Seller University

The Ultimate Shipping Guide 📦

How to ship trading cards safely, from PWE to High-Value Slabs.

Hey everyone, it’s Justin from Card Throne. After selling countless cards online, I've learned one thing for sure: the sale isn't over until that card is safe in the buyer’s hands. Nothing sours a great deal faster than a card arriving damaged.

Today, I'm going to walk you through the exact methods we use here at Card Throne.

🛠️ Our Essential Shipping Toolkit

First, let's gear up. Using the right supplies is not always about spending more; it's about being a professional.

Penny Sleeves The absolute first layer of protection. No exceptions. We like the easy pull tab sleeves.
Toploaders The rigid, gold standard for card protection.
Semi-Rigids Some people prefer these over toploaders.
Team Bags The true hero. Seals toploaders, keeps cards secure and provides water resistance.
Double Sided Tape We use this only to secure the teambagged card inside the envelope.
Bubble Mailers Our workhorse. I keep stocks in 4x8" and 5x10" sizes.
Small Boxes For anything high-value, graded, or for larger single card orders.
Tape Gun Speed up your packing significantly. Use with 3" tape.
3" Packing Tape Wider tape means one strip is often enough. Secure & efficient.
Rollo Thermal Printer The heavy-duty choice for 4x6 labels. No ink needed.
Brother Laser Printer Reliable wireless printing for packing slips and labels on standard paper.
Small Bubble Wrap Essential for wrapping slabs and filling voids in boxes.

*Links are affiliate links to products we actually use.

📦 Perfect Fit Box Guide

Stop guessing. consistently using the right box saves money on postage and prevents damage. Here is exactly what we use for every product type.

ETB (Elite Trainer Box) Size: 8x8x4"
2 ETBs Size: 8x8x8"
Japanese Booster Box Standard Size: 6x6x2"
High Class JP Box Shiny Treasure/VSTAR Universe Size: 6x4x2"
English Booster Box Or 2 JP Boxes. Size: 6x6x4"
36 Loose Packs Perfect fit. Size: 6x4.75x4.75"
ex Collection Box Size: 14x10x4"
English Booster Case Size: 20x6x6"
Large Bulk Lots Best for 4-5k cards (20lbs). Ship Ground. Size: 12x9x6"
Tier 1

The PWE Done Right Under $20

We only use Plain White Envelope (PWE) for low-value cards. But even then, there's a right way and a wrong way to do it.

1
Place the card in an easy pull tab penny sleeve and then into a toploader.
2
Crucially: Slide the toploader into a team bag and seal it. This prevents the card from ever sliding out. No tape on the toploader is needed!
3
Take a piece of paper (packing slip) or card stock, fold it in three, and place the team-bagged toploader inside.
4
Place the folded paper into your PWE. We like to add a small piece of tape to secure the teambagged cards inside, keeping it centered.
5
Add your stamp(s) or 4x6 postage label, seal it, and it's ready.
Tier 2

The Bubble Mailer $20 - $100

This is our go-to for 95% of sales over $20. It provides tracking, which is essential for seller protection.

1
Prepare your card(s) as above: sleeve, toploader, and sealed into a team bag.
2
Create a "sandwich." Place the team-bagged card between two rigid pieces of cardboard or Ding Defenders.
3
Place the entire sandwich into the bubble mailer. It should be snug, not sliding around.
4
Fold the mailer's flap over tightly before sealing to create an even more compact and secure package.
5
Seal the mailer, apply your tracked shipping label (USPS Ground Advantage), and get it scanned.
Tier 3

The Fortress Box $100+ & Graded

When you're shipping something irreplaceable, a bubble mailer just won't cut it. The principle here is zero movement.

1
For a graded slab, wrap it in a layer of bubble wrap. For a high-value raw card, prepare it in a team-bagged toploader.
2
Place a layer of cushioning (bubble wrap or crumpled packing paper) at the bottom of a sturdy, small cardboard box.
3
Place your card in the center. Fill every single gap around it. On top, on the bottom, and on all four sides.
4
The Shake Test: Before you tape it up, close the box and give it a firm shake. If you feel or hear anything moving inside, add more padding.
5
Once it passes the test, tape the box up securely along all seams. Apply your shipping label.

Start Selling Like a Pro

By adopting these professional standards, you show customers that you respect the hobby.

Sell Your Collection Today