Below are listed out some options for shipping materials and practices to consider as you start selling on Mana Pool. Unless you are a Shop Owner (expecting a large number of sales per month) with an established shipping setup, you will need to consider which of these options fit your budget and workflow.

Mana Pool does recommend the shipping and packing process here for a plain white, First-Class envelope, and here for a tracked order in a bubble mailer or cardboard box. Sticking as close as possible to those shipping practices and materials will ensure your order arrives safely to your buyers.

Understanding Package Options for Tracked Shipments

Tracked orders through Mana Pool require either a padded envelope or a shipping-grade cardboard box to fulfill. You should only select packaging that is at least two inches larger than the product you’ll be shipping on all sides. 

Here are examples of what should go in each type of package:

Padded Envelope - Most Common Example: Small, high-value card orders

Ensure the envelope is lined on the inside with bubble-wrap. You should never use envelopes such as a plain brown document envelope for shipping high-value, tracked singles.
 

Cardboard Shipping Box - Most Common Example: Booster Packs, Sealed Booster Box, or bulk-sized singles orders.

Make sure boxes fit these two requirements from the United States Postal Service:

• If you’re reusing a box (be careful: boxes can weaken during shipping), make sure all old logos, barcodes, shipping labels, and addresses are covered or blacked out.
• Use enough 2-inch-wide packing tape to close and secure all seams. (But please don’t wrap your box in string, cord, or twine, which gets caught in USPS sorting equipment.)

Shipping Practices to Avoid

A Single Order Spread Across Multiple Envelopes

All cards of a single order need to be in the same envelope or package. Splitting an order leads to delays, confusion, and can be seen as unprofessional by your buyer, making them less likely to buy from you again.

Card Shipped Without Materials

Every order needs some level of protection from water, heat, and bending risks the package will face during the shipping process. Sending a card without protection virtually ensures that it will arrive in an unsatisfactory condition to the buyer.

Sending Bonus Cards/Product

While inserts such as "thank yous" and small advertisements are acceptable, sending extra product (i.e. "bonus" cards/packs) leads to buyer confusion and reports of "mistaken products" being delivered.

Packing Multiple Orders at Once Without a System

The best way to stay organized is to avoid packing multiple orders at the same time. Using the Packing Slip can help anchor you to a single order and a single package at a time, even in high-volume environments, to avoid buyers receiving incorrect orders.