General Forum

As of recently, I have done some online orders that required me to print out a label on printer paper, cut it out, and then put it on a plain white envelope for me to ship out. The process for how I prepare my packages regarding PWEs is putting the label centered on the envelope, then putting thin tape over all parts of the labels so that it can stay firmly on the envelope. I’ve done this for 2 to 3 years now and I’ve had little to no complaints from the postal office about doing this method. Every now and then I might get a package coming back because it might be too thick or the address I was sending said packages to was not valid anymore. The problem I have been having very recently though is my envelopes returning to my address due to a coating or covering the postage discrepancy. I never have had this issue before since I don’t put anything over the postage other than the tape to hold the actual label, which is always clear and thin so that it doesn’t affect scanning the postage in any case. I’m a bit hesitant to send out anything else as of right now since I don’t want my online orders returning to me two weeks after I sent them out which is what happened to me as of this week. Has anyone else had this issue or does anyone think that this is just a once in a while fluke since I’ve done the same method before, and I’ve had usual success with it? Any input is valuable, thank you.

Looks like you're having no troubles.

Sorry accidentally submitted the forum post without the text lol.

Is the postage part of the printed label or are you applying stamps separately?

The postage is a part of the printed label so the postage is already paid for as it is. There is not any additional stamps that are needed because the weight and cost are both calculated beforehand. 

I know the post office doesn’t like tape over stamps, but what you are doing sounds ok with what I have seen in the past.  Perhaps stop by the post office with your next outbound package and ask one of the postal employees.

Yeah I might have to since I never have had this specific issue before so I am unaware if they changed how they process these envelopes. I will just have to wait and see I suppose.

I just sent out my first order of a printed shipping label as you described, hoping it doesn’t get sent back because I put tape over the postage. 

I'm with Tscastle, tape over stamps is not acceptable, and what you are doing seems fine. I will add that perhaps it's an overzealous postal worker.

I'd also suggest using different size letter envelopes that maintain the same PWE concept.

The other solution would be to use self-adhesive labels for your postage.

i’m in Canada, the post office lady said the States are now more strict with mail than before;

a lot of mail going to the US has been returned this year.

instead of tape, try using a plain paper sticker,

& she said the US don’t like PWEs with plastic inside