I have a suggestion for those who prefer to use a trading card page in a large, flat envelope (and those contemplating the change due to increasing postal rates). Whenever I have received those from participants, the majority of the cards have slipped out of the pockets and gathered in a clump somewhere in the envelope. If this is your mailing method of choice, please consider putting removable tape, or "Post-it" type tape, over the middle and bottom row openings (the top row is held in place because there is no room for them to slip out).

If the cards end up in a stack, they can make the envelope lumpy or over 1/4" thick, either of which may bump the envelope into a higher postage category (resulting in postage due), or cause cards to rub or catch on embellishments or layers.

My PSA for the day . . .

I've noticed this in most of the flat mailers I have received. It is a concern.

To minimize cards from slipping out of the binder page pockets while being mailed, I will insert two cards per pocket. If there only 12 cards, I insert them in the bottom two rows of the binder page and fold the empty top row of the binder page over to prevent cards from falling out too.

Or maybe someone is really creative and can come up with a simply design to modify the binder page with fold over flaps or something. We're a creative group. Any ideas?

The recent increase to $6.00 for bubble mailers (both ways) is a huge increase.
Document envelopes only cost $2.42 (both ways).

Or maybe someone is really creative and can come up with a simply design to modify the binder page with fold over flaps or something. We're a creative group. Any ideas?

Fold a card sleeve over the top of the card, insert it into the sleeve then tape it down. This way the card won't slip out or be damaged.

Or we could just do something else. Above each pocket (except for the top where they can't slip out anyway) tape a flap of paper. Insert one end into the pocket, fold it over the opening in the pocket and tape it down at the fold. The envelope will hold it closed but it is easy for the host to open and close each pocket.

I'm into "keep it simple". I have scotch removable tape. Run a strip along the bottom and middle row openings (fold under tape end for easy removal). Done. Host does the same thing to return. Couldn't be easier.

I would think some tape on the bottom two rows would be easy enough. Even putting two cards in each pocket they will still fall out. I have seen it with me own eyes.

Some of the plastic trading card pages are rather thin. Might the removal of tape cause damage?
Just brainstorming. We will think of a best practice.

Painters tape or scotch tape? I wonder?

Might the removal of tape cause damage?

Linden Leaf's suggestion of painter's tape is good. I also have a roll of "Post-It" tape - the same sticky as post-it notes, but in a roll form. It is wide enough to be cut lenthwise and still hold the openings closed. And it's reusable, so the host could stick it back on after sorting the cards.

Washi tape?

I almost always use big flat envelopes and I've noticed the tendency for cards to slip out. At first I didn't think it would be a problem, because I've sent cards that fit in very snugly, but yeah... when I got cards back, maybe half would fall right out of the sleeves. I have no idea what state they were in when the host got them.

Either scotch tape or painters tape should work fine. I've put tape on thin, flimsy sleeves a number of times and the only tape that damaged my sleeves was the really sticky masking tape I once used to label them. Painters tape would be more visible, which makes it easier to see when it comes time to remove it.

A reusable tape would be great. Then the hostess wouldn't have to worry about it.

I'm still using padded envelopes because it's easier, so please let me know how everyone wants to do this so I don't mess up the return envelopes. I don't keep painter's tape on hand but will buy some, if that's the consensus. Thanks!

I think that people are suggesting that you just peel up the tape, take out the cards, sort them, put them back and re-use the tape.

As a host I still prefer receiving bubble mailers. They are by far easier to deal with. I think most people, including myself, will use the large flat mailer because of cost. Some swaps are just small and it's pointless to use a bubble for 6-9 cards.

I think the strip of tape is the simplest option to use.

Our current tracker we are requiring the bubble envelope due to anticipating heavy embellishments or at least on one card.

I think that people are suggesting that you just peel up the tape, take out the cards, sort them, put them back and re-use the tape.

Thanks! I won't buy any painter's tape, then.

as a frequent hostess, I'm sighing...I already dislike the document mailers but understand. I recently got one card sleeve in mail with the painter's tape and didn't know what purpose it served. I do now and appreciate the concern. Still sighing though. I'll get over it as I love trackers. sigh... Hoping more ideas emerge as we pursue economical avenues for our craft.

PS
found my painter's tape. :)

As a host, I prefer bubble mailers, too--much easier! But $6 is a lot of dough, so I get why people are using the document mailers.