I am often asked 'What is the best way to ship a quilt'. For my business we have shipped hundreds of quilts over the last 24 years. From a single quilt to boxes of items for events.
Gregg, my husband, has run the 'Shipping Department' here at the Sloan Zone since we started our company. I asked him to give you the low down on the best way to package and ship your quilt.
See my video at the end with a behind the scenes shipping story!
Take it away Gregg!
From Gregg:
First of all, one important difference between the quilts we send and those that you want to send is that you likely have more personal attachment to your quilts than we do to ours. Most of our quilts are made for business and we send a lot of them around the country, and the world. When one of our quilts goes missing it is disappointing and frustrating, but it's not the end of the world. For us it is a cost of doing business and Pat either makes another one for the contract or we take the loss and move on. That said, we have only had two quilts go missing and one damaged in transit in the 20 some years we have been shipping them.
Of course the safest way to send an heirloom quilt is to give it in person. When that's not practical, shipping with some sort of tracking is essential. We use all three of the major shippers: USPS, UPS and FedEx. In all honesty I can say that I don't find any one of them more reliable than the others. We have had success with all of them and we have had failures with all of them. Here are a few tips for shipping:
— Place the quilt in a clear plastic bag (don't use a dark trash bag).
— Place a sheet of paper with the TO and FROM address on it inside the bag with the quilt. Include phone numbers and email addresses too. Be sure it is visible through the plastic bag.
— Use a strong box and place some kind of padding on all sides of the quilt. You may also want to reinforce the insides of the flap ends of the box with some additional sheets of cardboard.
— Seal the box on all seams with good packing tape.
— Do not hand address the package. Use an official pre printed label with all the tracking bar codes on it. We have shipping
accounts and print our own labels. If you don't have a way to print it yourself you may have to take it to a retail desk to have them print the label for you.
— Double check the delivery address and take a photo of the box and label. Be sure the weight and dimensions are correct.
— You probably will want to require a signature for delivery. That may be more effort for the recipient if they are not home, but the package will not be sitting unattended on a doorstep.
— Try to send the package on a Monday so it isn't spending the weekend stuck in a warehouse.
— Use the fastest shipping rate your budget will allow. Less time in transit means less time to possibly get lost. Shipping should be 1 to 5 days in the contiguous U.S. for UPS ground and FedEx ground. USPS Priority Mail will generally be faster but will likely cost more. You can check the websites with your zip codes to be sure of cost and transit times.
— You may choose to insure the quilt, but we rarely do it because unless you have a certified appraisal it is likely difficult to prove more than the value of the fabric.
— Be sure to get a printed receipt when you drop off the quilt to the shipper. That verifies that they properly scanned the package and they have possession.
— Advise the recipient of the tracking number and include them and yourself on status notifications.
— Be sure to tell the recipient not to use a box cutter to open the package.
— Confirm with the recipient that they got the package as soon as the status indicates delivery. If they didn't get it, immediately follow up on both ends with customer service to find out where it is. Have the recipient try to contact their local delivery office and the national office. Sometimes the local office can follow up directly with the driver.
In our experience, when there is a delay or something in the tracking looks messed up, the package will eventually get delivered. But do try to follow up with the carrier if it looks like there is a problem.
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Thanks Gregg!
My top 5 items are
Use a printed label with barcode, NEVER HAND WRITE a label
Use a very sturdy box
Put your contact information inside with the quilt
Sign up for Tracking
As soon as the tracking says the box is delivered, ask the person to confirm they got it. If it has not been delivered get on the phone right away to start tracking it. Time is essential for finding out where it is.
Let me know if this was helpful! I am adding it to my sew along website so You can find this when you need it.
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Just go to the USPS website (or UPS) and sign up. You can put in all your information and pay for the postage right on the site and print out your label. Easy peasy. I mail everything that way.
Thank you for these great shipping tips. I’ve never had to ship a quilt but I’ve always wondered what is the best way to do so. I’m going to keep this information for potential future use.
Thank You so much for the advice!!! I’m glad I saw this as I’m getting ready to send a quilt to another state to a good friend of mine with cancer. I can’t be with her so I’m sending this quilt sewn with hugs, prayers and love. I would soo hate to lose it!! Thank you again. Sheila
This is great information–thank you! I have sent several quilts, always using USPS Priority mail. All got to their destinations, although 2 went to Washington, D.C., first instead of Washington state!! That was a bit scary, and we were thankful when they finally got to their new home.
I didn’t think about wrapping the quilt in plastic. Really a great idea. Tracking labels, etc. Also, placing all info inside the plastic where it can be read…..Thanks for the great info.
