What's The Proper Way To Mail Ink?

[Garageboy]

Just curious- what's the PROPER way to mail/UPS ink?

[SamCapote]

I would also add besides triple checking and taping the cap, to put it inside of a sealed baggie--especially if multiple inks are sent. If there is some leakage that will help contain it. Plus, more bubble wrap than you would think was needed.

[TWRDO]

You could always take the Brian Goulet approach and pack it with the assumption that it will literally be thrown from a moving truck onto your porch. Seal it in plastic and wrap with large amounts of bubble wrap.

[Nonsensical]

The inks that I ordered (Diamine) came with...just the bubble wrap inside the postage envelope. Nothing happened. They came from Sweden...all the way to Australia, and apart from the boxes being slightly dented, seem fine to me.

[paperskater]

Echo the sentiments about lots of bubble wrap!

 

Also, remove all the negative space inside the box. In other words, don't throw in a bottle of heavily wrapped ink into a box that is too big. Fill up all the extra space with padding of some sort so the ink won't be able to shift around at all while in transit.

[PJohnP]

Tape the cap in place tightly, wrap securely in bubble wrap, place in a ziplock bag, fit this into a box with additional bubble if needed, and ensure that the surrounding box is robust. I send ink out regularly to a good friend, and he to me, both of us following this approach with success.

 

By contrast, I had a bottle of Noodler's sent in an envelope that arrived with the cap broken, although, amazingly, the inner lid stuck closely enough that leakage was minor. Another package came with the bottles loose in the box; unsurprisingly, both broke in transit, and the ink soaked through the box to the exterior.

 

None of this is rocket surgery or brain science, instead simply understanding that liquids in transit can leak if not protected.

 

 

 

John P.

[kernando]

If the bottle is both old and big glass, like a pint or quart, I'd suggest decanting it into something plastic that seals better, tightening the glass bottle, and padding the top so it doesn't get broken. More can be done, like tape and plastic bags of course. I just hate getting big bottles leaking.

[Garageboy]

Thanks, I meant what's the PROPER usps protocol

http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/601.htm#1078124 I'm reading this and not quite understanding it and really don't want a huge fine if it leaks

[Sandy1]

I would write a letter with the ink.

Quite certain it will arrive safely.

S1

[funkypeanut]

You could always take the Brian Goulet approach and pack it with the assumption that it will literally be thrown from a moving truck onto your porch. Seal it in plastic and wrap with large amounts of bubble wrap.

 

Oh, definitely! Nothing's going to break in one of their packages. And I'd like to thank Brian and Rachel for giving Minipeanut many hours of enjoyment with the bubble wrap. :clap1:

[KrazyIvan]

+1 on the Way of the Goulet!

[RLTodd]

My way would be as follows.

 

1) check that cap is secure.

 

2) bottle into a Ziplock bag, making sure it is securely sealed.

 

3) Wrap in bubble rap secured with masking tape.

 

4) One or multiple bottles individually wrapped with enough rap to be a push fit into the mailing box.

 

I don't like the popcorn packing as the contents tend to shift to the bottom and not be well protected.

[KCat]

oh - the proper USPS protocol. The one everyone, including the ink manufacturers, follow? :ltcapd:

 

Not making fun of you. Just that I've never seen anyone but manufacturers of industrial/medical chemicals follow those rules.

 

You can, of course, tell the postal worker what's in the box, get a totally befuddled look from them, then explain to them what fountain pen ink is, at which point they will do one of two things: stamp it and throw it in the regular air freight bin for shipment, or stamp it and throw it in the ground freight bin.

 

I have been known to put a note in the box saying, "Postal carrier: This is just ink. It is harmless." But I stopped doing that long ago.

Edited May 18, 2011 by KCat

[paperskater]

I like when the post office clerks ask you if there is anything liquid, fragile, perishable, or potentially hazardous. I like to reply, "Well, everything's potentially hazardous if you think about it."

 

:roflmho:

[dcpritch]

... I like to reply, "Well, everything's potentially hazardous if you think about it."

 

:roflmho:

 

I hope you don't try that at airport security - they tend not to have a sense of humor.

[WanderingAuthor]

You could always take the Brian Goulet approach and pack it with the assumption that it will literally be thrown from a moving truck onto your porch. Seal it in plastic and wrap with large amounts of bubble wrap.

 

Actually, Brian is wise to make such an assumption.

 

I once received a package containing a fountain pen which was thrown onto my porch from a moving UPS truck. The pen survived - but the included cartridges all burst...

[majorworks]

I would write a letter with the ink.

Quite certain it will arrive safely.

S1

 

You would be correct! Too funny.

[RobbW]

If you're shipping ink to ME, I'd like it in a new-model Visconti traveling ink well, please. That should keep the ink nice and safe. After that, bubble wrap and a box should do just fine.

 

BTW, thanks! I don't even care what ink you're shipping me. ;-)

[JonSzanto]

You could always take the Brian Goulet approach and pack it with the assumption that it will literally be thrown from outer space onto your porch.

/fixed

[Messmer]

Just curious- what's the PROPER way to mail/UPS ink?

 

Go to a store selling pipe. Buy a ABS pipe bigger then you bottle in diameter. Cut the length you need for the bottle plus a little longer. If you have several bottle add space for a filler between them. Place a screw cap at both side. Close one side, fill a little and push the stuff so it wont move. Then add the first bottle. Fill tightly around the bottle and over it. If you have a second bottle do the same. When you are at the top, add more filler so when you screw the cap it will compress the filler tightly. It should not move at all.

 

For filler, you can use cross-cut shredded paper, dry rice or semtex... (LOL)

 

I don't think it will be the cheapest way but it will do the trick. I never done it but trough of using PVC pipe or ABS after the post office broke one of my shipping tube with a print.