envellop.
posted by MrsFroggy 80 posts 3 months ago