Preparing Bubble Envelopes

In creating this posting, I knew to insert the pictures in reverse order. I typed up all the instructions and then began uploading pictures. It took all the pictures except these 3, so here they are in a separate post!

1. Address a Bubble Mailer both TO and FROM yourself. (If you turn the envelope around so the opening is to the left of the return address area, you will have much less trouble with the taping of the flaps.)

2. Totally wrap the Bubble Mailer in clear packaging tape, including the adhesive strip, so it becomes just a flap to tape shut later. (Of course, leave the flap open...)

3. Write out the address of the person you're sending the envelope to, and tape it OVER the top of your mailing address. Tuck under a tiny tab and that person can just grab it and strip off their address...Yours will already be there underneath for the return trip!

All those tiny turned-under corners that don't stick down are really important as a time-saver. Sometimes it's hard to find where the tape starts without them to guide you!

4. Now, to make it even more reusable, you need an additional piece of packaging tape to cover the entire stamp area, because the PO is going to get cancelling ink all over that area. As you put it on, tuck a tiny corner under on the left-hand side. That way, you'll be able to grab it and pull off the messy, inky tape when the envelope comes back to you. (Weigh envelope and affix correct postage.)

5. Insert your cards and enough postage inside the envelope to pay for the return trip, if this is for a swap. Note: You have to pay extra for thicker envelopes, so it would be better if you spread the cards out.

6. Close flap and tape over the flap, being careful that if the tape goes around to the other side, that it doesn't cover the stamp. Again, you need a corner of the tape turned under for ease of removal later.