The consensus regarding packing

[Daniel A]

I think I remember that there was some discussion regarding the use of padded envelopes some way back, though I can't seem to find the thread in question right now. As I remember it, there were some demands from some of the participants that the BFT discs should be sent out in padded envelopes, rather than just cardboard, apparently to reduce the risk of smashed discs. My question: Is a rice paper sleeve in a cardboard envelope considered unsatisfactory? Due to the increased weight there is a substantial difference in the international shipping coast from here, comparing a padded and a cardboard envelope.

Personally, I've never encountered problems with discs sent in un-padded packages (even from abroad), but of course I will pack my test in a way that will satisfy all participants. It's just a matter of keeping the costs as low as possible, but not lower than possible...

[couw]

I sent in cardboard and there were no problems; Dan sent in (admittedly extra special nifty) cardboard, no problems; Alexander sent in cardboard, again no problems. Make the disks sit tight, prevent them from moving around too much by taping the rice paper sleeve to some paper or the envelope itself.

The chances that something goes wrong are one in a whole lot and if something goes wrong, there's a whole web of people with a disk to copy, send, and catch someone who received a smashed one.

[Claude]

I don't participate in the BFT, but here's my experience with sending CDs without jewel case.

I usually put the CD in a paper sleeve (that comes with some CD-Rs sold without jewel case) and then between two rather thin cardboard pieces, that are A5 size. I fix the CD in the middle of the cardboard "sandwich" by posting 4 clips around it, with a (don't know the neglish word)

.

The cardboard with the CD is then put into a fitting A5 envelope. The whole package has the size and weight of a normal letter.

Fixing the CD within the envelope is the most important. I've never had surface damage on CDs that were sent to me in thin cardboard protection. The only damage that happened was on the edge of the CD, when it was able to move within the envelope.

Edited May 16, 2004 by Claude

[JSngry]

Stapler.

[Daniel A]

OK, thanks! Unless special concerned is voiced, the default package design will be cardboard.

[RDK]

To add: only one report so far of any of the discs I just sent turning up cracked. I felt a bit more comfortable not using cardboard because it was a "double" and I felt two CDs made the package a bit more sturdy in the first place. I had initially intended to buy a bunch of those nifty little CD mailers, but I ran out of time (and didn't want to shell out the extra bucks). I ended up using spare supplies from home and work. Generally a CD is a pretty sturdy thing so I wouldn't worry too much about elaborate packaging. Keep the costs down and your time spent packing them to a minimum.