Shipping important documents such as architectural blueprints, drawings, general art and posters can be a challenging undertaking. It is not uncommon for the recipients to find their products damaged due to poor packaging techniques. After all, these items cannot be folded and placed in a regular envelope or casually placed in a box.

If you are careless in your shipping habits, you could damage the small shipment. This might result in the loss of important information or a reduction in the value of an important item. Fortunately, you can avoid complications with your documents by using mailing tubes for shipping. Here are simple guidelines for using a mailing tube to protect your documents.

1. Know Your Tubes

Mailing your important documents and other similar items begins with choosing the correct mailing tube. You should look at the different products on the market and make a comparison before making your purchase. Check the various types of mailing tubes and think about your needs. In general, cylindrical or round products are the traditional choice for sending documents. However, there are other options to consider, including triangular, square and telescopic tubes.

The best product will depend on your unique needs. For instance, if you usually send standard documents, a cylindrical mailing tube will fit your purposes. On the other hand, if you are interested in a product which can accommodate documents of varying sizes, a telescopic tube which can expand is more suitable. In addition to the design, you should check out the tube sizes and its suitability for your documents. Ensure that the product is large enough to avoid damaging the ends.

2. Protect by Rolling

You should roll the blueprints, posters or other items into a cylinder for shipping. The created cylinder should be smaller than your mailing tube so that it will slip into the container smoothly. However, you must be careful not to roll it up too tight. This action could cause damage to lighter papers. Some people use a rubber band to keep the documents in a cylindrical shape. It is not advisable to do this because the rubber band will leave destructive signs.

3. Seal With Tape

Mailing tubes come with an end cap which should be placed over the tube to protect the document. Unfortunately, the end cap will not remain in place if it is merely placed over the tube. Therefore, you should use tape to fasten the cap over the tube. This will prevent the shipment from falling out in adverse transportation conditions.