Disclaimer: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not financial advice. Please do your own research before making any financial or purchasing decisions.

When I started selling cards online, one of the things I struggled with most was figuring out a shipping process that didn’t feel like a chore. Between packaging decisions, label printing, and USPS drop-offs, it felt like more work than it needed to be.

But over time, I have developed a system that lets me ship cards safely and efficiently — in less than 5 minutes per order.

This guide is for anyone who wants to speed up their shipping workflow while still protecting their cards and delivering a great experience for the buyer.

What I Use to Ship Cards

Here’s what I have on hand at all times to make the process quick and repeatable:

• Penny sleeves
• Top loaders or semi-rigid holders
• Team bags (optional, but keeps moisture out)
• Cardboard protectors (only with bubble mailers, not Armalopes)
• Armalopes for low-value cards with eBay Standard Envelope
• Bubble mailers for higher-value cards with USPS Ground Advantage
• Thermal printer for labels
• Painters tape
• Scissors

Step-by-Step: My 5-Minute Shipping Process

1. Prepare the Card

I start by placing the card into a penny sleeve, then into a top loader. For extra protection I also put the card into a team bag.

2. Package the Card

• For cards under $20:
  I use a rigid Armalope mailer and ship via eBay Standard Envelope. These mailers provide solid protection on their own, so I don’t add extra cardboard.
• For cards over $20:
  I use a bubble mailer and ship with USPS Ground Advantage. In this case, I add cardboard on both sides of the top loader to protect the card during transit.

3. Print and Attach the Label

In the early days, I would take my package to the post office and have them scan the eBay QR code to print the label. It worked, but it wasn’t efficient — and it meant waiting in line every time I sold a card.

Eventually, I bought a thermal printer, and it completely changed my process. Now I print labels at home, attach them to the mailer or envelope, and skip the post office entirely.

Except for my most expensive cards, I trust the label and packaging enough to drop them straight in the mailbox.

4. Take Photos for Backup

This is a habit I picked up just for safety:

• Before sealing the package, I take a photo of the card with the label
• When I drop it into the USPS mailbox, I take a second photo of the envelope or mailer going in

These pictures take 10 seconds to snap, but they give me peace of mind in case a buyer says the card never arrived or tracking stalls for a few days.

5. Drop It Off

For the vast majority of orders, I drop the package directly into a USPS mailbox. That includes both eBay Standard Envelope shipments and bubble mailers. Unless the card is very high-value and I want a receipt or scan, there’s no need to go to the counter.

Why This Process Works

The biggest change I made was moving away from QR-code label printing at the post office and toward printing labels at home. That single adjustment saves me several hours each month and makes listing and shipping cards feel like a manageable part of my day — not a time-consuming task.

By sticking with the same supplies, layout, and steps each time, I’ve created a process that’s easy to repeat and scale. Now I don’t overthink shipping, and I rarely run into problems with damaged cards or missing packages.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to streamline your card-selling workflow, getting your shipping system dialed in is one of the most important things you can do. It frees up your time, builds trust with buyers, and keeps the entire process running smoothly — even as you start selling more cards.

I hope this guide gives you a helpful starting point. As always, feel free to reach out if you have tips of your own or questions about any part of my process. I’m always learning and improving too.