10 tips that I have learned regarding the shipping of packages to your client: 

The suggestions that I have written here is for helping the people who have never really shipped many packages before and could use a few thoughtful hints directed towards any future shipping experiences that they may encounter.

1.  Never leave empty space in a box when shipping..  That empty space says to your client that you do not care if the item (regardless of how breakable it is) slams around inside the box before it reaches the desired destination..  This is bad for your image and you might end up with a neutral or an even worse remark...

2.  If you are sending an item that should not be bent during the travels here are a few tips:  Do not forget to write the very simple ( DO NOT BEND ) on the outside of the package..  I have worked for shipping organizations and that simple phrase does ring a bell on occasion at the end of a long work day..  You should use a black thick marker for this as oppose to a thin marker or stickers would work as well...   If the item is a small poster, comic book, photo or other flat thin item you should place two pieces of cardboard on each side of the item.. Make sure the item is secure in the middle of the cardboard with a half of inch extra of cardboard showing around the perimeter..  Like a slice of cheese between two pieces of bread..  I'd suggest adding a rubber band that's not too loose (just fall off) or not extremely tight (may bend item with excessive pressure) but just right..  This is not a must but it will help to secure the cardboard in place.. When cutting the cardboard backing for the thin item try to use a straight edge if you can not cut freehand..  Why you may ask??  Well because it shows that you have motorskills, are semi-professional, and do not leave crazy sharp corners of cardboard that may puncture the envelope and expose the item to the elements while in transit...  Try to get envelopes that have bubble wrap on the inside because the thicker the package the better off the thin item will be..  I have witnessed thin items that have gotten jammed in the rollers during transit and when the two D's in the phrase DO NOT BEND come together, it is then called a claim...  If the item is a larger poster I would suggest buying a cardboard tube for shipping..

3.  Where to find packing material??  There are bags of peanut type packing material, bubble wrap, and soft tissue type plastic wrap found at most shipping stores. If you have some time, I would suggest asking around at office supply stores or federal shipping institutions because they are usually a good resource to be had..  I found a resource at a wood furniture place that just recycles the packing material so they just give it to me cause they do not want it anyway...  Be creative:  I used the packing material that came with the shoes I bought to keep two items safe in transit..  As long as you use enough packing material to keep the item snug in the center of the package during the trip everything should arrive intact..

4.   Cover up what does not belong on the outgoing package anymore:  Any previous labels or product names need to be covered up or at least, the least you could do is use a black marker and put tacky black lines through them..  I find that cardboard colored tape works well or paper bags taped firmly to the side to cover up the previous history of the box that you are currently using, works just as well..

5.  Try to have all of your outgoing boxes ready to go in one trip to the mailing center of your choice..  This will save you time and money on gas.  If you are able too I would suggest having multiple auctions being posted at auction start times that are close in time frame, thus the ending times would be close as well.  By doing this you should be able to expedite the shipping procedure and get the packages to the individual destinations that much faster.

6.   Find a mailing center that does not have long lines if you can...  This simple rule I learned the hard way by standing in line for an hour of my day.

7.  Find a box that is right for the item that you are shipping if at all possible..  I used a pizza box (new) just the other day to ship an odd shaped item that I sold on ebay, it worked perfect...  If you can not find a box that fits you might have to make one by using two larger boxes..  A good idea for finding larger boxes is places that carry larger items that are shipped in cardboard such as water heaters or certain furniture items...  I would suggest using better tape then the cheapest the local store had to offer when building a special box for the odd shaped item..

8.  Real thin paper cardboard boxes such as shoe boxes should not be used for shipping..  You can however use them as packing material if you so desire..  If the item is small and packed well in a small box or envelope, might I suggest then putting the small box into a larger size box to avoid loss of the package during the mailing procedure..

9.  Try to avoid adding too much tape to a box, use just enough tape to secure the box while in transit..  This will also keep the weight of the package down and save you and the client money on shipping expenses.. 

10.  Make sure that everything is correct and clearly written on the box, especially the client's name & zip code..  Use any labels that are needed such as ( FRAGILE ) ( HANDLE WITH CARE ) ( DO NOT BEND ) etc..  Especially when shipping glass items..  Insurance of a package varies too much to give you actual cost.. The variences fall between the client, the cost of the item, the shipper that you are using and several other variables that are involved..  I would suggest using shipping insurance for high dollar or extremely breakable items...

I hope that all of your future shipping endeavors bode well...

Thank you and good luck...