How to Post Trading Cards on the Cheap (Without Risking Damage!)

How to Post Trading Cards on the Cheap (Without Risking Damage!)

Hey seller, looks like you're trying to run me outta town! But if you’re selling, or even planning to sell trading cards, shipping costs can add up fast. While you want to keep expenses low, you also need to make sure your cards arrive safe and undamaged. Whether you’re sending single cards or small bundles, here’s how to post trading cards on the cheap without cutting corners on protection.

1. Choose the Right Envelope or Mailer

The cheapest way to send a trading card is in a standard letter envelope, but this comes with risks—bending, water damage, or getting lost in the post. Instead, consider these options:

  • Plain Envelope + Cardboard Reinforcement – If you’re sending a low-value card and want to keep it letter-sized, place the card in a sleeve and toploader, sandwich it between two pieces of thin cardboard, and secure it inside a standard envelope.
  • Do Not Bend Envelopes – These rigid envelopes fit through letter slots but offer extra protection. They’re slightly more expensive than regular envelopes but reduce the risk of damage.
  • Bubble Mailers – For bulkier orders or valuable cards, a small padded envelope adds an extra layer of protection while staying lightweight.

Eddy's Emporium started by cutting up any cardboard box into TCG shapes too, and I have never received a complaint on packaging... Now we just use a more fancy cardboard that isn't from a shoe box. 

Best for:

✔ Low-cost shipping with basic protection
✔ Lower-value cards that don’t need heavy-duty packaging

2. Use Royal Mail’s Cheapest Services

For most single-card shipments within the UK, Royal Mail’s Large Letter service is the best balance of price and reliability. Here’s how to keep costs low:

  • 2nd Class Large Letter (No Tracking) – The cheapest option for single or small bundles of cards (up to 100g).
  • 2nd Class Signed For – If you need proof of delivery without spending too much.
  • Tracked 24/48 (For Valuable Cards) – More secure, but still cheaper than Special Delivery.

Pro Tip: Avoid using Royal Mail’s standard 1st Class for low-value sales—it’s faster but doesn’t provide much extra benefit for the cost.

3. Keep Weight & Thickness in Check

To qualify for Large Letter rates (which are much cheaper than Small Parcel), keep your package under:

📏 35.3cm x 25cm
📏 2.5cm thick
⚖ 750g max weight

If your envelope gets too thick (for example, with multiple toploaders), it may be classified as a Small Parcel, which costs significantly more.

4. Protect Cards Without Bulking Up

📌 Use penny sleeves and toploaders – The best balance between protection and keeping it lightweight.
📌 Secure cards inside the envelope – A loose card can move around and get damaged. Use a small piece of tape (painter’s or masking tape works best) to hold it in place.
📌 Avoid unnecessary extras – Cardboard reinforcements should be thin; avoid chunky packaging that increases postage costs.

5. Bonus: Cheap International Shipping

If you’re sending cards outside the UK, consider:

  • Royal Mail International Standard (No Tracking, Cheapest)
  • Royal Mail International Tracked (Safer for High-Value Cards)
  • eBay’s Global Shipping Programme (if selling on eBay, this removes most hassle)

For bulkier shipments, courier services like Evri and DPD can sometimes be cheaper than Royal Mail.

Final Thoughts

Shipping trading cards cheaply doesn’t mean compromising on protection. With the right mix of lightweight packaging, proper protection, and cost-effective shipping services, you can keep expenses down while ensuring cards arrive in great condition.

Finally, if you're going to take anything away from this blog, remember that 99% of potential customers will always remember the card arriving undamaged, not the packaging it came in. Don't let professional ego get in the way of building a reliable relationship with your brand.

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