Thanks! This was great info. I have had a quilt go missing once and it was due to me handwriting the label and the post office machine not being able to scan it correctly. Fortunately, it was found !
Great idea to place the information details inside w the quilt !
Sue
Thank you Greg and Pat for this useful shipping information! I already ship my quilts wrapped in a clear plastic bag, but never thought of adding all my info, etc. thank you again
Thank you Gregg and Pat for this informative article. Luckily I already do most of your suggestions. I print my labels but have to take it to the post office to get a label with tracking info. It works for me! Pat, love your blog, freebies, hints, and all the other goodies. Thanks a heap!
Very good info. I’ve sent a few quilts and have always used a tracking number. I have hand written the labels and then covered with shipping tape in case it got wet.
Here’s a bit more information to help. I send items all the time for my business as well as quilts to my LAQ. Sign up for PIRATE SHIP … pirateship.com. They are a discounted shipping site and it’s free to sign up. They offer discounts on USPS and UPS. You can use a USPS FLAT RATE SHIPPING BOX, your own box, or a padded envelope. Pirate Ship offers multiple options. You will need to know the dimensions of either as well as the weight of the package. (A simple kitchen scale will do the trick.) Their service comes with $100 of insurance. If you need more, you input the value you want and the price is adjusted accordingly. Once all the information is input and price is calculated, you will make the purchase and can purchase the label. You can print on plain paper; a sticky label is not needed. Tape on box with clear shipping tape. You can take your package to the post office or UPS / or request a pickup.
[I have a supply of medium of large flat rate boxes on hand so I don’t have to go to the post office. These items can be ordered & delivered for free via usps.com.]
I ALWAYS send my quilts to one of 4 LAQ in 2 different states. I ship via USPS FLAT RATE as delivery is two days. I have never had an issue. The LAQ ships back the same way.
I hope this helps you even more and saves you money as well. 🙂
Very helpful tips! My husband makes and ships custom hardwood arrow shafts and he appreciated tips too! I didn’t know you could put the recipient on list for tracking status. We give tracking number to customer but that’s all. Thank you Gregg!
BRAVO, Gregg! Your article about how to ship quilts is fantastic. I am going to save it. I appreciate how thorough you were. You and Pat make an excellent team! Big smile!
All great suggestions. I shipped a quilt a few years ago from Northern VA to our daughter in Seattle with great concern. Several days later it came back to me with a label that said no such address. I took it to post office where they confirmed that the address was correct and resent it at no charge. It came back again….and I went back to post office. They were not happy with the Seattle post office and called them up and told them so! Then, it went back in the mail….I could not believe when the precious quilt I made arrived safely in Seattle after going across country three times.
So, there is hope even when the shipping does not work the first time, use those suggestions and protect that treasure inside well.
These are awesome tips. I do all of the international shipping for the company I work for so I’m going to add one (kind of) in addition to tracking updates for yourself, most places will allow you to add an additional e-mail. Add the recipient and choose as many options as you can.
We also have a string holder like the one you showed. Ours was painted white by someone before we got it. The bracket is screwed into the wall, the hook is attached, and the ball of string hung on the hook.
Thanks Greg…. I will follow your directions on Monday after Easter. I originally thought to do it today but your directions are wonderful… Thanks again.
59 Responses
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Just go to the USPS website (or UPS) and sign up. You can put in all your information and pay for the postage right on the site and print out your label. Easy peasy. I mail everything that way.
Great tips, Gregg! Most of these would apply to anything to be shipped. I’ve never thought to include the address and contact info inside the package!
Thank you for these great shipping tips. I’ve never had to ship a quilt but I’ve always wondered what is the best way to do so. I’m going to keep this information for potential future use.
Perfect timing and perfect instructions. Had to get one ready. Great information that was promptly used.
Thank you! The only idea I’ve not done, but will now, is putting info inside bag. Thank you!!
What size clear bags do you buy? thanks for the info it is so helpful!
Thank You so much for the advice!!! I’m glad I saw this as I’m getting ready to send a quilt to another state to a good friend of mine with cancer. I can’t be with her so I’m sending this quilt sewn with hugs, prayers and love. I would soo hate to lose it!! Thank you again. Sheila
Thanks. I have several quilts I have been waiting to ship. This was very helpful.
Thanks to both of you for the very useful information… it is much appreciated! 😊
This is great information–thank you! I have sent several quilts, always using USPS Priority mail. All got to their destinations, although 2 went to Washington, D.C., first instead of Washington state!! That was a bit scary, and we were thankful when they finally got to their new home.
