The Logistics of Preservation: How to Securely Ship Your Memories for Professional Photo Scanning
The thought of shipping your original photos can seem scary. What if my photos get damaged? Or what if they get lost in transit?
If you have felt this way, then this blog post is for you. Keep reading to learn how to ship your memories with confidence.
Waterproof for the Win
Resealable bags are a practical way to keep your photos dry and organized. You can write the photo group names on the outside of the bag or attach a sticky note inside. These titles will be used when photo scanning.
Start Off Strong
Gather your shipping box, packing materials, photos, and Memories Renewed order form. You can never go wrong with a new, sturdy box. Cardboard will protect your photos better than any bubble mailer or envelope!
Wrap each photo group in a layer of bubble wrap – imagine they are Christmas presents, only less aesthetically pleasing.
Fill In the Gaps
Avoid empty spaces! Bubble wrap is your best friend. You can also reuse old newspaper by crumpling it up – any cushion is better than no cushion. Aim to surround all slides of your photos with packing material.
Perform a gentle “shake test” to check how secure your package is. Do the photos slide around? If so, you will want to add more support.
Caution: Please refrain from using packaging peanuts. Biodegradable packing peanuts are sensitive to heat and moisture, so they can loose their structure in humid environments!
Tape, Tape, Tape
There is no such thing as too much tape! Tape along the edges and seams of the box. Do not rely on the glue and tape holding preassembled boxes together. Once your box is sealed, tape over your tracking label. This will preserve your tracking information from any scuffs along the way. If your box looks shiny, you are on the right track!
Track the Journey
Note the tracking number on your shipping label. Keep it handy in case you ever need to check in on the whereabouts of your package. Shipping services like Signature Confirmation are a good option for those seeking for more security during delivery.
Pro Tip: You can include a GPS tracking tag with your photos (like an Apple AirTag). This step isn’t necessary, but it can provide reassurance and act as a fallback.
When it comes to shipping your photos, we measure our packaging with love — it is not an exact science. We hope these tips inspire you to send in your memories for photo scanning!