Great shipping tips and not just for shipping quilts. Thanks Pat and Gregg
Three cheers for the shipping department, great advice.
Thanks so much for the information. Never thought to put the addresses in the bag with the quilt. Will be doing that from now on.
I didn’t think about wrapping the quilt in plastic. Really a great idea. Tracking labels, etc. Also, placing all info inside the plastic where it can be read…..Thanks for the great info.
Thanks Greg for the very useful shipping information.
Thanks! Great info!
Such excellent advice. Thank you!!!
Thanks! This was great info. I have had a quilt go missing once and it was due to me handwriting the label and the post office machine not being able to scan it correctly. Fortunately, it was found !
Great idea to place the information details inside w the quilt !
Sue
Thank you to the shipping department- that’s really helpful
Thanks for the great shipping information.
Thank you Greg and Pat for this useful shipping information! I already ship my quilts wrapped in a clear plastic bag, but never thought of adding all my info, etc. thank you again
Thank you Gregg and Pat for this informative article. Luckily I already do most of your suggestions. I print my labels but have to take it to the post office to get a label with tracking info. It works for me! Pat, love your blog, freebies, hints, and all the other goodies. Thanks a heap!
Very good info. I’ve sent a few quilts and have always used a tracking number. I have hand written the labels and then covered with shipping tape in case it got wet.
Thank you great information. You all are the best. ❤️
Here’s a bit more information to help. I send items all the time for my business as well as quilts to my LAQ. Sign up for PIRATE SHIP … pirateship.com. They are a discounted shipping site and it’s free to sign up. They offer discounts on USPS and UPS. You can use a USPS FLAT RATE SHIPPING BOX, your own box, or a padded envelope. Pirate Ship offers multiple options. You will need to know the dimensions of either as well as the weight of the package. (A simple kitchen scale will do the trick.) Their service comes with $100 of insurance. If you need more, you input the value you want and the price is adjusted accordingly. Once all the information is input and price is calculated, you will make the purchase and can purchase the label. You can print on plain paper; a sticky label is not needed. Tape on box with clear shipping tape. You can take your package to the post office or UPS / or request a pickup.
[I have a supply of medium of large flat rate boxes on hand so I don’t have to go to the post office. These items can be ordered & delivered for free via usps.com.]
I ALWAYS send my quilts to one of 4 LAQ in 2 different states. I ship via USPS FLAT RATE as delivery is two days. I have never had an issue. The LAQ ships back the same way.
I hope this helps you even more and saves you money as well. 🙂
Great shipping advise. Thanks for sharing. I would add that for shippers that need to know box contents, linens is a safer description than a quilt.
Very helpful tips! My husband makes and ships custom hardwood arrow shafts and he appreciated tips too! I didn’t know you could put the recipient on list for tracking status. We give tracking number to customer but that’s all. Thank you Gregg!
Thanks. Great info for shipping quilts.
BRAVO, Gregg! Your article about how to ship quilts is fantastic. I am going to save it. I appreciate how thorough you were. You and Pat make an excellent team! Big smile!
All great suggestions. I shipped a quilt a few years ago from Northern VA to our daughter in Seattle with great concern. Several days later it came back to me with a label that said no such address. I took it to post office where they confirmed that the address was correct and resent it at no charge. It came back again….and I went back to post office. They were not happy with the Seattle post office and called them up and told them so! Then, it went back in the mail….I could not believe when the precious quilt I made arrived safely in Seattle after going across country three times.
So, there is hope even when the shipping does not work the first time, use those suggestions and protect that treasure inside well.
These are awesome tips. I do all of the international shipping for the company I work for so I’m going to add one (kind of) in addition to tracking updates for yourself, most places will allow you to add an additional e-mail. Add the recipient and choose as many options as you can.
You create an account at the post office, or you take it to the post office , or a mailing center
thanks!
Thank you, good info.. I have one question, how do you get a printed label if you are not a business?
We also have a string holder like the one you showed. Ours was painted white by someone before we got it. The bracket is screwed into the wall, the hook is attached, and the ball of string hung on the hook.
Thanks Gregg, timely message for me. I’m shipping 3 next week..
Thank you Mr Gregg for these great shipping tips.
Thanks Greg…. I will follow your directions on Monday after Easter. I originally thought to do it today but your directions are wonderful… Thanks again.
Thank you for the help! Shipping a quilt is so scary, like you said because we have spent so much time with the quilt. This was very helpful.
Greg and Pat, Thanks for the shipping information because I will be shipping a quilt from southern Florida to northern Vermont!
Thank you Mr Gregg for your shipping information. I’m going to bookmark this page for the next time I ship something.
Great shipping tips! Thank you!